Factors of Victory
The Muslims' unprecedented victory broke the Quraysh’s dignity in their first military confrontation. They were completely overwhelmed and taken by surprise. The defeat of Quraysh’s troops was so sudden that when the Holy Prophet's envoy entered Medina to announce victory, Muslims could not believe what they heard and assumed that the envoy was a defeated soldier who had fled the battlefield.[1] However, it was not long before the prisoners of war were taken into the city. The aftermath of this victory reached even the king of Abyssinia, al-Naj¡sh¢, who became extremely delighted; therefore, he summoned the Muslim migrants to tell them the good news.[2] The Holy Prophet said:
The Battle of Badr was the first encounter in which God endeared Islam and humiliated the unbelievers.[3]
On the day of the Battle of Badr, Satan was extremely humiliated.[4]
The factors which contributed to this outstanding victory could be summed up as follows:
(1) This battle was excellently managed by the Holy Prophet who showed unmatched bravery.[5] Remembering this war, Imam `Al¢ said,
When the fire of war was kindled, we would resort to the Holy Prophet; and in those moments, he was the closest to the enemy.[6]
(2) Imam `Al¢ showed outstanding bravery, killing half of the slain ones.[7] Naming thirty-five of the dead ones in Badr, Shaykh al-Muf¢d writes down:
Narrators unanimously agree that `Al¢ ibn Ab¢-±¡lib killed this group except for those whose slayers are not pinpointed.[8]
(3) In spite of the fact that some Muslims, while leaving Medina, showed reluctance to take part in the war (Qur'¡n, 8:5-6) and some leading personalities of Muh¡jir£n surfaced their fear and worry at the military councils,[9] uttering despairing words, the majority of Muslim warriors showed great strength in their souls and fought bravely.
(4) Divine contributions (Qur’¡n 3:123) took place in different ways:
a) Raining at the night before the battle helped Muslims in water-supply and hardened the ground on which they could easily move. (Qur’¡n 3:123)
b) At that night, Muslims could sleep with tranquility (Qur’¡n 8:11);[10] the Holy Prophet alone was wakeful until morning, praying for victory.[11]
c) Angels participated in that battle. (Qur’¡n 8:9)[12]
d) The hearts of the unbelievers were filled with fear. (Qur’¡n 8:12)
[1] al-W¡qid¢, op cit, pp. 115.
[2] op cit, pp. 121.
[3] op cit, pp. 21.
[4] op cit, pp. 78.
[5] Prior to his prophethood, the Holy Prophet did not have any military experience. Historians refer to his limited war experience in his youth during the Battle of al-Fujj¡r. Yet, he acted in the Battle of Badr as an experienced warrior.
[6] Ibn Sa`d, op cit, 2:23; Musnad A¦mad 1:126; Ibn Ab¢’l-°ad¢d, Shar¦ Nahj al-Bal¡ghah.
[7] Ibn Ab¢’l-°ad¢d, op cit, 1:24; Shaykh al-Muf¢d, Kit¡b al-Irsh¡d, pp. 72
[8] Shaykh Muf¢d, op cit, pp. 70-72; al-Bul¡dhar¢ and al-W¡qid¢ state that this group consisted of eighteen members. (Ans¡b al-Ashr¡f 1:297-301; al-Magh¡z¢ 1:152; Bi¦¡r al-Anw¡r 1:293). During the Battle of the Allies (al-A¦z¡b, also called the Battle of al-Khandaq) in the third year of Hegira, `Amr ibn `Abd-Wudd, a great Arab warrior, called for an opponent to fight. It was Imam `Al¢ who faced him. Belittling Imam `Al¢, `Amr said, “Your father was a friend of mine, I do not desire to kill you.” Ibn Ab¢’l-°ad¢d writes, “`Amr was a liar; he had seen how Imam `Al¢ fought in the Battle of Badr; therefore, he was sure that `Al¢ would kill him. That is why he bluffed.”
[9] al-W¡qid¢, op cit, pp. 4; °alab¢, al-S¢rah al-°alabiyyah 2:385-386; al-Majlis¢, Bi¦¡r al-Anw¡r 19:247.
[10] al-W¡qid¢, op cit, pp. 54; °alab¢, op cit, pp. 392. The army of Quraysh could not sleep due to their worry; they even could not eat. (al-W¡qid¢, op cit, pp. 54).
[11] Shaykh Muf¢d, op cit, pp. 73; Musnad A¦mad 1:125; al-Majlis¢, Bi¦¡r al-Anw¡r 19:279.
[12] Al-W¡qid¢, op cit, pp. 76-79; Ibn Hush¡m, op cit, 2:286.
