The Battle of Badr Trivia Quiz

Answer: Quaraish

The Quaraish were the leading tribe controlling Mecca, host to the Kaaba, which was a great source of wealth to them, as it was home to many different idol-worshipping religions' pilgrimages. When Islam started to gain some support they saw it as a threat to their economic foothold, and did everything they could to stop Islam.

They started beating, raping, and torturing the Muslims- even attempted to assassinate the Prophet Muhammad, so in turn the Muslims had to leave Mecca and go to Medina where they would be safe. Unfortunately the Meccans kept persecuting them, resulting in this first major battle.

Answer: About 1000

The Muslims were outnumbered three to one, so the result of the battle came as a sign from God that they could actually win this war. Most of the Muslim warriors who fought in that day were recent converts called ansars, who only pledged to defend Medina, and so they were well within their rights to leave, but when the Prophet asked if they would like to leave, one of the ansars said, "If you [Muhammad] order us to plunge our horses into the sea, we would do so."

Answer: Thrown sand into the air in the direction of the enemy

It is said that Muhammad threw sand into the air, and God made the sand go into the Quaraish's eyes giving the Muslim army a chance.

Answer: Gabriel

Azrael is the Angel of Death who with some helpers rip the soul out of the body when someone dies. Michael is responsible for thunder and lightning and is responsible for giving out rewards to good people in life. Israfil is responsible for blowing the horn signaling the Day of Judgement. Gabriel was in charge of bringing the revelation to all the prophets, and commanded the thousands of angels in Badr.

From the Quran 8:9, "Remember ye implored the assistance of your Lord, and He answered you: 'I will assist you with a thousand of the angels, ranks on ranks.'"

Also, it is said that there was a conversation between Gabriel and Muhammad about this, which went:

Gabriel asked, "How do you look upon the warriors of Badr among yourselves?" The Prophet said, "As the best of the Muslims." Or said a similar statement. On that, Gabriel said, "And so are the Angels who participated in the Badr."

Answer: Ali

At the start of the battle, three Quaraish enemies (Utbah, the father-in-law of Abu Sufyan, his brother Shaybah, and Al-Walid son of Utbah) called out to the Muslim ranks and challenged them. Three ansars came out of the ranks and answered the challenge. But the Quaraish refused their acceptance saying that they had no feud with Medinites, but wanted to defeat the Meccan Muslims. So, Ali and Ubaydah, cousins of the Prophet, and Hamzah his uncle, came out to accept the challenge. Hamzah killed Shaybah, and Ali killed Al-Walid quickly. However Ubaybah was mortally wounded by Utbah. Though Hamzah rushed to his aid and killed Utbah, it was too late.

Angry, three Quaraish lunged at the two remaining Muslim champions but they too fell. As did another three who rushed them. Then the Quaraish became hesitant and when they were still in shock, Muhammad ordered his army to charge into the Meccan lines starting the full-pitched battle.

Answer: Heavy rain fell on the hill where they were camped

Both armies were camped behind two hills leading into the valley where the battle would take place. It is said that during the night, it rained heavily on the hill which the Quaraish side needed to get to the battle, making it hard to climb. However, it only rained just right on the Muslim side, making the ground not too sandy, and not too muddy, and easier to climb.

As a result, the sun (and the heat) was up by the time they got to the summit. And the Muslims could set up another camp and rest.

Answer: Wells

Badr was a frequent caravan stop for people traveling from Mecca to Medina because of its wells. For whatever reason, the commanders of the Quaraish did not feel the need to ask allying tribes for reinforcements.

Answer: Fourteen

Only fourteen Muslims died, whereas the Quaraish lost seventy.

Answer: seventy

Not only did the severely outnumbered Muslims kill seventy Quarish, but they managed to capture another seventy. Showing why they thought that they won this battle because of their allegiance to God.

Answer: They were let go

All but four were let go eventually, some even converted to Islam after they were set free. As for the four that weren't set free, they were killed. Two of them were killed by angry Muslims because they (as part of the persecution of the Muslims in Mecca) dumped a bucket of sheep excrement on Muhammad. One of the Quaraish leaders was killed by two angry Muslims because of the way they had been treated by him. Likewise, the fourth killed by one of his former slaves, Bilal, who was also the first muezzin.