By breaching the covenant, this community gave the pagan army additional forces and equipment. Their treacherous action was a frightening surprise to the Muslims. This community had a covenant of peace with the Prophet. Banu Quraidhah, a community from the followers of the Scripture, joined the pagan army after its arrival. Thus they found it necessary to besiege Medina instead of invading it directly. Witnessing the moat, the invaders were surprised and realized that it had become difficult for them to enter Medina. The Messenger commanded the Muslims (who were about three thousands) to implement the plan. He consulted his companions, and Salman Al-Farisi (the Persian) advised the Prophet to dig a moat around Medina to prevent the invaders from entering it. The Holy Prophet received the news of the imminent invasion a few days before their arrival at Medina. Thus, ten thousands strong marched towards Medina.

This army was supplemented with six thousands from Ghatafan, Saleem, and other tribes.

Their response to the invitation was prompt, and without hesitation, they mobilized four thousand fighters. They did not need much effort to persuade the Meccans to a military undertaking against the Prophet. Tribes from among them such as Banu Al-Natheer and others were exiled by the Prophet.Ī delegation from these people went to Mecca and other Arab communities during the fifth year after the Hijrah, propagating war against the Prophet and attempting to mobilize the Arab forces for the proposed war. There were clashes between the Muslims and some of the people of scripture who were neighboring Medina caused by their breaching of covenants with the Holy Prophet.

These tribes, therefore, were like the Meccan community full of resentment and rancor towards Mohammed and his religion. This belief brought these tribes and the Muslims into military confrontations in which the Muslims had the upper hand. Like the Meccans, these tribes considered Mohammed a serious menace to their religion.

Pagan tribes outside Mecca were sharing with them the same dream. The Qureshite community had one important dream: The destruction of Mohammed and his religion. Library » Peace Struggles » Battle of Khandaq / Ahzabīattle of al-Ahzab (Tribes), Battle of Khandaq (Ditch, Moat, Trench):

Battle of khandaq pdf