'... Nor do I need the reward any less than you!'

والصَّلَاةُ والسَّلاَمُ عَلَى سَيّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ أَشْرَفِ اْلمُرْسَلِيْنَ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ الطَّيّبِيْنَ الطَّاهِرِيْن

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the Muslims set out from Medina on the 12th of Ramadan in the second year of the Hijra. Before departing, the Prophet appointed ^Abdu l-Lah ibnu ‘Ummi Maktum to lead the prayers for the people in Medina. 

He also sent ‘Abu Lubabah al-‘Ansariyy back from a place called ar-Rawha’ and appointed him as the leader of the city in his absence. The Prophet then dispatched two of his companions, ^Adiyy ibnu z-Zaghba’ al-Juhaniyy and Basbas ibnu ^Amr al-Juhaniyy, as scouts to gather information about the caravan. They returned to him with the news concerning it.

The number of companions who accompanied the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on this expedition to Badr was around three hundred and a few more. Some sources state that there were three hundred and nineteen, while others suggest that the total number of participants, known as the Badriyyin, was either three hundred and forty, three hundred and thirteen, three hundred and fourteen, or three hundred and seventeen. Among them were sixty-one from the Al-‘Aws tribe, one hundred and seventy from the Al-Khazraj tribe, and the rest were from the Muhajirun (emigrants).

The Muslim forces at the Battle of Badr did not represent their full military strength. They had initially set out to intercept and seize a caravan, not knowing they would face the combined army of the Quraysh and their allies assembled for war. Consequently, they were lightly equipped, with only two horses—one belonging to Az-Zubayr ibnu l-^Awwam and the other to Al-Miqdad ibnu l-‘Aswad al-Kindiyy. They also had seventy camels. Due to the limited number of camels compared to the number of Muslims, they took turns riding.

Ibnu Mas^ud narrated: "On the day of Badr, every three men shared a camel. ‘Abu Lubabah and ^Aliyy ibnu ‘Abi Talib were the two companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on the same camel. When it was the Prophet's turn to walk, they said, 'We will walk on your behalf.' He replied, 'You are not stronger than me, nor do I need the reward any less than you.'"

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ concealed the exact destination of his expedition when preparing to leave for Badr. He said, " We have a requirement to fulfil; so, whoever has a mount ready, let him ride with us."

After the Muslims left Medina on their way to intercept ‘Abu Sufyan's caravan, they reached a place called "Buyutu s-Suqya" just outside the city. The Muslims camped there, and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reviewed those who had accompanied him. He dismissed those who were unable to continue and fight, including Al-Barra' ibnu ^Azib and ^Abdu l-Lah ibnu ^Umar due to their youth. Although they had both joined the army with a sincere desire and determination to participate in the struggle, they were sent back.

Distribution of commands and banners  

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ appointed Mus^ab ibnu ^Umayr al-^Abdariyy al-Qurashiyy to carry the general leadership banner, which was white. He divided his army into two battalions: the battalions of the Muhajirun (Emigrants) and the battalions of the ‘Ansar (Helpers). He gave the banner of the Muhajirun to ^Aliyy ibnu ‘Abi Talib and the banner of the ‘Ansar to Sa^d ibnu Mu^adh. Az-Zubayr ibnu l-^Awwam was placed in charge of the right-wing, while Al-Miqdad ibnu ^Amr was given command of the left wing. These two were the only horsemen in the army. Qays ibnu ‘Abi Sa^sa^ah was appointed to command the rear guard. The overall command remained with the Prophet himself ﷺ.

As the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions were on their way, a polytheist sought to join them in battle, intending to fight alongside his own people. The Prophet ﷺ refused and said, "Return, for I will not seek the help of a polytheist." The man tried again, but the Prophet ﷺ rejected him until the man embraced Islam and then joined the Muslims.

    Following: (Episode 3) The Quraysh recalled their conflict with the Banu Bakr