Transliteration:( Qad kaana lakum Aayatun fee fi'atainil taqataa fi'atun tuqaatilu fee sabeelil laahi wa ukhraa kaafiratuny yarawnahum mislaihim ra' yal 'ayn; wallaahu yu'ayyidu bi nasrihee mai yashaaa'; innaa fee zaalika la 'ibratal li ulil absaar )
"Indeed, there has been for you a sign in the two armies themselves [22] which met (in combat at Badr). One army, fighting in the cause of Allah, and another army of disbelievers [23]. They (disbelievers) saw with their own eyesight [24]. But Allah supports with His victory whom He pleases. Surely, in it is a lesson for the men of understanding [25]."
(Kanzul Imaan Translation)
This verse refers to the Battle of Badr, fought on a Friday in the month of Ramadaan, 2 A.H. It was one of the earliest and most decisive battles in Islamic history.
The Muslim army, numbering only 313, was poorly equipped with:
Just 2 horses
6 chain armours
8 swords
17 camels
Despite these severe limitations, the Muslims achieved a resounding victory, completely defeating the well-equipped army of Quraish. This miraculous outcome serves as one of the clear signs (Ayat) of Allah’s power and support.
The Quraish army, under the leadership of Utbah bin Rabiah, consisted of approximately 950 men, along with:
100 horses
700 camels
A vast supply of weapons and provisions
Yet, despite their overwhelming military advantage, the disbelievers were overcome. They felt as if the Muslims were twice their actual number, causing psychological fear and confusion in their ranks.
Allah mentions a miracle that occurred during the battle:
The disbelievers saw the Muslims appearing as twice their actual number, with their own eyes.
This perception created fear and despair among the Quraish, even though in reality, the Muslims were far fewer. This supernatural occurrence was a Divine intervention to give the believers an upper hand.
From this verse, we understand that:
Victory does not depend on numbers or weapons.
True success comes through piety, reliance on Allah, and constant remembrance (dhikr).
Allah confirms this elsewhere:
"When you encounter an army, stand firm, and remember Allah much..." (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:45)
This is a timeless lesson for the believers:
Those who rely on Allah and strive in His path are granted victory, even against overwhelming odds.
The events at Badr serve as a sign for people of understanding, reminding them that Divine help is the true source of strength.
The tafsir of Surah Imran verse 13 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Imran ayat 12 which provides the complete commentary from verse 12 through 13.
(3:13) You have already come across an instructive sign in the two hosts that encountered each other in battle (at Badr): one host fighting in the way of Allah, and the other that of unbelievers. They saw with their own eyes that one host was twice the number of the other.[9] But (the result of the battle has proved that) Allah succours with His victory whomsoever He wills. In this there is surely a lesson for all who have eyes to see.[10]
9. The actual disparity between the two armies was roughly three to one, but even a cursory glance was enough to tell the casual observer that the army of unbelievers was about twice as large as that of the believers.
10. The events and results of the Battle of Badr are briefly reviewed so as to bring home certain lessons to the Muslims. There are three important lessons to be learnt. First, the manner in which the believers and the unbelievers advanced to the battlefield clearly demonstrated the difference in the moral fibre of the two armies. In the army of the unbelievers, the soldiers held drinking parties and were entertained by the songs and dances of slave girls. The prevalent mood of that army was one of self-indulgence. On the other hand, piety, fear of God and moral restraint of the highest order characterized the Muslim army. The soldiers were busy in devotion and remembrance of God, to Whom they addressed all their prayers and supplication. It was obvious to anyone which army was fighting in God’s cause. Second, the believers won a resounding victory against an army of unbelievers superior to them in numbers, and in the quality and the quantity of arms. So the victory clearly indicated which of the two armies enjoyed the support of God. Third, the outcome of the battle came as a shocking humiliation for those who, heedless of God’s might, had been exulting in the strength of their arms and the number of their supporters. It came as a shock to such people when God subjected a tribe like the Quraysh, foremost in influence and power throughout Arabia, to an ignominious defeat at the hands of a few ill-equipped Makkan fugitives and peasants from Madina.
[118]- The believers saw the disbelievers to be double their own number preceding the battle of Badr, while, in fact, they were three times their number.
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