Battle of Badr

The Battle of Badr was the first major armed engagement between the nascent Muslim community of Medina and the Quraysh of Mecca. On 17 Ramadan, 2 AH, approximately 313 Muslims faced a Qurayshi force of around 950. The Muslims had originally set out to intercept a Qurayshi trade caravan, but the caravan escaped and a Qurayshi army marched to confront them. Despite being outnumbered nearly three to one, the Muslim force achieved a decisive victory. Allah sent angels to aid the believers, as mentioned in Surah Al-Anfal. Seventy prominent Qurayshi leaders were killed, including Abu Jahl, and seventy more were taken prisoner. Only fourteen Muslims were martyred. The victory established the political credibility of the Muslim state in Medina, demonstrated that the Qurayshi military machine was not invincible, and provided the early Muslim community with vital resources and confidence. The Quran devotes a full surah — Al-Anfal — to the lessons of this battle, emphasising that the victory came from Allah alone.