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WEEK 04
DAY 01
Battle of Trench: 5A.H/627AD
• The Jews of Banu Nazir plotted to kill the Prophet pbuh. After the punishment and exile
from Madinah by the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H), they wanted to take revenge from Muslims. A
delegation of Jewish leaders therefore went to Quraish to incite them against the Muslims and
promised them their full support. They gave the same promise to the tribe of Banu Ghatafan and
Banu Sulaiyam. The upper hand of Quraish in the battle of Uhad motivated the Makkans and all
other enemies.
• This time they assembled a large force of 10,000 soldiers under the command of Abu
Sufyan. Amongst the Army:4,000 well-armed foot-soldiers,3,000 horsemen in full armour,1,500
camels loaded with provision,1000 camel-riding soldiers and several hundred well-armed soldiers
of other tribes.
• At the same time horsemen from the Banu Khuza'a left to warn the Prophet of the
invading army.
• As usual the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) consulted this companions, In the counsel, he
appreciated the opinion of Hazrat Salman Farsi (RA) who suggested digging a trench around the
city of Madinah in order to protect it.
• On three sides of the city, there were rows of houses, orchards and oasis which served as
fortification only one side was unprotected. A trench, five yards deep and five yards wide was
dug. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) himself demarcated the site and worked like a labourer. 3,000
Muslims completed the trench in 20 days. In winter nights, the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) and his
companions worked sometimes without food for days.
• The Allied forces were confident of an easy and quick victory. They advanced determinedly
upon the city. But they came to an abrupt halt when they found a deep and long trench between
them and the city. The trench warfare was quite unfamiliar to the Makkans and their allies. The
Muslims compelled them to stay at an adequate distance from the trench by hurling stone and
arrows at them. Thus, began the siege of Madinah, which lasted for about 27 days.
• There was little food and water; Jabir bin Abdullah invited the Prophet (pbuh) to eat after
slaughtering a sheep, and the prophet fed the whole army with this one animal;
• The Quraysh tried to cross the trench, a couple of riders managed to cross a part that was
narrower; ‘Ali fought them off; On this occasion , Amr bin Abd Wad, an undefeated warrior of
Quraish , challenged the Muslims for a duel. Hazrat Ali accepted his challenged and killed him.
• The hypocrites in the Muslim army, finding the situation dangerous, asked permission
from the Holy Prophet to return to their homes on the excuse that their homes were not safe in
this connection the Quran says, " Behold! A party among them said: "O men of Yathrib! you
cannot stand (the attack)! therefore go back!" And a band of them ask for leave of Muhammad,
saying, "Truly our houses are bare and exposed," though they were not exposed they intended
nothing but to run away.”[33:13]
• At the first Banu Quraiza had refused to support the unbelievers. But later they also came
out against the Muslims and broke their treaty with the holy Prophet. Thus there was a mighty
attack on Muslims from all sides. For this reason, the battle is also called Battle of Ahzab or the
battle of Allies. The Quran says, “Behold! They came on you from above you and from below
you, and behold! The eyes became dim and the hearts gaped up to the throats, and you
imagined various thoughts about Allah! In that situation were the Believers tried: they were
shaken as by a tremendous shaking.” (33:10-11).
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• The Prophet (pbuh) used strategic skills to create mistrust between the alliances, sending
Nuaym bin Mas’ud to sow seeds of mistrust between the allies.
• A month had passed since the siege began. The Arabs were not accustomed to such a long
drawn war. Their supplies began to run short. Moreover, it was winter with rain and icy cold winds.
Because of the shortage of food, forage and bad weather, a large number of their camels and
horses died. ALLAH sent a severe windstorm to the confederate forces, as well as His angels on a
very cold day. The wind blew down their tents and their cooking gear and the angels threw fear
and terror into their hearts. They hurriedly left, leaving behind all their possessions. - This
encounter known as Battle of Tribes (ahzab) / Battle of Trench (khandaq) ended in disgrace for
the Meccans and their strength was broken forever.
- This is referred in the Holy Quran that says, “… Remember Allah’s blessing on you when hosts
came down on you (to overwhelm you) : but we sent against them a hurricane and forces ye saw
not, but Allah sees all that you do” [33:9]
• Finally, Banu Quraiza, the last major tribe left in Madinah, showed treachery in the Battle
of Ditch in 627 AD. They broke the treaty with the Muslims, conspired with the Quraish and
planned to attack the Muslims from rear. A siege was laid on their fortresses that lasted for 25
days. After this siege, as a punishment of their treachery decided by Saad bin Muaaz, around 600
– 700 men from Banu Quraiza were executed and their wives and children were sold as slaves.
The Quran refers to this incident in these words, “And those of the people of the book who aided
them- Allah did take them down from their strongholds and cast terror into their hearts, (so
that) some ye slew, and some you made prisoners . And He made you heirs of their lands, their
houses and their goods----”[33:26-27]

4(b) What can Muslims learn from the Prophet’s involvement in the
digging of the trench?
• The Prophet (pbuh) was the leader of the army and yet he took part in digging the
trench, despite his severe hunger.
• This teaches Muslims that no matter what their position, whether heads of state or
community leaders, they should take part in hard work required for the benefit of the
community or others.
• It also provides a lesson in patience and perseverance, and that God will help if you
don’t give up.
• It also teaches humility, that you do not think yourself above certain types of work.
*Elaborate with present Day example