Book: Dalail an-Nubuwwah by Bayhaqi

Babu Dhikri Sababi Khurooji an-Nabiyyi sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallama wa Ru'yati 'Atikata Binti 'Abdil-Muttalibi fi Khurooji al-Mushrikin wa Ma A'adda Allahu 'Azza wa Jalla li-Nabiyyihi min an-Nasri fi dhalika bi-Badr

Allah Almighty revealed: "When you were on the nearer side of the valley, and they were on the farther side, and the caravan was lower [in position] than you. If you had made an appointment [to meet], you would have missed the appointment. But [it was] so that Allah might accomplish a matter already destined - that those who perished [through disbelief] would perish upon evidence and those who lived [in faith] would live upon evidence. And indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing."

Chain of Narrators

Narrated by Abu 'Abdullah al-Hafiz who narrated it from Abu Bakr ibn Ishaq who narrated it from 'Ubayd ibn 'Abdul-Wahid who narrated it from Yahya who narrated it from al-Layth from 'Uqail from Ibn Shihab.

Narrated by Abu al-Hasan 'Ali ibn Ahmad ibn 'Abdan who narrated it from Ahmad ibn 'Ubayd as-Saffar who narrated it from Khalaf ibn 'Amr al-'Ukbari who narrated it from Ahmad ibn Abi Shu'ayb al-Harrani who narrated it from Musa ibn A'yan who narrated it from Ishaq ibn Rashid that az-Zuhri informed him who narrated it from 'Abdur-Rahman ibn 'Abdullah ibn Ka'b ibn Malik from his father who said: "I heard Ka'b ibn Malik, who was one of the three who were excused, saying: 'He did not lag behind the Messenger of Allah, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him, in any battle except for two: the Battle of Uhud and the Battle of Badr. He did not reprimand anyone who stayed behind from these battles. The Messenger of Allah only went out with those who left willingly from his companions who wanted to pursue the caravan that belonged to the disbelievers of Quraysh."

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

In a narration reported by Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, he mentioned the hadith and Aqil reported from Zuhri: They meant a raid on Quraysh until Allah brought them and their enemies together abruptly. This was narrated by Al-Bukhari in Al-Sahih from Muhammad ibn Yahya, from Ahmad ibn Abi Shuayb, and from Yahya ibn Bukayr.

Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz and Abu Saeed told us: Muhammad ibn Musa ibn Al-Fadl narrated to us that Abu Al-Abbas, Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, informed us; he said that Ahmad ibn Abd al-Jabbar al-Utariyy narrated to them; he said that Yunus ibn Bukayr reported from Ibn Ishaq; he said that Husayn ibn Abd Allah ibn Ubayd Allah ibn Abbas told him from Ikrimah, from Ibn Abbas: Ibn Ishaq reported to us and Yazid ibn Ruman reported from Urwah ibn Al-Zubayr...

"Atikah bint Abdul Muttalib saw in a dream a man riding his camel entering Makkah for three nights announcing, 'O Banu Gudar, prepare for battle in three days.' The people responded and gathered around him. His camel entered the mosque, and people gathered around him. His camel stood at the top of the Kaaba and he repeated the call. Then his camel stood at the head of Abu Qubays... "

This hadith has also been mentioned in detail by Al-Bukhari in the Book of Legal Judgments, Chapter: "Can the Imam prevent the criminals and sinners from talking to him, visiting him, etc." And there are many other paths for this hadith as explained by Al-Mizzi in "Tuhfat Al-Ashraf".

Abbas' Warning to Banu Abd al-Muttalib About a Dream

Abbas said: "Rise, O people of Ghudar, to your wrestling in threes." Then he took a rock, sent it from the top of the mountain, and it rolled until, when it reached the bottom, it disintegrated. Not one house of your people's dwellings remained unentered. Abbas said: "By Allah, this is a vision, keep it hidden." They responded: "You keep it hidden, lest the Quraysh hear of it." Abbas left and met al-Walid ibn Utbah, who had a confidant to whom he mentioned the dream and urged him to keep it secret. He informed his father, al-Walid repeated it, and the news spread. Abbas said: "By Allah, I am going to the Kaaba to perform Tawaf." When he entered the mosque, he found Abu Jahl with a group from Quraysh discussing a dream. Abu Jahl asked Abbas to join them, and after Tawaf, Abbas sat with them. [Continue]

Abu Jahl Questions Abbas about the Dream

Confrontation with the Prophet's Prediction

Conclusion and Final Confrontation

Excerpt from Classical Arabic Text

His garment and the nose of his camel were torn. He said: O people of Quraysh! Your wealth is with Abu Sufyan, and your trade has been overtaken by Muhammad and his followers. The help needed, help needed! This kept him occupied from me, and me from him. We were preoccupied with preparations until we left. Quraysh suffered that which it suffered at the Battle of Badr: their nobles were killed, and their elites were captured. Atika bint Abdul Muttalib described what she saw, and Quraish said in response: Wasn't the dream true? It came to you, and you believed it. A section of the people fled, you claimed - and do not lie - you lied, as those who lie falsely. Abu Abdullah mentioned in his book of battles a lengthy poem...

Reported Chain of Narrators

Reported by Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz, through Abul Abbas Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, through Ahmad ibn Abdul Jabbar, through Yunus ibn Bukayr, through Ibn Ishaq, narrated to me by Yazid ibn Ruman, from Urwah ibn Az-Zubayr, and Az-Zuhri, Muhammad ibn Yahya ibn Habban, Aasim ibn Umar ibn Qatadah, Abdullah ibn Abi Bakr, and others from our scholars. Some of them narrated what others did not, and their narrations came together in what I have mentioned to you from the Day of Badr...

Analysis and Commentary

The narrator "Jid'u Ba'iruhu" indicates that the nose of his camel was cut off. This information can be found in the biography of Ibn Hisham (2:245-247), Al-Waqidi's "Maghazi" (1:28-33), and documented by Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak (3:19-20). Adh-Dhahabi remarked on Hussein ibn Abdullah’s weakness in this transmission. The narrator of this hadith, "Hussein ibn Abdullah ibn Ubaidullah ibn Abbas," was mentioned by Al-Bukhari in "Al-Tareekh Al-Kabeer" (1:2:388) as having abandoned his narrations, while An-Nasai classified him as unreliable. Al-Aqili accused him of heresy in "Ad-Du'afa Al-Kabeer" (1:245) and Ibn Hibban highlighted him in "Al-Majruheen" (1:242). Additionally, there is a biography of him in "Al-Mizan" (1:537). In Sa the name is recorded as "Hayyan", a misspelling, and his biography is present in "Tahzeeb Al-Tahzeeb" (9:507).

Rasul Allah's Preparation for a Trade Expedition

In this passage, we learn that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) heard about Abu Sufyan ibn Harb leading a caravan of forty Quraysh traders from Syria. He urged the Muslims to intercept the caravan, believing that their participation would be beneficial. The Prophet and his followers set out with around 300 riders and numerous foot soldiers. Some speculated that the expedition was financed by Al-Miqdad.

Abu Sufyan's Alert

As Abu Sufyan approached Hijaz, he sought information about the Muslims' activities. Not finding reliable intel, he continued his journey. One of the caravan companies finally informed him of a potential threat, prompting him to swiftly dispatch Dhamdhamah ibn Amr al-Ghifari back to Quraysh with a warning.

Quraysh's Reaction

Upon receiving the alert, Quraysh mobilized swiftly, preparing a force of 950 fighters and 250 horsemen under the leadership of Abu Sufyan. They were joined by women who sang war chants. Only Abu Lahab abstained, sending Al-As ibn Hisham in his place.

Prophet Muhammad's Journey to Badr

In this historical account, we find Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم setting off on a journey towards Badr, accompanied by a few companions. Upon reaching a watering hole, they overheard a conversation between two women regarding an imminent caravan from Quraysh. Sensing an opportunity, the companions swiftly moved to intercept the caravan for reconnaissance. They later returned to inform the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم about their findings.

Abu Sufyan's Response

Upon hearing of the approaching threat, Abu Sufyan took precautions to safeguard the caravan's goods and turned back towards Quraysh. However, Abu Jahl insisted on proceeding to Badr, a lucrative trading hub, to establish a camp for feasting and entertainment, despite the danger posed by the Prophet's companions. This decision led to a clash between the two groups.

Divine Intervention

Despite Abu Jahl's stubbornness, a tribal leader, Al-Akhnas ibn Shariq, warned the Quraysh of impending danger and advised them to retreat. Some followed his advice and avoided calamity, while others disregarded the warning, leading to a pivotal moment in the history of Islam.

Consultation before Battle

When the Quraysh planned to intercept their trade caravan, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) consulted the people. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) advised well, followed by Umar, then Al-Miqdad ibn Amr who pledged full support. He told the Prophet that they would fight with him, unlike the Israelites who told Moses to go with his Lord to fight while they sat back. Al-Miqdad swore to fight alongside the Prophet, even if it meant traveling to the furthest land.

Pledge of Support

The Ansar pledged allegiance to the Prophet at Aqabah. They promised to protect him until he reached their city and then assured him of their protection. The Messenger of Allah was concerned that the Ansar would only support him within Medina, not outside its boundaries. Saad ibn Muadh’s declaration that they were with the Prophet wherever he goes reassured the Prophet of their loyalty and commitment.

Ready to Fight

Saad ibn Muadh’s proclamation of unwavering support stirred the Prophet's heart. He felt secure in the Ansar's devotion and readiness to face any challenge. Their loyalty and pledge of obedience moved the Prophet, who was assured that they would stand by him in every battle and adversity.

Divine Promise

As the Prophet saw Quraysh approaching Badr, he recalled the promise of Allah. Confident in the support of the Ansar and in the divine assurance, he marched forth with the utmost faith in the upcoming battle.

From the Bottom of the Valley to Badr

The enemy came from the depths of the valley to Madinah, and Allah sent down rain, causing the valley to become muddy. This impeded the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions but did not hinder their progress. Some from the Quraysh were unable to proceed and stay with them, so the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) continued towards the water until reaching Badr. The Quraysh arrived first, and as they approached the closest water, Al-Hubab bin Al-Mundhir said to the Prophet: "Is this the place where Allah has ordained you to camp, not allowing us to surpass or fall short of it? Is it a divine inspiration or a military strategy?" The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) replied: "It is a divine inspiration and a military strategy." Al-Hubab then suggested that the Prophet position himself strategically so that only one side was exposed to the enemy while the rest were protected. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) followed this advice, dug a reservoir, and engaged in battle with the tribes, drinking from the water while they could not. Eventually, Allah judged between them. The hearts of the believers were strengthened, a reservoir was built to supply water, and the enemies were left thirsty. When Quraysh advanced the next morning, Utbah bin Rabi’ah led them on a red camel.

When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw them approaching through the sand dunes, he prayed, "O Allah, Quraysh has come with their horses and pride to reject Your Messenger. O Allah, support us in the morning." Then Ibn Ishaq mentioned the wisdom of Hakim bin Hizam in avoiding confrontation, Utbah bin Rabi’ah's agreement, Abu Jahl's disagreement, and Utbah's defiance until he invoked him to defecate.