Dear Mumineen,
Salamun alaykum,
Disturbing news for Muslims:
It was barely the second year since the Noble Prophet and the Muslims had undertaken the Hijra from Makka to Madina when news of a caravan proceeding to Makka, under the leadership of Abu Sufyan, reached the
Muslims in Madina. This was disturbing for the Muslim Community. Why?
The Qurayshi idolators had put all their savings on a trade caravan to Syria
and decided to use the profits to purchase arms, horses and other items of
war. This procurement was in preparation to launch a battle against the
nascent Muslim community set up in Madina.
17 th Ramadhan: the encounter:
The Noble Prophet left Madina with a small band of 313 men, 2 horses and
70 camels to go to Badr outside Madina to face the Qurayshi army led by
Abu Jahl. The army of the Qurayshi idolators was strong having 1000 men,
100 horses and 700 camels.
It was on the 17 th of Shahru Ramadhan in the year 2 A.H. when the two
armies faced each other. This was the first military confrontation against the
Muslims launched by the idolators.
Day of victory:
At the battlefield of Badr, the famous Quraysh warriors Utbah, Shayba and
Walid came to challenge the Muslims to single combat. They were defeated
and killed by Ubayda, Hamza and Imam Ali a.s. The death of their heroes
left the Quraysh idolaters disturbed. Therefore, they began attacking en
masse.
In the thick of the battle, the Noble Prophet prayed to Allah. By Divine help
great victory was achieved by the Muslims; though they were few in number
and lacking strength of weapons. As a result, this victorious outcome
strengthened the faith of the believers and made them united as a
community.
What caused this victory?
Was it not the absolute confidence in the Divine Power and total
commitment to eimaan –faith- that, despite the enemies having the upper
hand in numbers and weapons, yet the Muslims did achieve victory?
Our battles today:
We too in our present times, the ummah of Islam, have not been spared of
the attacks against our faith, community and ourselves. These assaults have
been advanced not only from without the fold of Islam, but unfortunately
also from within. The attacks from within come from groups which are
energised by the extremist and deviant interpretations of Islam. The
external onslaughts against Islam and the ummah have been advanced in
numerous fronts including Islamophobic, ideological, political, economic,
military, cultural, social and other confrontations.
Will we be victorious?
We definitely need to continue to uphold and defend the pristine message of
Islam. In these days of Ghaybatul Kubra do not be frightened or intimidated
by Islamophobia, the propaganda and onslaught against Islam and Muslims.
InshAllah, we will be victorious. What needs to be done?
Is it by strength in our numbers or vastness of our resources that we will
achieve victory? Unfortunately, not.
To be triumphant we need to be strongly reliant- tawakkul- upon Allah SWT,
devotedly adhere to the teachings of Thaqalayn: the Qur’an and Ahlul Bayt,
be profusely grateful -shukr- for the abundant bounties we enjoy and make
fervent duas beseeching Allah SWT by wasila of Ahlul Bayt a.s. to be granted
success against the challenges of the Ghaybatul Kubra.
May the Divine hospitality of Shahru Ramadhan motivate us towards
attaining devotion of service to Allah SWT, Insha Allah.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah.
With salaams and duas,
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat