Lecture Notes: The Battle of Badr - Part 5

Iblis on the Day of Badr

• Quran Reference:
  • Satan made the deeds of the Quraysh appealing; promised victory.
  • When angels descended, Satan fled, claiming fear of Allah's punishment (Quran 8:48).
• Manifestation:
  • Shaytan appeared as Suraqa ibn Malik, assuring Quraysh.
  • Fled upon seeing angels, humiliated by the might of Allah and Jibril's presence.
• Significance:
  • Iblis's involvement indicates the severity of the battle.
  • Represents ultimate separation of truth and falsehood.
  • Day of Badr marked a pivotal victory for Muslims.

The Defeat of the Quraysh

• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) strategically left a passage for Quraysh to retreat, weakening their resolve.
• Outcome:
  • 70 Quraysh killed, 73-74 captured out of 1,000.
  • Muslims: 15 martyred, no prisoners.
• Reasons for staying at Badr for 3 days:
  1. Bury the martyrs.
  2. Recuperate.
  3. Prevent counterattack.
  4. Establish clear victory.
• Burial practices:
  • Martyrs buried at Badr, in clothes they died in.
  • Quraysh dead interred in a well.

Tangent: Can the Dead Hear?

• Theological Debate:
  • Can the dead hear the living?
  • Incident of Badr used as evidence: Prophet (PBUH) spoke to dead Quraysh leaders.
• Views:
  • Can Hear: Ibn Taymiyyah, al-Nawawi, Ibn Kathir, etc.
    • Dead can hear greetings from visitors; incident of Badr supports this.
  • Cannot Hear: Aisha RA, Umar RA, al-Bayhaqi.
    • Quranic verses suggest otherwise (35:22, 30:52, 27:80).
  • Sh. YQ's Opinion: Dead can hear in certain circumstances, not universally.

The Spoils of War

• Previous nations not allowed to keep war spoils; made halal for Muslims.
• Surah al-Anfal revealed regarding distribution of spoils.
• Distribution:
  • 20% reserved for Prophet, Ahl al-Bayt, orphans, poor, travelers.
  • 80% distributed to army, equal share for early participants.

The Prisoners of War

• First time taking prisoners; Prophet (PBUH) consulted with sahaba.
• Abu Bakr suggested mercy; Umar suggested execution.
• Prophet PBUH accepted Abu Bakr's advice.
• Quranic verse revealed about not taking prisoners until establishing power (8:67).

Prophet's Ijtihad (Independent Reasoning)

• Debate on whether actions of Prophet (PBUH) are divine or personal judgment.
• Most scholars agree Prophet PBUH exercised ijtihad, corrected by Allah when necessary.
• Examples:
  • Decision on prisoners of Badr.
  • Changes in rulings over time (grave visitation, marketplace advice).

Key Takeaways

• The Battle of Badr was more than just a military victory; it was a significant moment of spiritual discernment.
• Theological discussions on the dead hearing highlight the diversity of opinions in Islamic scholarship.
• The Prophet’s ijtihad shows his role as a human leader, guided by divine revelation yet exercising personal judgment when necessary.