IMAM ABU AL-FIDA' ISMA~L IBN KATH~R"Did you not see one of time's great wonders? And to
destiny there are causes clear to see.
It was nothing but a people destroying themselves,
perishing by advising towards disrespect and disbelief,
One evening they went forth with their forces towards
Badr, being fate's pawns destined for its water hole.
We had sought for the caravan, desir~ng nothing else,
but they advanced towards us and destiny made us meet.
And when we clashed we did not wish to retreat but only
to strike with well-made blades,
And to strike off heads with their edges, weapons that
shone as they made their mark.
We left the evil Wtba lying there, and Shayha among
the dead who dropped into the pit.
And 'Am fell dead among those of their guard who
fell, and the clothes of mourning women were rent for 'Amr,
The clothes of women of Lu'ayy h. Ghalih, noble women,
shedding tears more abundantly than the Fihr.
Those were people killed in their error, and they
abandoned a banner not brought there for victory,
The banner of error, whose forces Satan was leading; be
betrayed them - the evil one engages in deception.
He told them, having seen the matter clearly, 'I am
quit of you. I have no endurance today.
And I see what you do not; I fear God's punishment,
and God has power.'
He led them to doom and they were embroiled, for he had
knowledge unknown to them.
On the morning of the battle at the well they were a
thousand strong, while we were 300, shining lie fine young
horses
Among us were God's forces, helping us at that place
whose reputation will always be famous.
Gabriel attacked them beneath our banner in that battle
where their destiny would come."Ibn Ishzq also quoted their reply composed by al-Haritb b. Hishm, bur we have
deliberately omitted this.
'Ali b. Aba Tdib spoke the following verses, though these are disputed by Ibn
Hishm:
"Did you not see that God put His Messenger to the
test, as one tests someone well-loved, respected and good,
By which He reduced the unbelievers to humiliation;
they encountered the shame of capture and death,
And so the Messenger of God's victory was glorious;
God's Messenger was sent with justice.