Badr - Truth v Falsehood

I visited a place I've been wanting to visit for many years: Badr. It was definitely worth the long journey. Reading about and hearing about Badr and then actually coming here and visualising things is just mind blowing. Seeing the graveyard, the mountains where the angels descended and the place where my beloved Prophet (pbuh) camped is an experience like no other.

There are a couple of places of interest remaining in Badr today.  Firstly, the graveyard where the shuhadah of Badr are buried.  This graveyard is located on the Shuhadah road.  Couple of notes: the graveyard is locked at all times except when there's a funeral. Don't disturb the caretaker, he must get thousands of requests every year and refuses them all. Poor man may sound angry but you can't blame him because not only does he repeatedly get asked to open the gate but also gets asked where the graves of the shuhadah are. His answer: Allah knows. That is probably the most accurate answer having spoken to locals as well. However, some of the Pakistanis will tell you they are the graves at the back surrounded by stones. Again: Allah knows best.

Next, Masjid Areesh.  This masjid is said to be constructed on the spot where the Prophet (pbuh) commanded the battle of Badr from. If you visit Masjid Areesh outside of prayer times, don't expect the wudhu area or even the Masjid to be open. Again, try not to disturb the nice caretaker.

Finally, the mountain(s) where the Angels descended during the battle of Badr.  A number of locals informed me that the mountain in this picture is one of those.  This mountain is directly behind the graveyard and the sand is of slightly different colour compared to the rest of the sand in Badr.

Just standing in Badr and visualising all these places knowing the story of Badr gives you goosebumps.  It was a trip well worth it.