The SeerahExpedition

The Battle of the Trench (al-Ahzab)

غزوة الخندق (الأحزاب)

The confederate tribes besieged Madinah; a trench held them off until Allah sent a wind against them.

When: 5 AH
Date: The sources agree on the date.
Where: Al-Madinah

The event

Quraysh, Ghatafan and their allies, about ten thousand under Abu Sufyan, marched on Madinah, and Banu Qurayza inside the city broke their covenant. The Prophet ﷺ consulted his Companions, and Salman al-Farisi proposed a trench, as was done in Persia; the Prophet ﷺ dug with them.

The Quran reminds the believers of the armies that came against them, and of the wind and the unseen hosts Allah sent upon them (33:9). The confederates withdrew, and islamweb's article describes the battle as the turning point after which the Muslims no longer stood on the defensive.

Evidence

QuranAl-Ahzaab (The Clans)Quran 33:9

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ جَآءَتْكُمْ جُنُودٌ فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًا وَجُنُودًا لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرًا ٩

O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allāh upon you when armies came to [attack] you and We sent upon them a wind and armies [of angels] you did not see. And ever is Allāh, of what you do, Seeing.

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

9. O you who believe! Remember Allâh’s Favour to you, when there came against you hosts, and We sent against them a wind and forces that you saw not [i.e. troops of angels during the battle of Al-Ahzâb (the Confederates)]. And Allâh is Ever All-Seer of what you do.

Read in context on Quran.com

Scholarly opinionLessons of the Battle of the Trench (islamweb)islamweb.net

Report an error on this page