Stories from Early Islam — Page 87
Two Young Eagles When the Holy Prophet saw was forced to leave Makkah, he decided to settle in Yathrib, later known as Madinatun-Nabi or Madinah. Islam had already spread to this city, and there was a fairly large Muslim community when he arrived there. More and more people joined the fold of Islam. Soon Madinah became the first Muslim city. When the Makkans learned that the Prophet saw had been warmly received by the people of Madinah, and that Islam was making progress among the tribes there, they resolved to attack Madinah. They raised an army of one thousand armed fighters, most of whom were well experienced in warfare, and started marching towards Madinah, one year after the Holy Prophet saw reached there. When the news reached the Holy Prophet saw, he took counsel with his people, and gathered 313 men to fight the enemy. Most of these men had no experience of fighting. Some of them were mere boys in their teens. The Muslims were ill- equipped. There were only two horses and a few camels among the whole lot. As this was the first battle between Muslims and the non-believers, every Muslim fighter, young or old, was eager to show bravery in battle. All of them were deter mined to die in defence of their faith. Such was the motley crowd, led by the Holy Prophet saw, which came out of the city to meet the enemy. The two forces met at a place called ‘Badr’.