Battle of Trench/Khandaq (5AH/627AD)

Question 1

Why did the Jews of Banu Nazir want to take revenge on the Muslims?

Answer 1

• The Jews of Banu Nazir plotted to kill the Prophet (PBUH) and were subsequently expelled from Madinah.
• After settling in Khyber, they sought revenge against the Muslims.

Question 2

How did Banu Nazir provoke the Quraish and other tribes against the Muslims?

Answer 2

• A delegation of Jewish leaders went to Quraish and promised them full support against the Muslims.
• They made the same promise to the tribes of Banu Ghatafan and Banu Sulaiyam

Question 3

What motivated the Makkans and their allies to attack Madinah?

Answer 3

• The upper hand of Quraish in the Battle of Uhud encouraged them to launch another attack against the Muslims.

Question 4

How many soldiers were in the Quraish-led army, and who commanded them?

Answer 4

Abu Sufyan commanded a force of 10,000 soldiers, including:

• 4,000 well-armed foot soldiers
• 3,000 horsemen in full armor
• 1,500 camels loaded with provisions
• 1,000 camel-riding soldiers
• Several hundred well-armed soldiers from other tribes

Question 5

Who warned the Prophet (PBUH) about the invading army?

Answer 5

• Horsemen from the Banu Khuza’a warned the Prophet (PBUH) about the approaching enemy forces.

Question 6

How did the Muslims prepare for the battle?

Answer 6

• The Prophet (PBUH) consulted his companions, and Hazrat Salman Farsi (RA) suggested digging a trench around Madinah.

Question 7

Why was a trench needed, and how was it built?

Answer 7

• Three sides of Madinah had natural fortifications (houses, orchards, oases), but one side was unprotected.
• The Prophet (PBUH) personally demarcated the trench and worked like a laborer.
• 3,000 Muslims dug the trench, five yards deep and five yards wide, in 20 days despite harsh winter conditions and food shortages

Question 8

How did the trench impact the enemy forces?

Answer 8

• The Quraish and their allies were unfamiliar with trench warfare.
• They were forced to halt and could not cross, while the Muslims defended from a distance by hurling stones and arrows.
• The siege of Madinah lasted 27 days.

Question 9

What incident occurred when food was scarce?

Answer 9

• Jabir bin Abdullah invited the Prophet (PBUH) for a meal after slaughtering a sheep.
• The Prophet (PBUH) fed the whole Muslim army with this one animal.

Question 10

What happened when the Quraish attempted to cross the trench?

Answer 10

• A few riders managed to cross at a narrower section, but Hazrat Ali (RA) fought them off.
• Amr bin Abd Wud, an undefeated Quraish warrior, challenged the Muslims to a duel.
• Hazrat Ali (RA) accepted the challenge and killed him

Question 11

How did the hypocrites in the Muslim army react?

Answer 11

• The hypocrites asked for permission to leave, making excuses about their homes being unsafe
• The Quran refers to this in Surah Al-Ahzab:
• “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.”

Question 12

How did the Banu Quraiza break their treaty?

Answer 12

• Initially, Banu Quraiza refused to support the Quraish.
• Later, they betrayed the Muslims and sided with the Quraish, attacking from the rear.
• This is why the battle is also called “The Battle of Ahzab” (Battle of Allies)
• “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.”

Question 13

How did the Prophet (PBUH) create mistrust among the enemy forces?

Answer 13

• The Prophet (PBUH) sent Nuaym bin Mas’ud to sow mistrust between the alliances, weakening their unity.

Question 14

What hardships forced the enemy forces to retreat?

Answer 14

• The siege lasted one month, which was longer than the Arabs were accustomed to.
• Supplies ran low, and winter rains and icy cold winds made conditions unbearable.
• Allah sent a severe windstorm that destroyed enemy tents and cooking gear
• The angels threw terror into their hearts, forcing them to flee in disgrace

Question 15

How does the Quran describe Allah’s intervention in the battle?

Answer 15

• “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.”

Question 16

What happened to the Banu Quraiza after the battle?

Answer 16

• Banu Quraiza showed treachery by breaking their treaty and conspiring with the Quraish.
• A 25-day siege was laid on their fortresses.
• As punishment, Saad bin Mu’adh decreed that:
  600-700 men were executed.
  Their women and children were sold as slaves.
• “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…”