Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 11 · Question 4

The Battle of Badr took place in the second year after the hijra. Describe the main events of this battle. [10]

It was fought in 2AH (624);

the Prophet (pbuh) and a group of around 300 men set off to intercept a caravan led by Abu Sufyan;

they had 2 horses and 70 camels;

Abu Sufyan sent word to the Quraysh and an army of 1300 men was gathered;

Abu Sufyan slipped past the ambush and sent word to the Quraysh to go back but Abu Jahl insisted they continue;

some left leaving 1000 soldiers;

the Prophet (pbuh) consulted his companions and they went to meet the Quraysh army at Badr;

it rained heavily that night;

the Muslims camped near a water well;

the next day the battle started and ‘Ali, Hamza and ‘Ubaidah went out to fight and won their duels;

the Prophet (pbuh) prayed continuously for the success of the believers;

God sent down angels to help (3:123–125);

the Prophet(pbuh) threw some dust which caused a sandstorm (sura 8:17);

the Makkans saw the Muslims as few in number while the Quraysh looked few in number to the Muslims;

eventually the Makkans ran off;

Abu Jahl was killed;

fourteen Muslims were killed and 70 from the Quraysh while 70 were taken prisoner;

the prisoners were treated well, and some paid a ransom for their freedom, by either paying money or teaching ten people how to read and write;

Bilal is said to have killed his former master. Candidates should elaborate on the points above to get to the higher levels.

Can those involved in present day conflicts learn any lessons from the way the Prophet treated prisoners after battles? [4]

In modern day conflicts the lessons from the Prophet’s (pbuh) example are to treat prisoners of the enemy’s side is to look after them and not humiliate them. If they have a positive use, such as educating others, then they should be used for benefit. However no harm should come of them. Candidates should relate this to any modern conflict and the stories that are reported of prisoners and how they are treated.