Lessons of Faith from The Battle of Badr

It was on a mistiest dark night, the greatest man who has ever laid feet on this earth was in a sincere supplication, crying out to his mightiest creator. This man, the most beloved to his Lord, a monumental leader, the carrier of the message of truth, the light of the whole world, Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) has raised his hand to His Lord asking for help. Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) was surrounded by thousands of men who were waiting to strike the brow of war to take away the dear lives of the believers. This was The Battle of Badr.

The Muslim army was made up of 300-317 men strengthen by faith. They possessed 2 horses, 70 camels and very few armories to fight against an army of polytheists consisting of 1000 men, large number of horses, camels and massive armories. Skilled warriors and amours, talented combaters and archers, men with knowledge and experience on war field were taking the forefront of the polytheist army. These men were motivated by a horrible desire for revenge and exterminating anyone that might jeopardize their routes.

"…boastfully and to be seen of men, and hinder (men) from the path of Allâh.” [Al-Qur'an 8:47]

This war dominating scenario was visible for the men of faith in the opposite side those who were weakened by the worldly war materials and strengthen by the divine courage and faith. Imagine this situation where every aspect of them was overpowered. No visible hope was left. Every corners they see were the dangers and loss of lives. Who with a sound mind would go for war with an army 3 times bigger than them and with best available armories at their disposal? Wasn’t it an inexorable defeat?

When analyzing the situation these men were new to the faith of Islam and it was brought to light by the Holy Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) at his age of 40 in the city of Makkah. But He was rejected by his own tribe and family for believing the new faith of one God and those who followed the religion were given unimaginable tortures. The believers and the Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) migrated to Madina to have a better reach out to the faith of Islam. And this occurred in the thirteenth year of Prophetic mission.

Once the Prophet reached Madinah he established the headquarters of Islam. And the Battle of Badr occurred in the second year of the migration. The army of polytheist from the city of Makkah wanted to destroy the roots of Islam. A massive army was marching to destroy the Muslims. The men with Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) were new to Islam yet strengthen with faith. If these men to be destroyed there wouldn’t be any left to worship Allah, the Almighty. What would have been the thoughts of these brave men at that time of life and death situation? When Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) asked the opinions of his most beloved men, the replies amazed him at that time and every one of us still can be awed at it.

  

Al-Miqdad bin ‘Amr RA got up and said: "O Rasulullah! Proceed where Allâh directs you to, for we are with you. We will not say as the Children of Israel said to Moses: "Go you and your Lord and fight and we will stay here;"

Rather we shall say: “Go you and your Lord and fight and we will fight along with you." He was a man migrated to Madina from Makkah.

And the Ansari’s, the people of Madina replied as follow,       

Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh RA said, “O Rasul of Allâh! We believe in you and we bear witness to what you have asserted safety to us and we declare in unequivocal terms that what you have brought is the Truth. We give you our firm pledge of obedience and sacrifice. We will obey you most willingly in whatever you command us, and by Allâh, Who has sent you with the Truth, if you were to ask us to plunge into the sea, we will do that most readily and not a man of us will stay behind. We do not grudge the idea of facing the enemy. We are experienced in war and we are trustworthy in combat. We hope that Allâh will show you through our hands those deeds of valor which will please your eyes. Kindly lead us to the battlefield in the Name of Allâh."

These men in faith had nothing but their willpower, belief in the oneness of Allah, the Almighty, and love for their most beloved Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him). In midst of the massive army of destruction and valley of death, they held firm for their faith. They believed the impossible will become possible when the trust is placed on their Lord. They marched forward keeping their head straight and the chest filled with massive courage to the battlefield to face the promised victory of their Lord.

"O Allâh! Should this group (of Muslims) be defeated today, You will no longer be worship." At the battlefield, Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) has raised his hand calling out to his Lord to protect the men in faith who has marched forward to protect the faith of Allah, the Almighty.

The battle had actually started. Protected by armor and shields, few duelers from both the sides took part but the Makkans suffered terrible defeats in all the combats and lost some of their most precious lives. They were too much exasperated and enraged and fell upon the Muslims to exterminate them once and for all. The Muslims, however, after supplicating their Lord, calling upon Him for assistance, were made to hold to their position and conduct a defensive war plan that was successful enough to inflict heavy losses on the attackers.

"Verily, I am with you, so keep firm those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved." [Al-Qur'an 8:12]

This was a most crucial moment where Allah’s help came in favor of Muslims.

  

Allâh, the All-Mighty, also inspired another message to His Messenger, saying:

"I will help you with a thousand of the angels each behind the other (following one another) in succession." [Al-Qur'an 8:9]

And the battle was won with the help of Allah, the Almighty. This is the faith can do. Once we place our trust in the only one who can do everything to us then what is the worry we have in this world and the next?

Don’t we all face such kind of situations in every other phase of our lives where we don’t know what’s going on and where there is no visible victory? Don’t we feel overpowered with trials and tribulations in life? How often do we sense that we don’t have any way out of the darken lives we are spending right now? Don’t we have the same kind of Battle of Badr in our day to day lives?

At a time like that, what do we do? Weep, moan and curse the bitterness of the situations or do we have the same kind of courage as those men in faith had in the battle of Badr?

Isn’t it inevitable that when we have placed the trust in Allah, miracles can happen? The impossible becomes possible in front of our eyes?

The battle of Badr taught us very important life lessons.

Faith can do the unimaginable

When facing a calamity faith is the important element to come out of it. The Badr companions had unshakable faith in their Lord, Allah the Almighty and his messenger Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him). They had faith that they will not be left alone. The same way when we face a calamity believe in thy Lord. Have faith that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Have faith to foresee the goodness in tough situations brings. What more evidence we need than the Battle of Badr, that faith can do the unimaginable?

At a time of calamity ‘Courage’ can do wonders

When our hearts are filled with faith in thy Lord, take the courage to face the situations. The Badr Companions had such an amazing courage to face their enemies. Their hearts were filled with courage to do whatever it takes to complete the task given to them. Massive actions in the cause of situation can do wonders.

In any aspect of your life, whatever the situation you are facing, fill your heart with faith and march forward to take actions with utmost courage.

It is a law of the nature that the universe falls in love with a courageous heart which consistently strives harder to do better and bigger. 

Allah will come to our aid when we trust

Surely, Allah, the Almighty is near when we have placed complete trust in Him. For the faith and courage shown by The Badr Companions, Allah came to their aid and grant them victory. We aren’t any closer to those amazing souls. But those companions and we share one thing in common – Lahilaha Illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah. If Allah came to their aid, surely Allah will clear our path in unimaginable ways and give us victory if we have complete submission unto Him.

Allah is Great, praise is to Allah, Who fulfill His Promise to His Servants,

“Indeed! The Help of Allah is near” [Al-Qur'an 2:214]