The Trench, Khandaq.
When they came upon you from above you and from below you, and when the eyes grew wild, and the hearts reached to the throats, and you were harbouring doubts about Allah. There the believers were tried and shaken with violent shaking. (33:10-11)
O those who believe, remember Allah’s favour to you, when the forces (of infidels) came upon you, and We sent upon them a wind, and the forces (of angels) you did not see. And Allah is watchful of what you do. (33:9)
Such powerful, universal Words from our Lord, The Almighty!
This decisive battle and all that it signified at the time for the Muslims in Madinah, reveals relevant lessons for the turmoil prevalent in so many places today. May Allah Ta’ala guide the Ummah the same way He guided the valiant Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum through the exemplary actions of the Prophet SallAllau alaihi wasallam. May we learn from the admirable qualities of obedience, submission and surrender to the Commands of Allah Ta’ala for the solution to the trials Allah Ta’ala has deemed to test us with now. The first words the Prophet SallAllau alaihi wasallam uttered upon hearing of the impending battle were:
Allah is enough for us, He is the best protector. (3:173)
May our hearts echo these words, reverberating into our deeds and actions. Ameen.
Hope and optimism never left the actions of our Honourable Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam throughout this grueling ordeal. Days, some narrations say weeks, of digging the trench in extreme weather conditions and with the barest of equipment, most digging with bare hands and carrying the dirt on their backs. The Prophet SallAllau alaihi wasallam was aware of their emotional fragility, injecting the arduous task with determination and zeal. They worked side by side, reciting verses of poetry and verses from the Qur’an.
"O Allah, were it not for you,
We would not have been guided,
Nor would we have given charity, nor prayed.
So bestow on us calmness,
And when we meet the enemy,
Then make our feet firm, for indeed,
The enemy has revolted against us;
Yet if they want to afflict us
We oppose their affliction".
Allahumma lawlaa Anta mahtadaynaa
Wa laa tasaddaqnaa walaa sallaynaa
Fa anzilan sakeenatan ‘alaynaa
Wa thabbitil aqdaama in laaqaynaa
Innal a’daa‘a qad baghaw ‘alaynaa
Idhaa araadu fitnatan abaynaa
The Prophet SallAllau alaihi wasallam used to raise his voice emphasizing the final phrase, "Abayna! Abayna! (We oppose their affliction.)
And would constantly be making this Du’a:
O Allah there is no welfare except that of the Hereafter; Shower Your Grace on the Ansars and the Muhajirs.
The Muslims numbered 3,000, with a paltry 36 horses! Compared to an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 of the enemy. The strategies adopted by Rasulullah SallAllau alaihi wasallam denote his masterly leadership tactics, employing the unique idea of a ditch from Salman Farsi RadhiAllahu anhu, along with constant consulting with his Companions RadhiAllahu anhum. The site for the trench was demarcated by the Prophet SallAllau alaihi wasallam. He allotted ten yards of trench to be dug by each party of ten persons, reports outlining that the Muhajiroun were assigned the northern section finishing towards Mount Uhud, while the section nearer mount Sal’a was entrusted to the more numerous Ansar. It is said that the ditch was about three and a half miles long and some ten yards wide and five yards deep.
This is an approximation of the position and length of the trench. The mauve dot represents the command centre for the operation. Masjid Nabawi in the middle at the bottom.
Aishah RadhiAllahu anha, narrated that Rasulullah SallAllau alaihi wasallam while striking at the invincible rock he recited:
The words of your Lord are complete in their truth and justice. Nothing can change His words, He is the All hearing, the All Knowing. (6:115)
A pertinent reminder that the recitation of this verse is a tested prescription for the resolution of something difficult.
The trial of the siege, lasting more than three weeks, tested their resolve even more. The Tafseer in Ma’ariful Qur’an elucidates the details.
I share the following events, highlighting the role of women at the time. A previous post dealt with the wife of Jabir ibn Abdullah RadhiAllahu anhu, while the story of the daughter of Basheer ibn S’ad RadhiAllahu anhu tells of another of the miracles Allah Ta’ala aided His faithful with.
Amrah bint Raa’hah RadhiAllahu anha, the wife of Basheer, sent her young daughter with a handful of dates, which she folded in her garment, to give to her father and her uncle, Abdullah ibn Rawaahah for their meal. While she was looking for them she passed by Rasulullah SallAllau alaihi wasallam who beckoned her to go to him. He inquired what she had, and when she said a few dates he asked for them. She put them in the Prophet SallAllau alaihi wasallam ’s hands, saying that they did not even fill his hands. He then asked for a sheet to be spread out and the dates to be scattered over it, then he called for the people of the trenches to come and partake of a meal. Everyone arrived and began eating from the dates, which continued to increase in number. After all had eaten to their fill, the dates were still falling over the edges of the sheet!
The Prophet SallAllau alaihi wasallam saw Umm Sulaym RadhiAllahu anha carrying a dagger and he asked her what she was doing with it. She said: "It is to fight those who desert." This along with the courageous story of Saffiyah RadhiAllahu anha, the aunt of the Prophet SallAllau alaihi wasallam are clear evidence that women contributed in this campaign.
There were some light moments amidst the fervour. The youth allowed to participate were enthusiastic and competed with each other. Zaid ibn Thabit RadhiAllahu anhu was a teenager at the time, who became tired after the incessant work, one day, fell asleep. The mirthful ‘Umarah ibn Hazm RadhiAllahu anhu noticed this and took his clothes and tools and hid them as a joke. Naturally when Zaid RadhiAllahu anhu woke he was terrified. When the Prophet SallAllau alaihi wasallam heard of this trick he chided Zaid RadhiAllahu anhu by naming him "Sleepy" (Abu Ruqad, the sleepy one) and mildly rebuked ‘Umarah RadhiAllahu anhu.
Once the announcement of victory had been made it is said that many of the Companions being so exhausted sleep in the streets of Madinah on their way home! No sooner had Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam returned home, put down his arms and had taken a bath when Jibreel Alaihis Salam, whose head was covered with dust, came to him saying, "You have put down your arms! By Allah, I have not put down my arms yet." Allah’s Apostle SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "Where to go now?" Jibreel Alaihis Salam said, "This way," pointing towards the tribe of Bani Qurayzah. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam without hesitation gathered the Sahabah once again and immediately went out towards them. SubhanAllah!
1. Masjid Fath (also known as Al-Ahzab and Al-Ala) The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s tent was pitched at this high point of the mountain, and this is where he supplicated Allah Ta’ala for victory for three days.
From amongst the Du’a was:
"O Allah, Revealer of the Book, swift in taking account, put the confederates to rout. O Lord, defeat them and shake them."
On the third day after Zuhr Jibreel was sent to him with the glad tidings of victory.
2. Masjid Salman Al-Farsi
3. Masjid Ali ibn Abu Talib
4. Masjid Umar ibn Al-Khattab
5. Masjid Sa’d
6. Masjid Abu Bakr As-Siddiq
7. The new Masjid, as yet not complete, see photo below.
An old aerial view of how the Masaajid were. Some are now demolished, supposedly being incorporated in the new one below.
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen.
