BATTLE OF TRENCH

MODEL ANSWER

Q1. (a) Explain the main events immediately leading to the battle of trench. Also discuss the main events of the battle.

Ans. Accepting the challenge at Uhad, Muslims led an enforced caravan but Makkans did not show up. Prophet had
exiled the jewish tribe Banu Nadir from Madinah, who had settled at Khyber so they were instigating Quraish for another
battle, so the Quraish decided to attack on Madinah with a huge force to regain the damaged prestige. Banu Nadir, Banu
Ghatfan, Banu Sulaym, Banu Asad and the other beddouine allied tribes of Quraish, due to the alliance of many tribes
the battle is also called Al Ahzab (Battle of Allies) so the Quraish raised an army of 10000 led by Abu Sufyan (RZ).

On hearing about the preparation of Quraish the Prophet consulted with his companions, Hazrat Salman Farsi (RZ)
suggested Prophet as per his experience in Persia that for the protection from a huge army trences should have been
built around the city. This suggestion was liked and accepted by Holy Prophet (PBUH), the trench was dug and the fodder
was also cut from the other side of the trench and this task was completed by 3000 companions including Prophet
(PBUH) himself in about 9 or 10 days.

In 5 A.H an allied force reached at the border of Madinah but they were surprised in seeing the trench and encamped on
the other side of the trench. Muslims showering hail of stones and arrows towards enemy. The allied army besieged
Madinah for about 30 days. A group of polytheist’s fighters led by Amr bin Abd crossed the trench and captured Mount
Sila but Hazrat Ali (RZ) killed Amr bin Abd in a single contest and allowed others to evacuate. The allied army had a lond
boring wait which made them tired and weak. Banu Nadir persuaded Banu Quraiza to join hands with Quraish, they were
convinced and planned to attack Muslims from behind, and it was a breach to the charter of Madinah.

Peophet sent Hazrat Saad bin Muaaz (RZ) and others to remind Banu Quraiza about the charter for which they were
bound to be loyal to the state of Madinah and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) but Banu Quraiza declined to acknowledge
any terms the charter. Meanwhile Hazrat Naim (RZ) a Jew became Muslim, worked as an agent of the Prophet and
created discontent between the allied army and Banu Quraiza, due to which Allied began to lose hope and also the
change in climate, shortage of food and fodder made things very hard for the enemy. Later on a violent windstorm blew
in to the enemy’s camp, apparently it was a help from Allah for Muslims. It is mentioned in the Holy Quran: “o you who
believe! Remember Allah’s favor to you when there came against you hosts and we send against them a wind and
forces that you saw not. And Allah is ever All-seer of what you do.” (33:9) Al-Ahzab. Muslims eventually beame
victorious.

After the allied army left, Prophet besieged the fortresses of Banu Quraiza, after few days they surrendered and Prophet
asked them to leave Madinah but they demanded for themselves to be dealt with according to the light of old testament.
Prophet (PBUH) asked Hazrat Saad bin Muaaz (RZ) to decide the matter, he announced the verdict to execute their men
and to take their women and children as captives.

From the desk of Sir Abdul Aleem

From the desk of Sir Abdul Aleem