The Battle of the Trench 627 AD

By the end of this episode, you will be able to answer three questions. Why did ten thousand soldiers form an alliance against Madinah? How was the trench built to defend the city? And what exactly happened to end that twenty-seven-day siege? Welcome to PodThis and Study Session. Our story begins when the Banu Nazir tribe was expelled from Madinah.

The Battle of Trench, which took place in 627 AD, began with a significant shift in the regional political climate following earlier conflicts. To understand how this specific battle started, we have to look at the actions of the Banu Nazir. This group plotted to kill the Prophet, and as a consequence of that plot, they were eventually expelled from the city of Madinah. Instead of retreating, the Banu Nazir worked to form a massive alliance against the Muslims. They reached out to other local powers, specifically promising their support to the tribe of Banu Ghatafan and the tribe of Banu Sulaiyam. This effort to build a coalition was successful largely because of the timing. According to historical accounts, the Quraish had recently gained the upper hand in the Battle of Uhad. That victory motivated the Makkans and many other enemies to join a unified front. The result was a combined force of 10,000 soldiers. This was a massive number for a single campaign at the time. This large army was placed under the command of Abu Sufyan. The alliance intended to march on Madinah and secure what they expected to be a quick victory. However, the Prophet was not caught off guard. Members of the Banu Khuza'a tribe acted as messengers, leaving their homes to warn the Prophet that the invading army was approaching. This warning gave the community in Madinah the necessary time to consult with one another and decide on a strategy to face such a large force.

The construction of the trench provided a defensive strategy to meet the threat of the ten thousand soldiers approaching Madinah. Hazrat Salman Farsi suggested digging this barrier to protect the city. While three sides were naturally fortified by houses and orchards, the North Syrian front was open. You should note the trench was five yards deep and five yards wide. It stretched for five point five kilometers across that unprotected northern side. Three thousand Muslims worked in groups of ten to complete the massive task. Most records state they finished in six days, though the rocky ground and winter weather led some to say it took twenty. According to historical accounts, the Allied forces expected an easy victory but stopped abruptly when they saw the trench. A siege began that lasted for twenty-seven days. The Muslims kept the enemy at a distance by hurling stones and arrows across the gap. During this time, food and water were very scarce. Jabir bin Abdullah slaughtered a sheep to feed the Prophet, who then miraculously fed the entire army with that one animal. On the battlefield, an undefeated warrior named Amr bin Abd Wad challenged the Muslims to a duel. Hazrat Ali accepted the challenge and killed him. The pressure of the siege revealed internal tensions within Madinah. The Quran records that the hypocrites only intended to run away when they claimed their homes were exposed. The tribe of Banu Quraiza also broke their treaty and prepared to attack from the rear. Because of these combined forces, the event is often called the Battle of Ahzab, or the Battle of the Allies. To break this alliance, the Prophet used strategic skills to sow seeds of mistrust among the tribes. The Quran describes how a severe windstorm and angels finally terrified the confederate forces, forcing them to retreat in disgrace. Question. Who commanded the 10,000-soldier allied force that marched on Madinah? Answer. Abu Sufyan commanded the 10,000-soldier allied force.

The recap quiz starts right now. Try to answer each question in your head before you hear the solution. It's a great way to see how much you remember from our discussion. Question. In what year did the Battle of the Trench occur? Answer. The battle took place in 627 AD. Question. Which specific tribe was expelled from Madinah after plotting to kill the Prophet? Answer. The Jews of the Banu Nazir tribe were the ones expelled from the city. They were forced to leave after their plot was discovered. Question. How many soldiers were in the allied force, and who led them? Answer. The allied force was a massive group of 10,000 soldiers. They were led by the commander Abu Sufyan. Question. What were the physical dimensions and the total length of the trench dug by the Muslims? Answer. The trench was dug to be five yards deep and five yards wide. It stretched for a total of 5.5 kilometers. Question. By what means did the 27-day siege finally come to an end? Answer. The siege ended when Allah sent a severe windstorm and angels on a very cold day. These forces blew down the tents and cooking gear of the allies, which caused them to leave.

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