Proposal Regarding the Encampement

In relation to him, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) has written in Seerat Khatam-un-Nabiyeen,

“The place where the Muslim army encamped was not ideal. At this, Habbab bin Munzir enquired of the Holy Prophet (sa) as to whether he had selected this place according to Divine revelation or merely as a strategy of war. Upon this, the Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘No divine commandment has been received in this regard; if you wish to make a proposal, then please do so.’ Hubbab submitted, ‘Then in my opinion, this place is not ideal. It would be better to advance and take possession of the spring located closest to the Quraish. I am aware of this spring, and its water is quite pleasant and generally plentiful as well.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) approved of this proposal and until then, since the Quraish were still encamped on the opposite side of the hillock, and the spring was unoccupied, the Muslims advanced and took possession of this spring. However, as mentioned in the Holy Quran, even at that time, the water of the spring was not as plentiful as usual, and the Muslims were faced with a shortage of water. In addition to this, the side of the valley where the Muslims were positioned was not ideal either, because it was very sandy, which made it difficult to maintain firm footing.

“Then, another grace of God was that there was some rainfall during the night as well, by which the Muslims found the opportunity to gather water in the form of reservoirs. Another benefit of this was that the sand hardened, which prevented their feet from sinking. Conversely, towards the side of the Quraish, it became muddy and their water also became dirty.”

(Seerat Khatam-un-Nabiyeen, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra), pp. 356-357)

Hazrat ibn ‘Abbas (ra) states, “Hazrat Gabriel descended upon the Holy Prophet (sa) and said: ‘Hazrat Hubbab bin Munzir’s suggestion is correct.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) stated, ‘O Hubab your advice was wise.’” At the time of the Battle of Badr, Hazrat Hubbab bin Munzir was carrying the flag of the Khazraj tribe. He was thirty-three years old at the time.

(At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra, Vol. 2, p. 10, Hubbab bin Munzir, Da-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, 1990, Beirut)