Battle of the Trench – Also Known as the Battle of Khandaq (Ghazwah al-Ahzab)

1. What Was the Battle of the Trench?

The Battle of the Trench took place in 5 AH (627 CE) near Madinah.

It is also known as:

1. Battle of Khandaq (Khandaq means trench)
2. Ghazwah al-Ahzab (Battle of the Allied Forces)

2. Who Were the Opponents?

The battle was between:

1. Muslims, led by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
2. A large group of enemy tribes (Ahzab), including Quraysh and their allies

Numbers:

1. Muslims: about 3,000
2. Enemy forces: about 10,000

The Muslims were greatly outnumbered.

3. Why Did the Battle Happen?

The enemies of Islam wanted to:

1. Destroy the Muslim community in Madinah
2. End Islam completely
3. Take revenge for earlier defeats

They joined together as allies to attack Madinah.

4. The Idea of the Trench

To protect Madinah, the Muslims dug a trench (Khandaq) around the exposed side of the city.

💡 This idea was suggested by Salman al-Farsi (RA).

1. The trench blocked enemy horses
2. It was a new strategy for Arabia
3. The enemy was shocked and confused

This showed the importance of planning and intelligence.

5. Hardships Faced by the Muslims

The Muslims faced great difficulty:

1. Extreme cold
2. Hunger and shortage of food
3. Long days of guarding the trench
4. Fear of attack

Despite this, they remained patient and trusted Allah.

6. Allah’s Help and Victory

Allah helped the Muslims without a direct battle.

1. Strong winds destroyed enemy camps
2. Fear entered the hearts of the enemies
3. The allied forces left without success

The Muslims won through Allah’s help, not weapons.

7. Result of the Battle

1. Muslims were protected
2. Enemy plans failed
3. Islam became stronger in Madinah
4. Enemies never attacked Madinah again in this way

This battle marked a turning point.

8. Lessons from the Battle of Khandaq

This battle teaches Muslims:

1. Trust Allah in hard times
2. Use wisdom and planning
3. Stay united
4. Be patient during trials
5. Victory comes from Allah alone

Final Words

The Battle of the Trench (Ghazwah al-Ahzab) is a powerful reminder that faith, patience, and smart effort bring success—even when the odds seem impossible. It remains one of the greatest lessons in Islamic history for every Muslim.