The Day That Defined Good and Evil
On the 17th of Ramadan, 2 AH, the first major military confrontation between the Muslims and the Polytheists of Makkah took place. On paper, the odds seemed impossible: just 313 Muslims, poorly equipped, faced an overwhelming force of 1,000 Polytheist warriors, fully armed and prepared. The Muslims were clearly outnumbered and underprepared. Yet, against all odds, they emerged victorious. How? Not through force of arms, but by carrying something far more powerful — unwavering faith in Allah and complete trust in their leader, Prophet Muhammad (SAWW).
Are we, too, accepting Allah’s command and walking the path of Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) to distinguish good from evil?
As the two armies faced each other at Badr, the Quran describes this day as Youm ul Furqan — “the Day of Criterion,” when the line between good and evil was made clear. The Quran calls this moment:
“If you believe in Allah and that which was revealed unto Our slave on the Day of Criterion, the day when the two armies met.” (Al-Anfal: 41)
This wasn’t just a clash between armies; it was a battle between righteousness and wickedness, a powerful reminder that victory comes not from numbers or material might, but from unyielding faith and resolve.
Did we ever apply this monumental lesson to our everyday lives?
The Struggle We Face Today
Today, the battlefield has changed, but the struggle remains. The fight is no longer against armed forces or physical enemies, but against a deeper, more pervasive enemy — the evil that resides within us and in our society. Hatred, lies, grudges, and oppression have become ingrained in everyday interactions. These forces may not wear armor, but they destroy families, relationships, and communities just the same, eroding the very social fabric.
Consider the everyday battles you face: the bitterness in your heart toward a colleague, the lies told to escape responsibility, the injustices we witness in our homes or workplaces. These are the evils that Muslims must strive to defeat — not just foreign enemies, but the internal and external forces that threaten to corrupt us from within. How often do we let them go unchecked? How many times do we succumb to these small yet powerful evils?
Ramadan: A Sacred Time to Purify
The victory of Badr took place during the holy month of Ramadan, a time set aside for spiritual purification and self-discipline. Ramadan is more than just fasting from food; it’s about purging ourselves of the evil tendencies that corrupt our souls. It’s a time to detoxify our hearts from arrogance, hatred, and jealousy.
The Quran reminds us:
“The month of Ramadan in which we revealed the Quran, a guidance to mankind and the Criterion.” (Al-Baqarah: 185)
The Quran was revealed as a Criterion between right and wrong, and during this month, we are tasked with reflecting on how we can embody its teachings in our lives. Purification in Ramadan isn’t just about avoiding food — it’s about purging the bitterness, resentment, lies, and injustices that are so easily tolerated in our daily routines. It’s about cleansing our hearts and minds to make room for goodness and truth.
Confronting the Evil Within
The essence of Youm ul Furqan is not only about a physical battle; it’s a spiritual call to arms. The enemies of the soul — the hatred we harbor, the lies we tell, the injustices we overlook — must be fought with the same conviction the Muslims displayed in Badr. The true fight lies within: to resist those negative traits that creep into our lives, to seek purity in our thoughts and actions, and to stand up for truth, even when it’s easier to go along with the crowd.
Also See: Aisha (R.A.): A Role Model for Muslim Women in Knowledge and Devotion
Victory Over Falsehood
Just as the Muslims at Badr triumphed over an enemy that outnumbered them, we, too, can conquer the evils within our hearts and society. True victory lies not in overpowering others, but in overcoming our own weaknesses. When we purify our hearts, when we reject falsehood and injustice, we begin to build a community founded on truth, compassion, and righteousness.
The legacy of Badr isn’t just in the military victory of a few over many. It’s in the ability to stand firm for truth over falsehood in every moment of our lives. Let this Ramadan be a time where we confront the forces that divide us, both inside and out, and emerge victorious — just as the Muslims did on the Day of Criterion.
PAYF Insights are social media threads by various authors, reproduced here for wider consumption.
