The Battle of Khanadaq Trench
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·
This
battle was fought on 8 Dhi Qa’d , 5 A.H.
·
Meaning
of Khanadaq or Ahzab means Ditch, Trench or Moat.
·
The Trench
was dug on the advice of Hazrat Suleman
Farsi (RA)
·
The trench or
Khanadaq was dug on Northern side as all other three sides were covered by
mountains.
·
It took 6 days
in digging the trench.
·
It was about 10
KM long, 22 ft wide and 16 ft deep.
·
Leadership
of Muslims: The Holy Prophet (SAW)
·
Leadership
of Polytheist: Abu Sufyaan
·
Number
of companions: 3000
·
Number
of polytheist: 10,000
·
Result:
Polytheist failed in their motives and went back. Muslims won the battle, 4 soldiers of
polytheists were killed and 8 mujahedeen were martyrdom
The
Qureshites community had one important dream: The destruction of The Holy
Prophet Mohammed (SAW) and his religion. Pagan tribes outside Mecca were
sharing with them the same dream. Like the Meccans, these tribes considered Hazrat
Mohammed (SAW) a serious threat to their religion. This belief brought these
tribes and the Muslims into military confrontations in which the Muslims had
the upper hand. These tribes, therefore, were like the Meccan community full of
hatred and bitterness towards Mohammed (SAW)
and His religion.
Non-Pagan
Tribes
There
were clashes between the Muslims and some of the people of scripture who were
neighboring Medina caused by their breaching of agreements with the Holy
Prophet (SAW). Tribes from among them such as Banu Al-Natheer and others were
exiled by the Prophet (SAW) .
A
delegation from these people went to Mecca and other Arab communities during
the 5th year after the Hijrah, propagating war against the Prophet SAW) and
attempting to mobilize the Arab forces for the proposed war. They did not need
much effort to persuade the Meccans to a military undertaking against the
Prophet. Their response to the invitation was prompt, and without hesitation,
they mobilized four thousand fighters. This army was supplemented with six thousands
from Ghatafan, Saleem, and other tribes. Thus, ten thousands strong marched
towards Medina.
The
Holy Prophet (SAW) received the news of the forthcoming invasion a few days
before their arrival at Medina. He consulted his companions, and Salman Al-Farisi
(the Persian) advised the Prophet to dig a moat around Medina to prevent the
invaders from entering it. The Messenger commanded the Muslims (who were about
three thousands) to implement the plan. The moat was dug within six days.
Witnessing
the moat, the invaders were surprised and realized that it had become difficult
for them to enter Medina. Thus they found it necessary to besiege Medina
instead of invading it directly. Banu Quraidhah, a community from the followers
of the Scripture, joined the pagan army after its arrival. This community had a
treaty of peace with the Prophet (SAW). Their treacherous action was a
frightening surprise to the Muslims. By breaching the agreement, this community
gave the pagan army additional forces and equipment. It became the duty of the
Muslims to add to their defensive lines another line.
The
Muslims in repulsion
There
were many hypocrites among the Muslims who circulated frightening rumors, which
added to the fear of the Muslims. The Holy Qur'an tells us of the psychological
crisis with which the Muslims lived during that period:
"Behold!
They came upon you from above you and from below you, and when the eyes grew
wild and the hearts gaped up to the throats, and ye imagined various (vain)
thoughts about God! In that situation the believers were tried: They were
shaken with a mighty Shock. And behold! The hypocrites and those in whose
hearts there is disease (even) say: God and His Apostle promised us nothing but
delusion! Behold! A party among them said: O people of Yathrib (Medina), you
cannot stand (the attack), therefore turn back! And a band of them ask for
leave of the Prophet, saying: Truly our houses are bare and exposed though they
were not exposed; they intended nothing but to flee." (33:10-13)
The
pagan army, on the contrary, was enjoying an extremely high morale. Victory to
them was certain. Medina was under their siege, and its inhabitants did not
possess the courage to come out of it. Their confidence in victory and morale
went higher when Banu Quraidhah joined them. This made them change their
strategy from the siege of Medina to a direct invasion.
Amr's daring
step
Amr Ibn
Abd Wodd, accompanied by Dhirar Ibn Al-Khattab, Akramah Ibn Abu Jahl, and
others, sought and found a narrow place in the moat. Their horses leaped above
the moat to the other side. Had this adventure succeeded many pagan fighters
were expected to follow them and make it feasible for the whole army to pass through
that narrow place, for they could have spanned the two sides of the ditch by
filling that narrow gap with soil.
The
Muslims were in a state of shock and horror before the passage of these pagan
soldiers to their side. The new danger, which was presented by their passage,
made the morale of the Muslims much lower than before.
Men of
strong faith
Though
the hearts of most of the Muslims were filled with fear, some of them were
unshaken by the new danger. It rather made their faith stronger in God, His Messenger,
and the promised victory. These individuals were ready to sacrifice themselves
and one of them certainly was determined to try to confine the danger, then to
remove it. The Holy Qur'an tells us of the morale of these believers.
When
the believers saw the confederate forces, they said: This is what God and His
Apostle had promised us. And God and His Apostle told us what is true. And it
only added to their faith and their zeal in obedience. "Among the
believers are men who have been true to their covenant with God: Of them some
have completed their vow (to the extreme), and some (still) wait; but they have
never changed (their determination) in the least." (33:23)
The
Holy Qur'an does not inform us of the number of those believers whose faith was
increased by the increase of the danger. These believers may have been scores
or just a few. However, faith sometimes remains only as a state of mind without
being transformed into action. Some of the faith is active, flowing with
vitality and moving the faithful to face the danger and to rise to its level
and above its level.
Hazrat
Ali's (RA) Response
However,
history informed us of one of them because of his outstanding achievements at
this battle, in confining and removing the danger, which shook the very
foundation of the Islamic state. That man was no other than Hazrat Ali Ibn Abu
Talib.
Amr Ibn
Wodd, who crossed the moat, was well known among the Arabs. He attended the
battle, boastfully making his place known to people. His very passage from one
side to the other side of the moat, accompanied only by a small number of
fighters, indicates that the man was extremely courageous. He was the only one
from among the ten thousand fighters who tried to invade the Muslims directly
and challenge them totally while he was with them on one side.
The
passage of Amr and his companions presented to the Muslims a new and serious
danger and a frightening surprise, which they never expected. The door was
about to be opened widely, and hundreds and thousands were expected to follow.
The surprise, however, did not frighten or astonish Hazrat Ali (RA). History
informs us of Hazrat Ali's present-mindedness and fast response, for he
immediately moved to confine the danger, then to remove it. Leading a small
number of believers, he went immediately to the point where the Islamic defense
line was broken by the passage of Amr. He had his companions stand there,
preventing others from attempting to follow Amr. And after he confined the new
danger, he managed to remove it completely.
While
mounting his horse, Amr went around the area of Sal'a, facing the Muslims and
challenging them: "Is there any dueler?" He repeated this call but
there was no response on the part of the companions. This compelled Hazrat Ali
(RA) to leave his place where he was deterring the pagan forces from following
Amr by crossing the Moat. Responding to Amr's challenge, he left that place
temporarily to be defended by the few who were with him.
He reached
near Amr and asked him to face him in a duel. At this moment the Prophet
(S.A.W.) uttered this historical sentence: "Entire faith is facing entire
infidelity". Amr arrogantly replied: "Why, son of my brother (Amr was
a friend of Abu Talib, father of Hazrat Ali
(RA))? By God, I would not like to kill you." Hazrat Ali (RA) replied:
"But, by God; I would love to kill you." A short but extremely
violent duel between the two heroes took place. Hazrat Ali (RA) killed Amr
immediately and Amr's companions ran away, trying to re-cross the moat from the
Islamic side to the pagan side.
Hazrat Ali
(RA) exclaimed: "Allahu Akbar," (God is Great) and so did the
Muslims. The death of Amr was the end of the new danger. Those who were with
him ran away, trying to save their skin; but most of them were killed before
they could cross to the other side.
Hazrat Ali
(RA) made a great contribution in the defense of Islam at this battle during
which the danger against the new Faith reached its peak.
At this
battle the Muslims faced a greater danger than ever before. The elements of the
Islamic defense were the same three elements which played their roles during
the two battles of Badr and Ohod: The firmness of the Messenger and his ideal
leadership: the heroism of Hazrat Ali (RA); and the determination of the
Islamic army.
A
fourth element was added at this battle: The role of Hazrat Salman Al-Farisi (RA)
who counseled the Prophet (SAW) to dig the moat around Medina.
The
role of the Islamic army during the Battle of Ohod was smaller than its role
during the Battle of Badr. And it was less important at the Battle of the Moat
than it was at the Battle of Ohod, for the Muslims during the Battle of the
Moat did not even dare face the enemy. They only dug the moat around the city
before the arrival of the pagan army then stood behind the moat until the end
of the battle.
The
roles of the first two defensive elements were similar to their roles at Badr
and Ohod and probably bigger. The firmness of the Messenger, his leadership,
his war strategy and his speed in digging the moat were most essential in
making the Muslims pass the crisis safely.
Hazrat Ali's
role at this battle was outstanding in the history of the Islamic defense.
The greatness
of Hazrat Ali's contribution
It was
clear that Amr was the entire power of the pagan forces, and that his death was
a defeat for the whole confederate army. But it would be logical to affirm two
important matters:
1. Hazrat
Ali's initiative to block the passage point and prevent others from following
Amr had stopped the danger and confined it. Had the passage point remained
open, a great number of the pagan soldiers would have followed Amr and their
passage could have resulted in establishing a bridge between the two sides of
the moat. Such a bridge would enable the whole army to cross.
One
hour of negligence could have led to a decisive defeat of the Islamic army.
This did not happen because Hazrat Ali (RA) was fast in his response to the new
danger, present minded, calm and collective and ready to deal with the serious
crisis.
2. The
death of Amr proved to the pagan army that they were unable to pass the moat
again, and that what Amr could not accomplish could not be accomplished by
others. By this the pagan army had to face one of two alternatives: Withdrawal
or continuation of the siege until the Muslims surrender or were forced to
cross the moat and fight the pagans. The continuity of the siege of Medina was
beyond the ability of the pagan army. It did not have the food supplies for ten
thousand fighters and their horses and camels, which could enable them to
continue the siege for several months or weeks. In addition, a hurricane like
wind went on causing the pagan army many damages and making its life miserable.
The hurricane was preceded by an argument between the pagans and their Jewish
allies, which made their co-operation in the battle highly difficult.
Thus,
there was only one alternative for the pagan army to take after the failure of
Amr and his death: The withdrawal and that is what they did.
We
ought not to forget an important matter! The death of Amr and most of his
companions raised the morale of the Muslims. Their hope in continuity of life
and in victory was revived. All this was a result of Ali's endeavor, and by
this we can understand the meaning of the declaration of the Prophet: "The
duel of Hazrat Ali Ibn Abu Talib (RA) against Amr Ibn Abd Wodd at the Battle of
the Moat outweighs the good deeds of my whole nation until the Day of
Judgment."
The
Confederate Army withdrew and the Muslims passed the crisis safely. They
regained their confidence concerning the future because of failure of the
Confederate forces after their biggest mobilization. The Messenger said after
their withdrawal: "After
today, we shall invade them and they will not invade us."
The Great
Contribution of Hazrat Salman Al Farsi (RA) in the battle
The honors for saving Medina-tunNabi, the City of the Prophet (SAW), and the Capital of Islam, go to Hazrat Salman (RA) the Persian, and to his master, the Prophet (SAW) himself. The former broached a new idea in military doctrine; the latter showed himself receptive to it, and immediately implemented it.
Everyone in Medina claimed that he was a friend or companion of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW), the Messenger of God. That city had its own share of tuft-hunters. But there were a few, in fact very few, men whom Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) himself acknowledged as his friends. Hazrat Salman (RA) the Persian belonged to this select group, the inner circle of the friends of the Messenger of God.
Hazrat Salman (RA) was a man of gigantic stature and prodigious physical strength. When the trench was being dug, he worked as much as six other men. This prompted one of the Muhajireen to claim that Salman was one of them, i.e., the Muhajireen. But he was at once challenged by the Ansar one of whom said that Salman was an Ansar and not a Muhajir. The two groups were still arguing when the Apostle arrived on the scene. He too heard the claims of both sides and was amused by them. But he put an end to the argument by giving his own “verdict”. He said that Salman was neither a Muhajir nor an Ansar but was a member of his own house – his Ahlul-Bait – a member of the House of Mohammed Mustafa himself!
The Arab historian, Ibn Atheer, has quoted the Prophet in his book, Tarikh Kamil, vol. 2, p. 122, as saying: “Salman is one of us. He is a member of our household.” This is the greatest honor ever bestowed upon any of his companions by Muhammad, the Messenger of God.
Hazrat Salman (RA) was a Christian living in Ammuria in Asia Minor when he first heard vague reports of the appearance of a prophet in Hijaz. To verify these reports, he came to Medina. When his first glance fell on the face of the Prophet, he exclaimed: ““This cannot be the face of a man who has ever told a lie,” and he forthwith accepted Islam.
Islam adopted Salman as much as he “adopted” Islam. Islam became the synthesis of his emotions, and he became a part of its “blood-stream.” In Medina, a stranger once asked him the name of his father. His answer was: “Islam! The name of my father is Islam. I am Salman the son of Islam.” Hazrat Salman (RA) “blended” into Islam so thoroughly that he became indistinguishable from it.
The threat to the security of Medina, however, did not pass with the digging of the trench. Medina was still vulnerable. At a point where the trench was narrow, the general of the Makkan army and three other champions were able to leap over it and to ride into the Muslim camp. If they had succeeded in establishing a bridgehead over the trench, the whole Makkans cavalry and infantry, and the irregular freebooters would have entered the city and captured it. But Ali checkmated them. Thus the wits of Hazrat Salman (RA), the sagacity of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) and the sword of Hazrat Ali (RA) proved to be the best defense of Islam against the most formidable coalition of the polytheists in the history of Arabia.
Companions who got
martyrdom:
1.
Hazrat
Sad ibn Muaz
2.
Hazrat
Ans ibn Aws ibn Attique
3.
Hazrat
Abdullah ibn Suhayl ibn Zaid
4.
Hazrat
Tufayl ibn Al Nauman
5.
Hazrat
Salba ibn Zama
6.
Hazrat
Ka’b ibn Zaid
7.
Hazrat
Qays ibn Zaid ibn Aamir
8.
Hazrat
Abdullah ibn Abi Khalid
Four Soldiers of
polytheists were killed
1.
Amr ibn Abd Wodd
2.
Nufayl
ibn Abdullah
3.
Manha
ibn Usman
4.
Hasal
ibn Umroo ibn Abd Wodd
