Battle of Badr

The Battle of Badr is a turning point in Islamic history. It is the first military operation led by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, in the month of Ramadan 2 AH (March 624 CE). The Holy Qur'an twice celebrates the victory at Badr wells and calls it Yaum al-Furqān, which means the day of distinction between evil forces and good forces. The value of this stunning victory to Prophet Muhammad is difficult to overestimate. It crystallized him and his followers as a recognized effective power.

The battle occurred after Prophet Muhammad learned that a very large business caravan of rich Meccans was on its way southward from the Levant (Bilad al-Sham) to Mecca (Makkah). It was headed by Abu Sufyān, who rushed ahead of the caravan ...