Ju‘sham Al-Mudlaji — chief of Bani Kinana — saying to them: “I guarantee that no harm will happen  from behind.”
They set out burning with indignation, motivated by a horrible desire for revenge and exterminating  anyone that might jeopardize the routes of their caravans:
“ boastfully and to be seen of men, and hinder (men) from the path of Allâh. ” 8:47
Or as the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
“O Allâh these are the haughty and conceited; they have come defying Allâh and defying His
Messenger.”
They moved swiftly northward to Badr. On the way they received another message from Abu Sufyan  asking them to go back home because the caravan had escaped the Muslims. Incidentally, Abu
Sufyan,  on learning the intention of the Muslims, led his caravan off the main route, and inclined it towards the
Red Sea. By this manoeuvre, he was able to slip past the Madinese ambush and was out of their  reach.
On receiving Abu Sufyan’s message, the Makkan army showed a desire to return home. The tyrant
Abu
Jahl, however haughtily and arrogantly insisted that they proceed to Badr, stay three nights there for  making festivities. Now they wanted to punish the Muslims and prevent them from intercepting their  caravans, and impress on the Arabs that Quraish still had the upper hand and enjoyed supremacy in  that area.
Abu Jahl’s threats and insistence notwithstanding, Banu Zahrah, acting on the advice of Al-Akhnas bin
Shuraiq, broke away and returned to Makkah. Thenceforth Al-Akhnas remained ‘the well-rubbed palm  tree’ for Bani Zahrah and was blindly obeyed in all relevant matters.
Banu Hashim were also inclined to break away, but Abu Jahl’s threats made them desist from that  idea.
The rest of the army, now 1000 soldiers, approached Badr and encamped themselves beyond a sand  dune at Al-‘Udwat Al-Quswa.
‘The intelligence corps’ of the Madinese army reported to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) that a  bloody encounter with the Makkans was inescapable, and that a daring step in this context had to be  taken, or else the forces of evil would violate the inviolable and would consequently manage to  undermine the noble cause of the Islam and tread upon its faithful adherents. The Muslims were afraid  that the pagan Makkans would march on and start the war activities within the headquarters of Islam,
Madinah. A move of such nature would certainly damage and produce an infamous impact on the  dignity and stance of the Muslims.
On account of the new grave developments, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) held an advisory  military  emergency meeting to review the ongoing situation and exchange viewpoints with the army leaders.
Admittedly, some Muslims feared the horrible encounter and their courage began to waver; in this  regard, Allâh says:
“As your Lord caused you (O Muhammad Peace be upon him) to go out from your home with  the Truth, and verily, a party among the believers disliked it, disputing with you concerning the
Truth after it was made manifest, as if they were being driven to death while they were looking
(at it).” 8:5, 6
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) apprised his men of the gravity of the situation and asked for their  advice. Abu Bakr was the first who spoke on the occasion and assured the Prophet (Peace be upon  him)  of the unreserved obedience to his command. ‘Umar was the next to stand up and supported the  views  expressed by his noble friend. Then Al-Miqdad bin ‘Amr got up and said: “O Messenger of Allâh!
Proceed where Allâh directs you to, for we are with you. We will not say as the Children of Israel said  to
Moses (Peace be upon him):
“Go you and your Lord and fight and we will stay here;”
Rather we shall say:
“Go you and yourLord and fight and we will fight along with you.”
By Allâh! If you were to take us to Bark Al-Ghimad, we will still fight resolutely with you against its  defenders until you gained it.”
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) thanked him and blessed him.