“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those
before you, that ye may ward off (evil).” [Qur'an 2:183]In another verse, the Qur’an says:
“The month of Ramadhan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind,
and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoev-
er of you sights the crescent, let him fast the month.” [Qur'an 2:185]DECISIVE BATTLE OF BADR
The circumstances that led to this battle began with the news received by the Prophet (r)
that a great caravan with lots of money and merchandise, was being led by Abu Sufyan on
its way back to Makkah from Syria. A state of belligerence already existed between the
Muslims and the Quraysh, for the Quraysh was by this time doing all that was in their power
to harm and abuse the Muslims, to impede their progress, and to topple their rising power.
They were sparing none of their financial and physical resources to get on the job and their
armed detachments very often penetrated deep into the limits of Madinah and its pastures
to pound upon the Muslims.
As we may know that the Muhaajiroon have left all their houses and most of their wealth
back in Makkah and as a result of that this was a good reason to capture this caravan. The
Prophet (r) asked the Muslims to get ready to intercept the caravan. However, since it was
a commercial caravan, the Prophet (r) did not make any elaborate arrangements for fight-
ing, but merely positioned himself in order to catch the caravan flat-footed.
Informed of the Prophet’s (r) decision to stop him, Abu Sufyan sent a courier to Makkah
with an urgent request for reinforcements. Thereupon, the Quraysh ably supported and
accompanied by all the notable chiefs of Makkah hastily formed an armed force. Such sup-
port group enlisted every man available therein from the neighboring tribes - and this army
went forth to assist the caravan. The Quraysh were so flared up that hardly a man was left
behind in Makkah.
News came to the Prophet (r) that a strong Makkan army was on its way to engage him in
a battle. The Prophet (r) thereupon summoned his followers and solicited for their advice.
He really wanted to ascertain the reaction of the Ansaars, for, their original oath of alle-
giance with him obliged them to defend him in Madinah and did not compel them to take
part in a military expedition outside their territory. The Muhaajiroon responded first and
assured him of their help and loyalty. The Prophet (r), however, repeated his appeal and
the Muhaajiroon gave similar reply but the Prophet (r) threw the same question once again