إِنَّ اللهَ يُدْخِلُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا...

There they found Muslims firmly on guard! To have access to water, the heathens had no other choice but to fight for it. So was the battle of Badr started, and at first with a number of single combats between the famous champions and veterans of the two antagonist parties. Such was the normal custom of Arabs in their wars. ATBEH, from among the idolaters came forth, accompanied by his brother, ``SHAIBEH'' and his son, ``VALID'' and they asked for challengers.

From among the Muslim troops, the prophet's uncle HAZRAT HAMZIH, and HAZRAT IMAM ALI, and his cousin, ``OBEIDEH'' went to answer them. In a fierce fight between the six opponents, Imam Ali (AS) slayed Valid, and Hazrat Hamzeh killed, Shaibeh. OBEIDEH who was relatively an old man, was wounded, but Imam Ali (AS) rushed to his aid and thereby ATBEH was also killed. As a result, three of the leading men from among the heathens were killed and a believer injured.

To this effect the above verse (NO.19) was sent down. COMMENTS In the previous verse (NO.17) a mention was made of five groups of non-Muslims, who always will stand in opposition against Muslims. If we consider their contention with deeper insight, we come to the conclusion that their differences are all about their Lord, and in particular about His Oneness. This is because we all look at our Lord from the stand point of our own understandings.

It is unfortunately so that, if we ask a cow to describe his Lord for us, she will begin with the description of His great, sharp, and beautiful horns!