Battle of Khandaq: Difference between revisions

'''The Battle of Khandaq''' or '''The Battle of Aḥzāb''' (غزوة الخندق ـ غزوة الأحزاب) (Ghazwah: a war at which [[the prophet]] of Islam was present) took place in the fifth year of [[Hijra]]. It initially broke out by the stratagem of [[Banu Nadir]] tribe. [[Quraysh]] tribe became united with all its allies including Kafir (unbeliever) and Arab tribes in order to eradicate Islam. The number of their soldiers was 10,000, yet Muslim army was only 3000 soldiers. Banu Qurayzah tribe had promised to be impartial in case of war; nevertheless, they violated the contract and became confederate with the unbelievers. To take up arms against the unbelievers, Muslims dug trench around Medina, an idea from Salman Farsi. The war terminated by Muslim's victory and the unbeliever army had to withdraw.

During the battle, Amr ibn Abduwad, eminent for his great valor and bravery, proceeded the trench along with some other warriors, and threw down the challenge that who would dare to fight with him. Muslims remained silently, while they were overwhelmed with panic. Ultimately, Imam 'Ali (a) volunteered and went for the challenge with prophet's consent. He succeeded to take Amr's life. This had such a huge positive impact on Muslim's spirit that led to them triumphing over the enemy. " 'Ali's stroke was superior to any gene's or human's (thaqalayn) worship", said Prophet Muhammad (s).

== Another Name of This War ==

This war is also well-known as Ahzab(confederates), since Quraysh tribe got unified with other tribes to eradicate Islam.

== Date of Occurrence ==

The majority of historians believe the date of its occurrence is the fifth year of Hijra. There are different views about the exact month. Some sources believe it was Shawwal, and some others refer to Dhu qa'dah. In a Hadith, it has been said that the prophet set off for the war on Thursday, 10th of Shawwal, and ended it on Saturday, first of Dhu qa'dah.

== Cause of the War ==

Being exiled by the prophet owing to their disloyalty, Banu Nadir tribe went to Khaybar and instigated other Jews to arrange a war against Muslims. This could be the chief cause of the war. After that, some Jews from Banu Nadir and Banu wa'il such as; Huyayy ibn Akhtab Nadri, Salam ibn Abi l-Huqayq Nadri, Kinanah ibn Rabi' ibn Abi l-Haqiq Nadri, Hawdhat ibn Qiys Wa'ili, Abu 'Ammar Wa'ili, went to Mecca and encouraged Abu Sufyan and Quraysh to begin a war against Prophet Muhammad (s). Abu Sufyan accepted their plan with open arms, thus Jews and Quraysh got unified. As following plans, Jews mentioned earlier met Ghatafan tribe, led by 'Uyniyyat ibn Hisn Fazari. They persuaded them to take part in the war by promising to provide them with one-year date. Then, they visited Banu Sulaym ibn Mansur and convinced them as well.

== The Number of Muslims and Kuffar (unbelievers) ==

The unbelievers all together were 10000. Four thousands of them along with 300 horses and 1500 camels were from Quraysh tribe and its confederates. In some references, the number of them ( Quraysh, Ghatafan, Sulaym, Asad, Ashja', Qurayzah, Nadir, and other Jews) is said to be 24 thousands. The unity of the unbelievers and Jews in this war represents their determination to eliminate Islam. That is why the prophet said: "The whole Islam has faced the whole shirk". Some sources believe the number of Muslims was only 3000.

== The Suggestion to Dig Trench ==

Being informed about Kafir's determination by a supporter from Khaza'ah tribe, the prophet asked for people's opinions about whether to stay in Medina or leave it. "Whenever we were in danger by enemy's horsemen in Iran, we dug trench all around us", said Salman Farsi. Having been conquered in Uhud war due to their opposition with prophet's opinion, people of Medina chose to stay in town and accepted Salman's suggestion to dig trench. Digging trench was not commonplace among Arabs up to that time, and it provoked amazement among both Muslims and unbelievers.

The prophet ordered people to dig trench before them, having Sal' mountain behind. They had to start the job from Mudhad (a fort located in the West of Fath mosque) and carry it on to Dhubab region and Ratij mountain (beside Banu Abid mountain, at the West of Bathan). The prophet specified 40 dhira' (a measure unit) for every ten people, and made each tribe responsible for digging each part. It is said that muhajirin were to dig trench from Ratij to Dhubab, and ansar had to do so from Dhubab to Banu Abid mountain. Stimulating the Muslims, the prophet himself contributed to the work. He made doors for trench and the responsibility of guarding them lay with a person from each tribe.

Muslims borrowed many implements such as spade, pickaxe, axe, and basket from Banu Qurayzah, who were supporters of prophet in that time. Allah sent some verses to the prophet about the pious men who did not cease working without prophet's approval, and also about hypocrites who were not dedicated to work and abandoned the job to visit their families without prophet's permission.

While excavating the ground, Muslims came across an extremely impenetrable rock. The prophet struk it three times. By each sparkle out of each stroke, the prophet foretold the blessing news of Muslim's future conquests in Sham, Yemen, and Iran.

== Domiciles of Muslims and Unbelievers ==

Confederations (Ahzab) comprising of three armies by commander of Abu Sufyan ibn Harb arrived in Medina.Quraysh along with some tribes (Ahabish)and their confederate tribes such as Kinanah and Tihamah were domiciled in Rumah, between Jurf and Zaghabah. And Ghatafan tribe camped near Uhud with their confederate tribes. The prophet and Muslims were domiciled in the foot of Sal' mountain, and brought the women and children to the forts.

The most difficult time for Muslims was when it was known that Banu Qurayzah tribe, who had promised to be impartial in case of war, violated the contract and leaned towards the unbelievers. Ka'b ibn Asad Qurazi, the leader of Banu Qurayzah, chose to be on the unbeliever's side, despite his unwillingness at the beginning. The prophet sent the leaders of Aws and Khazraj tribes (in order: Sa'd ibn Mu'adh and Sa'd ibn Ubadah) to make sure about the authenticity of this news. He asked them to inform him in a way that no one found out so that it would not put Muslims in low spirits. Banu Qurayzah had the worst behavior with them with the most insulting words. They came back to the prophet and notified him by naming the two tribes 'Adal and Qarah. What they meant by it was the remembrance of the treachery of these two tribes towards Khubayb ibn ‘Adi and his friends in Raji'.

Muslims feared very much, since they were nervous about their family's condition inside Medina (situated at the back of their domicile), and they had to confront those enemy warriors passing the trench every now and then. The holy Qur'an depicted Muslim's fear and their suspicion about God's promises very plainly. The fear was so deep that Mu'attab ibn Qushayr, a hypocrite, said that Muhammad promised us the conquest of Iran and Rome; however, no one dares to go out even to ease his nature.

Muslims guarded the trench in turn, day and night, enduring severe cold weather and hunger. Some miracles ascribed to the prophet about satisfying Muslim's hunger have been narrated. One time, there were so many attacks from the enemy that the prophet didn't manage to say Noon and Afternoon prayer, and had to perform them later along with Sunset and Dusk prayer.

Some of the Muslims like Banu Harithah asked the prophet for the permission to leave, putting forward the excuse that their houses are unprotected and they worry about enemy's attacks or burglary. There have been some narrations about shooting arrows, hard fighting, and injuries from both sides such as Sa'd ibn Mu'adh. Also, it has been said that Khalid ibn Walid, 'Amr ibn 'As, and Abu Sufyan had some attacks to the Muslims army.

Banu Qurayzah treachery, severe cold weather, famine, and starvation had put so much pressure on Muslim's shoulders. There was such a tough time that the prophet stated to God: "O God! You want not to be worshiped". Qur'an has mentioned this through some verses.

== The Danger of Banu Qurayzah ==

When the danger of a night attack to Medina center by Banu Qurayzah rose, the prophet made two groups of ashab (companions) responsible for guarding Muslim's houses. Since Muslim's anxiety was more about Banu Qurayzah attack to women and children rather than about Quraysh attacks to themselves, they recited takbir until morning. Once at night, two groups of Muslims encountered each other, shooting one another unintentionally. Afterwards, they applied a secret slogan to avoid similar plausible incidents. The slogan was: Ha mim la yunsarun (means the enemy will not conquer).

== Imam 'Ali's Battle with 'Amr ibn Abduwad ==

During the war, Amr ibn Abduwad, a luminary prominent for his great valor, considered as equal as a thousand warriors in terms of being warlike and courageous, proceeded the narrow part of the trench along with some warriors. But they were impeded by Imam 'Ali (a) and some other Muslims. Having been injured in Badr war, thus being deprived of participating in Uhud war, Amr was fresh enough to throw down the challenge and call for an opponent. Even though Imam 'Ali (a) volunteered to fight with him, the prophet did not allow him, hoping that someone else would stand against him. No one became volunteer owing to their fear. As this condition lasted for quite a long time, Amr announced proudly that he got a sore throat because of calling constantly for a rival. Ultimately, Imam 'Ali (a) got ready to begin the combat with prophet's permission. The prophet put his ammamah (a long piece of cloth that you wind tightly round your head, worn by Arabs) on 'Ali's head, gave his sword to him and sent him to the battle. Imam 'Ali (a) proceeded and told Amr either to become Muslim or to call off the combat. Amr refused both suggestions, therefore a very difficult battle took place. Imam 'Ali (a) warded Amr's stroke off by his shield, then took his life by a strong stroke, resulting in all his companion's escape. Imam 'Ali (a) recited takbir right after his victory over Amr, then killed Nufil ibn Abdullah, who was running away and was trapped while passing the trench.

Imam 'Ali's action of killing Amr helped Islam army significantly to be victorious over the unbelievers. About it, the prophet said: " 'Ali's stroke was superior to any gene's or human's (thaqalayn) worship." In another Hadith he averred: " 'Ali's combat with Amr is superior to all my follower's good deeds until the judgment day. And also, while Imam 'Ali (a) and Amr were fighting, the prophet stated: "The whole Islam (or iman (faith)) has confronted the whole kufr (or shirk).

Aside from Imam Ali's combat with Amr, which resulted in enemy's defeat and escape, historians have referred to three other factors assisting Muslims in Khaybar war.

1. The important role of a person by the name of Nu'aym ibn Mas'ud Ashja'i, a member of Ghatafan tribe who became Muslim secretly and none of the unbelievers knew about it. Nu'aym met the prophet covertly. He told Nu'aym to undermine the enemy and to arise disputes among them. Nu'aym asked the prophet for the permission to say whatever he wants to achieve this goal. The prophet allowed him and said: "War is deceit" Nu'aym ibn Mas'ud met Banu Qurayzah, whom he already had intercourse with. He recommended that they had better ask Quraysh and Ghatafan for hostages, on account that they had no worry about their houses being accessible, thus they could easily leave Banu Qurayzah alone. Then, he visited Quraysh and Ghatafan and informed them about Banu Qurayzah's regret and disloyalty. He told them Banu Qurayzah had decided to take hostage from them and give the hostages up to the prophet Muhammad (s), and then establish peace between themselves and Muslims. He recommended that they not give any hostages to Banu Qurayzah. Consequently, disputes were arisen among them.

2. As Waqidi narrates, when the unbeliever army arrived in Medina, there were no cultivation left, and people had already harvested their plantations a month before. As a result, the remaining fodder on the ground was not adequate for Quraysh and Ghatafan horses. Camels were about to die due to starvation and Medina ground was totally dry because of no rain.

3. Ibn sa'd has told about the prophet's prayer, its fulfillment, and divine assistance. The prophet prayed in Ahzab mosque on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: "O God! Make the confederates defeated and run-away". Finally his supplication was fulfilled on Wednesday between his Noon and Afternoon prayer. At a cold winter night, a terrible storm destroyed their belongings. Qur'an has mentioned this divine help.

=== The Consequences of the Unbeliever's Defeat ===

Unbeliever's defeat and withdrawal in Khandaq war paralyzed them in a way that it was impossible for them to rearrange their army and devise another scheme for a fight. Moreover, it built up the newly-established Islamic government of Medina. After Amr's death by Imam 'Ali (a) or after the unbeliever's defeat which occurred two or three days after Amr's death, the prophet of Islam said: "We will make war against them afterwards, and they will not go to war with us". The same as what the prophet said happened until God released Mecca by his prophet.

The blockade of Muslims kept on for 15 days. Except for the siege and shooting, no fighting took place during this period. The prophet had selected Ibn Maktum as his stand-in in Medina.

Muslims had 6 martyrs during this war, and 8 people of kafirs were killed. These verses of Holy Qur'an point to Khandaq war: 214th verse of Baqarah surah, 51-55th verses of Nisa' surah, and 9-25th verses of Ahzab surah.

On Dhubab mountain (well-known as Jabal al-rayah), about 1400 meters away the Northwest of al-masjid al-Nabawi ( The prophet mosque) and 150 meters far from the North of Sal' mountain, there is a mosque which recently was renewed and repaired, so-called as Masjid al-Rayah. It is the area where the prophet supervised digging trench from, had put up his tent and said prayers.

Other mosques by the names of Masjid al-Fath, Masjid al-Ahzab, and Masjid al-A'la were built on Sal' mountain around 700 meters away al-masjid al-Nabawi, where the prophet's tent had been put up, a place in which he said prayers, monitored everything, and received God's blessing promise of victory over the unbelievers. This mosque along with some other mosques on the foot of Sal' mountain are famous as Masajid al-Fath and al-masajid al-sab'ah (the seven mosques). In 1424 AH, a very large mosque named Masjid al-Khandaq was constructed, having some of the seven mosques inside.

Fatimah Zahra (a) mosque is one of the seven mosques. Unfortunately, it has been shut off by some cement blocks for a long time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Muslims dug trench around Medina by Salman Farsi's suggestion, and Imam Ali (a) killed a kafir Arab luminary. 214th verse of Baqarah surah, 51-55th verses of Nisa' surah, and 9-25th verses of Ahzab surah have been sent by Allah about this war.