Battle of Badr - Definition and Overview

The Battle of Badr was the first battle victory of Islam. There had been previous successful raids.

As a large Meccan trade caravan travelled from Syria to Mecca, Muhammed assembled a force of 300 men and pursued the caravan. The caravan, led by Abu Sufyan, leader of the Umayyah clan, evaded the attackers for several days. During this interval, Abu Jahl in Mecca, assembled a force of between 600 and 800 men to defend the caravan. Having completed that mission, Abu Jahl turned about to fight Muhammed and eliminate this threat to Mecca's trade.

On 15 March 624, the two forces met in the Battle of Badr. 40 Meccans were killed, including Abu Jahl, and 60 taken prisoner. 14 of Muhammed's followers died.

Following the battle, the chapter of the Quran entitled Al-Anfal ("Spoils of War") was revealed.

External links

• The Battle of Badr (http://www.al-islam.org/history/history/badr.html)
• The first battle of Islam at Badr: Islamic Occasions Network (http://www.ezsoftech.com/islamic/badr.asp)
• Chronology of early Islam (http://www.carm.org/islam/islam_chronology.htm)