The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 2 of 4

IMAM ABU AL-FIDA' ISMA'TL IBN KATH~R 311
reported it similarly, from Abii d-Aswad, from Wrwa, concerning the number
of the Muslims who died as martyrs, and the number of polytheists who were
killed. -
Al-Bayhaqi continued, "Al-Ham related to us, quoting al-A~amm, quoting
Ahad b. 'Abd d-Jabbiir, from Yiinus b. Bukayr, from Muhammad b. Ishiiq,
who said, 'At Badr 11 of the Muslims died as martyrs, 4 from Quraysh and
7 from among the Helpers, while more than a score of the polytheists were
killed."'
In another passage, al-Bayhaqi stated, "With the Messenger of God (SAAS)
there were 40 prisoners, while their dead were of a similar number."
Al-Bayhaqi then related, through Aba Sdih, al-Layth's secretary, from
d-Layth, from Wqayl, from al-Zuhri, who said, "The first of the Muslims killed
was Mihja', the freed-man of Wmar, and a Helper. More than 70 of the polytheists
were killed that day, a similar number of them being taken prisoner."
Al-Bayhaqi went on, "Ibn Wahb related it from Yiinus b. Yazid, from
al-Zuhri, from Wrwa b. al-Zubayr. He commented, "It is this that we have
related that is the most authentic account of the number of polytheists killed and
taken prisoner."
He then gave evidence of this, referring to what both he and al-Bukhari had
derived through Abii Ishiiq, from al-Bar2 b. 'Azib, stating, "At the battle of
Uhud, the Messenger of God (SAAS) placed 'Abd Alliih b. Jubayr in command
of the archers, and they hit 70 of us. The Prophet (SAAS) and his men had
struck down 140 of the polytheists at Badr, 70 being killed and 70 being taken
captive."
I would comment that the fact is that the total number of polytheists at Badr
was between 900 and 1,000.
Qatiida asserted that they were 950 men, as if he were deriving his information
from what we have stated. But God knows best.
In the had& of Wmar given above, it is stated that they were more than 1,000;
however, the first account is what is authentic, since the Prophet (SAAS) stated,
"The enemy force was between 900 and 1,000."
The Muslim forces that day totalled some tens above 300 men, as evidence
shows that will he given hereafter, if God wills it, along with their names.
It has been previously stated in the hadith of al-Hakam, from Miqsam, from
Ihn 'Abb%, that the battle of Badr took place on Friday, the 17th of Ramadiin;
Wrwa b. d-Zubayr also stated this, as did Qaada, Ism%'il, alSuddi al-Kabir and
Abii Ja'far al-Biiqir.
Al-Bayhaqi related, through Qutayba, from Jarir, from d-A'mash, from
Ibmhim, from d-Aswad, from 'Abd All& b. Mas'iid, who said with reference to
the laylat ~l-~adr.~~ "Search for it with 11 nights remaining of the month, for
Badr took place on the morning of that date."
65. The term refers to that night m the munth uCRamadm when revelanon of the QurQn first
occurred