Lesson 98Lesson 98Battle of Trench to Battle of Trench to

HudaybiyahHudaybiyah

[36] The Battle of the Trench[36] The Battle of the Trench

There was a treaty of mutual defense between There was a treaty of mutual defense between the Muslims of Al-Khazraj, and the Jews of the Muslims of Al-Khazraj, and the Jews of

Banu An-Nadîr, who lived nearby Al-Banu An-Nadîr, who lived nearby Al-Madînah. Madînah.

The Jews betrayed their treaty since they The Jews betrayed their treaty since they planned to kill the Prophet (planned to kill the Prophet (SAWSSAWS). ).

So the Prophet (So the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) set off to them in the ) set off to them in the fourth year after fourth year after HijrahHijrah, until he drove them , until he drove them

out of their land. out of their land.

Allah made the Muslims inherit their lands and Allah made the Muslims inherit their lands and homes. They went to live in Khaybar.homes. They went to live in Khaybar.

Those Jews did not cease their hostilities after Those Jews did not cease their hostilities after that. A group of them went to Makkah. that. A group of them went to Makkah.

They met with the leaders of Quraysh. They They met with the leaders of Quraysh. They reached an agreement with them, and with the reached an agreement with them, and with the

tribe of Ghatafân, to wage war against the tribe of Ghatafân, to wage war against the Muslims.Muslims.

Quraysh prepared for war, as well as those who Quraysh prepared for war, as well as those who followed them from Kinânah. followed them from Kinânah.

Ghatafân also prepared themselves for war, Ghatafân also prepared themselves for war, together with those who followed them from together with those who followed them from

the people of Najd. the people of Najd.

They all united to fight the Muslims, totaling an They all united to fight the Muslims, totaling an army of 10,000 fighters, with Abu-Sufyân as army of 10,000 fighters, with Abu-Sufyân as

their general commander.their general commander.

When the Prophet (When the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) heard about their ) heard about their gathering, he consulted his companions about gathering, he consulted his companions about

what to do to resist them. what to do to resist them.

Salmân Al-Fârisy (the Persian, Salmân Al-Fârisy (the Persian, RARA) suggested ) suggested digging a trench along the North side of Al-digging a trench along the North side of Al-Madînah, which is the direction of entry into Madînah, which is the direction of entry into

the city, so the Muslims dug it.the city, so the Muslims dug it.

Quraysh came with the allies and camped behind Quraysh came with the allies and camped behind the trench, facing the Muslim army of only the trench, facing the Muslim army of only

300 men. 300 men.

They stayed in this situation, exchanging arrow-They stayed in this situation, exchanging arrow-fights, for more than twenty days. fights, for more than twenty days.

The Prophet arranged for night guards on the The Prophet arranged for night guards on the trench, so that the enemy would not breach it trench, so that the enemy would not breach it at night. He (at night. He (SAWSSAWS) was guarding the most ) was guarding the most

difficult side of it himself.difficult side of it himself.

When the standoff dragged on for so long, a When the standoff dragged on for so long, a group of the disbelievers invaded through the group of the disbelievers invaded through the

trench with their horses. trench with their horses.

Some fell in it and broke their necks; others were Some fell in it and broke their necks; others were challenged by some brave Muslims and were challenged by some brave Muslims and were killed. This skirmish lasted for a whole day.killed. This skirmish lasted for a whole day.

[37] The battle of Banu-Quraydhah[37] The battle of Banu-Quraydhah

After that, the Prophet (After that, the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) learned that the ) learned that the Jews of Banu-Quraydhah, who lived close to Jews of Banu-Quraydhah, who lived close to

Al-Madînah, wanted to break the treaty Al-Madînah, wanted to break the treaty between them. between them.

So the Prophet recalled five hundred men from So the Prophet recalled five hundred men from his army to guard the women and the children his army to guard the women and the children

In Al-Madînah. In Al-Madînah.

When the Muslims knew of Banu-Quraydhah's When the Muslims knew of Banu-Quraydhah's intentions, their fear and concerns increased intentions, their fear and concerns increased

because the enemy was now surrounding them because the enemy was now surrounding them from the outside and the inside.from the outside and the inside.

Allah Almighty granted His Messenger (Allah Almighty granted His Messenger (SAWSSAWS) ) someone who went through the enemy lines, someone who went through the enemy lines, dividing them through deception and tricks, dividing them through deception and tricks, until they became hopeless and feared each until they became hopeless and feared each

other. other.

Allah Almighty sent upon them a cold wind on a Allah Almighty sent upon them a cold wind on a dark night, which extinguished their fires, and dark night, which extinguished their fires, and

blew away their cooking utensils. blew away their cooking utensils.

They left that night, and Allah Almighty ended They left that night, and Allah Almighty ended this hardship in which allies from the Arabs this hardship in which allies from the Arabs

and the Jews got together against the Muslims.and the Jews got together against the Muslims.

This incident occurred between the months of This incident occurred between the months of Shawwâl and Thul-Qi`dah of the fifth year Shawwâl and Thul-Qi`dah of the fifth year A.H.. Six Muslims were martyred and three A.H.. Six Muslims were martyred and three

disbelievers were killed.disbelievers were killed.

When the Prophet (When the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) returned, he did not ) returned, he did not take off his armor until he besieged Banu-take off his armor until he besieged Banu-

Qurayzah for their betrayal and for breaking Qurayzah for their betrayal and for breaking their treaty. their treaty.

This siege lasted for 25 nights, until they those This siege lasted for 25 nights, until they those inside were about to perish. inside were about to perish.

They found no other way out except to surrender They found no other way out except to surrender and accept whatever the Prophet (and accept whatever the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) )

ruled.ruled.

They agreed to the ruling of their master Sa`d They agreed to the ruling of their master Sa`d ibn Mu`âdh. ibn Mu`âdh.

He ruled for the killing of the men, the He ruled for the killing of the men, the enslavement of women and children, and for enslavement of women and children, and for

taking over their property. taking over their property.

The men were locked up in the homes of Al-The men were locked up in the homes of Al-Ansâr until they were executed in special Ansâr until they were executed in special trenches. There were about seven hundred trenches. There were about seven hundred

men.men.

This way, Allah has saved the Muslims from the This way, Allah has saved the Muslims from the evil of being neighbors to their enemies. Allah evil of being neighbors to their enemies. Allah

is the All-Mighty, All-Able of Retribution.is the All-Mighty, All-Able of Retribution.

[38] The Expedition of Hudaybiyah and its [38] The Expedition of Hudaybiyah and its TreatyTreaty

The Prophet (The Prophet (SAWSSAWS) stayed in Al-Madînah after ) stayed in Al-Madînah after the battle of the trench for the rest of the year 5 the battle of the trench for the rest of the year 5

A.H. A.H.

In the sixth year, he set off for Banu-Lihyân, In the sixth year, he set off for Banu-Lihyân, who had killed `Âsim ibn Thâbit and his who had killed `Âsim ibn Thâbit and his

companions. He found that they had dispersed.companions. He found that they had dispersed.

Then, he set off to the tribe of Dhu Qarad in Then, he set off to the tribe of Dhu Qarad in retaliation for their attack on the Prophet’s retaliation for their attack on the Prophet’s

((SAWSSAWS) camels. ) camels.

The enemy ran away after some light fighting The enemy ran away after some light fighting that did not last for long.that did not last for long.

Then, he (Then, he (SAWSSAWS) set off to Banu Al-Mustaliq, ) set off to Banu Al-Mustaliq, when he knew that they were preparing to when he knew that they were preparing to

fight him. fight him.

The Prophet (The Prophet (SAWSSAWS) defeated them and gained ) defeated them and gained from them spoils of money and slaves.from them spoils of money and slaves.

Then, in the month of Thul-Qi`dah of that year Then, in the month of Thul-Qi`dah of that year (11th month of year 6 A.H.), the Prophet (11th month of year 6 A.H.), the Prophet

((SAWSSAWS) set off to Makkah for `) set off to Makkah for `UmrahUmrah (minor (minor pilgrimage), and one thousand five hundred of pilgrimage), and one thousand five hundred of the Muhâjirîn and the Ansâr set off with him. the Muhâjirîn and the Ansâr set off with him.

He (He (SAWSSAWS) took with him the ) took with him the HadyHady (animals for (animals for sacrifice) so that people would know that he sacrifice) so that people would know that he

did not set out intending war.did not set out intending war.

The Prophet (The Prophet (SAWSSAWS) ordered his companions not ) ordered his companions not to take any weapons with them, except for to take any weapons with them, except for

swords bound in their sheaths, in order not to swords bound in their sheaths, in order not to enter the Holy Mosque with bare swords.enter the Holy Mosque with bare swords.

The Prophet (The Prophet (SAWSSAWS) traveled with his people ) traveled with his people until they reached `Asfân, which is a place until they reached `Asfân, which is a place

on the road to Makkah. on the road to Makkah.

Someone came up and told the Prophet (Someone came up and told the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) ) that Quraysh decided to stop the Muslims from that Quraysh decided to stop the Muslims from entering Makkah, and that they had prepared entering Makkah, and that they had prepared

for war. for war.

They also sent out Khâled ibn ul-Walîd with two They also sent out Khâled ibn ul-Walîd with two hundred horsemen to prevent the Muslims hundred horsemen to prevent the Muslims

from advancing.from advancing.

So, the Muslims took another route to Makkah So, the Muslims took another route to Makkah from the South of the city, until they reached from the South of the city, until they reached

the valley of Al-Hudaybiyah. the valley of Al-Hudaybiyah.

Al-Hudaybiyah is a well near Makkah, after Al-Hudaybiyah is a well near Makkah, after which the valley was named. The Prophet’s which the valley was named. The Prophet’s

camel knelt down there, and he (camel knelt down there, and he (SAWSSAWS) ) ordered his companions to make camp.ordered his companions to make camp.

At that time, a messenger from Quraysh came to At that time, a messenger from Quraysh came to learn why the Muslims had come. The Prophet learn why the Muslims had come. The Prophet

((SAWSSAWS) told him of his intention. ) told him of his intention.

When the messenger went back to Quraysh, they When the messenger went back to Quraysh, they did not trust him, so they sent out another one did not trust him, so they sent out another one who saw the sacrificial animals and heard the who saw the sacrificial animals and heard the TalbiyahTalbiyah (saying: " (saying: "LabbaykaLabbayka--llâhummallâhumma

LabbaykLabbayk" =Allah, I came to answer Your call). " =Allah, I came to answer Your call).

So he went back to Quraysh, and said, “These So he went back to Quraysh, and said, “These people came for `people came for `UmrahUmrah and they should not and they should not

be prevented. be prevented.

It is not acceptable that others like (the tribes of) It is not acceptable that others like (the tribes of) Lakhm, Gudhâm, and Himyar can make the Lakhm, Gudhâm, and Himyar can make the Pilgrimage, while the son of `Abdul-Mutalib Pilgrimage, while the son of `Abdul-Mutalib (he meant the Prophet (he meant the Prophet PBUHPBUH) is forbidden ) is forbidden

from the House.”from the House.”

Quraysh did not listen to him and they sent a Quraysh did not listen to him and they sent a third messenger who witnessed how deeply the third messenger who witnessed how deeply the companions of the Messenger (companions of the Messenger (SAWSSAWS) respect ) respect and love him, so he came back to Quraysh and and love him, so he came back to Quraysh and

talked to them about what he saw. talked to them about what he saw.

He said, “By Allah, I never saw a king among He said, “By Allah, I never saw a king among his people (i.e. so respected and so loved) like his people (i.e. so respected and so loved) like

Muhammad among his companions.”Muhammad among his companions.”

So the people discussed the matter together, and So the people discussed the matter together, and decided to prevent the Muslims from entering decided to prevent the Muslims from entering Makkah this year, but allow them next year.Makkah this year, but allow them next year.

Then the Prophet (Then the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) sent `Uthmân ibn ) sent `Uthmân ibn Affân to them, under the sponsorship Affân to them, under the sponsorship

(protection) of a man from Banu Ummaya, in (protection) of a man from Banu Ummaya, in order to tell them of his intention. order to tell them of his intention.

Ten of the Muslims set off with him to visit their Ten of the Muslims set off with him to visit their relatives in Makkah. Quraysh said, relatives in Makkah. Quraysh said,

“Muhammad will never enter upon us by “Muhammad will never enter upon us by force, and without our permission.”force, and without our permission.”

Quraysh then prevented `Uthmân ibn Affân Quraysh then prevented `Uthmân ibn Affân (RA) and those who accompanied him from (RA) and those who accompanied him from

returning.returning.

A rumor spread among the Muslims that A rumor spread among the Muslims that `Uthmân ibn `Affân (R.A.) was killed. `Uthmân ibn `Affân (R.A.) was killed.

So the Prophet (So the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) asked his companions to ) asked his companions to grant him a pledge of allegiance with the grant him a pledge of allegiance with the

intention of fighting. intention of fighting.

They all pledged on fighting. This happened They all pledged on fighting. This happened under a tree that was later called the tree of Ar-under a tree that was later called the tree of Ar-

Ridwân (Allegiance). Ridwân (Allegiance).

This pledge was also called the Pledge of Ar-This pledge was also called the Pledge of Ar-Ridwân. The polytheists sent out their spies. Ridwân. The polytheists sent out their spies.

The Muslims caught twelve of them as The Muslims caught twelve of them as prisoners of war.prisoners of war.

When Quraysh heard of this pledge, they were When Quraysh heard of this pledge, they were worried, so they sent an envoy to the worried, so they sent an envoy to the

Messenger of Allah (Messenger of Allah (SAWSSAWS) to negotiate a ) to negotiate a reconciliation treaty with him.reconciliation treaty with him.

After they let go of `Uthmân (After they let go of `Uthmân (RARA) and those who ) and those who were with him, and after the Muslims let go of were with him, and after the Muslims let go of their prisoners, they agreed with them on four their prisoners, they agreed with them on four

conditions: conditions:

No war between the two groups for ten years. No war between the two groups for ten years.

The Messenger of Allah (The Messenger of Allah (SAWSSAWS) and the ) and the Muslims are to return this year without Muslims are to return this year without

entering Makkah. entering Makkah.

The following year, they will enter it without The following year, they will enter it without any weapons except swords in their sheaths. any weapons except swords in their sheaths.

The Muslims will be allowed to stay in The Muslims will be allowed to stay in Makkah for three days after Quraysh leaves it.Makkah for three days after Quraysh leaves it.

Whoever comes to the Muslims from Quraysh Whoever comes to the Muslims from Quraysh should be returned back to them. should be returned back to them.

Quraysh are not required to return back whoever Quraysh are not required to return back whoever comes to them from the Muslims.comes to them from the Muslims.

Anyone who wants to enter into a treaty with the Anyone who wants to enter into a treaty with the Muslims is allowed to do so. Muslims is allowed to do so.

Anyone who wants to enter into a treaty with Anyone who wants to enter into a treaty with Quraysh is allowed to do so.Quraysh is allowed to do so.

The Prophet dictated to `Ali ibn Abu-Tâlib who The Prophet dictated to `Ali ibn Abu-Tâlib who wrote a transcript of that agreement, known as wrote a transcript of that agreement, known as

the Treaty of Hudaybiyah.the Treaty of Hudaybiyah.

The Muslims agreed with what the Prophet The Muslims agreed with what the Prophet ((SAWSSAWS) had agreed to, despite their grief over ) had agreed to, despite their grief over

some of these conditions. some of these conditions.

Then the Prophet (Then the Prophet (SAWSSAWS) and the Muslims ) and the Muslims revoked their revoked their 'Umrah'Umrah, and returned back to Al-, and returned back to Al-

Madînah.Madînah.

The Sûrah of Al-Fat-h (the Victory) was The Sûrah of Al-Fat-h (the Victory) was revealed on the occasion of this incident.revealed on the occasion of this incident.