There was a mutual defense treaty between Muslims and nearby Jews in Madinah. The Jews betrayed the treaty by planning to kill the Prophet and allying with enemies including the Quraysh tribe and Ghatafan tribe, amassing an army of 10,000 to fight the Muslims. In response, upon the suggestion of Salman Farsi, the Muslims dug a trench to defend Madinah. When the enemy forces arrived and saw the trench, which was an unfamiliar defense tactic, they were shocked. After over 20 days of siege involving arrow fights and challenges between warriors, the failure to overcome the trench defense marked the beginning of Muhammad's growing political strength in Madinah.
2. BackgroundBackground
There was a treaty of mutual defense betweenThere was a treaty of mutual defense between
the Muslims and the Jews nearby Madînah.the Muslims and the Jews nearby Madînah.
The Jews betrayed their treaty since theyThe Jews betrayed their treaty since they
planned to kill the Prophet (planned to kill the Prophet (SAWSSAWS). They met). They met
with the leaders of Quraysh. They reached anwith the leaders of Quraysh. They reached an
agreement with them, and with the tribe ofagreement with them, and with the tribe of
Ghatafân, to wage war against the Muslims.Ghatafân, to wage war against the Muslims.
They all united to fight the Muslims, totalingThey all united to fight the Muslims, totaling
an army of 10,000 fighters, with Abu-Sufyânan army of 10,000 fighters, with Abu-Sufyân
3. Defence of MuslimsDefence of Muslims
When the Prophet (When the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) heard about their) heard about their
gathering, he consulted his companions about whatgathering, he consulted his companions about what
to do to resist them.Hazrat Salman Farsy suggestedto do to resist them.Hazrat Salman Farsy suggested
digging a trench, which is the direction of entrydigging a trench, which is the direction of entry
into the city, so the Muslims dug it.Madinah wasinto the city, so the Muslims dug it.Madinah was
land locked by two sides and other two sides wereland locked by two sides and other two sides were
open to attack and later on those sides,trench wasopen to attack and later on those sides,trench was
dug.dug.
4. EventsEvents
When Quraysh camewith theallies, they wereWhen Quraysh camewith theallies, they were
shocked to seethetrench asthey had nevershocked to seethetrench asthey had never
fought such typeof battlebefore. After seeingfought such typeof battlebefore. After seeing
an army of nearly 5000 men,Muslimswerean army of nearly 5000 men,Muslimswere
also feared.On thisocaasion, an Ayat wasalso feared.On thisocaasion, an Ayat was
revealed in Surah Ahzab statingrevealed in Surah Ahzab stating ((Whe n the yWhe n the y
cam e upo n yo u fro m abo ve yo u and fro mcam e upo n yo u fro m abo ve yo u and fro m
be lo w yo u and whe n e ye s g re w wild andbe lo w yo u and whe n e ye s g re w wild and
he arts re ache d to the thro ats and ye we rehe arts re ache d to the thro ats and ye we re
5. JJ
They camped behind thetrench,facing theThey camped behind thetrench,facing the
Muslim army of only 300 men. Ikrimah binMuslim army of only 300 men. Ikrimah bin
Abi Jahl managed to crossthetrench and AliAbi Jahl managed to crossthetrench and Ali
bin Abi Talib accepted hischallengeand onbin Abi Talib accepted hischallengeand on
first hit killed Ikrimah. Meanwhile,thefirst hit killed Ikrimah. Meanwhile,the
confederatestried to encourageBanu Quarizaconfederatestried to encourageBanu Quariza
to wageawar against Muslims. Banu Quraizato wageawar against Muslims. Banu Quraiza
werealready in pact with Muslimsand beingwerealready in pact with Muslimsand being
theneutal overall wasconfirmed that Muslimstheneutal overall wasconfirmed that Muslims
6. hh
Some of the bravemen from pagans as well asSome of the bravemen from pagans as well as
from Muslims also accepted challenges andfrom Muslims also accepted challenges and
fought. There began to lack of food andfought. There began to lack of food and
resources in Madinah but Muslims didn’tresources in Madinah but Muslims didn’t
loose hope…They stayed in thisloose hope…They stayed in this
situation,meanwhile, exchanging arrow-situation,meanwhile, exchanging arrow-
fights.The Seige lasted for more than 20fights.The Seige lasted for more than 20
days.days.
7. OutcomesOutcomes
The failure of the siege marked the beginningThe failure of the siege marked the beginning
of Muhammad's undoubted political strength inof Muhammad's undoubted political strength in
Madina.This defeat caused Makkans to loseMadina.This defeat caused Makkans to lose
their trade with Syria and much of their prestigetheir trade with Syria and much of their prestige
with it. What Makkans at this point began towith it. What Makkans at this point began to
know that conversion to Islam would be theknow that conversion to Islam would be the
most prudent optionmost prudent option..
