Jihad (struggle in the way of God) is one of the most important acts of worship in Islam. As a matter of fact, what the Takfiri and Wahhabi elements advocate as Jihad has nothing to do with the genuine teachings of Islam.

Jihad should be against the enemies of Islam and not Muslims. But, the Wahhabis and Takfiri outfits stage war against Muslim nations and kill the innocent at the behest of their masters in Washington and Tel Aviv.

It was in this month that the battle of Badr took place. On Friday, 17 of Ramazan in the second year after Hijra (migration of the Prophet from Mecca to Medina) the first military encounter occurred between Muslims and pagan Arabs of Mecca.

Ayah 123 of surah Al-e Imran points to this battle, "Certainly Allah helped you at Badr when you were abased. So be wary of Allah so that you may give thanks."

The prelude to the battle of Badr dates back to the time when Muslims were forced to leave Mecca for Medina. Muslims had to leave back their properties in Mecca, the properties that the pagans of Quraysh tribe had confiscated. Thus, Muslims were intent to seize the trade caravan of Quraysh headed by Abu Sufyan and return them with the war booties to Medina. They didn’t like war and bloodshed. But God, the Exalted, had willed that Muslims fight the polytheists to result in the victory of Islam.

God says in ayahs 7 and 8 of surah Anfal, "When Allah promised you one of the two companies, saying, 'It is for you,' you were eager that it should be the one that was unarmed. But Allah desires to confirm the truth with His words, and to root out the faithless."

On that historical day the power of faith was so effulgent in the faces of Muslim combatants that even the enemy forces were impressed. Ibn Hisham writes in his book, "The forces of polytheists, after being deployed at Odwat al-Quswa, gave mission to one of their spies called Umayr ibn Wahab Jumahi to gather accurate intelligence on Muslims. He was patrolling around the encampment of Muslims and, after examining the conditions, he reported his commanders, 'They are nearly 300-strong and faith, resolve and steadfastness is manifest in their faces and moves. They have no refuge except their swords and they won’t be killed until each of them kills one of you. And those who are killed from you is the same as them what will the value of life for you? Thus, think over and then decide.'"

Ramazan is the month of fulfillment of prayers and opening the gates of the divine mercy towards servants. The noble Qur'an, referring to the impact of prayer and supplication, says in ayah 9 of surah Anfal, "When you appealed to your Lord for help, He answered you: 'I will aid you with a thousand angels in a file.' Allah did not appoint it but as a good news, and to reassure your hearts. Victory comes only from Allah. Indeed, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise."

The Prophet of Islam used to pray in this way in fateful and sensitive junctures in time, "My Lord! Fulfill the promise that You have given me."

 At times, he would keep praying and appealing to God so much so that his cloak would fall.

 It is interesting that Prophet Mohammad (Blessings and Greetings of God upon him and his progeny) was the pioneer in the toughest circumstances. He was never in pursuit of ease and comfort. He was the nearest person to the enemy. Imam Ali (AS), who was the most courageous commander at the battlefield, says, "When fighting reached its climax and the flames of battle were ablaze, we would take refuge by the Messenger of God and no one from us Muslims was nearer to the enemy than him."

In addition to the battle of Badr in the year 2 AH, the Prophet of Islam, leading a 10,000 strong troop of Muslims set out for Mecca on 2^nd of Ramazan, in the year 8 AH. The Messenger of God adopted cautionary measures not to be detected by the Quraysh. Therefore, till reaching a place called Mar al-Zahran, a few kilmeters from Mecca, the Meccans and their spies had no news of the march of the Muslim troops. The Prophet's uncle, Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib, was living in Mecca but was not in good terms with the Meccans. So, he left for Medina and came across the Prophet and the troops of Islam at a place called Juhfa. After a few hours of being with the Prophet, he returned to Mecca on the order of the Prophet. On the way to Mecca he saw some of the chieftains of Quraysh like Abu Sufyan, Kakim ibn Hazaam and Badil ibn Warqaa'. He informed them of the approaching Muslim army and took Abu Sufyan with himself to the Prophet urging him to accept Islam. Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) made use of both military tactics and Abu Sufyan to conquer Mecca. Sending Abu Sufyan as a herald to Mecca, he asked the people of Mecca to surrender and give up any military encounter. Thus, without any bloodshed and war, the grounds were set for the peaceful conquest of the city.

The conquest of Mecca opened a new chapter in the history of Islam so that after that there was no significant resistance on the side of the polytheists and the people would come from different regions of the Arabian Peninsula to the Prophet to profess Islam. This victory has been described in surah Nasr, "In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. When Allah's help comes with Victory, and you see the people entering Allah's religion in throngs, then celebrate the praise of your Lord and plead Him for forgiveness. Indeed, He is Clement."

This splendid victory removed polytheistic thoughts, caused the divine power and might to be more manifest and made the misled to come to the right path.

RM/MG