The coalition splits and the battle ends

At this point, when war seemed imminent, Nu’aym bin Mas’ood Ashaja’i came to the Prophet . He belonged to the Ghafan tribe and had strong ties with both the Quraysh and the Jews. He confided, “O Messenger of Allah, I have embraced Islam and my people are still unaware of my faith. What is your command?” The Prophet said, “You are alone. What can you do? However, try to split them if you can, for war is nothing but strategy.”

Nu’aym accordingly went off to Banu Quraydha, who received him with honour. He said to them, “You know very well my regard for you. Now I am about to tell you something which you must keep secret.” Intrigued, they agreed. Nu’aym then said: “You all know very well what happened to Banu Qaynuqa and Banu Nadir. Now have you lent your support to the Quraysh and Ghatfan. But their situation is quite different from yours.

This is your territory wherein are your women, children, wealth and property. You cannot go anywhere else, while your allies’ territory, wealth and property and households lie far off. Only if they find an opportunity will they act. Otherwise, they will leave for their own havens leaving you at the mercy of Muhammad, and he will take revenge at will.”

After having sown the seeds of disquiet, Nu’aym left to meet with the Quraysh. Then addressing all the chieftains collectively, he began: “You know I am a great well-wisher of you all.” They all chorused their assent. Mu’aym continued: “Now I shall tell you something, but you must keep it a secret.”

“We will do as you say,” they replied in one voice. Nu’aym said, “The Jews regret the breach of trust they have committed. They fear that you will go back, leaving them at Muhammad’s mercy. To appease Muhammad, they have offered to hand you over to him as hostages. Stay alert and do not yield anyone hostage if they should ask you to do so.”

Then Nu’aym called on the Ghatfan with the same ploy. His stratagem succeeded in creating mutual suspicion among the allies. When Abu Sufayan sent a message to Banu Quraydha to launch a joint attack the following day, he got a cold response. The Quraydha answered, “It is Saturday, and we cannot fight in Sabbath. Secondly, we refuse to fight along with you unless you send us hostages. You might leave for your destinations and leave us defenceless.”

At this the Quraysh and the Ghatfan said, “By God, Nu’aym was right.” The Quraysh then sent a message to the Quraydha informing them that they would not send any hostages and insisted on them setting out for battle. At this rejoinder Banu Quraydha said, “Nu’aym spoke the truth.” The alliance was thus shattered.

Meanwhile, the Muslims spent this period of impending danger in supplication. “O Allah, shelter us and preserve us from all dangers.” The Prophet invoked his Lord. “O Allah, Sender of the Book and Speediest in taking Account, vanquish the enemy. O Allah, give them a tremendous jolt.”

In answer to the Muslims’ prayer, Allah sent down a violent storm and an army of angels against the enemy forces. Their utensils were overturned and their tents uprooted. All their belongings were strewn across the camp. The freezing cold also shook their resolve. Disheartened and dejected, they prepared for withdraw.

That night the Prophet sent Hudhayfah to gather information. Hudhayfah went deep into the enemy front and came back unaffected by the storm or the cold. His news about the retreating enemy relieved the Muslims, and they all went to sleep. The next morning they found the battlefield deserted.

The enemy forces had assembled in Shawwal, 5 A.H., and for one long month the Muslims had lived under the threat of a massive attack on all fronts. It was in Dhul Qa’dah that the enemy coalition finally dispersed. It had been their biggest ever attempt to capture Madinah and annihilate the Muslims, but Allah had confounded their machinations. With the failure of such hardy warriors as the Quraysh and Banu Ghatfan, quite naturally the smaller enemy tribes took heed. They did not dare take on the Muslims, and Madinah was safe at last. The Prophet declared to his men: “Now we shall attack them and they will not attack us. Our army will march upon them from now on.”