This is one of the greatest battles of the Muslims, and it is called the Battle of Al-Ushaira. This battle took place when the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and the Muslims who were with him returned from the battle of Al-Ushaira. They stayed in the city for a few nights, and then they went out with a group of Muslims to pursue a man named "Karz ibn Jabir Al-Fahri" who had raided the livestock of Al-Madinah, including sheep, camels, and more.
The Prophet Muhammad went out in search of him, along with the Muslims, until they reached Wadi Safwan, near the area of Badr. This is why this battle is called the Battle of Safwan or the First Battle of Badr. This article will shed light on the events of this battle in detail.
Reasons for the Battle of Safwan
The First Battle of Badr took place immediately after the battle of Al-Ashira. The battle of Safwan was one of the battles led by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and it occurred in the latter part of the month of Jumada Al-Ula in the second year of the Hijrah (migration). It was one of the battles that happened before the Great Battle of Badr. The battle of Safwan began when the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, called upon the Muhajirun (emigrants from Mecca) and the Ansar (residents of Medina) to go out and intercept the Quraysh caravans coming from Syria.
Around 150 noble Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them, joined him, and he left Medina under the leadership of Abu Salama ibn Abdullah Al-Makhzumi. The Messenger of Allah left the city under the rule of Abu Salama and went out with his companions to intercept the Quraysh caravan led by Abu Sufyan. The army of the Messenger of Allah gathered at a location called "Dhat Al-Ashira" or "Dhi Al-Ashira."
During this time, the Messenger of Allah learned that Abu Sufyan had become fully aware of the Muslim army's presence, so he changed the route of his caravan, avoiding confrontation, and safely escaped with his men. The Messenger of Allah and his noble companions then returned to Medina.
When the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, returned from the battle of Al-Ashira to Medina, he received information that a man named "Karz ibn Jabir Al-Fahri" had raided the camels and livestock that grazed for pasture in the morning and belonged to the Muslims in Medina. This was the reason for the First Battle of Badr, which is also known as the Battle of Safwan or Safwan Battle, as it is referred to in the books of the Prophet's biography.
The Objective of the Battle of Safwan
The primary objective of the First Battle of Badr, also known as the Battle of Safwan, as previously mentioned, was to capture or kill "Karz ibn Jabir Al-Fahri." He had raided Medina's livestock, which was grazing in the morning. Karz ibn Jabir Al-Fahri was a noble companion of the Prophet Muhammad, and may peace be upon him. He embraced Islam after the Prophet's migration to Medina.
Before his conversion to Islam, Karz had previously raided the pastures of Medina. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, went out in pursuit of him with a Muslim army, and this was the main objective of the First Battle of Badr or the battle of Safwan, as it is sometimes called.
It is worth mentioning that after Karz embraced Islam and his faith was deemed sincere, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, entrusted him with leadership over one of the Muslim armies. Karz met a martyr's end on the day of the conquest of Mecca in the eighth year of the Hijrah, as narrated in historical accounts. Allah knows best.
Location and Date of the First Battle of Badr
As mentioned earlier in the discussion of the Safwan battle and the battle of Al-Ashira, it is necessary to cover the location and date of the First Battle of Badr. This battle took place when the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and his noble companions went out in pursuit of Karz Al-Fahri, who had raided the pastures of Medina.
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, along with the Muslims who embarked on this journey for the sake of Allah, reached a valley called Wadi Safwan in the vicinity of Badr. This occurred in the month of Jumada Al-Akhirah in the second year of the Hijrah, as Allah knows best.
Events of the Battle of Safwan
The events of the First Battle of Badr, also known as the Safwan battle, are limited to the following: When the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, returned to the city of Medina from the battle of Al-Ashira, which did not result in any real confrontation with the polytheists, he learned that Karz Al-Fahri had raided the pastures of Medina, particularly the livestock. He stayed in Medina for only ten nights, then gathered his noble companions and set out in pursuit of Karz Al-Fahri.
The Prophet, peace be upon him, left the esteemed companion Zaid ibn Haritha in charge of Medina and led the companions on the journey. They reached Wadi Safwan, after which the battle was named, but they did not encounter Karz Al-Fahri, who had escaped and evaded them. There was no actual conflict with him during this battle.
This was the second consecutive battle in which the Muslim army went out and returned to the city without engaging in battle. After returning to Medina with his companions, the Prophet, peace be upon him, stayed in the city for the months of Jumada, Rajab, and Sha'ban without any military campaigns. Allah knows best.
Results of the First Battle of Badr
After Karz Al-Fahri raided the livestock of Medina, and the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, went out in pursuit of him, reaching Wadi Safwan with his companions but failing to capture Karz without any actual confrontation, there were no tangible material or realistic results from this battle. This battle was one in which no actual fighting or real clash occurred between the Muslim army and the polytheists.
However, when we consider the events of this battle, it becomes clear that one of its most important outcomes was setting a precedent for anyone who intended to harm the city of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, or to threaten the livelihood of its inhabitants. This battle demonstrated the strength and resolve of the Messenger of Allah and his companions, showing that they would not accept humiliation or disgrace. It also established a deterrent for anyone with ill intentions towards Medina. Allah knows best.
