Battle of Khandaq: Difference between revisions

'''The Battle of Khandaq''' (Arabic: غزوة الخندق, Battle of the Trench) or '''The Battle of ʿAḥzāb''' (Arabic: غزوة الأحزاب, Battle of the Confederates) took place in the fifth year of [[Hijra]]/627. It initially broke out by the stratagem of [[Banu Nadir]] tribe. [[Quraysh]] tribe became united with all its allies including Kafir (unbeliever) 'Arab tribes in order to eradicate Islam. The number of their soldiers was 10,000, yet Muslim army was only 3,000 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 al-Farsi]]. The war terminated by Muslim's victory and the unbeliever army had to withdraw.

During the battle, 'Amr b. 'Abd Wad, 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 [[the 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).

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 l-Qa'da. 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 l-Qa'da.