Ramadan and the Battle of Badr

The battle marked a turning point for the early Muslim community (ummah) from a defensive stance toward one of stability and expansion

This is where the Battle of Badr took place. Photo: Faizel Patel/The Citizen

As the Islamic month of Ramadan passes the halfway mark, Muslims across the world will commemorate the 17th day of Ramadan as a significant day on the Islamic calendar.

The month of Ramadan is expected to end on 2 May which will culminate on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan, depending on the sighting of the moon.

In the year 2AH (after migration from Makkah to Medina), 313 Muslims led by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) lined-up against a thousand well-equipped disbelievers from Makkah in the battle of Badr.

The plains of Badr, the site of the battlefield is about 354km from Makkah in Saudi Arabia.

According to Islamic scholars, the clash between the Muslims and non-Muslims has been described as the day of Yawmul Furqan, the day where truth was distinguished from falsehood.

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The battle marked a turning point for the early Muslim community (ummah) from a defensive stance toward one of stability and expansion.

It damaged Makkan trade and boosted the morale of the ummah as a viable force in its pursuit of control of the holy city.

According to narrations, there were a number of miracles that took place during the battle.

Islamic scholars narrate that when the battle was about to start, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) took some sand and threw it in the directions of the enemy.

“Yet when he threw it, by a miracle, that dust hit and penetrated the eyes, the noses and mouths of every single person of the thousand army of the Quraish that left Makkah – It made them lose orientation, they became disillusioned, they became perplexed, confused.”

“The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) companions on the day of the Battle of Badr were outnumbered, outgunned, yet they remained firm and Allah (God) sent rain on that day.”

The companions (PBUTH) were not alone in their quest for victory.

Allah says in the Qur’an: “And remember the time when Allah reassured the believers that I am sending down three thousand Angels to help you.”

The Muslims won the battle with 14 companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) being martyred while 70 non-believers were killed, but had the Muslims lost, Islamic scholars say, the religion of Islam would have been extinguished forever.

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