Battle of Trench

There were 3 prominent jewish tribes in Madinah at that time. These were:

1. Banu Qainuqa
2. Banu Nazir
3. Banu Quraiza

Banu Qainuqa violated the treaty with the Muslims at the time of the battle of Badr and
thus they were punished by being exiled from Madinah. Banu Nazir plotted to kill the
Prophet Muhammad (‫)صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬. However, the Prophet Muhammad (‫ )صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬came
across this news with the help of some people of Banu Khuza (an ally of the Muslims) and his
companions.

Therefore, the Prophet (PBUH) decided to punish them for the violation of the treaty
with the Muslims. The Muslims besieged Banu Nazir and they were forced to surrender.
Banu Nazir were enraged due to this. They insisted Abu Sufiyan to raise an army and
destroy the Muslims. Abu Sufiyan and the leaders of Banu Nazir invited various tribes
and they managed to raise an army of around 10,000 (ten thousand) men.Banu Khuza
(an ally of the Muslims) immediately informed the Prophet Muhammad (‫)صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬
about the advancing army towards Madinah. Hazrat Muhammad (‫)صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬
summoned up his companions to reach a war strategy because the Muslims managed
to raise an army of only 3000 men.

Hazrat Salman Farsi (‫)رضي هللا عنه‬, a Persian convert, came up with a brilliant war
strategy. He advised digging a trench around the North of Madinah because Madinah
was protected from the South, East and West by mountains and other natural
barriers.The strategy was appreciated and adored by the Prophet Muhammad ( ‫صلى هللا‬
‫ )عليه وسلم‬and his companions.Therefore, the process of digging the trench started and
the Prophet Muhammad (‫ )صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬himself took part in the digging.

This was the time when Allah almighty tested the believers. There was a shortage of
food and other basic necessities of life but the Muslims continued their work despite the
harsh conditions.The Prophet (‫ )صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬demonstrated perfect qualities of being
and leader and the Muslims managed to dig a trench which was about:

 5.5 kilometre long
 9 meters wide
 4.5 meters deep

When the Quraish army reached Madinah, they were disappointed to see a trench
because they came with the intention of fighting. They had no other decision but to lay a
siege around Madinah. They planned to cut off all possible supplies of food, water and
other necessities and create a shortage of resources within Madinah and force them to
surrender.The Muslims, however, were steadfast and they managed the crisis with
brave bravery.

There were more Muslims at those points where the trench was a bit less wide and
deeper. There were several occasions on which some people of the Quraish managed
to cross the trench. They were repulsed by the Muslims.It is to note that the trench was
very wide. It was not possible to cross it except for some points where the Muslims were
constantly present.

Ikrimah bin Abu Jahl, Naufal bin Abdullah and some other Quraish managed to come
across the trench. They were successfully repulsed by Hazrat Ali (‫ )رضي هللا عنه‬and the
companions of the Prophet Muhammad (‫)صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬.Well, this was a very crucial
time in the battle of the khandaq. This was because Nuaym ibn Masood (the leader of
the Banu Ghatafan tribe) converted to Islam. The contributions of Nuaym bin Masood
proved critical for the defeat of the Quraish. Nuyam met the Prophet (‫)صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬
and he discussed the future strategy of the war.

He showed the Quraish that he was with them but in fact, he was with the Muslims. He
sowed seeds of distrust between the various tribes that were supporting the Quraish.
the tribes slowly withdrew their support from the Makkans. This was a very crucial
juncture in the battle.All of this continued and the Muslims were constantly busy in
seeking help from God. On night, a massive storm took over and the Makkans were
taken by surprise.

Their camps were destroyed and their troops were disorganized. The severe storm
forced the Quraish to lift up the siege and thus the battle ended in victory for the
Muslims.The Prophet (‫ )صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬ordered Banu Quraza to surrender but they shut
themselves in their forts. The Muslims besieged them and they were forced to
surrender.

Saad ibn Mua’dh (the leader of the Aws tribe who died later due to a wound received in
the battle of the trench) decided their fate.

Hazrat Ayesha (R.A) narrated:

On the day of al-Khandaq (Battle of the Trench), Sa’d was injured and Allah’s
Messenger (‫ )ﷺ‬pitched a tent for him in the mosque to visit him from a close
distance. [Agreed upon].
All the men of Banu Quraiza were killed and their women and children were taken as
captives and divided among the Muslims along with their property.

The Quran regarding this battle says:

O you who have believed, remember the favour 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.
Surah Al-Ahzab (33:9)

The Importance:

The importance of the battle of the khandaq is that it broke the strength of the Quraish
of Makkah who were constantly planning to destroy Islam and the Muslims.

The Quraish were very satisfied after the battle of Uhud and therefore, the defeat at the
battle of the trench broke their attitude and pride.

The power of Allah almighty was evident to all the people and the victory exposed the
Jewish tribes who were constantly planning to harm the Muslims.

Moreover, the battle paved a way forward for other victories for the Muslims. The low
morale of some Muslims after the battle of Uhud was lifted up.

Lastly, other tribes supporting the Quraish were also exposed to the Muslims and their
defeat at the battle of the ditch weakened them for any future encounter with the
Muslims.

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