8:7
And when Allah promised you one of the two bands (of the enemy) that it should be yours, and ye longed that other than the armed one might be yours. And Allah willed that He should cause the Truth to triumph by His words, and cut the root of the disbelievers;
The expression ṭāʾifatayn (“the two parties”) refers to two groups present during the events leading to the Battle of Badr: the Makkan trade caravan led by Abū Sufyān and the armed Quraysh force commanded by Abū Jahl. Approximately two years after the Hijrah, Abū Jahl mobilized a large army with the stated intention of confronting the Muslim community in Madīnah, forcing the Muslims to respond despite limited preparation and resources. Some companions initially proposed intercepting the Makkan caravan returning from Syria in order to secure provisions, but the Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him) declined this option, indicating that material gain was not the primary objective. Instead, the Muslim forces moved south toward Badr to meet the advancing Makkan army, suggesting a defensive strategy rather than an attempt to raid the caravan.
Historical discussions note that Badr was geographically situated closer to Madīnah than to Makkah, reinforcing the view that the encounter occurred as the Makkan army approached Muslim territory. Reports preserved in ḥadīth literature describe speeches by companions such as Miqdād ibn ʿAmr and Saʿd ibn Muʿādh, who expressed strong commitment to defending the Prophet and the community, emphasizing readiness for battle even under difficult circumstances (al-Bukhārī; Muslim). These narrations are frequently cited to support the interpretation that the Muslim objective was self-defense and protection of Madīnah rather than the pursuit of plunder or aggression.
References:
NOORUDDÎN ,ALLÂMAH. (2015). Exegesis of The Holy Qur’ân Commentary and Reflections.