An Example of Noble Character

MERCY TO THE WORLDS History tells us that when the people of Makkah, numbering about a thousand, set out toward Badr to fight the Prophet of Islam and his companions, they first went to the Kaaba. Holding on to its coverings, they offered a prayer. In that prayer, they said: “O God, whichever of the two groups is more rightly guided, and whichever of the two religions is superior, grant it Your help and victory.” (Dalail al-Nubuwwah by al-Bayhaqi, Vol. 3, p. 75) After this, when the two sides met in battle, the believers were granted victory, and the polytheists were defeated. Accordingly, the Quran addressed the people of Makkah: “If you were seeking a decision, the decision has now come to you. And if you desist, that will be better for you.” (8:19) It was due to this special feature of the Battle of Badr that it was referred to as the Day of Distinction (8:41). After the clear outcome of Badr, the Arabs—aside from a few tribal leaders—were deeply shaken. They came to believe that the truth was not on their side, but with Muhammad and his followers. As a result, the majority of Arabs became inclined towards the religion of monotheism. However, out of fear of certain oppressive and defiant leaders, each person kept their faith hidden. In reality, the early Arabs (the descendants of Ishmael), due to their simplicity and natural disposition, were, from the very beginning, believers in potential. Then, at the time of Badr, when their prayer for divine judgment resulted in the opposite of what they expected, their initial leaning turned into a stronger inclination.