The Light That Emerged from the Shadows of Oppression
Years of relentless persecution, boycott, and torture in Makkah had forced the Muslims to leave the land of their birth. The Muslim community that migrated to Madinah had left everything behind in Makkah, while the polytheists had looted their properties and used them as capital for their trade caravans to Syria. When the Prophet ﷺ learned that a large Quraysh caravan under Abu Sufyan's command was returning from Syria, he set out with just over 300 Companions with the intention of reclaiming the usurped rights of the Muslims.
The Caravan Escapes, War Drums Sound
However, Abu Sufyan, having learned of the Prophet's ﷺ intention, diverted the caravan to the coastal route and sent a distress message to Makkah. Blinded by his pride and arrogance, Abu Jahl — despite the caravan being saved — marched with an army of 1,000 fully armed soldiers to display Makkah's military might and to erase the Muslims from history forever. The polytheist army had 100 horsemen, 700 camels, and abundant supplies; while the Muslims had merely 2 horses and 70 camels that they rode in turns. A massive military imbalance prevailed.
The Companions' Unmatched Devotion: "If You Plunge Into the Sea, We Shall Plunge With You"
As they approached Badr, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ consulted with his Companions, as only the caravan had been the original target and no preparation for war had been made. After the selfless speeches of Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), Sa'd ibn Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Ansar rose and uttered those historic words: "O Messenger of Allah! We have believed in you and testified that your cause is the truth. Command us as you wish. Know that if you were to point us to this sea and plunge into it, we would plunge into it with you. Not a single one of us would stay behind!" This incredible scene of devotion brought a smile to the blessed face of the Prophet ﷺ, and the army marched toward the wells of Badr.
The Prophet's Tears and the Heavens That Split Open
Friday morning, 17th of Ramadan... When the two armies faced each other at the plain of Badr, the Prophet ﷺ fell upon his prayer mat and, weeping profusely, stretched out his hands to the sky in desperate supplication: "O Allah! Fulfill Your promise to me. O my Lord! If this small band of Muslims perishes, there will be no one left on earth to worship You!" Such was his supplication that his cloak slipped from his blessed shoulders. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) placed it back and said: "Enough, O Messenger of Allah, your Lord will surely fulfill His promise."
And the heavens split open... The angels of Allah Most High descended to earth one after another, led by the Archangel Gabriel (peace be upon him). As stated in the Quranic verse, Allah sent thousands of angels to aid the believers in succession.
The Legendary Duels and Yawm al-Furqan
The battle began with the Arab tradition of "mubaraza" (single combat), in which Ali, Hamza, and Ubayda (may Allah be pleased with them) struck down three formidable polytheists (Utba, Shayba, and Walid). Then a great storm raged and the Companions charged upon the polytheists like ocean waves, crying out "Ahad! Ahad!" (The One! The One!). With the angels' aid, terror struck the heart of the enemy army. The mighty Makkan army — thought to be invincible — was shattered. 70 polytheists, including Islam's greatest enemy Abu Jahl, lay dead, and another 70 were captured at the plain of Badr. The Muslims had lost only 14 martyrs.