The scrawny young lad stood sobbing, his tears falling on the dusty ground. His distress was not noticed amongst the activity of hundreds of men gathering around the palm grove so close to the Prophet’s Masjid. The atmosphere was charged with an anxious anticipation; the searing heat, the daunt faces of the fasting men, the concern for the unknown, coupled with a deep yearning to be accepted. The animals were also agitated, sensing the impending activity. The lad’s older brother was trying to sooth him with comforting words, as he retreated to the background of the crowd, but he could not be consoled. When asked what the matter he said was: "I am afraid," said Umayr, "I am afraid that I will be told that I am too young."
The above took place 1425 years ago, around the 10th to 12th day of Ramadhan, SubhanAllah, where Masjid Suqya is today.
The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam initially told Umayr RadhiAllahu anhu, the younger brother of Sa’ad ibn Abi Waqqas RadhiAllahu anhu that he was too young to join the contingent of the believers and told him to return home. And that is why he was so emotional. Umayr RadhiAllahu anhu longed to go forth, hoping that he would be granted martyrdom! Such enthusiastic commitment and love for Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and the message he conveyed, and so early in the history of Islam, being the second year of Hijrah.
When Umayr RadhiAllahu anhu’s zeal was brought to the attention of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, he recounted his original decision and allowed him to remain. Sa’ad RadhiAllahu anhu said he was so young that he had to help him with attaching the straps for his sword-belt.
As the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam led the army out from Madinah he prayed, "O Allah! They are barefoot, so mount them! They are bare so clothe them. They are hungry, so satiate them! They are poor, so enrich them from Your favours!"
There are accounts were the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum would share sandals between them! One wearing one sandal while another wearing one, on the scorching rugged desert sands and rocks!
Let us ponder this scene and how our 11th or 12th day of Ramadhan is!
To help our understanding of the details of this Battle I offer the following quiz! I am learning so much with this exercise! Insha’Allah I will post the answers on the 17th of Ramadhan, which is the date the scholars say the battle took place. May we increase our knowledge of our rich heritage, sharing it with our young ones, encouraging discussions and learning so that our Iman may soar with the same love and passion that we see in Umayr RadhiAllahu anhu.
1. What was the reason behind the battle?
2. What did the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam do initially?
3. How many Muslims accompanied the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam?
4. How many were Muhajiroon and how many Ansar?
5. What animals were they equipped with?
6. Who was appointed Governor of Madinah in the absence of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam?
7. Who was the flag bearer for the Muslim army?
8. What colour was the flag?
9. How was the Muslim army divided?
10. Where did the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam head towards?
11. What did Abu Sufyan do?
12. How did the Quraish react?
13. What was the message they received on their way to Badr?
14. What was the manoeuvre adopted by Abu Sufyan?
15. What did the Makkans think on hearing of the situation?
16. Who was leading the Makkans?
17. How many Makkans were there?
18. Why did the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam decide to encounter the enemy?
19. How did the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam know all the details about the enemy?
20. How did the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam spend the night before the battle?
21. Who was the first to trigger the war?
22. What happened to him?
23. What did the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam do when the general fighting started?
24. What was the result?
25. What verse of the Qur’an Majeed refers to this?
26. Who killed the leader of the enemy?
27. Who received his sword?
28. How many Muslims were martyred?
29. How many pf the enemy were killed and how many taken captive?
30. How did the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam distribute the booty?
31. What did the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam decide about the captives?
32. What was another option given to the captives?
33. When did the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam return to Madinah?
34. What was the importance of Ghazwah Badr?
35. Why did Allah Ta’ala describe the Day of Badr as Yaumal Furqan (The Day of Distinction)?
36. What was the sad news the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam came home to?
37. What was the fate of Umayr RadhiAllahu anhu?
The following sites offer information and Insha’Allah may assist with your knowledge of this epoch battle.
http://www.geocities.com/badr_313/
http://www.alinaam.org.za/library/badr.htm
http://www.al-islam.org/history/history/badr.html
http://alislaah3.tripod.com/alislaah/id7.html
http://www.thewaytotruth.org/prophetmuhammad/badr.html
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen.
Jazakum Allahu Khayran for such eye openner. So much we need to know about our history as Muslims. Especially these inspiring aspects of it. The life of Rasulullah (Salla Allah Alaihi Wasallam) and the life of his eminent Sahaba (Radiya Allahu Anhum) are our guide in this life. If we lose our guide, we are like a blind person walking into disaster after disaster. So, we are today. Thanks again and keep up the good work.
Comment by nq — October 3, 2006 @ 11:17 pm