Sittings in Ramadhan with Shaikh ibn Utheimeen (Day 18)

مجالس شهر رمضان
Day Eighteen:
From the Battle of Badr
Sheikh Muhammad bin Saleh Al-Uthaymeen

My brothers: Indeed in this blessed month, Allah gave the Muslims victory in the battle of Badr. This day is called the Day of Furqan (criterion) because Allah (swt) separated on this day between the Truth and Falsehood, with the victory of his Messenger and the believers. This was in Ramadhan in the second year Hijri. The reason for this battle was because the Prophet (saw) heard that Abu Sufyan was heading from Sham to Makkah with a caravan belonging to Quraysh. So he told his companions to leave so that they may take the caravan.

This is because Quraysh fought the Messenger (saw) and his companions and they did not have a treaty between them, and they forced them from their land and their wealth, and they stood against their dawah of truth. So the Muslims had the right to take the caravan.

So the Prophet (saw) left with 300 and some companions, ten of them on horses, 70 of them on camels, 70 of them were from the Muhajereen, and the rest were from the Ansar. They were intending to take the caravan, and they weren’t expecting to fight a battle. This is so that Allah could carry out an order that was going to happen, and to do what he wills. Abu Sufyan found out that the Muslims were going to attach so he sent someone to Quraysh to prepare to defend the caravan. Abu Sufyan took a different route and went towards the sea, so he was safe.

As for Qurayash, when the message reached them they prepared for war with 1000 men, 100 horses, and 700 camels, and singers singing about the destruction of the Muslims, “insolently and to be seen of men, and to hinder (men) from the path of Allah. For Allah compasseth round about all that they do.”

When Abu Sufyan learned about Quraysh leaving he told them that he was safe and that he didn’t need them. Upon hearing this message Abu Jahl said, “By Allah, we will not turn back until we get to Badr. There we will stay for three days, slaughter animals, have a feast, drink wine and have the girls sing for us. All of Arabia shall hear of our march, our strength and shall afterwards respect us.”