Across the trench

While the Muslims concentrated on defence, the Quraysh and their followers arrived with an army of 4000 men, 300 horses and 1000 camels. Abu Suryan rode proudly as the commander-inchief of the allied forces and their standard bearer was Uthman bin Talha Abdari. They camped at a spot between Jarf and Zahhaba. Opening another front, Banu Ghatfan and their 6000 followers, the men of Najid, pitched camp at the end of the Naqmi valley in the foothills of Mount Uhud. The arrival of two large armies so close to the walls of Madinah posed an enormous threat to the Muslims. Allah mentions the mammoth military coalition in Surah Al-Ahzaab:

“Behold! They marched upon you from above and below, and then your eyes spun around and your hearts leapt to your throats. You began to doubt Allah’s plan, yet in this was a trial for the believers and an immense jolt.” (33: 10-11).

But Allah Almighty kept the believers firm on that occasion. He says: “When the believers saw the confederate forces, they said: “This is what Allah and His Messenger promised us, and Allah and His Messenger have told us the truth.” And it only increased their faith and their submission to Allah.” (33: 22).

However, the Hypocrites among the Muslims were fearful and querulous. They said: “Allah and His Messenger have promised us nothing but delusions.” (33: 12).

Once again the Prophet appointed Umm Maktoom caretaker of Madinah and sent the women and children to take shelter in forts. He then set out with 3000 men and fortified his troops, keeping their backs to Mount Sal’a. In front was the trench that stood between the Muslims and unbelievers. The Pagans arrogantly advanced toward Madinah and the Muslims. As they approached, they caught sight of the trench and stopped in confusion.

“A novel device, a wily ruse!” Abu Sufyan exclaimed in amazement. “This trick is totally unknown to the Arabs.”

Overwhelmed with fury, the pagans set about trying to find a point where they could cross the trench, but the Muslim archers kept them at bay. A hail of arrows showered the pagans so that they could neither leap across the trench not fill it with earth. The Quraysh had no alternative way to lay siege to Madinah.

Every morning they came out and attempted to cross the trench while the Muslims guarded every inch of the border and greeted them with arrows and stones. The polytheists made several fruitless attempts to cross the trench and spent days huddled together trying to devise ways to launch their assault. The Muslims for their part were equally determined to make them give up. So intent were they in protecting their lines that the Prophet and his Companions missed several prayers, and offered them late around or after sunset, for at that point the “prayer in times of fear” (Salaah Al-Khauf) had not yet been ordained upon the Muslims.

Finally, one day a party of the pagan cavalry comprising Amr bin Abdu Wudd, Ikrama bin Abi Jahl, Dharar bin Khattab and a few others, managed to vault over the trench at a narrow spot, while their horses pranced around between the trench and Mount Sal’a. From another side Ali sprang forward along with a few Muslims, and by capturing the point of entry they cut off the pagans’ route of escape. Amr bin Abdu Wudd, a ruthless and fearsome warrior, challenged Ali to combat. Ali provoked Amr’s anger with his taunts, and he alighted from his horse. The two adversaries fought and jostled, thrust and parried, but ultimately Ali put Amr to the sword.

The rest of the polytheists darted back to their horses. They were so disconcerted that Ikrama left his lance trying to flee, and Naufal bin Abdullah fell into the trench and was put to death by the Muslims. At the end of the skirmish, ten pagans and six Muslims lay dead.

An arrow hit Sa’d bin Mu’dah and his jugular vein was severed, but miraculously he survived his injury. He had prayed to Allah to preserve his life only if the decisive battle against the Quraysh was yet to be fought. His other supplication had been to stay alive to see the destruction of Banu Quraydha, and as we shall see, his prayer was answered.