{ GAZWAH KHANDAQ }

: THE BATTLE OF TRENCH :

➢ BACKGROUND:
The fifth year of Hijrah (Muslims emigration from Makkah to Madinah) was a foundation in
the life of Muslims. Quraish and the Jews realized that getting rid of Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.)
and his companions (R.A.) was impossible unless they all collaborate together in Ahzab (parties)
in order to fulfill their aim. This was their only solution.

That was the idea of Hoyai Ibn Al-Akhatb the head of Bani An-Nadir, the Jewish tribe that broke
its oath with the Prophet (S.A.W.) and was consequently driven out of Madinah.
Call to Other Tribes against Muslims:
When Bani An-Nadir left Madinah they went to Khaibar and from there, Hoyai went to Quraish
to meet Abu-Sufyan to collaborate with him in fighting the Prophet (S.A.W.). He was most
welcomed by Abu Sufyan. Quraish leaders and Hoyai pledged collaboration and alliance in the
Kaaba until they would kill

Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.).

Strength of Enemy's Army:
Their leader was Abu-Sufyan and the army consisted of 10,000 soldiers from different Arab tribes
such as Quraish, Ghatfan, Ashja, Bani Sulaim and other Arab tribes. They decided to head to
Madinah to abolish Muslims and Islam. Remember that the biggest army that faced by Muslims
before was just 3,000 soldiers.

Prophet (S.A.W.) is Informed about Enemy’s Intentions:

Thanks to the intelligence service powered by Talha Ibn Obaid (R.A.) and Said Ibn Zaid (R.A.),
the news reached Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) that the army would arrive to Madinah within 15
days.
Suggestion of digging Trench by Salman Al-Farsi (R.A.):
Prophet (S.A.W.) summoned Muslims to discuss the matter with them and consult them. He
(S.A.W.) explained the whole situation in details. Companions (R.A.) knew that they had to plan,
work, and exert effort within this doctrine. Salman Al- digging a trench, a plan that was applied in
his country. Salman's (R.A.) idea was a good one Farsi (R.A.), a man from Persia, suggested
because it conformed to the nature of Madinah. As the east, west, and south sides of Madinah
were naturally surrounded by pointed, rocky land, which no one can even walk on. Hence, they
had to close the north part by the trench.
At the same time, the hypocrites started shaking the confidence of Muslims, "You are digging a
trench because you are afraid of them". But Muslims focused on their plan. The trench was dug at
the narrowest part between the two pointed rocky areas of the east and west. The Prophet’s
(S.A.W.) plan was to included the following

- Staying inside Madinah.

- Digging the trench and staying behind it to protect the city, lest any of the enemies could cross
the trench.
- Providing a safe place for women and children.

➢ DIGGING OF TRENCH:
The total number of Muslim warriors was 1500. Prophet (SAW) divided them into groups, each
including 25 persons. Each group, led by a team leader, was responsible for a digging specific
area, which they would protect afterwards. Hence, they would exert all their efforts in digging their
area with quality. Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.) and Umar ibn Khattab (R.A.) played the quality
assurance role by ensuring that the required standards in the digging process were fulfilled. Prophet
(S.A.W.) moved from one group to another, working with them to raise their spirits and encourage
them all. He worked more than any one of them, and held the hardest task of all: removing the
dust and stones from the trench.
The Prophet’s (S.A.W.) companions (R.A.) were afraid and worried for many reasons. They still
had Uhud before their eyes; where 70 of their fellow Muslims were martyred. They were also
worried that they would not be able to finish digging the trench before Quraish would arrive.
Furthermore, Madinah was suffering from starvation at that time. Muslims used to tie a stone on
their stomach to control the feeling of hunger, while Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) tied two
stones out of severe hunger. Despite all these hard conditions, Muslims' morale was high; Hassan
Ibn Thabit (R.A.) wrote poetry to raise their spirits even more. In ten days the trench was ready.

Arrival of Enemy’s Army and they were surprisedThe army of Ahzab (Quraish and the other
tribes) came with ten-thousand soldiers and besieged Madinah. The Ahzab were greatly surprised
to see the trench as it was not an Arab technique and they were not prepared for this. Prophet
(S.A.W.) divided the companions (R.A.) into groups to defend the trench. The siege continued for
twenty-four days and Quraish was waiting for just moment of carelessness or sleep from the
Muslims. However, the fifteen-hundred companions (R.A.) proved to be very careful and watchful
during the twenty-four days of the siege.

➢ Violation of Treaty by Banu Qurayza:

Quraish could not pass through and found no solution. They considered communicating with Banu
Qurayza (a Jew tribe in Madinah) to have them attack Muslim women and children from the south
of Madinah. However, Banu Qurayza signed a constitution with the Prophet (S.A.W.) and
according to the treaty, they were considered as citizens, had their rights and duties and were not
to attack Muslims or help anyone to attack them. Quraish though that as the Jews would start
killing children and women of Muslims, the Prophet (S.A.W.) and the companions (R.A.) would
immediately leave the trench and they would attack the Muslims from north and south.
Hoyai went to Kaab (leader of Banu Qurayza) to persuade him. However, Kaab, said he saw
nothing but loyalty and justice from Prophet (S.A.W.). This shows clearly how the Prophet
(S.A.W.) respected the concept of citizenship in the society.

Hoyai did not give up and kept persisting until Kaab agreed to betray the Prophet (S.A.W.)
and Muslims.

Prophet (S.A.W.) sends a Delegation to Banu Qurayza:

The news about Banu Qurayza’s intentions reached the Prophet (S.A.W.) who got so worried and
sent Saad bin Maaz (R.A.) and Saad Ibn Ubadah (R.A.) to make sure of the news.
They asked Kaab, “O Kaab! Haven't you signed an agreement with the Messenger of Allah
(S.A.W.)?”
But Kaab replied, “Who is the Messenger of Allah.) (S.A.W? Who is Mohammad? There is no
agreement between us. We have torn it.”

The situation was extremely difficult and Muslims were getting frustrated because of the
hypocrites talk. Allah says in Quran:
“[Remember] when they came at you from above you and from below you, and when eyes shifted
[in fear], and hearts reached the throats and you assumed about Allah [various] assumptions.
There the believers were tested and shaken with a severe shaking.” (Surah Al-Ahzab: 33: 10-
11)
 ➢ Safiyah (R.A.) Kills a Jew:
There has to be moments where the believers are tested and this was one of them. One of the Jews
was sent to examine the fort where the women and children stayed. Hassan Ibn Thabit (R.A.) was
watching the fort. Hassan (R.A.) was not a fighter, but there was no other fighter available to
guard the fort. Safiyah (R.A.), the aunt of the Prophet (S.A.W.), told Hassan (R.A.) to kill the man
to prevent him from getting back to the Jews with information. Hassan (R.A.) told her he could
not kill a man, so this brave woman hit the man and killed him. She then cut his head and threw it
near the forts of the Jews to let them know that Muslims were guarding the women and children's
fort.

➢ Prophet (S.A.W.) talks with Ghaftan Tribe:

The Prophet (S.A.W.) then had to find an alternative plan. He (S.A.W.) went to Ghatfan tribe
(one of the enemy’s tribe) asked them if they would return to their home, they will get one third
of the crops of Madinah. They finally agreed, but the Prophet (S.A.W.) informed them that he
(S.A.W.) must consult his companions (R.A.). The leader of Ghatfan’s tribe said, “Aren’t you
their leader?” The Prophet (S.A.W.) said, “Yes, but Madinah belongs to them, and I have to
ask them.”

After consulting with his companions (R.A.), the Prophet (S.A.W.) told Ghatfan that the people of
Madinah refused the compromise.

Ali Ibn Talib (R.A.) kills Amr Ibn Wadd:

After twenty-three days since the siege the situation was getting worse. The trench started to be
exposed and Quraish began to approach.Amr Ibn Wadd, who was a skillful fighter from Quraish,
was the first one to get to the trench. He jumped with his horse in the trench and said, “Who will
fight me?” Ali Ibn Talib (R.A.) stepped forward. The Prophet (S.A.W.) did not want Ali (R.A.)
to fight Amr but as Ali (R.A.) insisted, the Prophet (S.A.W.) offered him his sword “Dhulfiqar”
and asked Allah to help him. Ali (R.A.) and Amr got into an intense fight while the Prophet
(S.A.W.) kept praying for Ali (R.A.) who was very dear to him. Eventually, Ali (R.A.) killed Amr
and beheaded him, so the Prophet (S.A.W.) said, “Throw it at them so they would be scared.”

SEVERE ATTACKS OF THE ENEMY: After one on one fight between Ali Ibn Talib (R.A.)
and Amr ibn Wadd, enemies threw a lot of arrows at the tent of the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.)
during the besiege. The Prophet (S.A.W.) was standing in front of the tent with his armor on his
body and his helmet on his head.
 ➢ HAZRAT JABIR (R.A.) NARRATES:
“That day, the polytheists fought us all day. They divided their soldiers into teams. They sent a
big group of soldiers under the command of Khalid bin Waleed where the Messenger of Allah
(S.A.W.) was. They fought until late at night. Neither the Messenger of Allah nor the Muslims could
have the opportunity to leave their places.” (Kitab Al-Maghazi by Imam Al-Waqidi: V:2, P:473)

As Narrated by Ali (R.A.) that Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said:

‘On the day (of the Battle) of Ahzab we were diverted from the middle prayer, till the sun set. May
Allah fill their graves or their houses, or their stomachs with fire.’
(The narrator is in doubt about" houses" and" stomachs".) [Sahih Muslim: 627 (c)]

➢ Role of Nuaym Ibn Masud (R.A.):

A man named Nuaym ibn Masud (R.A.) from Ashja tribe went to the Prophet (SAW), declared
his identity and became Muslim. The Prophet (S.A.W.) was very happy with him and advised him
to go back and bring them news. Nuaym (R.A.), disguised himself as one of the non-believers,
went to Banu Qurayza and told them that Quraish was not from this land, and so if they got bored
and exhausted from the siege, they would leave Banu Qurayza alone in front of Prophet
Mohammad (S.A.W.) who would take revenge for their betrayal. He told the solution was to
encourage Quraish to fight but take fifty of Quraish's leaders to guarantee that Quraish would
not leave.
➢ Prophet’s (S.A.W.) Prayer:
On the 24th day the Prophet (S.A.W.) was on the mountain, where he had been praying faithfully
for four days. His prayers were fruitful. An extremely cold night followed and strong cold winds
blew, uprooting the tents of Quraish, throwing their belongings and hitting their faces with small
stones. Victory began to come with the wind. Allah says in Quran:
“O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allah upon you when armies came to [attack]
you and We sent upon them a wind and armies [of angels] you did not see. And ever is Allah, of
what you do, Seeing.” (Surah Al-Ahzab: 33: 9)

Dear brothers, victory is not offered as a piece of cake for anybody. Victory is bestowed on those
courageous faithful believers who exert all their effort to vindicate Allah. Allah (SWT) says in

Quran:
 "O you who have believed, in case you vindicate Allah (SWT), He will give you victory and
confirm your feet (i.e., give you victory)." (Surah Muhammad: 47:7)

➢ MUSLIM VICTORY:
The Prophet (S.A.W.) selected Huzaifa Ibn Al-Yaman (R.A.) to get the news of the enemies
without getting into any trouble with them. Huzaifa (R.A.) left and felt very cold until he reached
the trench: it was so warm. On the other side, Huzaifa (R.A.) found Quraish and its allies really
scared, tired and cold. Abu Syfyan called the people to gather. The leaders gathered and because
it was dark, Huzaifa (R.A.) was able to get among them. Huzaifa (R.A.) thought of killing Abu
Sufyan but he remembered the words of the Prophet (S.A.W.) not to do anything against them.
Abu Sufyan told the men that he decided to leave because they could not face the betrayal of the
Jews (as they thought the Jews betrayed them). Also they were not prepared for these cold winds
and hunger.

Huzaifa (R.A.) went back to the Prophet (S.A.W.) told him the good news. The Prophet (S.A.W.)
told the news to his companions (R.A.) and thanked Allah for this victory.

Fate of Banu Qurayza:

Then told the companions to go back to their homes after 24 days of the siege and 10 days of
digging.
Jibril (A.S.) (Gabriel) descended and said, “O Muhammad! Have you put down your weapons and the
angels haven't put theirs yet?”
Jibril (A.W.) meant Banu Qurayza and their betrayal for thde Muslims.

The Prophet (S.A.W.) called back the companions and told them the fight was not over and told them:

“Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger will pray the Asr prayer only in Banu Qurayza.” (Sahih
Bukhari: 4119)

The companions (R.A.) reached Banu Qurayza and besieged them for 15 days. Banu Qurayza
offered to leave their weapons and get out of Madinah, but the Prophet (S.A.W.) totally refused
as Islam is a great mercy but betrayal and corruption are not acceptable.

CONCLUSION :
Dear brothers, victory is not offered as a piece of cake for anybody. Victory is bestowed on those
courageous faithful believers who exert all their effort to vindicate Allah. Believed on Allah is the
first priority of faithfull Iman and followed the way and instruction of Rasool (SAW) Allah is
always with us and his unseen blessings protect us in many stages , time of distress but we never
know so don,t be disappointed , be patient , believe on Allah And his beloved Rasool SAW .

BIBLIOGRAPHY :
• The Islamic information ( website )
https://theislamicinformation.com/blogs/full-story-battle-trench-khandaq-facts/

• Youtube

Quran Mentoring ( channel )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSFo8yplbNs

• REFERENCE

• (Surah Muhammad: 47:7)

• (Surah Al-Ahzab: 33: 9)
• [Sahih Muslim: 627 (c)]
• (Surah Al-Ahzab: 33: 10-11)