The Great Battle of Badr — the Day of Distinction

Three hundred and some ten Muslims met around a thousand of Quraysh at the well of Badr. Allah granted them a mighty victory aided by the angels; the chiefs of polytheism were slain, and Allah named it the Day of Distinction (Yawm al-Furqan).

The Prophet ﷺ set out to intercept the caravan of Abu Sufyan, but it escaped. Quraysh marched out arrogantly, about a thousand strong, to protect their trade, then refused all but battle. He ﷺ consulted his Companions, and al-Miqdad said: We will not say to you as the Children of Israel said to Musa; and Saʿd ibn Muʿadh spoke his famous words for the Ansar.

He ﷺ spent his night praying and imploring his Lord: "O Allah, if this band perishes, You will not be worshipped on earth." So Allah sent down His angels: "I will reinforce you with a thousand angels in succession." The battle took place on Friday 17 Ramadan, and the polytheists were routed.

Seventy of Quraysh were killed, among them Abu Jahl, Umayya ibn Khalaf, ʿUtba and Shayba, and seventy were captured, while fourteen Muslims were martyred. "The People of Badr" became the highest of the Companions in rank, and Allah said of the day: "And in what We sent down to Our servant on the Day of Distinction, the day the two hosts met."