THE BATTLE OF BADR

      To understand the meaning of these verses, we have to give some detail about the Battle of Badr, which was the first encounter of Muslims with the unbelievers. When the fame, reputation, and power, of Mohammad increased and he became the absolute ruler of Medina, the pagans and idolaters of Mecca trembled with fear, and the heads and leaders of GHOREISH held an important meeting, in order to discuss what was to be done, and how could they deal with the critical and ever increasing power of Mohammad who was the sworn enemy of their gods and idols.

      After a long discussion and consultation, they came to this conclusion that, it was inevitable for them to organize an army to face with the forces of Mohammad S.A. In order to mobilize the necessary armed forces, they needed money and budget. They therefore decided to form a large commercial caravan out of the confiscated houses and properties of the Meccan converts, who had emigrated to Medina, and also with some financial aids of the wealthy ones of Mecca. Then by the profits gained through the sale of the caravan, they could provide for mobilizing their army.

      The prophet was informed of all these tactics and decisions, and apprehended the depth and extent of the danger. He therefore decided to take the necessary counter measure.

IN PURSUIT OF THE CARAVAN

      On March 624 A.D. the prophet was informed that a large caravan that belonged to GHOREISH, was returning from Syria. The merchandise of the caravan was carried by a thousands camels, and almost all the men of importance in Mecca, had a share in it. The caravan was said to have forty guards headed by ABUSOFYAN the chief of GHORAISH.

      The prophet quickly organized a division consisting of 313 men with arms, of course ill- equipped, from among the Emigrants, as well as the Helpers in order to intercept the caravan.

      It was Friday, 16th March 624 A.D. that the prophet appointed ABDULLAH-IBN- OMM MAKHTUM as his vicegerent in Medina and made for the caravan. In this raid, the prophet had only seventy camels to carry their armaments.

      When the caravan approached to the central part of Arabia, ABUSOFYAN sent some spies to see if Mohammad was doing anything against them. They very soon informed the captain of the caravan that Mohammad was about to attack them! On this basis ABUSOFYAN sent a fast moving messenger, named Zamzam, to inform Ghoreish of Mecca of the danger that was threatening their caravan, merchandise, and wares! Meanwhile Abusofyan changed the route and road, to avoid clashes with Muslims.

      Zamzam the messenger, reached Mecca in time, and warned ABUJAHL and other leading men of Ghoreish about the grave danger in which the caravan could be trapped.

      In Mecca, quickly a brigade of one thousands armed men, well equipped was formed, and set out to save their caravan, and also to overawe the prophet and his followers.

COMMENTS

      After our brief introductory to the battle of Badr, we turn to our commentary saying: the above two verses imply that; God had given His prophet the promise to victory over one of the two parties of Ghoreish - either their commercial caravan or their army. Then a group of Muslims, thought it less dangerous, and more profitable, due to booty, to fall upon the caravan; which was returning from Syria richly laden. The caravan had only forty guards, which Muslim troops could, without much sacrifice, vanquish them.

      Though this course of military action, at first cast of look, seemed the safest and the most profitable way, but in fact it was not so; and by God's guidance, the prophet took the other alternative, and marched boldly against the well armed and well equipped army of Ghoreish which was three times more than Muslim's ill armed forces!:

      ``And when Allah promised you that one of the two parties would be yours, and you loved the unarmed commercial caravan to be yours; And Allah (always) wants to verify the truth by His words and to cut off the roots of the unbelievers.''

      The course of military action that the prophet recommended was more reasonable, because if Muslims had attacked the caravan; they could not escape the vindictive attack of the then, angry and excited, army of Ghoreish. In that case only God could know, what would happen to Islam and Muslims!

      On the other hand if Muslims could defeat the army of pride and paganism, it would shake the selfish autocracy which was in possession of Mecca.

      So the prophet waged the war against the army of Ghoreish and by God's help they won a splendid victory through which the standards of truth was established, so that it never lowered again.