The Muslims confronted a lot of tortures and
assaults by the non believers in holy Makkah. They suffered all these with
great patience and morale. Eventually by the order of Almighty, they migrated
to holy Madeenah. But the enemies followed them and strived to assault them in
Madeenah too. They didn’t allow the Muslims to live in holy Madeenah
peacefully. Thus, the well armed - enemies came with all sorts of facilities to
Badr and planned to attack the Muslims. In this pathetic condition, Muslims
were compelled to go to Badr for self resistance by the Almighty’s order. There
is a noticeable point that Badr is very far from holy Makkah and nearer to holy
Madeenah. I.e. the enemies traveled kilometers for reaching there. From here, we
can understand that the enemies were deliberately coming to attack the Muslims.
Moreover, the Muslims were not well equipped and not prepared at all for an
attack. But they take sward only for the self resistance. They never intended
an aggressive action.
It was on 17th day of Ramadan in the 2nd year of Hijra (in January of 624 AD) that the historical battle Badr took
place. About 313 persons (there are different opinions in their number) stood
in row in the part of believers. On other hand, thousands stood against them in
the leadership of Abu Jahal.
This battle was for the existence of Islam in this
world. On that time, there was no any way before the Muslims for their
existence without the Badr as we mentioned above. The holy Messenger’s prayer
before the battle itself indicates to this fact. He raised his hands to the
Almighty: “oh Allah! If You defeat our this small group, there will be no one
for worshiping You in the earth. So, You should bless me with your great help.”
In the battle field, the Messenger (peace be upon
him) and his followers fight against the well armed army of enemies. The
historian Ibnu Ishaq (May Allah Mercy upon him) says about this army they came
to the battle field arrogantly and hungrily: “there were about 950 soldiers in
the part of Quraish. Two hundred horses approximately stood in row in the
warfront. Laughing at the believers and humiliating them, they felicitously danced
in the field”.
But the believers’ situation was very poor. They
hadn’t sufficient military help and arms, above all, even the food. Hudhali
(Allah be pleased with him) narrates: “the enemies had about six hundreds
war-coats. But the Muslims had only two horses and sixty war-coats”.
The believers had seventy camels too. Each three
persons shared each camel. Oh what a poor condition! In the battle field,
Muslims proved their morale and belief. In fact, they succeeded in fighting
with the army who were well armed and triple of believers in the number. The Prophet’s
companions could prove that it is the confidence which determines the success
and failure not the muscle power or the arms. The secret behind the power of
believers was the unflinching mind to sacrifice their lives for the Islam. They
set their minds and body for moving as for the comments of the Prophet (peace
be upon him). The words, that the companions proclaimed to the Messenger (peace
be upon him), proves this fact: “oh our Prophet! For what we will fear! We
never say as like Moosa’s followers said to him while the war arrived. They
used to say to Moosa: “you and your Lord fight against”. But we will say to you
the Messenger: We will fight against the enemies standing with you
unflinchingly. By the Lord Almighty, we will obey all orders and suggestions of
the Prophet (peace be upon him).”
Their self confidence caused for getting the
Almighty’s blessing and immaterial help. The holy Quran has explained that
Allah helped the believers by sending down the Angels in the Badr.
Here, all believers commemorate this historical
battle. In the month of Ramadan, they celebrate the day of Badr and sing the
panegyrics of Badr martyrs. We are aught to keep this custom without any fester
as our predecessors showed us.
Mua’d (Allah be pleased with him) says: “the
commemorations of Prophets are the part of worship. To memorize the noble men
is a cause for getting salvation from the Almighty” (Masnadul firdouse). There
is no any different opinion in the matter that Badr martyrs are noble. The Messenger
(PBH) has explained on the nobleness of those they took part in the Badr. In
the Saheeh of Imam Bukhari (R), there is a lesson (Bab) itself its name is the
greatness of Badr Shuhada. In this lesson, imam Bukhari has brought hadiths referring
their nobleness. Al Hafiz Ibnu Kaseer (R) says in his Al bidhayathu val nihaya:
“Mua’d bin rifa’a (Allah be pleased with him) reported from his father: once
the Angel Jibreal (A) came to the Prophet’s presence and asked: how did you
consider those who took part in the Badr? The Messenger (PBH) replied: we
considered them as most noble one. Then the Angel Jibreal said: we also gave
the same position to those angels they took part in the Badr”.
The mother of Haris (Allah be pleased with them)
asked about him to the Messenger (PBH): oh Prophet! You know my relation with
my own son. Has he entered in the Heaven? The Prophet (peace be upon him)
replied: the heavens are lot. Your son is in the Firdousul A’la, the greatest
heaven (Bukhari).
In fact, those who were killed in the Badr are only
fourteen from the part of Muslims. But, all the participants in the battle are
in the position of Badr martyrs. The Prophet (PBH) says: “Allah might inform
the Badr fighters: you can do anything;
I will forgive you all” (Sahih Muslim 4/1941, Sahih Bukhari 3/1095). It doesn’t
mean that the Badr Shuhada needn’t consider the rules and regulations of
Shareea’. But here the intention is only to show the greatness of them. It can
be seen in a Hadith reported by Jabir (Allah be pleased with him): no one from
the Muslim army of Badr enters in the Hell (Ahmed).
In nutshell, it is our duty to commemorate the Badr
Shuhada (Allah be pleased with them). In fact, we can accomplish this duty
through the celebration of the Badr Day in the 17th day of Ramadan.
May Allah include us in those they succeeded in paying due respect to the Badr
Shuhada (Allah be pleased with them).
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