Ramadan is the best month of the year. We all know and love it for its religious appeal. But did you know that many significant events in Islam took place during this month? Events such as the revelation of the glorious Quran, the passing away of Khadija (R), the Battle of Badr, the conquest of Makkah, and more.
In this article, we will discuss the events of Ramadan to provide an insight into our Islamic history. After reading this, you will have a clear idea of what happened in Ramadan in our glorious past in sha Allah. Let’s dive in!
Different Historical Events That Occurred in Ramadan
Many significant events took place during the honourable month of Ramadan. Here we have mentioned 7 of the most important events that took place in the month of Ramadan.
1. The Glorious Quran Was Revealed
The glorious Quran was revealed in the month of Ramadan. Allah says in the Quran:
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ
Meaning: “Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and decisive authority.” [Sura Al-Baqarah: 185]
We find the full story in a hadith. According to the narration of Ibn Abbas (R) and others, Allah at once descended the entire Quran from a place named Lawh-Al-Mahfuz to a place called Baitul Izzah in the first heaven. From there, angel Jibril (AS) brought the verses of the Quran in chunks throughout the 23 years of the Prophethood of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ. This great event took place on a night called Laylatul Qadr in Ramadan.
2. Khadija (R) Passed Away
The mother of the believers and the most beloved wife of Rasulullah ﷺ passed away in Ramadan of the 10th year of his Prophethood. Only 2 months prior, his caring uncle Abu Talib had passed away as well. This is why in the Seerah books, the 10th year is known as ‘The year of sorrow’. At the time of her passing, she was 65, and Prophet ﷺ was 50. What Khadija (R) meant to our Nabi ﷺ has been summarised in his own words:
“She believed in me when none else did. She embraced Islam when people disbelieved me. And she helped and comforted me in her person and wealth when there was none else to lend me a helping hand. I had children from her only.”
3. Battle of Badr
The Muslims achieved their first decisive victory over the Quraish in the Battle of Badr. This great event took place on the 17th of Ramadan, 2nd Hijri.
A caravan of Quraish containing 50 thousand gold dinars assisted by 40 guarded men was passing close to Madina. This news reached Rasulullah ﷺ. He immediately gathered a small army of over 300 men to attack the caravan. This was a part of revenge for the years of torture that the Quraish did to the Muslims. Also, this was to lift the extreme poverty that the Muslims of Madina were going through.
Abu Sufian, the leader of the Quraish caravan (who became Muslim later), however, became aware of the situation and escorted the caravan to Makkah through a different route. Before that, he sent a message to Makkah, saying that the caravan was under threat.
When the news reached Makkah that the Muslims had come out to capture the caravan, Abu Jahl decided to meet the Muslim army at the grounds of Badr. He met the Muslims with 1000 heavily equipped soldiers, horses, and camels.
On the other hand, Muslims had no intention of fighting them in a battle. They were only out there to capture the caravan. So, they were ill-equipped. But this is exactly what Allah wanted. He says in the Quran:
وَإِذْ يَعِدُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ إِحْدَى ٱلطَّآئِفَتَيْنِ أَنَّهَا لَكُمْ وَتَوَدُّونَ أَنَّ غَيْرَ ذَاتِ ٱلشَّوْكَةِ تَكُونُ لَكُمْ وَيُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُحِقَّ ٱلْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ وَيَقْطَعَ دَابِرَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
Meaning: [Remember, O believers], when Allah promised you one of the two groups – that it would be yours (either the caravan or the army of Quraish) – and you wished that the unarmed one (caravan) would be yours. But Allah intended to establish the truth by His words and to eliminate the disbelievers. [Surah al-Anfal: 7]
Even though all odds were against the Muslims, they still came out victorious with the help of Allah. The prominent leaders of Quraish, like Abu Jahl, Utbah, Shaybah, and others, were killed in battle. Seventy Quraish men were captured at the hands of the Muslims. To this day, the Battle of Badr is considered the most impactful battle in the history of Islam.
4. Conquest of Makkah
On the 8th year of Hijri, our beloved Prophet ﷺ conquered Makkah with 10 thousand soldiers. Eight years prior, he ﷺ had to leave it because of the animosity and hatred of Quraish towards Islam. Little did they know that Allah would return His prophet ﷺ as a victor to Makkah a few years later.
This fulfilled the promise Allah made to His Messenger ﷺ in the Quran. Allah says:
لَّقَدْ صَدَقَ ٱللَّهُ رَسُولَهُ ٱلرُّءْيَا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۖ لَتَدْخُلُنَّ ٱلْمَسْجِدَ ٱلْحَرَامَ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ءَامِنِينَ مُحَلِّقِينَ رُءُوسَكُمْ وَمُقَصِّرِينَ لَا تَخَافُونَ ۖ فَعَلِمَ مَا لَمْ تَعْلَمُوا۟ فَجَعَلَ مِن دُونِ ذَٰلِكَ فَتْحًۭا قَرِيبًا ٢٧
Meaning: “Certainly has Allāh showed to His Messenger the vision [i.e., dream] in truth. You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, if Allāh wills, in safety, with your heads shaved and [hair] shortened, not fearing [anyone]. He knew what you did not know and has arranged before that a conquest near [at hand].” [Surah al Fath: 27]
When the apostle of Allah ﷺ entered Makkah, he had the full power to take revenge. But declared general forgiveness for everyone.
5. Ali (R) Was Assassinated
The 4th rightly guided Caliph of Islam, Ali ibn Abi Talib (R) was killed on 21 Ramadan, 40 AH.
A man called Abdur Rahman Ibn Maljam, who was one of the supporters of Ali ibn Abi Talib (R), and witnessed the Battle of Siffin with Ali (R). Then he turned against Ali (R) and vowed to kill him, so he stabbed Ali (R) with his poisoned sword in the Great Mosque of Kufa on 17 or 18 Ramadan, 40 AH. Ali (R) attained martyrdom 3 days later.
Source: ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib’ by Dr. Ali M. Sallabi; International Islamic Publication House: Page: 616, 625
6. Battle of Ain Jalut
A decisive battle between the Mamluk Muslims of Egypt and the mighty Mongol Empire took place on 3 September 1260 or 26 Ramadan 658 Hijri near Ain Jalut, Jazreel Valley of Palestine. After a series of losses against the Mongolians, this battle was a turning point in the history of Islam. Saifuddin Qutz (R), the valiant Sultan of Egypt and Syria, led the Muslim army to victory, stopping the seemingly unstoppable Mongol army.
7. Conquest of Andalusia
The Battle of Guadalete was the first major victory of the Umayyad Muslim Empire over the Visigothic Empire. It marked the beginning of Muslim expansion in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). Under the leadership of Tariq bin Ziyad (R). This great battle took place in July 711, or Ramadan of 92 Hijri. From then, for almost 800 years (till 1492), the Muslims ruled the newly found Muslim state of Andalusia.
Conclusion
As a part of the Muslim Ummah, we must have our roots deeply connected with our past. Learning about the important events that took place in the month of Ramadan allows us to learn about the history of Islam. It is because of the sacrifices of the earlier generations that we are Muslims today. May Allah reward them and instil in our hearts love for the heroes of Islam.
