The 17th Night of Ramadhan

At this blessed night, the two armies of the Muslims, under the leadership of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), and the polytheists of Quraysh faced each other at Badr Spring. On the seventeenth of Ramadan, the Battle of Badr took place when Almighty Allah gave victory to the Holy Prophet’s army over the polytheists’. That was the Greatest conquest of Islam. In view of that, our master scholars have declared that it is highly recommended to give alms and thank Almighty Allah on this day. Besides, to bathe oneself and to practice acts of worship at this night achieve a great reward.

According to numerous narrations, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) asked his companions, at the night before the Battle of Badr, to go to Badr Spring and bring some water. All the companions kept silent and none of them had the courage to undertake this mission. Imam Ali Ameer al-Momineen (a.s.), therefore, took a skin of water and went towards that spring for getting some water. It was so murky, bitterly cold, and windy night. When Imam Ali(a.s.) reached that dark, deep spring, he could not find a bucket to use for taking water. He therefore had to step down that spring and fill in the skin with water. On his way back to the Holy Prophet’s camp, he faced such a strong storm that made him sit on the ground. When it calmed down, he continued marching. Then, another storm that was as intense as the first blew so heavily that he had to sit on the ground. When it calmed down, Imam Ali continued marching. Again, a third storm that was as intense as the previous ones blew so heavily that he had to sit on the ground. When it calmed down, he continued marching until he reached the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) who, then, asked why he had been late. “I faced three heavy storms that made me sit to the ground three times. I therefore had to wait until they would calm down,” explained Imam Ali(a.s.). “Did you know what these three storms were, Ali?” asked the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). As Imam Ali(a.s.) answered in the negative, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) explained, “The first storm was Archangel Gabriel with one thousand angels who, altogether, came to greet you. The second storm was Archangel Michael with one thousand angels who, altogether, came to greet you. The third storm was Archangel Seraph with one thousand angels who, altogether, came to greet you. All these angels descended to the earth to back us.”

To this event has a scholar referred, saying, “Imam Ali Ameer al-Momineen (a.s.) had three thousand merits at one night only. Similarly, al-Sayyid al-Himyari, the famous poet, composed a few laudatory poetic verses immortalizing this event:

I swear by Allah and His bounties

ہر شخص اپنی بات کا گر ذمّہ دار ہے

One should be responsible for what he says

شاہد مرے کلام کا پروردگار ہے

Surely, 'Ali the son of Abu-Talib

میرا علیؑ جو ہے ابوطالب کا لختِ دل

Has natural propensity for piety and devotion

تقویٰ کا اور خیر کا اک شاہکار ہے

When war is consumed by spears

دیکھا ہے اس کو اس طرح میدانِ جنگ میں

And is feared by the heroes

وہ مطمئن ہے اور جہاں بے قرار ہے

He would walk to the opponent, carrying in the hand

جاتا ہے سوئے دشمنِ اسلام اس طرح

A sword that is white, sharp,

جیسے خدا کے ہاتھ میں یہ ذوالفقار ہے

and glazed Just like a lion walking between its cubs

بڑھتا ہے سوئے معرکہ شیروں کے درمیاں

And readying itself for hunting in the jungle

جیسے نظر کے سامنے کوئی شکار ہے

It is he (i.e. 'Ali) whom was greeted at one night

اس پر سلام کرتے ہیں میکال و جبرئیل

By Michael and Gabriel

بہ روزِ بدر اس کا بڑا افتخار ہے میکال و جبرئیل و سرافیل آئے ہیں

Michael with one thousand (angels) and Gabriel

اور سب کے ساتھ فوجِ ملک اک ہزار ہے

With one thousand followed by Seraph

میداں میں آئے فوج ابابیل کی طرح

That was at the Night of Badr when they were descended

یہ انتظام نصرتِ پروردگار ہے

Like birds in flocks.

قربانِ بوتراب نہ کس طرح ہو کلیمؔ یہ وہ بشر ہے جس پہ ملک بھی نثار ہے