Battle of Badr - Ramadan, 2 AH

Army Organization and Strategy

The Prophet ﷺ meticulously structured the Muslim army into three flanks:

• Right flank: Led by Ali ibn Abi Talib رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, consisting of the Muhajirun.

• Left flank: Commanded by Sa’d ibn Mu’adh رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, comprising the Ansar.

• Backup group: Supported by Qays ibn Sa'ib رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ.

Mus’ab ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ carried the army’s primary white flag. By organizing the Muhajirun and Ansar separately, the Prophet ﷺ acknowledged their cultural familiarity to maximize unity and cohesion.

The Prophet ﷺ used to engage his companions in key decisions, reflecting his inclusive leadership. Upon Hubab ibn Munthir’s رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ advice, he shifted the Muslim camp to a more advantageous position near Badr’s wells. This move ensured better access to water and limited resources for the Quraysh.

On the eve of the confrontation, the Prophet ﷺ spent the night in heartfelt prayer, seeking Allah’s assistance. Light rain fell, firming the ground for the Muslims while creating challenges for the Quraysh. This natural event served as both a physical and spiritual boost for the Muslim army.

As Swords Clash

The battle began with a skirmish as Al-Aswad ibn Abd al-Asad, a Quraysh warrior, was killed by Hamza رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ while attempting to reach the wells. This was followed by a mubaraza (duel), where three Quraysh warriors (Utbah ibn Rabi’ah, Shaybah ibn Rabi’ah, and Al-Walid ibn Utbah) faced three Muslims (Hamza, Ali, and Ubaydah ibn al-Harith رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ). Hamza and Ali swiftly defeated their opponents, while Ubaydah sustained injuries but was rescued by them.

The Prophet ﷺ gave precise battle instructions, including conserving arrows for effective volleys and unsheathing swords only when the enemy was close. Though there is debate about his direct combat involvement, narrations suggest he was at the forefront, alternating between making dua and leading the fight.

Allah sent 1,000 angels to aid the Muslims, intensifying their actions and disorienting the Quraysh. Both the Prophet ﷺ and his companions witnessed these angels, reinforcing their morale and faith in divine support.

Satan, disguised as Suraqa ibn Malik, initially assured the Quraysh of victory. However, upon witnessing the angels’ arrival, he abandoned them and fled, leaving the Quraysh to face the Muslims alone.

Heroic Acts and Notable Figures

• Mu’adh and Mu’awwidh: During the battle, two young Ansaris, Mu’adh ibn ‘Amr and Mu’awwidh ibn ‘Afra’ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُم, swore to kill Abu Jahl for insulting the Prophet ﷺ. After Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Awf رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ pointed him out, they rushed forward and delivered the strikes that fatally wounded him. Later, Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ found Abu Jahl still alive and delivered the final blow with his own sword.

• Umayyah ibn Khalaf: Captured by Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, Umayyah begged for his life. However, Bilal رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, recalling his past torture, insisted on retribution. The Ansar, moved by Bilal’s pleas, killed Umayyah and his son despite Abd 

Aftermath of the Battle

The Muslim victory was decisive:

• Quraysh losses: 70 killed and 73–74 taken prisoner, amounting to 15% of their army.

• Muslim losses: 15 martyrs, less than 5% of their forces.

The Prophet ﷺ ordered the Muslims to remain at Badr for three days to:

1. Bury their martyrs.

2. Recover and regroup.

3. Prevent a potential Quraysh counterattack.

4. Publicly establish their victory.

The bodies of the Quraysh were buried collectively in an abandoned well, emphasizing their defeat.

Treatment of Prisoners and Spoils of War

The prisoners were treated with compassion. The Prophet ﷺ allowed ransoms to be paid, with some prisoners teaching literacy as a means of freedom. The war spoils were divided:

• 80%: Distributed among the soldiers.

• 20%: Allocated to the Prophet ﷺ, Ahl al-Bayt, orphans, the poor, and travelers.

After the Battle of Badr, the Prophet ﷺ and his companions faced a new challenge — deciding the fate of over seventy prisoners of war. When he sought their counsel, Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ recommended mercy and ransom, while Umar رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ advised execution as justice. The Prophet ﷺ accepted Abu Bakr’s opinion. However, the following day, verses from Surah al-Anfal (8:67–68) were revealed, stating that it was not fitting for a Prophet to take prisoners before establishing firm authority on the land. Upon hearing this, the Prophet ﷺ wept, realizing that although Allah had pardoned their decision, it was not the most ideal course.

Two captives, Nadr ibn al-Harith and Uqbah ibn Abi Mu‘ayt, were executed for their grave crimes against Islam — Nadr for persistently mocking the Qur’an, and Uqbah for his cruelty and deep hostility toward the Prophet ﷺ.

The remaining prisoners experienced unprecedented clemency. They were distributed among Muslim households, where they were treated with respect and care. Those unable to pay ransom were offered freedom in exchange for teaching Muslim children to read and write—a groundbreaking emphasis on education as a valued currency.

An Ansari companion captured Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib, the Prophet’s ﷺ uncle, and offered to gift him to the Prophet ﷺ, but the Prophet ﷺ refused, insisting his ransom not be reduced by even a single coin. Al-Abbas paid 4,000 dirhams and was also required to cover the ransom for his nephews, Aqil and Nawfal. 

Abu al-‘As ibn al-Rabi’, the Prophet’s son-in-law, was released without ransom after Zaynab رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا, the Prophet’s daughter, sent a necklace belonging to her late mother, Khadijah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا. The sentimental gesture profoundly affected the Prophet ﷺ. Abu al-As was released on the condition that he send the Prophet’s daughter, Zaynab رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا, back to Madinah. She set out quietly with Kinana, the brother of Abu al-As, but the Quraysh intercepted them and attempted to stop her. A man named Habbar ibn al-Aswad struck her camel with a spear, causing it to rear and throw her to the ground. Zaynab رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا, who was pregnant, suffered a miscarriage from the fall. Kinana defended her until Abu Sufyan intervened and calmed the situation. A few nights later, Zaynab رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا was safely escorted to Madinah. It is also reported that her severe injuries from this incident contributed to her early death.

Abu Sufyan refused to ransom his son Amr, trusting that despite his enmity, the Muslims would treat him safely, showing their honor and care even for the children of their enemies.

As the Muslims celebrated the victory of Badr with takbir, Uthman ibn Affan رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ was burying Ruqayyah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا, the Prophet ﷺ’s daughter, who had just passed away, marking a moment of simultaneous triumph and personal grief.

The victory at Badr significantly reshaped Makkah and Madinah. In Madinah, idolatry sharply declined as the remaining pagans embraced Islam. However, this led to the rise of hypocrisy, with Abdullah ibn Ubayy and others feigning allegiance to Islam while secretly opposing it, motivated by lost political ambitions.

News of Defeat Reaches Makkah

The initial reports of the Battle of Badr shocked the Quraysh. Soldiers who returned to Makkah described the devastating loss and the death of many prominent leaders. The Quraysh dismissed these accounts as the ravings of madmen, unable to fathom the scale of the defeat.

As more survivors arrived, the bitter truth became undeniable. Prominent figures like Safwan ibn Umayyah learned of the loss of their relatives, plunging Makkah into grief and humiliation.

Makkah was consumed by sorrow, with nearly every household mourning someone lost at Badr. However, a decree forbade public wailing to avoid appearing weak and giving satisfaction to the Muslims. Despite the restraint, the psychological toll was immense, and the city’s morale hit an all-time low.

The Quraysh faced deep psychological distress following the defeat. Abu Lahab, who had avoided the battle by paying a substitute, succumbed to an illness shortly after hearing the news, his death seen as a form of divine retribution. The downfall of arrogant Quraysh leaders served as a stark reminder of Allah's justice.

In Madinah, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ maintained focus on reinforcing the Muslim community’s unity and faith. Revelations during this time emphasized the spiritual and strategic significance of Badr, guiding the believers to remain steadfast and reliant on Allah.