Indexed OCR Text

it displays his nobleness and also has a positive effect on the oppressor. Such
was the character of the Ambiyaa pul , who won over the hearts of their
enemies in this way. Rasulullaah p detracted this statement after these
verses were revealed and paid the expiation for revoking his oath.
In this regard, Rasulullaah p defined the epitome of good character when he
said, "Join ties with those who sever them, forgive those who oppress you
and do good to those who are bad to you."
1100

The Battle of Alzaal (Battle of the Trench)
Introduction
This battle is referred to as the Battle of Ahzaab as well as the Battle of
Khandaq (Trench). The Arabic word Ahzaab (_) ja) - plural of Hizb) means
'groups' or 'parties'. The battle has this name because several groups of the
Mushrikeen struck an alliance to fight the Muslims together. These groups
consisted of the various Arab tribes in the region who had decided to unite to
annihilate Islaam and the Muslims. In addition to these outsiders, the Jews in
Madinah also aligned themselves to these allied forces to assist from within.
It was by the suggestion of Hadhrat Salmaan Faarsi t that the Muslims dug a
trench around Madinah to fortify it. This was the first time that such a form of
defence was employed in Arabia. For this reason, the battle is also referred to as
the Battle of Khandaq (Battle of the Trench). This battle was unique in Islaamic
history for several reasons, one of them being the fact that it was the first time
that the Mushrikeen had united on such a large scale to fight the Muslims.
This battle took place in Shawwal 5 A.H. (February 627), which was a while after
the Mushrikeen suffered defeat at Badr and Uhud. They had lost seventy of their
men at Badr, many of them being chiefs, and also suffered having seventy taken
captive. Thereafter, despite having managed to martyr many Muslims during the
Battle of Uhud, they were forced to abandon the battlefield after the Muslims
regrouped. This filled them with even more rage and, as the armies were
returning after the Battle of Uhud, Abu Sufyaan sent a message to Rasulullaah p
that they would again meet the following year to fight in Badr. Rasulullaah p
accepted.
1101

Keeping to the agreement, Rasulullaah p left Madinah the following year (4 A.H.)
in the month of Sha'baan with 1500 of the Sahabah w to meet the Mushrikeen
army. The Muslims camped at Badr for eight days, but the Mushrikeen were
too frightened to meet them. The Muslims therefore returned to Madinah.
However, the Mushrikeen were encouraged by the Jews who had been expelled
from Madinah as well as the Munaafiqeen and other Jews in Madinah.
Eventually, they collectively rallied neighbouring Mushrikeen tribes and these
allied forces marched on to Madinah in Shawaal 5 A.H. Abu Sufyaan led the
conglomerated forces, numbering ten thousand. Such a large force of combined
Arab tribes had never before been seen in history.
When the intelligence reached Madinah, Rasulullaah p assembled the Sahabah y
to discuss their course of action. It was then that Hadhrat Salmaan Faarsi t
suggested, "O Rasulullaah p! We Persians usually dig a trench around our cities
to protect it against marauders, who are then unable to enter." Although this
was never done by the Arabs, Rasulullaah p accepted the suggestion and digging
started on the eastern and western fringes of Madinah, since this was from
where the attack was anticipated.
When the Mushrikeen army arrived, they were caught completely unawares and
were shocked to see a wide and deep trench preventing their entry into
Madinah. This was the first time that they had ever encountered this and all they
could do was to lay siege to the city, which they had not made preparations for
upon leaving. Furthermore, it was winter and providing for such a large army
for 25 days of a siege was not an easy task.
1102

However, digging the trench was no easy task either. The Muslims dug
continuously for several days without having adequate food to eat. Rasulullaah p
himself dug with them. On one occasion, the Sahabah w encountered a boulder
that was impossible for them to break. They called for Rasulullaah p, who then
arrived and reduced it to bits with his spade.595
As the Sahabah w dug the trench, Rasulullaah p sang the following couplets to
encourage them:
فَاغْفِرِ الْأَنْصَارَ وَ الْمُهَاجِرَة
أَللّهُمَّ إِنَّ الْعَيْشَ عَيْشُ الآخِرَة
TRANSLATION: "O Allaah! True life is the life of the Aakhirah
Do forgive the Ansaar and the Muhaajirah (the Muhaajireen)"
In response to this, the Sahabah \ sang:
نَحْنُ الَّذِي بَايَعُوْا مُحَمَّدَا عَلَى الْجِهَادِ مَا بَقِيْنَا أَبَدَا
TRANSLATION: "We are those who have pledged allegiance to Muhammad &
Pledged to wage Jihaad as long as we are alive"
595
Bukhaari.
1103

In response to their slogan of loyalty, Rasulullaah p said:
فَبَارِكْ فِى الْأَنْصَارِ وَ الْمُهَاجِرَة
أَللّهُمَّ لاَ خَيْرَ إِلاّ خَيْرَ الآخِرَة
TRANSLATION: "O Allaah! There is no good but the good of the Aakhirah
Do bless the Ansaar and the Muhaajirah (the Muhaajireen)"596
Hadhrat Baraa bin Aazib t reports that as Rasulullaah p was shovelling the sand
out of the trench and was getting soiled doing so, he continued repeating the
words:
وَ لا تَصَدَّقْنَا وَ لا صَلَّيْنَا
وَ اللهِ لَوْ لا اللهُ مَا اهْتَدَيْنَا
وَ ثَبَّتِ الْأَقْدَامَ إِنْ لَاقَيْنَا
فَأَنْزِلَنْ السَّكِيْنَةَ عَلَيْنَا
إِذَا أَرَادُوا فِتْنَةً أَبَيْنَا
إِنَّ الْأُوْلَاء قَدْ بَغَوْا عَلَيْنَا
TRANSLATION: "By Allaah! Had it not been for Allaah, we would never have been
guided,
neither would we have given charity or performed salaah
596
Bukhaari.
1104

So shower peace upon us (O Allaah!)
And make our feet firm when we meet (the enemy in battle)
Verily these people (the Kuffaar) have oppressed us
Whenever they intend any acts of anarchy, we will oppose them"
A narration of Ahmed provides more details concerning the boulder that
Rasulullaah p broke (as reported in Bukhaari). It states that when Rasulullaah p
said Bismillaah and struck it the first time with his spade, a third of it was
crushed and Rasulullaah p exclaimed, "Allaahu Akbar! I have been given the keys
of Shaam. I swear by Allaah that I have just seen the red palaces of Shaam."
Rasulullaah p then recited Bismillaah and struck it for the second time, upon
which another third was broken and he exclaimed, "Allaahu Akbar! I have been
given the keys of Persia. I swear by Allaah that I have just seen the white palace
of Madyan."
Rasulullaah p then recited Bismillaah and struck it for the third time, causing it to
be completely crushed. This time Rasulullaah p exclaimed, "Allaahu Akbar! I
have been given the keys of Yemen. I swear by Allaah that I have just seen the
gates of San'aa." Haafidh Ibn Hajar al was, has stated that the chain of narrators of
this narration is sound (Hasan).
Another narration states that the Sahabah w also echoed Allaahu Akbar when
Rasulullaah p said it. Thereafter, Rasulullaah p said to them, "Jibra'eel has
1105

informed me that my Ummah will conquer these places."597 All these three
regions were conquered during the reigns of the first two Khulafaa Raashideen.
The historian Ibn Sa'd ail da, has written that the Muslims completed the digging
of the trench in six days. When the ten thousand Mushrikeen arrived and set up
camp at Mount Uhud, Rasulullaah p led an army of three thousand to Mount
Sila. With the trench between the two armies, no combat took place for two
weeks. All that was done was the firing of arrows across the trench.
On one occasion, some of the Mushrikeen managed to cross the trench at a
narrow point. One of them was a formidable warrior by the name of Amr. He
faced the Muslims and called for someone to challenge him to a duel. Hadhrat
Ali t stepped forward to meet the challenge and said, "O Amr! I invite you to
accept Islaam and to believe in Allaah and His Rasool p." "I have no need for
that," Amr roared. "Alright then," Hadhrat Ali t responded, "I then call you to
fight me." Amr replied, "You are too young! Send someone elder to fight me
because I do not want to kill a child." "But I would love to kill you," Hadhrat Ali t
shouted.
This retort infuriated Amr and he immediately dismounted his horse and
stormed at Hadhrat Ali t with his sword. His furious strike was deflected off
Hadhrat Ali t's shield, but left a slight wound on his forehead. As he deflected
the sword, Hadhrat Ali t almost simultaneously struck with his sword and
instantly killed Amr.
597 Fat'hul Baari (Vol.7 Pg.304).
1106

Another Mushrik by the name of Naufal bin Abdullaah made an attempt to jump
over the trench in order to kill Rasulullaah p. However, he fell with his horse into
the trench and died of a broken neck. Because he was one of the chiefs of the
Mushrikeen, they sent ten thousand Dirhams to Rasulullaah p to make over his
body to them. Rasulullaah p said, "Both him and the money sent for him are
wretched and impure. Allaah's curse is therefore upon both." Rasulullaah p
then sent both the money and the corpse back to the Mushrikeen. This day was
a most intense day because the Mushrikeen were constantly raining down
arrows and rocks upon the Muslims. The Muslims were kept so occupied that
they missed four salaahs, which had to be made up for afterwards.
During this time, Rasulullaah p had secured the women and children in a
fortress and posted Hadhrat Hassaan bin Thaabit t as sentry. The Jews, who
lived close by, sent a spy to scout the area and ascertain whether there were
men guarding. Rasulullaah p's aunt Hadhrat Safiya kcal , noticed him lurking
about and immediately told Hadhrat Hassaan t to kill the man. However,
Hadhrat Hassaan t submitted that he was unable to do so. Hadhrat Safiyya Que dil don )
then got hold of a tent peg and hit the spy across the head, causing him to die.
She then went back to Hadhrat Hassaan t and told him that he was free to take
the man's weapons since she was unable to touch his body because he was a
man. However, Hadhrat Hassaan t said that he did not need the weapons.598
The siege had been a most difficult one because of the bitter cold and because
it had lasted more than twenty days. During this time Hadhrat Nu'aym bin
Mas'ood Ashja'ee t, who was one of the chiefs of the Ghitfaan tribe, approached
Rasulullaah p and said, "O Rasulullaah p! My people do not know that I have
accepted Islaam. With your permission, I have a plan that may put an end to the
siege." Rasulullaah p said, "You are an experienced man. Do as you see fit." He
598 Ibn Hishaam.
1107

then proceeded and managed to sow friction between the Quraysh and the
Jewish Banu Qurayzah tribe in Madinah, who had become allies of the
Quraysh."599
In a narration of Ahmed, Hadhrat Abu Sa'eed Khudri t reports that when the
Sahabah y mentioned to Rasulullaah p the intense hardship they were
experiencing because of the siege and the cold, Rasulullaah p advised them to
recite the du'aa:
PUT ARABIC
TRANSLATION: O Allaah! Conceal our faults and dispel our fears.
The following du'aa is reported in Bukhaari:
PUT ARABIC
TRANSLATION: O Allaah The One Who revealed the Book, Who makes the clouds
blow and Who defeats the hordes. Defeat them and assist us against them.
Allaah accepted the du'aa and a fierce storm raged one night, which devastated
the camp of the Mushrikeen, causing it to be left in such darkness that they were
599 The detailed incident is reported in Fat'hul Baari (Vol.7 Pg.309) and Tabari (Vol.3 Pg.50).
1108

unable to see their hands in front of their faces. Their tents were uprooted, their
animals started to bolt and there was widespread bewilderment. This caused
them to abandon the siege and hurry back home. By the time morning arrived,
there was not a single man from the Mushrikeen in the camp. Rasulullaah p
then said, "We had been assisted with the easterly wind, while the Aad was
destroyed by the westerly wind."
It was while this severe storm was raging that Rasulullaah p sent Hadhrat
Hudhayfah t to gather intelligence about what was happening in the Mushrikeen
camp. When Hadhrat Hudhayfah t expressed the fear of being captured,
Rasulullaah p assured him that he would not be captured. As he then proceeded,
Rasulullaah p made du'aa saying, "O Allaah! Protect him from the front, from the
back, from his right, from his left, from above and from beneath." Hadhrat
Hudhayfah t says that after this du'aa, all fear left him and was able to walk
calmly. Rasulullaah p's parting instruction to him was not to do anything drastic
while he was there.
When Hadhrat Hudhayfah t reached the camp, he saw that the wind was so
severe that nothing remained on its place. It was also so dark that almost
nothing was visible. During that time, Abu Sufyaan addressed the army saying,
"People! This is certainly not the place to be. Our animals are being killed and
our allies the Banu Qurayzah have forsaken us. This storm is wreaking havoc and
we are unable to stand, sit or even move. It is therefore best that we all leave
this place to return home." Saying this, Abu Sufyaan mounted his camel. Hadhrat
Hudhayfah t says, "I wanted to shoot an arrow at Abu Sufyaan just then, but I
remembered the instruction of Rasulullaah p, so I refrained." Hadhrat Hudhayfah
t then returned to Rasulullaah p.600
600 Zurqaani (Vol.2 Pg.118).
1109

Gazing at the empty battlefield the following morning, Rasulullaah p remarked,
"Henceforth it will be us who will attack them and not them who will attack us.
Now we shall march to them."601 This indicated that after this battle the strength
of the Quraysh was shattered and they would no longer be able to rise against
the Muslims.
There is a Surah in the Qur'aan entitled Surah Ahzaab, which provides details of
this battle.
In the Words of the Qur'aan
Verses 9-27 of Surah Ahzaab state:
يَأيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ أُمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللّهِ عَلَّيْكُمْ إِذْ جَاءَتْكُمْ جُنُوْدٌ فَارْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيْحًا وَّ جُنُوْدًا لَّمْ تَرَوْبَا ٥﴿ وَكَانَ اللهُ
بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ بَصِيْرًا (٩) إِذْ جَاءُوْكُمْ مِّنْ فَوْقِكُمْ وَ مِنْ أَسْفَلَ مِنْكُمْ وَ إِذْ زَاغَتِ الْأَبْصَارُ وَ بَلَغَتِ الْقُلُوبُ
الْحَذَاجِرَ وَ تَظُنُّوْنَ بِاللهِ الظُّنُوْنَا (١٠) بُنَالِكَ ابْتُلِىَ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ وَ زُلْزِلُوْا زِلْزَالَا شَدِيْدًا (١١) وَ إِذْ يَقُوْلُ
الْمُنْفِقُوْنَ وَالَّذِيْنَ فِي قُلُوْبِمْ مَّرَضٌ مَّا وَعَدَنَا اللهُ وَ رَسُوْلُمَّ إِلَّا غُرُوْرًا (١٢) وَ إِذْ قَالَتْ طَّائِفَةٌ مِّنْهُمْ يَآَبِّلَ
يَثْرِبَ لَا مُقَامَ لَكُمْ فَارْجِعُوْا ◌َّ وَيَسْتَآَذِنُ فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُمُ النَّبِىَّ يَقُوْلُوْنَ إِنَّ بُيُوْتَنَا عَوْرَةٌ * وَمَا بِىَ بِعَوْرَةٍ ﴿٥ إِنْ
يُرِيِّدُوْنَ إِلَّا فِرَارًا (١٣) وَلَوْ دُخِلَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ مِّنْ أَقْطَارِبَا ثُمَّ سُئِلُوا الْفِتْنَةَ لَأَتَوْبَا وَمَا تَبَُّوْا بِهَا إِلَّا يَسِيْرًا (١٣)
وَلَقَدْ كَانُوْا عَابِدُوا اللهَ مِنْ قَبْلُ لَا يُوَلُّوْنَ الْأَدْبَارَ ﴿ وَكَانَ عَبْدُ اللهِ مَسْوْلًا (١٥) قُلْ لَّنْ يَّنْفَعَكُمُ الْفِرَارُ إِنْ
فَرَرْتُمْ مِّنَ الْمَوْتِ آَوِ الْقَتْلِ وَ إِذَا لَّا تُمَتَّعُوْنَ إِلَّا قَلِيْلًا (١٢) قُلْ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِى يَعْصِمُكُمْ مِّنَ اللهِ إِنْ آَرَادَ بِكُمْ
سُؤْءًا أَوْ آَرَادَ بِكُمْ رَحْمَةً * وَلَا يَجِدُوْنَ لَهُمْ مِّنْ دُوْنِ اللهِ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيْرًا (١٧) قَدْ يَعْلَمُ اللهُ الْمُعَوِّقِيْنَ مِنْكُمْ وَ
الْقَائِلِيْنَ لِإِخْوَانِهِمْ بَلُمَّ إِلَيْنَا ◌َّ وَلَا يَآتُوْنَ الْبَأْسَ إِلَّا قَلِيْلًا (١٨) أَشِحَّةَ عَلَيْكُمْ 55 فَإِذَا جَاءَ الْخَوْفُ رَآَيْنَهُمْ
يَنْظُرُوْنَ اِلَيْكَ تَدُوْرُ اَعْيُنُهُمْ كَالَّذِى يُغْشِى عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ نَّ فَإِذَا ذَبَبَ الْخَوْفُ سَلَقُوْكُمْ بِالْسِنَةِ حِدَادٍ اشِحَّةً
عَلَى الْخَيْرِ * أُولَئِكَ لَمْ يُؤْمِنُوْا فَأَحْبَطَ اللهُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ * وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى اللهِ يَسِيْرًا (١٩) يَحْسَبُوْنَ الْأَحْزَابَ
لَمْ يَذْبَبُوْا ◌َّ وَ إِنْ يَّتِ الْأَحْزَابُ يَوَدُّوْا لَوْ أَنَّهُمْ بَادُوْنَ فِى الْأَعْرَابِ يَسْأَلُوْنَ عَنْ آَنْبَائِكُمْ ٥﴿ وَلَوْ كَانُوا فِيْكُمْ مَّا
قَتَلُوا إِلَّا قَلِيْلًا (٢٠) لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِئْ رَسُوْلِ اللهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُوا اللهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَ ذَكَرَ اللهَ
601
Bukhaari.
1110

كَثِيْرًا (٢١٠) وَلَمَّا رَأَ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ الْأَحْزَابَ ﴿ قَالُوْا بُذَا مَا وَعَدَنَا اللهُ وَ رَسُوْلُهُ وَ صَدَقَ اللهُ وَ رَسُوْلُهُ ىْ وَمَا
زَادَبُمْ إِلَّ اِيْمَانًا وَّ تَسْلِيْمًا (٢٢٠) مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوْا مَا عَابَدُوا اللهَ عَلَيْهِ وَ فَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ قَضَى نَحْبَهَ وَ
مِنْهُمْ مَّنْ يَّنْتَظِرُ ◌ّ وَمَا بَدَّلُوْا تَبْدِيْلًا (٢٣) لِّيَجْزِىَ اللهُ الصُّدِقِيْنَ بِصِدْقِهِمْ وَ يُعَذِّبَ الْمُنْفِقِيْنَ إِنْ شَآءَ أَوْ
يَثُوْبَ عَلَّيْهِمْ ٥﴿ إِنَّ اللهَ كَانَ غَفُوْرًا رَّحِيْمًا (٢٣) وَرَدَّ اللهُ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا بِغَيْظِهِمْ لَمْ يَذَالُوا خَيْرًا * وَكَفَى اللهُ
الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ الْقِتَالَ * وَكَانَ اللهُ قَوِيًّا عَزِيْزًا (٢٥٦) وَ أَنْزَلَ الَّذِيْنَ ظَابَرُ وْبُمْ مِّنْ أَبْلِ الْكِتُبِ مِنْ صَيَاصِيْهِمْ وَ قَذَفَ
فِي قُلُوبِهِمُ الرُّعْبَ فَرِيْقًا تَقْتُلُوْنَ وَتَأْسِرُوْنَ فَرِيْقًا (٢٩) وَ أَوْرَتَّكُمْ أَرْضَهُمْ وَ دِيارَبُمْ وَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ وَ أَرْضًا لَّمْ
تَطَوْبًا * وَكَانَ اللهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيْرًا (٢٧)
TRANSLATION: O you who have Imaan! Remember Allaah's favour (to you) when (during
the Battle of Ahzaab) the (combined Jewish and Mushrikeen) armies approached you (in Madinah),
against which We sent (in your defence) a (fierce) wind (that unsettled their camp) and troops
(of angels) that you could not see (thus causing fear in the hearts of the enemy). Allaah is
Watchful over what you do. (Do not forget the time) When they (the combination of armies)
approached you from above you and from beneath you (from all directions) and when eyes
were bewildered, hearts reached the throats (because of worry and fear) and you (the
Munaafiqeen) harboured various (sceptical) thoughts about Allaah (thinking that Allaah will not
assist the Mu'mineen). On that occasion, the Mu'mineen were put to the test and violently
shaken (so that it was known who the true Mu'mineen were and who the Munaafiqeen were). When
the hypocrites and those with a disease (doubts) in their hearts said, "Allaah and His
Rasool p have made only deceptive promises to us (they promise victory when all we can see is
imminent defeat)." (Remember the time) When a group of them (Munaafiqeen) said, "O people
of Yathrib (Madinah) ! You cannot stand (against such a large and powerful enemy), so return
(home)." A party of them (Munaafigeen) sought permission from the Rasool p (to leave the
battlefield) saying, "Our homes are exposed (to attack, so we have to be there to protect them in
case the enemy attacks)," whereas they were not left exposed (unprotected). (By making this
excuse,) They sought only to desert. If an enemy has to attack them from the flanks (sides
of the city) and they (the Munaafiqeen) were asked (by the enemy) to cause trouble (among the
Muslims), they would comply with only a moment's hesitance. They (desert the Muslims even
though they) had certainly made a pledge with Allaah before (the battle) that they will never
turn their backs. (They fail to realise that) A pledge made with Allaah is answerable (They will
be taken to task for breaking this pledge). Say, "Taking flight will not help you if you were to
flee from death or killing. (By deserting the battlefield) You will then enjoy only a few days of
life (because death will certainly come to everyone at some time or another)." Say, "Who can
defend you against Allaah if He intends evil or good for you? Besides Allaah, they (the
Kuffaar and Munaafiqeen) will not find any protecting friend, nor any helper (to assist them
against His punishment)." Allaah has perfect knowledge of those of you (the Munaafiqeen) who
present obstacles (in the path of those who intend serving the Deen) and those who say to their
brothers, "Come (away from the battlefield) to (join) us (who are relaxing at home)." It is seldom
that they participate in battle (because of their cowardice and lack of Imaan). They (the
Munaafiqeen) are miserly towards you (Mu'mineen and are reluctant to give you financial
assistance). When (an occasion of) fear comes (their way), you will see them look at you with
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(such terror that) their eyes (are) rolling like a person being overtaken by death. (However,)
When the fear abates, they insult you with sharp tongues, greedy for wealth (for a share in
the spoils of war). These are the ones who have no Imaan, so Allaah destroys their deeds (so
that they receive no rewards for them in the Aakhirah). This is an extremely simple task for
Allaah (because Allaah does not need any person's deeds). They (the Munaafiqeen are so cowardly
that even when informed that the Mushrikeen armies had retreated and returned to Makkah, they)
think that the armies have not retreated. If the armies were to arrive (to attack you
Muslims), they (the Munaafiqeen) hope that (instead of fighting) they were rather to the
outback (away from the scene of the battle only to do some) inquiring about your condition
(rather than having to actively fight). (In fact) Even if they (the Munaafiqeen) were with you
(Mu'mineen in battle), they would fight only a little (without being of any help to you). There is
definitely an excellent example in Allaah's Rasool p (in the manner in which he stood his
ground and faced the enemy with determination) for the one who fears Allaah and the Last Day,
and who remembers Allaah abundantly. (Unlike the Munaafiqeen who said that Allaah and
Rasulullaah p had deceived them,) When the Mu'mineen saw the armies they said, "This
(trying occasion and Allaah's help that comes with it) is what Allaah and His Rasool p have
promised us. Allaah and His Rasool p have spoken the truth." They then increase in Imaan
and submission (to Allaah, instead of faltering in these). Among the Mu'mineen there are men
who are true to the pledge they vow to Allaah (that they will fight in Jihaad until they die). Of
them is he who has fulfilled his pledge (and has been martyred), and he who is waiting (to be
martyred). They have not changed (their resolve) in the least (unlike the Munaafiqeen). (Such
situations of trial and hardship take place) So that Allaah may reward the truthful (those who are
true in their Imaan) for their truthfulness and punish the hypocrites if He wills or forgive
them (when they repent sincerely). Allaah is always Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. (At the end
of the battle, ) Allaah returned the Kuffaar (to Makkah) with their fury and without them
achieving any good (without them attaining their objective of destroying Islaam and the Muslims).
Allaah suffices for the Mu'mineen in battle (causing them to defeat the Kuffaar despite their lack
of physical resources). Allaah is Omnipotent, Mighty (and none can fight Him). He (Allaah) made
those people of the Book (the Jewish Banu Qurayzah tribe) who assisted them (the combined
armies) descend from their fortresses (when the Muslims laid siege to them after the battle) and
He cast fear into their hearts (causing them to surrender without a fight). (When the fate of the
Banu Qurayzah was decided according to the teachings of their scriptures, the Sahabah w executed all
their able-bodied soldiers and took the rest as prisoners. Referring to this, Allaah says,) You execute
a party of them and take another party as prisoners. (After the Banu Qurayzah were subdued,)
Allaah made you successors to their land, their homes, their wealth and (after a short while,
He gave you) a land (Khaybar) that you have not (yet) set foot upon. Allaah has power over
all things.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE: The last verses above make reference to the powerful
Jewish Banu Qurayzah tribe that lived in Madinah and had entered into a pact
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with the Muslims. However, they reneged on this pact when they aligned
themselves with the Mushrikeen forces that lay siege to Madinah.
After the Mushrikeen had all left, Rasulullaah p and the Sahabah y returned to
Madinah after Fajr to remove their armour and put away their weapons. When
the time for Zuhr arrived, Hadhrat Jibra'eel v came to Rasulullaah p riding a mule
and still wearing his turban. "Have you put away your weapons already?" he
asked Rasulullaah p. Rasulullaah p replied in the affirmative. To this, Hadhrat
Jibra'eel v said, "The angels have not yet put away their weapons and have not
yet returned. Allaah instructs you to march against the Banu Qurayzah. I am on
my way to them and shall shake them."602
Rasulullaah p and the Sahabah w left for the settlement of the Banu Qurayzah in
haste with instructions not to perform the Asr salaah until they reached their
destination. There the fortress of the Banu Qurayzah was placed under siege
for 25 days before they eventually sent a message to Rasulullaah p saying that
they were prepared to surrender on the conditions that Rasulullaah p dictated.
Rasulullaah p told them that Hadhrat Sa'd bin Mu'aadh t would draw up the
terms and they agreed to this. Hadhrat Sa'd t decided that the fighting men of
the Banu Qurayzah were to be executed, the women and children taken captive
and their wealth and property distributed amongst the Muslims. When he heard
the decision, Rasulullaah p said, "Sa'd has decided according to the decree of
Allaah." The Banu Qurayzah were then assembled and marched to Madinah,
where the decision was implemented. A narration from Hadhrat Jaabir t states
that they were 400 in number. 603
The Martyrs of the Battle of Alzaal
Ibn Hishaam (Vol.2 Pg.145).
Tirmidhi, Nasa'ee.
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Three Mushrikeen were killed and six Mu'mineen were martyred during this
battle. The Mu'mineen martyred were:
1. Hadhrat Sa'd bin Mu'aadh t
2. Hadhrat Anas bin Uwais t
3. Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Sahl t
4. Hadhrat Tufayl bin Nu'maan t
5. Hadhrat Tha'laba bin Anmah t
6. Hadhrat Ka'b bin Zaid t
The historian Haafidh Dimyaati al wo, has added another two names to this list.
These are:
1. Hadhrat Qais bin Zaid t
2. Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abu Khaalid t
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Lessons and Conclusions
Prophethood and Monarchy
Rasulullaah p joined the Sahabah w as they dug the trench. He shovelled sand
just as they did and was covered in dust just as they were. This incident draws a
clear line between being a Nabi and being a king. There is clearly a vast
difference between the two positions. There is no king in history who could be
seen to portray an example close to that of Rasulullaah p.
The Height of Sincerity
When Hadhrat Sa'd bin Mu'aadh t was seriously wounded during the Battle of
Ahzaab, Rasulullaah p had a tent erected in the Masjid for him to stay so that he
may be attended to and so that Rasulullaah p could see him. Rasulullaah p then
gave him the task of drawing up the terms by which the Banu Qurayzah had to
surrender. Hadhrat Sa'd t decided that the fighting men of the Banu Qurayzah
were to be executed, the women and children taken captive and their wealth
and property distributed amongst the Muslims.
After this, Hadhrat Sa'd t turned to Allaah and prayed, "O Allaah! You know well
that I like nothing better than waging Jihaad against people who have belied
Your Nabi p and who had expelled him from Makkah. O Allaah! I believe that the
wars between them and us are over. If there are still going be wars between us
and the Quraysh, then keep me alive to fight them. However, if You have ended
the wars between us, then allow this wound to flow and be the cause of my
martyrdom." He had barely completed the du'aa when the wound reopened and
the blood started to flow, causing him to bleed to death.
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Hadhrat Jaabir bin Abdullaah t reports that he heard Rasulullaah p say, "The
Throne of Allaah shook with the death of Sa'd."604
Another narration states that all the gates of the heavens were opened to
welcome Hadhrat Sa'd t and it pleased the angels greatly to see him coming to
them. 605 It is also narrated that seventy thousand angels who had never before
descended to earth arrived to attended the funeral of Hadhrat Sa'd T.606 Yet
another narration adds that the fragrance of musk emanated from his grave. 607
True Taubah
Hadhrat Abu Lubaabah bin Abdul Mundhir t was a companion of Rasulullaah p
who was on good terms with the Jewish Banu Qurayzah tribe. After being under
siege for 25 days, the Banu Qurayzah submitted to surrendering and requested
that Rasulullaah p send Hadhrat Abu Lubaabah t to them so that they could
consult with him. When Hadhrat Abu Lubaabah t arrived there and saw the
women and children weeping, he felt very sorry for them. When they conferred
with him about surrendering to the command of Rasulullaah p, he told them that
this would be best, but also passed his finger across his throat to indicate that
they would be executed from treachery.
He had hardly left them when he bitterly regretted that he betrayed the secret
of Rasulullaah p. He therefore headed for the Masjid of Rasulullaah p, where he
tied himself to a pillar, taking an oath not to leave the place until his repentance
was accepted by Allaah. This pillar is nowadays known as Ustuwaanah Abi
604
Bukhaari.
605 Fat'hul Baari.
606
Al Bidaayah wan Nihaayah (Vol.4 Pg.128).
607 Rowdhul Unf (Vol.2 Pg.193).
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Lubaabah (the pillar of Abu Lubaabah t) and located close to the Riyaadhul
Jannah.
When Rasulullaah p was informed of this, he said, "Why did he rather not come
straight to me so I could seek forgiveness on his behalf? Now that he has done
this, I cannot untie him until Allaah forgives him."
Hadhrat Abu Lubaabah t remained tied to the pillar all the time and was only
untied to perform salaah and answer the call of nature. He even stopped eating.
When people asked, he told them that he will either die there or be forgiven by
Allaah. It was after six days that Allaah announced his forgiveness before dawn,
while Rasulullaah p was in the home of Hadhrat Ummu Salamah que alot. ). With
Rasulullaah p's permission, Hadhrat Ummu Salamah wie al gia, informed Hadhrat Abu
Lubaabah t about the forgiveness. When the Sahabah w hurried to untie him,
Hadhrat Abu Lubaabah t informed them that his oath entailed that he would
remain bound until Rasulullaah p untied him. Therefore, it was when Rasulullaah
p arrived for the Fajr salaah that he was untied. It was concerning this incident
that Allaah revealed verses 27-28 of Surah Anfaal. Allaah says:
يَأَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ أُمَنُوْا لَا تَخُوْنُوا اللهَ وَالرَّسُوْلَ وَتَخُوْنُوا آَمَنْتِكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُوْنَ (٢٧) وَاعْلَمُوْا أَنَّمَا أَمْوَالْكُمْ وَ
أَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌّ " وَأَنَّ اللّهَ عِنْدَةً أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ (٢٨)
TRANSLATION: O you who have Imaan! Do not betray Allaah and the Rasool p and do not
knowingly betray your mutual trusts (by revealing each other's secrets, breaking promises, etc).
Know that verily your wealth and your children are a test (that distract you from concentrating
your efforts towards the Aakhirah and tempt you to betray others) and that indeed a grand
reward is with Allaah (in the Aakhirah) (for those who do not allow these tests to distract them
from fulfilling their obligations towards the Deen).
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Although betrayal is usually understood to refer to betrayal of trusts in the form
of wealth and property, the verse makes it evident that doing anything contrary
to the manner that Allaah and Rasulullaah p want also entails betrayal. This is
because being a Muslim is really an undertaking to do whatever Allaah and His
Rasool p want, and failing to do this means that one has betrayed this
undertaking. By betraying this trust, one will be guilty of being a Muslim by word
and a Kaafir by deed.
Disclosing the intention of Rasulullaah p is referred to as betrayal in this verse
since matters discussed in private cannot be disclosed without express
permission.
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