Circumstances Prior to the Commencement of the Conflict
Whilst describing the circumstances prior to the commencement of the conflict on the occasion of the Battle of Badr, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra) writes in Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin:
“The Holy Prophet (sa) began to swiftly advance towards Badr and when he neared Badr, motivated by some feeling, which narrations have not disclosed, the Holy Prophet (sa) seated Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) behind himself and proceeded ahead of the Muslim army. At that time, the Holy Prophet (sa) encountered an old bedouin, from whom the Holy Prophet (sa) gathered during the course of conversation that the army of the Quraish had reached very close to Badr. Upon hearing this news, the Holy Prophet (sa) returned and dispatched Hazrat Ali (ra), Zubair bin al-Awwam (ra) and Sa‘d bin Abi Waqas (ra) to gather information. When these people arrived at the Valley of Badr, suddenly they noticed that a few Meccans were collecting water from a spring. These Companions attacked this party, taking captive an Abyssinian slave and brought him to the Holy Prophet (sa) … Then, the Holy Prophet (sa) gently enquired himself, ‘At this time, where is the army positioned?’ He responded, ‘On the opposite side of the hillock before you.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) enquired, ‘How many men are there in the army?’ He responded, ‘A multitude, but I am unaware of the exact figure.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘Alright, then tell me how many camels are slaughtered daily for consumption?’ ‘Ten’, he responded. The Holy Prophet (sa) turned to the Companions and said, ‘It seems as if they are a force of 1,000 men.’ This estimate actually turned out to be correct.”
(Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), pp. 355-356)