Ramadan: The Month Of Patience And Struggle

Zafar Bangash

Ramadan 11, 1447 2026-03-01

Opinion

by Zafar Bangash (Opinion, Crescent International Vol. 56, No. 1, Ramadan, 1447)

The early Muslims faced major challenges in the month of Ramadan. Among them was the Battle of Badr that occurred on Ramadan 17 in the second year of the Hijrah. This needs elaboration.

Allah had just made fasting compulsory. This was the Muslims’ first experience at fasting for an entire month. And in that very first month, Muslims were tested in the Battle of Badr.

The Prophet (ﷺ) chose to wage battle against his Makkan mushrik foes. The odds could not be greater. The enemy was three times larger than the 313 Muslims that set out for Badr.

The Makkan mushriks were also heavily armed while the Muslims had few weapons between them. Further, Muslims had never been tested in battle. So, on all accounts, Muslims were at a disadvantage.

It is at such junctures in history that faith triumphs over materialism. While the Makkan mushriks were intoxicated by their numbers and weapons, the small group of Muslims were fortified by an unshakable faith in Allah.

If they were killed, they would achieve martyrdom and enter Paradise. If they defeated the enemy, they would come out victorious and write a glorious chapter in Islamic history.

That is what they did with Allah’s help. Against great odds, they defeated the enemy and came out victorious. A number of Makkan chiefs were killed, among them Utbah ibn Rabia, his brother Shaybah and Utbah’s son Waleed. The killing of three members of her family sent Hind into such a rage that she vowed to exact revenge from Hamza, the Prophet’s uncle who had killed Utbah. When Hamza was martyred in the battle of Uhud, Hind ripped open his chest and chewed his liver. This mutilation deeply saddened the Prophet (ﷺ).

Also consigned to hell in the battle of Badr were such other Makkan chiefs as Abu Jahl and Umayya ibn Khalaf. These two were particularly vicious and had tormented Muslims in the early days of Islam in Makkah.

The battle of Badr also teaches us another lesson. Abu Sufyan who was leading the Makkan trade caravan, had dispatched a rider to Makkah with the message that they must come and save their goods. Abu Sufyan managed to escape without being attacked. He sent another message to Makkah that the caravan was safe.

The arrogant Makkan chiefs, however, wanted to “teach” the Muslims a lesson. They mobilized a large force to attack and finish them off. Between their mobilization and the battle of Badr, perhaps a week to 10 days must have elapsed.

The Prophet (ﷺ) knew about the inevitability of the clash. So, he stayed at Badr making preparations for the battle. In addition to posting his men at a stategic location, he also took control of the well at Badr, water being an important source in the desert conditions. A pond was built and filled with water so that Muslims did not have to draw water from the well in the heat of battle.

This strategic decision served them well, reflecting the Prophet’s (ﷺ) military genius. Badr proved a turning point in early Islamic history, indeed the entire history of Islam. Had Muslims lost, Islam would have been dealt a severe blow. Allah did not let His faithful servants down. He “helped them with hosts they did not see” (Surat al-Anfal: verses 17-19).

In addition to Badr, the other great events in Ramadan were the digging of the trench in preparation of the Battle of Ahzab (5AH), the liberation of Makkah and the Battle of Hunayn (8 AH). Each had an enormous impact on the life of the nascent Muslim community.

The lessons we must draw from these momentous events in early Islamic history are that Ramadan is a month of struggle and sacrifice. If we apply its lessons to the contemporary situation, we find our brothers and sisters in Palestine, Iran, Lebanon and Yemen undergo the test of struggle and patience.

They exemplify the true spirit of Islam as embodied in the month long fasting of Ramadan. Each one of us must evaluate our own response to these challenges and ask what role we are playing to help our struggling brothers and sisters.

The last Friday of Ramadan is observed as Quds Day. Massive rallies are organized in different parts of the world to draw attention to the ongoing illegal occupation of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) where Masjid al Aqsa, the first Qibla of the Muslims, is located. It is under direct threat of destruction of the zionist war criminals.

It is incumbent on all Muslims wherever they may reside, to join these rallies. The purpose is to not forget that Masjid al Aqsa faces very real danger. Its protection is not just the responsibility of the Palestinians residing there, but of all Muslims. Every Muslim must play his/her part in keeping the issue of Masjid al-Aqsa alive.

Ramadan, the month of patience and struggle, is an important time to remind the world of the grave injustices inflicted on the Palestinian people. Joining Quds Day rallies in one way of doing so. Making financial contributions to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians especially in Gaza is another.

Each one of us must do our part. Ramadan offers an opportunity to do so.