SOMETHING THAT MUST BE DONE (VERSES NO. 42 - 44)

      More details of the battle of Badr have been given here, that in that battlefield, Muslims had encamped in the North of the field, a place nearer to Medina, and perhaps lower in height than the enemy.

      The Pagans had stationed in the South of the field, farther from Medina, and perhaps in a higher point relative to Muslims forces.

      The Caravan who felt to be in danger of Muslim's attack, was making for Mecca as swift as possible. Pagan's forces were trying to save their caravan, laden with expensive merchandies first; and then annihilate Muslim forces. But Muslim forces had decided to leave the caravan alone, and attack the idolaters which in their eyes had appeared to be a few in number, but in reality, they were more than three times the number of Muslims!

      If Muslims had carefully estimated the numbers and the equipments of the enemy, they would have been discouraged, and fallen into disputes and differences, and would not so easily proceed on. But it happened so that, both parties suddenly met, precisely at a place and time that a decisive fight was inevitable and could not be avoided. Muslims had the faith that, to kill or to be killed, victory would be theirs - If they survived they could enjoy the fruits of their victory, and if they were martyred their blood money was Allah's pleasure and Paradise.

      On the other hand, the Meccan had come in a high spirit to rejoice in triumph. Even though by their misunderstanding, they thought Muslims to be twice as much as they really were in number, but the wrong figure too, was still contemptible in their eyes, for being much less than themselves, and ill equipped and without any cavalry. It is narrated that ABUJAHL, their General Commander, when saw the perspective of the Muslim troops, he said: ``These are enough for one meal, or morsel, for one camel!''

      He, however knew not, that, man proposes and God disposes. The matter had now to be brought to a decisive issue, whether the idolaters were to continue their arrogant oppression; or Monotheism was to be established in freedom and honour.

      It happened so that, God did accomplish His will and decision, and he whose destiny was to get killed was killed with clear reason and enough evidences, and he who survived, lived with clear cut proofs, to prove that he had every right to live:

      ``And when you encountered with your enemies, Allah made each host to appear to the other, few in number that he might order a matter that was inevitable, and had to be done, that to Allah is referred all the affairs.''