On 13 March 624 CE (17th of Ramadan, 2 Hijri), the Muslims of Madinah inflicted a stunning defeat on the Quraysh of Makkah in the Battle of Badr.
There were around 14 casualties on the side of the Muslims. A total of 313 or 317 Muslims fought against around 1000 well-equipped Quraysh of Makkah.
The leader of the Quraysh, Abu Jahal, was fatally wounded and was eventually killed in the battle. Around 70 men were also killed and the same number were taken prisoners from the side of the Quraysh.
According to Arab custom, three leaders of the Quraysh named Shaiba, Utba and Walid bin Utba challenged three Muslim generals to a duel and the challenge was accepted by Obaida, Hamza and, Ali bin Abu Talib. The Quraysh leaders fought bravely but were defeated and killed.
According to Islamic sources, the Prophet liberated the prisoners of war on payment of a ransom of around 4000 drachmas. They were treated with kindness and given food to eat and clothes to be dressed. Many of the literate prisoners were also asked to teach ten Muslim boys how to read and write, and this would be their ransom.
After this defeat, the pride and the power of the Quraysh were shattered, while the influence of the Prophet and the Muslims began to increase even outside Medina. The frustrated Quraysh would again meet the Muslims in the battle of Uhud for revenge.
Martyrs of Badr
In the Battle of Badr, there were 14 Muslims who were martyred. The names of the 14 Muslim martyrs are as follow:
- ‘Umayr bin Abu Waqqas al-Muhajiri عمير بن أبو وقاس المهاجري
- Safwan bin Wahb al-Muhajiri صفوان بن وهب المهاجري
- Zish Shamalain bin ‘Abdi ‘Amr al-Muhajiri ذو الشمالين بن عبد عمر المهاجري
- Mihja’ bin Salih al-Muhajiri مهجاء بن صالح المهاجري
- ‘Aaqil bin al-Bukayr al-Muhajiri عاقل بن البكير المهاجري
- ‘Ubayda bin al-Harith al-Muhajiri عبيدة بن الحارث المهاجري
- Sa’d bin Khaythama al-Awsi سعد بن خيثمة الأوسي
- Mubashir bin ‘Abdul Mundhir al-Awsi مبشر بن عبدالمنذر الأوسي
- Haritha bin Suraqa al-Khazraji حارثہ بن سراقة الخزرجي
- Rafi’ bin al-Mu’alla al-Khazraji رافع بن المعلاء الخزرجي
- ‘Umayr bin al-Humam al-Khazraji عمير بن الحمام الخزرجي
- Yazid bin al-Harith bin Fushum al-Khazraji يزيد بن الحارث بن فصحم الخزرجي
- Mu’awwidh bin al-Harith al-Khazraji معوذ بن الحارث الخزرجي
- ‘Awf bin al-Harith al-Khazraji عوف بن الحارث الخزرجي
Last updated on March 7th, 2026 at 07:19 pm
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