Battle of Khandaq: Difference between revisions

Aside from Imam Ali's combat with 'Amr b. 'Abd Wad, which resulted in enemy's defeat and escape, historians have referred to three other factors assisting Muslims in battle of Khandaq.

# The important role of a person by the name of Nu'aym b. Mas'ud al-'Ashja'i, a member of Ghatafan tribe who became Muslim secretly and none of the polytheists knew about it. Nu'aym met the Prophet (s) covertly. He told Nu'aym to undermine the enemy and to arise disputes among them. Nu'aym asked the Prophet (s) for the permission to say whatever he wants to achieve this goal. The Prophet (s) allowed him and said: "War is deceit". Nu'aym b. Mas'ud met Banu Qurayza, 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 Qurayza alone. Then, he visited Quraysh and Ghatafan and informed them about Banu Qurayza's regret and disloyalty. He told them Banu Qurayza had decided to take hostage from them and give the hostages up to Muhammad, and then establish peace between themselves and Muslims. He recommended that they not give any hostages to Banu Qurayza. Consequently, disputes were arisen among them.

# As Waqidi narrates, when the polytheists 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.

# Ibn sa'd has told about the Prophet's prayer, its fulfillment, and divine assistance. The prophet prayed in a place later named as [[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.

Polytheists' defeat and withdrawal in the battle of Khandaq 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 the death of 'Amr b. 'Abd Wad by Imam 'Ali (a) or after the polytheists' 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 (s) said happened until God released [[Mecca]] by his Prophet.