Results of The Battle of Badr

Results of  The Battle of Badr

 

One might think that the result of the battle was unbelievable and illogical: the Makkans had lost only 140 fighters in the encounter. They still had over 800, that is more than double the whole Muslim contingent .One would suppose they should withdraw, then reorganize and resume the battle.

 

However, deeply scrutinizing the tactics employed by the Muslim army at this instance, their first battle, explains the resounding success. The reasons behind the success can be outlined as follows:

 

1. UNITY OF LEADERSHIP

 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was the supreme commander in the battle, an ideal leader who consulted with his companions, accepted good advices and went at the head of his forces when the need arose. This generated a magnificent discipline in the Muslim army, which is contrary to the deep divisions that characterize the armed forces of the enemies.

 

2. MILITARY COMPETENCE

 

The Muslim soldier was known for exemplary fighting competence, rigorous discipline, obedience to the commander and a strong communal spirit which the Prophet (peace be upon him) had worked hard to inculcate in his companions. This was exemplified in the brotherhood between the Muhaajirun (Makkan Muslims) and the Ansaar (Madinan Muslims). On the opposite side, we see that extreme selfishness and individualism were dominant in the ranks of the Makkan pagan army.

 

3. NEW TROOP-DISPOSITION PLAN

 

The march of the Muslim army from Madinah was in a combative form, which resembles modern fighting strategies. The Prophet (peace be upon him) sent off a vanguard and left behind a rear-guard, made use of exploratory patrols, raided the enemy camps to take captives that divulge information before the battle and braved the war in a new fashion based on cooperation, that of fighting with closed ranks. On the other hand, the Makkan pagan army followed a hit-and-run approach.

 

4. HIGH SPIRITS

 

The Muslim fighter enjoyed high morale emanating from firm faith. The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged his men and enhanced their spirits with constant prayers and promising them with success.

 

5. CLARITY OF PURPOSE

 

The chief purpose of the Muslims was to destroy the heads of infidelity and remove the obstacles from the way of the mission. Assaulting the caravan of Quraish was only a tactical aim. This is why we find that the Prophet (peace be upon him) decided to attack the Makkan Pagan army to realize the strategic chief purpose mentioned earlier in spite of the fact that the caravan (the tactical aim) had slipped away.

 

6. HAVING A SUBLIME END

 

Muslims were fighting to attain God's pleasure, to raise God's word over all others and to remove material obstacles facing Islam which aims to liberate man from slavery and oppression. On the other side of the spectrum, the Pagans were fighting for lowly worldly aims, corrupt decrepit ideas or in fanatic support of a tribe or clan.

 

In brief we can see the results of the battle as follows:

 

The battle put in jeopardy Mecca's trade route with the Syrian territories.

 

it weakened Quraish's reputation and respect among Arabs.

 

It solidified the Muslims' position and the status of their new nucleus state in Madinah.

 

It paved the way for spreading Islam among the tribes of Arabia by destroying the barrier of respect paid to Quraish which was defeated.

 

It enhanced the solidarity between the Muhajirun and the Ansaar.

 

It provided an occasion to pass as law the taking of a fifth of the spoils for the Muslim treasury. Quranic verses revealed immediately after the battle made this law which enhanced the Muslim treasury and the Muslim state budget. This law continued to be the greatest source of income for the treasury up to the end of the Muslim conquests in the early days of Islam.

 

KAB B. ASHRAF MEETS HIS DOOM

 

Kab b. Ashraf was a prominent leader of the Jews. An implacable enemy of Islam, he always did his utmost to get the Prophet (peace be upon him) into trouble. He was also a poet of considerable standing, availing his talents to compose and recite derogatory verse against the honour of Muslim women - an act intolerable enough to thwart ones patience. Immediately after the battle of Badr he went all the way to Mecca to cry out for vengeance with inflammatory verses and stirred up the Quraish to even out the score of their defeat at Badr. Nevertheless, he returned to Madinah where, in indomitable conceit, he continued his tirades against Islam. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) heard about his return to Madinah, he said to his companions, Kab b. Ashraf had offended God and His Prophet . Who will rid me of him? A few persons (Muhammad b. Maslamah accompanied by four of his friends) belonging to the Ansaars immediately offered their services and killed the enemy of God in Kab b. Asraf. (Zad al-Maad, Vol. p. 348).

  

 Reference: http://www.pbuh.us