Faizel Patel, 2016-06-23
Ramadan is acknowledged as the month of ibadah, mercy and blessings, but it also has a rich history of which includes the revelation of the holy Qur’an and the conquests by Muslims.
Many civilizations have events that echo throughout the ages, which are remembered and celebrated on anniversaries, like the two world wars, the fall of the Berlin Wall and others.
While significant historical events that transpired during Ramadan should not be over eulogized over the other days, we must acknowledge and remember that the first generation of Muslims also achieved great victories during this blessed month.
Friday 17th Ramadan 2 A.H. will always be remembered as a significant day in Islam.
It’s the day 313 poorly equipped soldiers defended themselves from a well-equipped army from the Quraish who wanted to crush the Muslims. The two groups met 130km from Medina at the wells of Badr.
On the night before the battle, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made the following dua:
“O Allah! Should this small group of Muslims perish, you will never be worshipped on earth.”
The Muslims and the kuffar first met in single combat and then general fighting took place. Allah sent down Devine intervention in the form of 3,000 Angels to assist the Muslims.
Chaos erupted amongst the Quraish, they fled and were severely defeated.
Many prominent Quraish were killed in the battle including Abu Jahal, Utbah, Shaibah and Ummaya bin Khalf.
Seventy Quraish in total were killed, while another seventy were taken prisoners. Amongst the fourteen Muslims who were martyred, six were Muhajireen, and eight were Ansaar.
The prisoners were treated very kindly by the Muslims who decided to free them after the payment of a ransom or to teach ten Muslim children to read and write before they were released.
Allah says about the battle of Badr:
“One group was fighting for the cause of Allah, the other disbelieving.”
It’s events like these which all Muslims are taught at a young age or in Madressa that have come to define the ummah.
In the blessed month of Ramadan many of these key events which took place have shaped the ummah and played a key role in Islam emerging as a state and a recognized power.
The whole incident of Badr was a guidance and teaching from Allah and a divine intervention. Today we remember those esteemed Sahaba (R.A.) who participated and sacrificed their life for Islam.
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