By: Aubaid Ahmad Akhoon
The Battle of Badr is one of the most significant events in Islamic history. It took place on 17th Ramadan in the second year of Hijrah (624 CE), and it was the first major military encounter between the Muslims and the polytheists of Mecca.
The battle of Badr holds immense historical and religious significance for the Islamic community and marked the beginning of a new era for the Muslims. It was the first battle in which the Muslims were able to defend themselves against the powerful Meccan army, which had been oppressing them for years. The victory at Badr was a turning point in Islamic history as it gave the Muslims a sense of pride and confidence and it demonstrated that Islam was a viable political and military force. the martyrs of the Battle of Badr are highly respected and honored in Islamic tradition, and their sacrifice is seen as a symbol of the unwavering faith and commitment of the early Muslims to the cause of Islam.
The Battle of Badr was a test of faith for the early Muslim community. The Muslims were outnumbered, and they were facing an enemy that was far more experienced and better equipped. The victory at Badr was seen as a sign of Allah’s favor, and itstrengthened the faith of the early Muslim community.
Badr had a profound impact on the Sahabas, the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) andmany of the Sahabas who fought in the battle, such as Abu Bakr, Umar, and Ali, became renowned for their bravery and leadership. The Battle of Badr was also a moment of great sacrifice for the Sahabas, as many achieved martyrdom for the sake of Islam.
There were several companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who were martyred in the Battle of Badr, including some of the most prominent ones such as Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib, Mus’ab ibn Umair, and Ubaydah ibn al-Harith. These companions are considered to be among the best of the best and are highly regarded in Islamic history.
In Islamic tradition, the families of martyrs are highly respected and honored, and it is considered a duty of the community to provide for their welfare and support them in any way possible. The families of the martyrs of the Battle of Badr were no exception.
According to historical records, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions took great care to provide for the families of the martyrs of Badr. They were given financial support, food, and other provisions, and the Prophet himself is said to have personally visited their homes and provided comfort and encouragement.
The Battle of Badr has been celebrated in Islamic history and literature for centuries. Allama Iqbal, a renowned Muslim philosopher and poet, wrote a beautiful poem /couplet on the Battle of Badr, entitled “Fazaaye Badr Paida Kar” (Create the atmosphere of Badr). The poem/Couplet reflects on the significance of the battle and the role of the angels in aiding the Muslims in their victory. The poem/couplet also highlights the courage and sacrifice of the Sahabas, who stood firm in the face of adversity.
Here is an excerpt from Iqbal’s poem /Couplet, with an English translation:
“Faza-e-Badr paida kar, farishtay terey nusrat ko utar saktey hain, Gird-o-gubaar se qataar ander qataar ab bhi.”
“Create the atmosphere of Badr once again, so the angels may descend to assist you, the ranks upon ranks of your supporters can still emerge from the dust and debris.”
Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the famous poet, once wrote a poem or couplet that likened the Muslim Ummah to the legendary battlefield of Badr. In this poem/couplet he highlighted the practical wisdom of war for the Muslim community, emphasizing the need to seek divine help from Allah in battle. According to Iqbal, relying solely on physical strength is a recipe for defeat.
The Battle of Badr, where two armies faced each other, serves as a perfect example of this. One army was heavily equipped with the latest weapons and boasted a thousand soldiers, while the other army had only 313 men, many of whom were poorly armed and without complete armour. Yet, despite these overwhelming odds, the smaller army emerged victorious. This victory, however, was not solely due to physical prowess or weaponry.
The deeper significance of the Badr battlefield lies in the superior moral upbringing of the Muslim soldiers who fought in it. Not a single companion of the Prophet among the 313 soldiers had ever caused harm to another human being with their own hands. These companions were known for their exemplary character traits and were not known for lying, confiscating others’ property, sexually assaulting innocent children, promoting obscenity, breaking promises, mocking people, being unfair, or spreading false accusations.
Iqbal’s poem highlights the importance of these character traits alongside individual worship in creating a personality that leads to the Badr battlefield. When an army raises its sword with these traits, Allah becomes their arm. For such high-ranking people, Allah even sends His angels to aid them.
The lesson here is that while physical strength and weaponry can play a role in warfare, they are not enough to ensure victory. To achieve success, Muslims must strive for moral excellence and seek Allah’s divine help in battle. By doing so, they can become like the soldiers of Badr, who with their superior moral upbringing and faith in Allah, emerged victorious against all odds
The Battle of Badr remains a symbol of faith, courage, and sacrifice for the Islamic community. Its significance is not limited to the early Islamic period but extends to the present day, where Muslims continue to draw inspiration from the example set by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Sahabas.
There is indeed some controversy surrounding the authorship of these couplets. While the majority of sources attribute them to Allama Muhammad Iqbal, some have claimed that they were actually written by Maulana Zafar Ali Khan.
It is worth noting, however, that the weight of evidence seems to suggest that the couplets are indeed the work of Iqbal. These couplets are widely attributed to him in many reputable sources, including in his own collected works. Additionally, Iqbal is known for his distinctive style of poetry and philosophy, which is reflected in the themes and language of the couplets in question.
In any case, regardless of who the true author may be, the couplets themselves continue to be widely admired and quoted for their powerful message of courage, determination, and faith.
The author is Educational Columnist,motivational speaker,Associate Editor of the weekly ‘Education Quill’ and Senior EDP Head at DD Target PMT in Kashmir.
akhoon.aubaid@gmail.com
