The Companions Who Fought at the Battle of Badr (16)

The People of Badr are the Companions who stood with the Prophet ﷺ in the first decisive battle of Islam in 2 AH. Their courage against a larger Meccan force gave Badr an exceptional place in Muslim memory.

Updated on 19 April 2026 at 10:59 PM

The Great Battle of Badr

The Battle of Badr took place on 17 Ramadan in the second year after the Hijrah, near the well of Badr between Makkah and Madinah. The Prophet ﷺ set out with a little over 300 men, while the Makkan army numbered around 1,000 fighters. The two forces met, and Allah granted victory to the believers despite their weakness. Seventy Qurayshi chiefs were killed and seventy were taken captive. Allah called that day "the Day of Criterion": "and what We sent down upon Our servant on the Day of Criterion, the day when the two armies met" [Al-Anfal: 41].

The special rank of those who fought at Badr

Those who fought at Badr hold a rank granted to no others. In the account of Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah, Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: "How do you know? Perhaps Allah looked upon the people of Badr and said: Do as you wish, for I have forgiven you." Agreed upon. The Prophet ﷺ also counted those who witnessed Badr among the best Muslims, as stated in Sahih al-Bukhari when Jibril, peace be upon him, asked about their rank.

The number of those who fought at Badr

Around 313 combatants witnessed Badr. Most were from the Ansar, together with a group of Muhajirun. They had only two horses and seventy camels, which they rode in turns. Important note: the list below is longer than the number of actual combatants because it includes everyone whom the biographical works Usd al-Ghabah and Al-Isabah count among those who witnessed Badr or were granted a share of its spoils and reward. It includes both strong reports and others over which there is disagreement, so its total should not be taken as the figure of 313.