The Battle of Badr (3)

Challenge to single combat

The Quraysh’s three best horsemen, Utbah bin Rabi’a, Shayba bin Rabi’a, and Waleed bin Utbah, stepped forward and challenged the Muslims to a single combat. In response, three members of the Ansar came forward, but the challengers were thirsty for the blood of the Makkan exiles and said, “We want our cousins.” The Ansar withdrew, and Ubaydah bin Harith, Hamzah and Ali came forward. Hamzah faced Shayba, Ali stood before Waleed, and Ubaydah accepted Utbah’s challenge. Hamzah and Ali both killed their opponents with ease, but Ubaydah and Utbah had wounded one another, and neither had the upper hand. Ali and Hamzah ran to Ubaydah’s aid and killed his opponent, and then brought Ubaydah, who had lost his leg, back to their ranks. Later he died of this injury at Safra’a on the way back to Madinah.

The Battle of Badr begins

The Quraysh smarted at having lost three men before the battle had even begun. They charged the Muslims, who, encouraged by their early success, faced the onslaught without flinching. Proclaiming Allah’s Oneness, the Muslims cried out: “Ahad! Ahad!” [One! One!]. The Prophet , who was given an insight into the supernatural allies sent to him, turned to Abu Bakr and said, “Rejoice, O Abu Bakr, Allah’s help has come. This is Jibreel, moving ahead with his horse’s bridle in his hand. His garments are besmeared with dirt and dust.” Allah’s help came in the form of one thousand angels. The Prophet then marched forward toward the fray, and at that moment the following verse was revealed: “Soon will their multitude be put to flight, and they will show their backs.” (54: 45) The Prophet took a handful of dust and threw it at the Quraysh saying, “Let their faces be disfigured.” The dust flew into the eyes and noses of the Quraysh, as mentioned in the following verse: “It was not you who threw, but Allah.” (8: 17)

The Prophet ordered his men to attack, crying out, “Rise!” The Muslims, outnumbered three to one, were inspired when they saw that the Prophet himself was present among them and ready to fight. Supported by the invisible army of angels, the Muslims swarmed over the Quraysh. The Quraysh fell one after the other, and soon they retreated in disarray. The Muslims followed in pursuit, slaying some and capturing others.

Satan, who was also present in the guise of Suraqa bin Malik bin Ju’shum, saw the army of angels, and escaped by plunging into the Red Sea.