The Muslims Camp at Badr

there was some hesitation in the camp of quraysh, whether to follow abu jahl or return home. banu zuhrah, under the leadership of al akhnas ibn shariq, listened to abu sufyan's counsel and returned home; but they were alone. all the rest followed abu jahl in deciding to encamp as if in preparation for war and to consult with one another later on. they set up camp on the farthest side behind a sand dune which they took as center. the muslims, on the other hand, having now missed the booty, decided together to stand firm should the enemy engage them. they hurried to the springs of badr while a rain which fell upon them from heaven helped their quick advance to that place. when they reached the first water well, muhammad dismounted with the intention of camping there. cognizant of the area, al hubab ibn al mundhir ibn al jamuh approached the prophet and said: "0 prophet of god, is this spot where you have dismounted a place to which god has guided you and, therefore, may we neither step beyond it nor stay far behind it? or is this simply a question of ordinary war strategy, of measures and moves and counter measures and moves?" muhammad answered, "it is indeed the latter, just as you said." a1 hubab then said, "0 prophet of god, this is not a good place to be. we should move forward until we reach the well closest to the enemy. there we would bring a trough to it to fill with water and then fill the well with sand. we would fight the enemy; and when we withdraw we would be able to drink, whereas they would not." muhammad, immediately agreeing, rose to go forward with his force. he sent a reminder to all his companions that he is but a man like them, that all decisions have to be taken by all of them in consultation with one another, that he will not decide anything without them finally, and that he stands in great need of their good counsel.