Ghazwah of Badrul-Mau‘id - Dhū Qa‘dah

In the events of the battle of Uḥud, it has already been mentioned that whilst returning from the battlefield, Abū Sufyān challenged the Muslims to both parties meeting again the following year at Badr, and the Holy Prophet(sa) announced his acceptance of this challenge. Hence, the following year, in 4 A.H. at the end of the month of Shawwāl, the Holy Prophet(sa) set out from Madīnah with a force of 1,500 Companions and appointed ‘Abdullāh bin ‘Abdullāh bin Ubayy as the Amīr in his absence.1

On the other hand, Abū Sufyān bin Ḥarb also set out from Makkah with an army of the Quraish, consisting of 2,000 men. However, despite the victory at Uḥud, and a force this large, his heart was fearful and even though he was bent upon the destruction of Islām, he wished not to confront the Muslims until he could gather a larger force. As such, he was still in Makkah, when he dispatched a man by the name of Na‘īm, who belonged to a neutral tribe, towards Madīnah and emphatically instructed him that in any way possible, he should intimidate and threaten the Muslims, and craft fabricated stories to hold them back from setting out for war. Hence, this individual came to Madīnah and crafting false stories of the preparation, strength, zeal and fury of the Quraish, created a state of unrest in Madīnah. This was carried out to such an extent that various people of weaker dispositions began to harbour fear in taking part in the Ghazwah. However, the Holy Prophet(sa) encouraged the Muslims to go forth and in his address he stated:

“We have already accepted the challenge of the Quraish and we have promised to set out on this occasion, therefore, we cannot turn back. Even if I am required to go alone, I shall go and stand firm in the face of the enemy.”

As a result, the fear of the people was dispelled and they became prepared to set out in the company of the Holy Prophet(sa) with great zeal and sincerity.2

In any case, the Holy Prophet(sa) set out from Madina with 1,500 Companions and on the opposing end Abū Sufyān set out from Makkah with his 2,000 warriors. However, the power of God was such that the Muslims reached Badr according to their promise, but the army of the Quraish came out to some distance and then retreated to Makkah. The account is that when Abū Sufyān learnt of the failure of Na‘īm, he became fearful in his heart and after having travelled some distance, he retreated with his army admonishing them:

“This year the famine is very severe, and people are facing financial difficulty. Therefore it is not wise to fight at this time. We shall attack Madīnah with greater preparation when a time of affluence is at hand.”3

The Muslim army stayed at Badr for eight days, and since a carnival would take place there every year in the beginning of Dhū Qa‘dah, during the carnival, many Companions engaged in trade and were able to generate significant profits. As a matter of fact, in this eight day business venture, they were able to multiply their initial capital two-fold. When the carnival came to an end, and the army of the Quraish did not arrive, the Holy Prophet(sa) departed from Badr and returned to Madīnah. The Quraish returned to Makkah and began to prepare for an attack upon Madīnah.4 This Ghazwah is known as the Ghazwah of Badrul-Mau‘id.