The Badr Council
Before the Battle of Badr (624 CE), the Prophet consulted his Companions. This was still the early phase — he wanted to know their hearts, not merely their obedience. The Ansar (Medinans) had pledged to defend him within Medina; would they fight outside it? Sa’d ibn Mu’adh, speaking for the Ansar, gave his pledge. Then al-Miqdad spoke for the Muhajirin (Meccan emigrants):
He invoked the contrast with the Children of Israel who told Musa at the gates of the promised land: “Go, you and your Lord, and fight — we are staying right here.” (5:24) — the moment of cowardice that earned them forty years of wandering.
Al-Miqdad deliberately inverted this: We will not stay here. We will fight beside you wherever you go.
The Prophet’s response: his face became bright with joy, and he spoke words of blessing over al-Miqdad.
The Three Cavalrymen at Badr
At Badr, the Muslim force had virtually no horses — the battle was fought largely on foot. Al-Miqdad was one of only three men who fought on horseback, making him and his two companions exceptional in the historical record of the battle.
He later fought at Uhud and Khandaq and remained loyal through all the early campaigns.
With Ali
Al-Miqdad ibn Amr is counted among the earliest, most firm supporters of Ali ibn Abi Talib. He is listed in Shia sources among the few who publicly disputed the succession to Abu Bakr. He died during Uthman’s caliphate.
See also: Seerah Ali, Seerah Abu Bakr, Seerah Umar Ibn Khattab, Seerah Uthman, Seerah Aisha, Prophet Muhammad