Battle of Trench in Islam
The Battle of Trench (5 AH)
The Battle of the Trench is also known as the Battle of Khandaq and the Battle of the Confederates was a 27-day standoff between Arab and Jewish clans in Yathrib. The Battle of the Ditch was an early Muslim triumph that compelled the Meccans to acknowledge the Muslim community's political and social strength.
Causes for the battle
After punishment and exile from Medina by the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H), the Jews wanted to take revenge from Muslims. A delegation of Jewish leaders therefore went to Quraysh to incite them against the Muslims and promised their full support. They gave the same promise to the tribe of Banu Ghatafan and Banu Sulaiym.
Strength of Quraysh
The battle of trench was fought in 627 AD. The Quraysh begin preparations for a greater attack on Medina after the battle of Uhad. This time they assembled a large force of 10,000 soldiers consisting of different tribes, under the command of Abu Sufyan.
Amongst the army; 4,000 well armed foot-soldiers, 3,000 horseman in full armor, 1,500 camels loaded with provision, 1000 camel-riding soldiers and several hundred well-armed soldiers of other tribe.
The reaction of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) and the advice of Hazrat Salman Farsi (R.A)
When the allied army left Makkah, the holy prophet was informed of its departure. As usual he consulted his companions. In the council, he appreciated the opinion of Hazrat Salman Farsi who suggested that start digging a trench around the city of Medina in order to fortify it. Thus, it is the idea of Hazrat Salman Farsi (R.A) that digging a trench could make this battle possible in good ways.
Completion of the Trench
On three sides of the city, there were rows of houses, orchards and oasis which served as fortification; only one side was not protected. A trench was dug five yards deep and five yards broad. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) himself demarcated the site and worked like a laborer. 3,000 sacred hands 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.
Allah tests His believers and we as Muslims need to do every possible effort to pass the test. As Allah says in Quran in Al-Ahzab in the following verse:
There the believers were sorely tested and deeply shaken [33:11]
Reaction of the Allies
The allied forces were Confident off 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 adequate distance from the trench by hurling stone and arrows at them. Thus, began the siege of Medina, which lasted for about 30 days.
Problems caused by the siege for the Allies
The allied army made several attempts to cross the trench. But they did not succeed. 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 a winter with the rain and icy cold winds. Because of the shortage of food, forage and bad weather a large number of their camels and horses died.
Help of Allah in the Battle of Trench
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.
The Holy Quran mentions this incident as,
O believers! Remember Allah’s favour upon you when ˹enemy˺ forces came to ˹besiege˺ you ˹in Medina˺, so We sent against them a ˹bitter˺ wind and forces you could not see. And Allah is All-Seeing of what you do [33:9].
Importance of this Battle
The battle of trench was a turning point in the long drawn struggle between Muslim and the Quraysh. Their failure in the battle of trench proved to be decisive. It exhausted there resources and consumed their wealth. Moreover, their prestige was lost and their allies dispersed in disgust. Their trade with Syria ended and their position in northern Arabia was shaken beyond repair.
Thus they could no more lead a fresh military expedition against Muslims. The defeat of Makkans in the battle of trench put an end to their aggressive spirit. Henceforth, they resorted to defensive strategy with the Muslims. They realized the rising power of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) and the Muslims in the politics of Medina. Therefore, they signed a peace treaty with the Muslims at Hudaibiya.
As Allah says beautifully in Quran in the following verse that He is the Great protector and helper, Indeed!
Say, ‘If God wishes to harm you, who can protect you? If God wishes to show you mercy, who can prevent Him?’ They will find no one but God to protect or help them [33: 17].
