Salamun alaykum,
17 th Ramadhan: the encounter:
The idolators from Makka launched a military confrontation against the
Muslims. This first battle of the Muslims took place on the 17 th of Shahru
Ramadhan in the year 2 A.H.
Background:
Barely two years since the Noble Prophet and the Muslims had undertaken
the Hijra from Makka to Madina news of a caravan proceeding to Makka
reached the Muslims in Madina. The Qurayshi idolators, under the leadershipof Abu Sufyan, were in preparation to launch a battle against the nascent
Muslim community set up in Madina. They 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.
In response, 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.
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. Though few in
numbers and lacking strength of weapons, great victory was achieved by the
Muslims. As a result of the Divine help, 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?
Reflection:
If the victory from Allah SWT would not have been there at this crucial time,
then the sacred places in which the name of God (Synagogues, Churches
and Mosques) is mentioned would have all ended up being destroyed due to
defeat of Muslims in the war against idolators / pagans. Thus, the victory of
Badr is not only for Muslims. Rather it is a victory for the Abrahamic faiths;
Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The original Divine message of Nabi Ibrahim
a.s. (Refer Sura al Haj 22:41) was safeguarded. Certainly, it was the victory
of Badr that led to the strengthening of Islam.
Our battles today:
In our present times, we too, the Ummah of Islam, have not been spared of
the attacks against our faith and unity. These assaults have been advanced
not only from without the fold of Islam, but unfortunately also from within.
These attacks from within come from groups which are energised by the
extremist and deviant interpretations of Islam. The onslaughts against Islam
and the ummah have been advanced in numerous fronts including
ideological, political, economic, military, cultural, social and other
confrontations.
Big Question: Will we be victorious?
In these days of Ghaybatul Kubra do not be frightened or intimidated by the
propaganda and onslaught against Islam and Muslims. We need to continue
to uphold and defend the pristine message of Islam. 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,
and devotedly adhere to the teachings of Thaqalayn: the Qur’an and Ahlul
Bayt a.s. We need to be profusely grateful -shukr- for the abundant bounties
we enjoy. 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.
O Allah, (please do) help us observe fasting in this month. Guide us to practice the
acts of worship (perfectly), grant us vigour to offer prayers. Do not preclude us
from reciting the Qur'an and make easy for us to give alms. Extract from dua by 9 th
Imam Muhammad al Taqi al Jawad a.s.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah.
With salaams and duas,
Fazle Abbas
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo BA(Hons),Cert. Ed.(DTLLS)
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat