The Decisive Battle of Badr

THE EXPEDITION OF ABDULLAH IBN JHASH: A ROOT CAUSE OF THE GREAT BATTLE OF BADR

Ibn Ibn Ishaq narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) sent Abdullah Ibn Jahsh Ibn Ri’ab Al-Asdi in the month of Rajab on his return from the first Badr. He (peace be upon him) sent with him eight men from Al-Muhajreen.

Ibn Ishaq continued saying that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) wrote for Ibn Jahsh a letter and ordered him not to look at it until he had journeyed for two days, to carry out what he was ordered to do, and not to compel any one of his companions to do so. Having journeyed for two days, Ibn Jahsh opened the letter which said:

“When you read my letter proceed forward until you reach Nakhlah between Mecca and At-Ta’if so as to lie in wait there for Quraish and find out to us their news.”

When he read the letter he said, “I’m the one who listens (the orders of his leader) and obeys.” Then he told his companions what the letter said and declared, ” He - the Messenger of Allah - has forbidden me to force any on of you do so; thus if anyone wishes for the martyrdom, let him go back; as for me I’m going to carry out what the Messenger of Allah has ordered me”

He, subsequently, proceeded forward and so did all his companions. He journeyed along the Hijaz until at a mine called Bahran above Al-Furu, Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqas and Utbah Ibn Ghazwan lost the camel which they were riding by turns, so they stayed behind to look for it, while Abdullah and the rest of his companions proceeded until they reached Nakhlah. A caravan of Quraish. in the meanwhile, passed by them. The Quraish men in that caravan were Amr Ibn Al-Hadrami, Uthman Ibn Abdullah Ibn Al- Makhzumi and his brother Naufal, and Al-Hakam Ibn Kaisan freedman of Hisham Ibn Al-Mughirah.

When the caravan saw them Ibn Jahsh and his companion they were afraid of them because they had camped near them. Akashah, however, appeared to them whit his shaved hair, and when they saw him they felt safe and Ammar said, ” They would cause you no harm he thought that they were pilgrims.”

On their part, they Companion took council among themselves, for this was the last day of Rajab, and they said, “If you leave them alone tonight they will get into the prohibited Area and will be safe from you; and if you kill them, you will kill them in the prohibited Month.” Consequently, they were hesitant and feared to attack them. Then, they encouraged each other and decided to kill as many as they could of them and take what they had. Waqid Ibn Abdullah shot Amr Ibn Al-Hadrami with an arrow which caused the letter to die” Uthman Ibn Abdullah and Al-Hakim Ibn Kisan were captured while Naufal Ibn Abdullah escaped.

Abdullah Ibn Jahsh and his companions proceeded back to Medina with the caravan and the two prisoners until they reached the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Someone of Abdullah’s family reported that he said to his companions, “A fifth of waht we have taken belongs to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).’ This was before the revelation of the Qur’anic verse that decides the way of dividing the booty. Therefore, Abdullah set apart of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), a fifth of the caravan, and divided the rest among his companions.

When the Qur’an came down with the way that should adhered to in dividing the booty, it was in agreement with what Abdullah Ibn Jahsh has done.

When they came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), he said, “I have not command you to fight in the prohibited Month,” and he held the caravan and the two prisoners in suspense and refused to take anything from. When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said this, the men were in despair and thought that they were doomed. Their Muslim brothers reproached them for what they had done. Quraish, likewise, said that Muhammad and his Companions have violated the Prohibited Month, shed blood therein, taken booty, and captured men. Muslims, who were in Mecca, defended them, saying, “They had done it in the month of Sha’ban.” The Jews turned this raid into an omen against the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) by saying that Amr Ibn Al-Hadrami whom waqid Ibn Abdullah had killed meant Amaratul-harb (War is present), and Waqid meant Waqadatul-harab (war is kindled).

Allah, Most High, turned this against them, not for them; and when there was much talk about it Allah sent down to his Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) the following Qur’nic verse,

“They ask thee concerning fighting in Prohibited Month. Say, ‘Fighting therein is a grave (offence). But graver is it in the sight of Allah to prevent access to the path of Allah, to deny Him, to Prevent access to the sacred Mosque, and drive out its members. Tumult and oppression is worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn you back from your faith if they can. (Al-Baqrah: 217) “

This Qur’anic verse means that if you have killed in the Prohibited Month, they have kept you back form the way of Allah with their unbelief in Him, and from the sacred mosque, and have driven you from it when you were its people. This is a more serious of them whom you have salin.

“Tumult and oppression is worse then slaughter,”

means that the unbelievers used to seduce the Muslim in his religion until they made him return to unbelief after believing, and that is worse in the sight of Allah than killing. They used to persist in doing so without repentance. Allah, Most High, says,

“Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn you back from faith if they can.”

Ibn Ishaq continued, saying that when the Glorious Qur’an came down about that and Allah relieved that Muslims of their anxiety in the matter, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) took the caravan and the prisoners. Quraish sent to him redeem Uthman and Al-Hakam, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ” We will not let you redeem until our two companions come, meaning Sa’d and Utbah, for we fear on them on your account. if you kill them, we will kill your friends. So, when Sa’d and Utbah turned up, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) let them redeem them.

As fir Al-Hakam, he became a good Muslim and stayed with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) until he was killed a martyr at Bi’r Ma’unah. Uthman went back to Mecca and died there as unbeliever.

Ibn Ishaq added that when Abdullah and his companions were relieved of their anxiety when the Qur’an come down, they were anxious for reward and therefore asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying, ” Oh Messenger of Allah, can we hope that it will count as a raid for which we shell be given the reward of the Mujahideen?” Then, Allah, Most High, revealed the following Qur’anic verse,

“Those who believe and those who suffered exiles and fought ( and strove and struggled) in the path of Allah, they have the hope of the Mercy of Allah: and Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. (Al-Baqrah:218)”

In the verse, Allah gave them the greatest hopes therein.

THE OCCASION OF THE BATTLE

In more than one Qur’aic veres, Allah, Most High, refers to the Battle of Bader. For example, He, Most High, says,

“And Allah had helped you at Badr, when ye were helpless: then fear Allah: thus may ye show your gratitude. (Al-Imran: 123) ”

“Just as thy lord ordered thee out of thy house in truth, even though a party among the believers disliked it, disputing with thee concerning the truth after it was made manifest, as if they were being driven to death while they see it. Behold! Allah promised you one of the two parties, that it should be yours: ye wished that the one unarmed should be yours, but Allah willed to establish the truth according to His words, and to cut off the roots of the unbelievers;- that He might establish Truth and prove Falsehood false, distasteful though it be to those in guilt (Al-Anfal: 5-8)”

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) heard that Abu Sufyan Ibn Harb was coming from Syria with a large caravan of Quraish, containing their money and merchandise, accompanied by some thirty or forty men, of whom were Makhrammah Ibn Naoufal and Amr Ibn Al-Aas.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) summoned the Muslims and said,

“This is the caravan of Quraish which contains their money. Go out to attack it; perhaps Allah will give it as a prey”

People answered his call; some eagerly, others reluctantly, because they had out thought that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would go to war.

When he got near Al-Hijaz, Abu Sufyan was seeking news, from the riders he met until he got news that Muhammad has called his Companions against him and his caravan. He took alarm at that and hired Damdam Ibn Amr Al-Ghafari to go to Mecca, ordering him to call out Quraish in defense of their property, and to tell them that Muhammad was laying in wait for it with his Companions. So Damdam left for Mecca at full speed.

On reaching Quraish, Damdam cried out “O Quraish, the transport camels, the transport camels! Muhammad and his Companions are lying in wait for your property, which is whit Abu Sufwan. I do not think that you will overtake it. Help! Help!”

Answering the call of Damdam, the Quraish men said, “DO Muhammad and his Companions think this is going to like the caravan of Ibn Hadrami.” Every man of them either went himself or sent someone in his place. So all went; not one of their nobles remained behind except Abu Lahab Ibn Abudul-Mutalib.

There were nine hundred and fifty men and two hundred horsed the women also went a long to cheer the men on with their singing.

On the other side, according to Ibn Ishaq, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) set out whit his followers. It was the month of Ramadan. Ibn Umm Maktum was ordered by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to lead the Muslims in prayer and Abu Lubabah was lead the Muslims in prayer and Abu Lubabah was appointed as the ruler of Medina until the return of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave the flag, which was a white flag, to Mus’ab Ibn Umair.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was proceeded by two black flags, one with Ali Ibn Abi Talib called Al-Uqab, and the other with one of the Ansar. According to Ibn Hisham, the latter was Sa’d Ibn Mu’adh. The Muslim army had seventy camels on which men rode on turns. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) with Ali Ibn Abi Talib and Marthad Ibn Abi Marthab ride one camel in turns.

MUSLIM WENT OUT TO MEET THE CARAVAN

Al-Bukhari narrated on the authority of Ka’b Ibn Malik that K’ab said, “I never failed to join the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in any of his battles except in Tabuk. However, I did not take part in the Battle of Badr, but none, who failed to take part in, was blamed, for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) Quraish, but Allah caused them (i.e., Muslims) to meet their enemy unexpectedly (whit no pervious intention).

Ibn Ishaq said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) took the read to Mecca by the upper route from Medina, then by Al-Aqiq Dhul-Hulaifah, and Ulat Al-Jaish. Then he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) passed turban, Malal, Ghamisu l-Hamam, Sukhayratu ‘I-Yamam, As-sayalah, then by the ravine of Ar-rauha to Shunakah, which is the direct route, until at Irqu-I-Zabyah he met a nomad. The Companions asked him about the news. People, then, said to him. “Salute the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)”. The man asked, “Have you got the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) with you?” When they answered him that they had, he said, “If you are the Messenger of Allah, then tell me what is in the belly of my she-camel here”.

Salamah Ibn Salamah Ibn Waqsh said to the nomad: “Don’t question the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), but come to me and I will tell you about it. You have leapt upon her and she has in her belly a little goat from you!’ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Enough! You have spoken obscenely to the man.’ Then he turned away from Salamha. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stopped at Sajsaj which is the well of Ar-Rauha’; then went on to Al-Munsaraf, leaving the Maccan road on the left and went to the right to Al-Naziyah making for Badr. Arrived in its neighbor hood, he crossed a valley called Ruhaqan between Al-Naziyah and the pass of Al-Safra’; Then along the pass; then he debauched from it until when near Zl-Safra’ he sent Basbas Ibn Amr Al-Juhani. an ally of Ibn Sa’idah, and Adi Ibn Az-Zughaba’ Al-Juhani, an ally of Ibn An-Najjar, to Badr to scout for news about Abu Sufyan and his caravan.

Ibn Ishaq continued, saying that having sent them on ahead, he moved off and when he got to Al-Safra’, which is a village between two mountains; he asked what their names were. He was told they were Muslih and Mukhir. He asked about their inhabitants and was told that they were Banul-Nar and Banul-Hruq, Two clans of Banul-Ghifar. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) drew ill omen from their names and so disliked them that he refused to pass between them, so he lift them and Al-Safra’ on his left and went to the right to a valley called Dhafiran which he crossed and then hatted. News come to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that Quraish had set out to protect their caravan. Having delivered these news to his Companions, he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked their advice. Abu Bakr and then Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) got up and spoke well. Then, Al-Miqdad got up and said, “O Messenger of Allah! Go where Allah orders you for we are with you. We will not say as the children of Israel said to Moses, “You and your Lord go and fight and we will stay at home,” but you and your Lord go and fight, and we will fight with you. By Allah! If you were to take us to Bark Al-Ghimad. we would fight resolutely with you against its defenders until you gained it.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) thanked him and prayed Allah on his behalf. Then, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “O people! Give me advice,” by which he meant the Ansar; this is because they formed the majority, and because when they had paid homage to him in Al-Aqabah they stipulated that they were not responsible for his safety until he entered their territory, and that when he was there they would protect him as they did their wives and children. So, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was afraid that the Ansar would not fell obliged to help him unless he was attacked by an enemy in Medina and that they would not fell it incumbent upon them to go with him against an enemy outside their territory.

Having heard this, Sa’d Ibn Mu’adh said, “It seems as if you mean us,’ and when he said that he did, Sa’d said ” We believe in you, we declare your truth, and we witness that what you have brought is the truth, and we have given you our word and agreement to hear and obey; so go where you wish, we are with you; and by Allah, if you were to ask us to cross this sea and you plunged into it, we would plunge into it with you, not a man would stay behind. We do not hate that you might order us to face your enemy tomorrow. We, in fact, are patient in war and trustworthy in combat. It may be that Allah will make you see what pleases you from us; so take us along with Allah’s blessing.”

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was delighted at Sa’d’s words which greatly encouraged him. Then he said,

” Go forward; I give you glad tiding that Allah has promised me one of the two good things: martyrdom or victory. By Allah, It is as though I see the place were the people (enemies) would be killed.“

Ibn Mas’ud commented in the above scene, saying, “I witnessed Al–Miqdad ibn AL-Aswad in a scene which would have been dearer to me than anything had I been the hero of that scene. He (i.e., Al-Miqdad) came to the prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) while the prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) was urging the Muslims to fight with the pagans. Al-Miqdad said, ‘We will not say as the people of Moses said: Go you and your Lord and fight you two. But we shell fight on your right and on your left and in front of you and behind you.’ I saw the face of the prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) getting bright with happiness, for that saying delighted him.”

Afterwards, as Ibn Isaq reported, the prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) journeyed from Dhafran and went over passes called Asafir. Then he dropped down from them to a town called Ad-Diyah and left Al-Hanan on the right. This was a sand-hill like a large mountain. Then he (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) stopped near Badr and he, and one of his Companions Ibn Hisham said this Companion was Abu Bakr until he stopped by an old man of the Bedouin and inquired about, Quraish and about Muhammad and his Companions. and what he had herd about them. The old man said, “I won’t tell you before you tell me which party you belong to.” The Messenger Of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said, “If you tell us we will tell you.” The man said, “Should this be for that?” Yes, he replied. The man said, ” I have heard that Muhammad and his Companions went out on such-and-such a day. If that is true, today they are in such-and-such a place, referring to the place in which the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) actually was; and I heard that Quraish went out in such-and-such a day, and if this is true, today they are in such-and-such a place. ‘meaning the one in which they actually were. “When he had finished he said, “Of whom are you?’ the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said, “We are from Ma.”

Then he left him, while the old man was saying, “What dose ‘from Ma’ mean? Is it from the water of Iraq? Ibn Hisham said, “This man was known as Sheikh Sufyan Ad-Dimiri.” The Messenger of Allah(peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) returned to his Companions: and when night fell he sent ” Ali Ibn Abi Talib, Az-zubair and Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqas with a number of his Companions to the well at Badr in quest of news of both parties, according to what Ibn Ishaq narrated. Ibn Ishaq added that they fell in with some water-camels of Quraish, among whom were Aslam, a slave of Banu Al-Hajaj, and Arid Abu Yassar, a slave of Banu Al- Aas Ibn Sa’d and they brought them along and questioned them while the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) was standing praying.

They said, “We are the water-men of Quraish: they sent us to get them water.” The Companions were displeased at their report, for they hoped that they would belong to Abu Sufyan, so they beat them. When they had beaten them, the two men said, “We belong to Abu Sufyan: so the Companions let them go.

Having completed his Prayer, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said, “When they told you the truth, you beat them: and when they lied you them alone. They told the truth; they do belong to Quraish. Tell me you two about Quraish!” The two men replied, “They are behind this hill which you see on the farthest side.” The hill was Al-Aqnaqal. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) asked them how many tehy were, and when they said, “Many,” he asked for the umber, but they did not know; so he asked them how many camels they slaughtered every day, and the said nine or ten, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said, ‘The people are between nine hundred and a thousand.’ Then asked how many nobles of Quraish were among them. They said, Utbah, Shaybah, Al-Bukhtari Ibn Hisham, Hakim Ibn Hizam, Nawfal Ibn Khuwalid, Al-Harith Ibn Amir, Al-Nadr Ibn Al-Harith, Zam ‘ah Ibn Al-Aswad, Abu Jahl Ibn Hasham, Umaiyyah Ibn Khalaf, Nabih and Munabh, the two sons of Al-Haja, Sahil Ibn Amr and amr Ibn Wudd.”

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) went to the people and said,

“This Mecca has thrown to you the pieces of its liver!“

Basbab and Adi has gone on until they reached Badr, and halted on a hill near the water, then they took an old skin to fetch water while Majdi Ibn Amr Al-Juhani was by the water. Adi and Basbab heard two girls from the village discussing a debt, and one said to the other, ‘The caravan will come tomorrow or the day after and I will work for them and pay you what I owe you. ‘Majdi said, “You are right,” and he made arrangements whit them. Adi and Basbab overheard this and rode off to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) and told him what they had overheard. Ibn Ishaq continued saying that Abu Sufyan went forward to get in front of the caravan as a precautionary measure until he came down to the water and asked Majdi if he had noticed anything. He replied that he has seen nothing untoward: merely two riders had stopped on the hill and taken water away in a skin. Abu Sufyan came to the spot where has halted, picked up some camel dung and broke it in pieces and found that it containde date-stones. ‘By Allah,’ he said, ‘This is the fodder of Yathirb.’ He returned at once to his companions and changed the caravan’s direction from the road to the seashore leaving Badr of the left, traveling as quickly as possible. Quraish, on the other hand, advanced forward until Al-Juhafah. On his part, when Abu Sufyan saaw that he has saved his caravan he sent word to Quraish, “Since you come out to save your caravan, your men, and your property. And Allah has delivered them, go back.” Abu Jahl said, “By Allah, we will not go back until we have been to Badr - Badr was the site of one of the Arab fairs where they used to hold a market every year - for we will spend three days there, slaughter camels and feast and drink wine, and the girls shall play for us. The Arabs will hear that we have come and gathered together, and will respect us in future! So come on!”

However, Al-Akhnas Ibn Shuraiq Al-Thaqafi, an ally of Banu Zuhrah, refused to join Quraish in doing this since Allah had saved the caravan. Therefore, Banu Zuhrah returned with Al-Akhnas and these two tribes were not represented at all. Also, there was some discussion between Talib Ibn Abu Talib, who was with the army, and some of Quraish. The latter said, “We know, O Banu Hashim, that if you have come out with us your heart is with Muhammad.” So, Talib and some others returned to Mecca. Quraihs went on until they halted on the farther side of the valley behind Al-Aqanqal. The bad of valley - Yalyal - was between Badr and Al- Aqanqal, the hill behind which lay Quraish, while the wells at Badr were on the side of the valley bed nearest to Medina.

The Glorious Qur’an describes that situation, saying,

“Remember ye were on the hither side of the valley, and they on the farther side, and the caravan on the lower ground than ye. Even if ye had made it a mutual appointment of meet, ye would certainly have failed in the appointment. (Al-Anfal: 42) “

Allah, Most High, sent a rain which turned the soft sand of the valley into a compact surface which did not hinder the Messenger’s movements, but gravely restricted the movements of Quraish. The Qur’an speaks about that situation, saying,

“He caused rain to descend on you from heaven, to clean you therewith, to remove from you the stain of satan, to strengthen your hearts, and to plant your feet firmly therewith. (Al-Anfal: 11) “

Moreover, Allah, Most High, sent down victory upon them in his saying,

“Remember thy Lord inspired the angles (with the message): ‘I am with you: give firmness to the believers: I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers: Smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips of them. That is because they contended against Allah and His Messenger: If any contend Allah against Allah His Messenger. Allah is strict in punishment. (Al-Anfal: 12-13) “

This was on the night of Friday, 17th Ramadan, 2 AH. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) passed the whole night praying and invoking Allah in prostration saying mostly,

“O the living the Eternal.”

He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) persisted in calling Allah with this Du’a.

Ibn Ishaq said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went forth to hasten his Companions to the water and when he got to the nearest water of Badr the halted. Al-Hubab Ibn Mundhir said, “O Messenger of Allah! Is this a place which Allah has ordered you to occupy, so that we can neither advance nor withdraw from it, or is it a matter of opinion and military tactics?”

When he replied that it was the latter he pointed out that it was not the place to stop but that they should go on to the water nearest to the enemy and halt there, stop up the wells beyond it, and construct a cistern so that they would have plenty of water; then they could fight their enemy who would have nothing to drink. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) agreed that this was an excellent plan and they acted accordingly.

Ibn Ishaq added that Sa’d Ibn Mu`ahd said, “O Prophet of Allah, let us make a booth (of palm branches) for you to occupy and have your riding camels standing by; then we will meet the enemy and if Allah give us the victory that is what we desire; if the worst occurs you can mount you camels and join our people who are left behind, for they are just as deeply attached to you as we are. Had they thought that you would be fighting they would not have stayed behind. Allah will protect you by them; they will give you camels and fight with you.”

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) thanked him and blessed him. Then a booth was constructed for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and remained there. Quraish, having marched forth at daybreak, now come on. When The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was them descending from the hill Aqanqal into the valley he cried,

“O Allah! He come Quraish in their vanity and pride contending with you and calling your Messenger a liar. O Allah! Grant the help, which you have promised me. Destroy them his morning!“

Before uttering these words he had seen among the enemy Utbah Ibn Rabi’ah mounted on a red camel of his, and said,

“If there is any good in any of them, it will be with the man on the red camel: if they obey him, they will take the right way.“

When Quraish encamped, some of them, Hakim Ibn Hizam was one of them, went to the cistern of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to drink. “Let them be!’ he said; and all men that drank of it on that day was killed, except Hakim, who afterwards become a good Muslim and used to say, when he was earnest in his oath, “Nay, by him who saved me on the day of Badr.” Regarding the number of Muslims at Badr, Al-Bakhari reported that Al-Bara’ said that the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad who took part in Badr, told me that their number was that of Saul’s (i.e.,Talut’s) companions who crossed the river of Jordan with him and they were over three-hundred and ten men. By Allah, none crossed the river with him but a believer.” Al-Bara’ also narrated that I and Ibn Umar were considered too young in the battle of Badr, and the number of the Al-Muhajirrun worriers were over sixty (men) and the Ansar were over 249.

About Badr, the Glorrous Qur’an speaks, saying,

“Remember in thy Allah Showed them to thee as few: if He had shown them to thee as many, ye would surely have disputed in (your) decision: but Allah saved (you): for He knoweth well the (secrets) of (all) hearts. And remember when ye met, He showed them to you as few in your eyes, and He made you appear as contemptible in their eyes: that Allah might accomplish a matter already decided. (Al-Anfal: 22-43) “

Al-Amaui commented on the first Qura’nic verse saying that on the night of Badr, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) slept and ordered his men not to fight until he permit them to do so. The Abu Bakr (my Allah be pleased with him) woke him up, saying, “They (Quraish) become so nears!” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) got up after Allah had made him to see the army of Quraish in a vision. Out f divine wisdom, both parties saw the other a small in number. This is clear in the aforementioned Qura’nic verses.

According to Ibn Ishaq and other scholars of Siyrah, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) preferred the men to fight in ranks. As they prepared to march he noticed that someone had stepped out in front of the others; the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prodded him in the side with an arrow, saying, “Stand in line!” The men, Sawad exclaimed, “you have hurt me, O Messenger of Allah! Allah has sent you to be just and good. “On his part, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) lifted his shirt and said, “Then do the same to me.” The man approached and kissed him on the spot instead, saying, “O Messenger of Allah, you see what is before us and I may not survive the battle. If this is my last time with you, I want the last thing I do in life to be this.” Shortly after he went into battle, Sawad died a martyr. Having examined the ranks, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) then went to the booth, Abu Bakr stayed with him, while Sa’d Ibn Mu’adh, with several of the Ansar, stood outside guarding the booth.

THE KINDLE OF WAR

According to the scholars of Siyrah, the battle began in a single combat when one of Quraish, Al-Aswad Ibn Abd Al-Asad Al-Makhzumi, swore that he would drink from the Muslims’ reservoir and then destroy it, or die in the attempt. Hamzah, the Prophet’s uncle, come forward to face him and killed him. Three of the most important of Quraish, Utbah Ibn Rabi’ah, his brother Shaibah and his son Al-Walid stepped forward and gave out a challenge for a single combat. Three men of the Ansar come out against them: Awf and Mu’adh the sone of Al-Harith, as well as Abdullah Ibn Rawahah. The Quraishi men said, “Who are you?” They answered “some of the Ansar,” whereupon the Quraishi men shouted, “O Muhammad! Send forth against us our peers of our tribe!” Therefore, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) sent out Ali, Hamzah and Ubaidah Ibn Al-Harith to face them. It was not long before Hamzah and Ali had killed their opponents. As for Ubaidah, he had wounded his enemy but was wounded himself, and so his two companions killed the Quraishi men and cried, Ubaidah back to the safety of the Muslim ranks.”

In this context, Al-Bukhari narrated on the authority of Abu Dharr who said, “The following Qur’ainc verse that reads,

“These two opponents (believers and unbelievers) dispute with each other about their Loed. (Al-Hajj: 19) “

was revealed concerning six men from Quraish, namely, Ali, Hamzah, Ubaidah Ibn Al-Harith; Shaibah Ibn Rabi’ah, Utbah Ibn Rabi’ah, and Al-Walid Ibn Utbah.”

The first on of the Muslim army who died a martyr was Mahaj, the salve of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab; the second was Harithah Ibn Suraqah. Both Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated on the authority of Anas that Harithah was martyred on the day of Badr, and he was a young boy then. His mother came to the Prophet and said, “O Messenger of Allah! You know hear Harithah is to me. If he is Paradise, I shall remain patient, and hope for reward from Allah, but if it is not so, then you shell see what I do?” He said,

“My Allah be merciful to you! Have you lost you senses? Do you think there is only one Paradise? There are many Paradise and your son is in the (most superior) Paradise of Al-Firdaus.“

Ibn Ishaq said that the two armies advanced and drew near to one another. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ordered his Companions not to attack until he gave the word, and if the enemy should surround them, they were to keep them off with showers of arrows. Al-Bukhari narrated on the authority of Abu Usaid who said, “On the day of battle Badr, Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, to us,

“When your enemy comes near to you (i.e., overcome you by sheer number), shoot at them but use your arrows sparingly.”

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) remained in the hut with Abu Bakr praying earnestly to Allah to protect Muslims and grant them victory. In this context, Allah, Most High, says in the Glorious Qur’an,

“Remember ye implored the assistance of your Lord. And He answered you: ‘I will assist you with a thousand of the angels, ranks. Allah made it but a massage of hope, and an assurance to your hearts: (in any case) there is no help except from Allah: and Allah is Exalted in power, Wise. (Al-Anfal: 9-10)”

Al-Bukhari narrated on the authority of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) who said, “On the day of battle of Badr, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)said,

“O Allah! I appeal to you (to fulfill) Your Covenant and Promise. O Allah! If your Will is that none should worship you (then give victory to the pagans)!“

Then Abu Bakr took hold of him by the hand and said, ‘ This is sufficient for you.’ The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came out saying,

“Their multitude will be put to flight and they will show their backs. (Al-Qamar: 45)”

Ibn Ishaq said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) persisted in praying to Allah to grant him victory, which He had promised to him and among his words, were these:

“Be of good cheer, O Abu Bakr. Allah’s help is coming to you. Here is Gabriel holding the rein of a horse and leading it. The dust is upon his front teeth.“

The the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went froth to the people and incited them saying,

“By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, no man will be slain this day fighting against them with steadfast courage advancing not retreating but Allah will cause him to enter Paradise.“

Umair Ibn Al-Human was eating some dates, which he had in his hand. “Fine!’ fine!’ said he, “is their nothing between me and my entering Paradise save to be killed by these men?” He flung the dates from his hand, seized his sword and fought against them until he was slain.

At Badr, the angels participated in fighting Al-Bukhari narrated on the authority of Rafi Al-Zurqi who was on of the Badr warriors that Gabriel come to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said,

“How do you look upon the warriors of Badr among yourselves?” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “As the best of the Muslims.” Or said a similar statement. On that, Gabriel said,

“And so are the Angels who participated in the Badr.“

In this context, Ibn Ishaq reported that waqid Al-Laith said that I was pursuing a polytheist at Badr to smite him, when his head feel off before I could get at him with my sword and I knew that someone else had killed him. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said that the angels did not fight in any battle but Badr. In the other battles they were there as reinforcements, but the did not fight.

MUSLIM’S VICTORY

Athough the Muslims were much fever in number, they gained a great victory, destroyed the army of Quraish and killed most of its leaders. Among the leading men of Quraish who killed were Abu Jahl and Umayyah Ibn Khalaf, who was killed by his former slave, Bilal.

Abu Talhah narrated that on the day of Badr, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ordered that the corpses of twenty-four leaders of Quraish should be thrown into one of the dirty dry wells of Badr. (It was habit of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that whenever he conquered some people, he used to stay at the battlefield for three nights) So, on the third day of the battle of Badr, he ordered that his she-camel be saddled, the he set out, and his Companions followed him saying among themselves, ‘Definitely he (i.e., the Prophet) is proceeding for some great purpose.’ When he halted at the edge of the well, he addressed the corpses of the Quraishi infidels by their names and their fathers’ names, ‘O so-and-so, son of so-and -so and O so-and-so, son of so-and -so! Would it have pleased you if you had obeyed Allah and His Messenger? We have found true what your Lord promised us Have you too found true what your Lord promised you? Umar said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger! You are speaking to bodies that have no souls!’ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad’s soul is, you do not hear, what I say batter than they do.’

Commenting on this narration, Qatadah said, “Allah brought them to life (again) to let them hear him, to reprimand them and slight them and take revenge over them and caused them to feel remorseful and regretful.” Moreover 70 men of Quraish had been taken prisoner. On his part, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) consulted his Companions regarding the captives.

Muslim narrated on the authority of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab who said that when it was the day on which the Battle of Badr was fought, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cast of glance at the infidels, and they were one thousand while his own Companions were three hundred and nineteen. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) Turned towards the Qiblah (House of God). Then he stretched his hands and began his supplication to his Lord,

‘O Allah, accomplish for me what you have promised to me. O Allah, bring about what you have promised to me. O Allah, if this small band of Muslims is destroyed, You will not be worshiped on this earth.‘

He continued his supplication to his Lord, stretching his hands, facing the Qiblah, until his mantle slipped down form his shoulders. So Abu Bakr come to him, picked up his mantle and put it on his shoulders. Then he embraced him from behind and said. ‘O Prophet of Allah, This prayer of yours to your Lord will suffice you, and He will fulfil for you what He has promised you.’ So Allah, the Glorious and Exalted, revealed (the Qur’anic verse),

“Remember ye implored the assistance of your Lord. And He answered you: ‘I will assist you with a thousand of the Angels, ranks on ranks.’ So Allah helped him with angles. (Al-Anfal: 9) “

Abu Zumail said that this badith was narrated to him by Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) who said that while on the day a Muslim was chasing a disbeliever who was going ahead of him, he heard over him the swishing of the whip and the voice of the rider saying: Go ahead, Haizi’m! He glanced at the polytheist who had (now) fallen down on his back. When he looked at him (carefully he found that there was a scar on his nose and his face was torn as if it had been lashed with a whip, and had turned green with its poison. An Ansari come to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and related this (event) to him. He said,
‘You have told the truth, This was the help from the third heaven.’

The Muslims on that the day of battle Badr, killded seventy persons and captured seventy. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), “What is your opinion about these captives?” Abu Bakr said, “They are our kith and kin. I think you should release them after getting from them ransom. This will be a source of strength to us against the infidels. It is quite possible that Allah may guide them to Islam.” Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “What is you opinion, Ibn Khatab?” Umar said, “Messenger of Allah, I do not hold the same opinion as Abu Bakr. I am if the opinion that you should hand them over to us so that we may cut off heads. Hand over Aqil to Ali that he may cut of his head, and hand over such and such relative to me that I may cut if his head. They are leaders of the disbelievers and veterans among them.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) approved the opinion of Abu Bake and did not approve what I said. The next day when I come to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), I found that both he and Abu Bakr were sitting shedding tears. I said, ‘Messenger of Allah, why are you and your Companion shedding tears? Tell me the reason. For I will weep too, if not, I will at least pretend to weep in sympathy with you.’ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘I weep for what has happened to your companions for taking ransom (form the prisoners). Iwas shown the torture t which they were subjected. It was brought to me as close as this tree (he pointed to a tree close to him).’ Then Allah revealed the Qur’anic verse:

“It is not fitting for a prophet that he should have prisoners of war until he hath subdued the land ……. but now enjoy what ye took in war, lawful and good. (AL-Anfal: 67-69) “

THE DIVISION OF THE SPOILS OF WARS

According to the sholars of Siyrah, Muslims who to took part in Badr, Muslims were three parties, namely, a group defended the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), a group fought and pursued the enemy and a group collected the spoils. Each group claimed that it had the right to take the booty. When they quarreled about the booty, Allah took it out of their hands and gave it the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and he divided it equally among them.

In this context, Allah, Most High, says.

“They ask thee concerning (things taken as) spoils of war. Say: ‘(Such) spoils are at the sidposal of Allah and the Messenger: the relations between yourselves: Obey Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe. (Al-Anfal: 1)”

The Battle of Banu Mustaliq

According to Al-Bukhari, this battle is also called the battle of Al-Muraisi. It took place, according to Ibn Ishaq, in the 6^th year of Hijra. Musa Ibn Uqbah, however, said, “It was in the 4^th year of Hijra.” Az’Zuhari said, “The story of the forged statment against Ashah (may Allah be pleased with her) was during the battle of Al-Muraisi”

According to Ibn Ishaq, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) received news that Banu Al-Mustaliq were gathering together against him. Their leader was Al-Harith Ibn Abu Dirar, the father Juwairiyah, whom the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) married afterwards. On hearing about them, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went out and met them at a watering place of theirs called Al-Muraisi in the direction of Qudayd towards the shore. There was a fight and Allah put Banu Al-Mustahiq to flight and killed some of them and gave the Messenger their wives, children, and property as booty,

Al-Bukhari narrated that Abdullah Ibn Awn said, “I wrote a letter to Nafi wrote in reply to my letter that had suddenly attacked Banu Al-Mustaliq without warning while they were heedless and their cattle were being watered at the places of water. Their fighting men were killed and their women and children were taken as captives; the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) got Juwairiyah on that day. Nafi said that Ibn Umar had told him the above narration and that Ibn Umar was in the army.”

Al-Bukhari also narrated that Ibn Muhairiaz said “I entered the Mosque and saw Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri and sat beside him and asked him about Al-Azl (coitus interruption). Abu Sa’id said, “We went out with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) for the Ghazwah of Abnu Al-Mustaliq and we received captives from among the Arab captives and we desired women and celibacy become hard on us and we loved to do coitus interruption. So when we intended to do coitus interruption us, we said, “‘How can we do coitus interruption before asking Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) who is present among us?’ We asked about it and he siad,

‘It is better for you not to do so, for if any soul (until the Day of resurrection) is predestined to exist.’ “

On they day of Banu AL-Mustaliq, a Muslim of Banu Kalb Ibn Awf Ibn Amir Aibn Layth Ibn Bakr was killed by a man of the Ansar of the family of Ubadah Ibn As-Samit who thought he was an enemy and killed him in error. Due to their hostility to Islam and Muhammad the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), the hypocrites tried to divide the Muslims and ruin their unity. However, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was keen enough to deal with their devices wisely.

THE STORY OF ‘IFK’

‘Ifk’ is an Arabic word that means ‘Iying’. Hear, it refers the forged statement against ‘Aishah, (may Allah be pleased with hem) which the hypocrite said. In the Sahih, Al-Bukhari narrated the whole story of Ifk on the authority of Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) who said, “Whenever Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) intended to go on a journey, he used to draw lots amongst his wives, and Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to take with him the one on whom lot fell. He drew lots amongst us during one of the Ghazeat, which he fought. The lot fell on me and so I proceeded with Allah’s Messenger after Allah’s order of Hijab (veiling the women) had been revealed. I was carried (on the back of a camel) in my howdah and carried down while still in the (when we come to a halt). So we went on until Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had finished from that Ghazwah of his and returned.

When we approached the city of Medina, He announced at night that it was time for departure. So when they announced the news of departure, I got up and went away from the army camps, and after finishing from the call of nature, I come back to my riding animal. I touched my chest to find that my necklace, which was made of Zifar beads (Yemenite beads partly black and partly white), was missing. So I returned to look for my necklace and my search for it detained me. The people who used to carry me on camel came and took my howdah and put it on the back of my camel on which I used to ride, as they considered that I was in it. In those days women were light in weight for they did not get fat, and flesh did not cover their bodies in abundance as they used to eat only a little food. Those people therefore, disregarded the lightness of the howdah while lifting and carrying it; and at the time I was still a young girl. They made the camel rise and all of them left (along with it). I found my necklace after the army had gone.

Then I came to their camping place to find no call maker of them, nor one who would respond to the call. So I intended to go to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would miss me and come back to me (in my search). While I was sitting in my resting-place, I was overwhelmed by sleep and slept. Safwan Ibn Al-Mu’attal As Sulami Adh-Dhakwani was behind the army. When he reached my place in the morning, he saw the figure of a sleeping person and he recognized me on seeing me as he had seen me before the order of compulsory veiling (was prescribed). So I woke up when the recited Istirja (Inna Lillahi wa inna llaihi raji’un”) as soon as he recognized me. I veiled my face with my head cover at once, and by Allah, we did not speak a single word, and I did not hear him saying any word besides his Istirha’. He dismounted form his camel and made it kneel down, putting his leg on its front legs and then I got up and rode on it. Then he set out leading the camel that was carrying me until we overtook the army in the extreme feat of midday while they were at a halt (taking a rest). (Because of the event) some people brought destruction upon themselves and the one who spread the Ifk (slander0 more, was Abdullah Ibn Ubai Ibn Salul.”

Oureah said, “The people propagateed teh slander and talked about it in his (Abdullah’s) presence and he confirmed it and listened to it and asked about it to let it prevail.” Urwah also added, “None was mentioned as members of the slanderous group besides (Abdullah) except Hassan Ibn Thabit and Mistah Ibn Uthatha nad Hamnah bint Jahsh along with others about whom I have no knowledge, but they were a group as Allah said. It is said that the one who carried most of the slander was Abdullah Ibn Ubai Ibn Salul.” Urwah added, ” Aishah disliked having Hassan abused in her presence and she used to say, ‘It was he who said: Myfather and his father and my honor are all for the protection of Muhammad’s honor form you.”)

Aishah continued, saying, “After we returned to Medina, I become ill for a month. The people were propagating the forged statements of the slanderers while I was unaware of anything of all that, but I felt that in my present aliment, I was not receiving the same kindness from Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) as I used to receive when I got sick. Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) would only come, greet me and say, ‘How is that (lady)?’ and leave. That roused my doubts but I did not discover the evil until I went out after my convalescence, I went out with Umm Mistah to Al-Manasi where we used to answer the call of nature and we used not to go out (to answer the call of nature) except at night, and that was before we had latrines near our houses. And this habit of our concerning evacuating the bowels, was similar to the habits of the old Arabs living in the deserts, for it would be troublesome for us to take latrines near our houses. So I and Umm Mistah who was the daughter of Abu Ruhm Ibn Al-Muttalib Ibn Abd Manaf, whose mother was the daughter of Sakhr Ibn Amr and the aunt of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq adn whose son was Mistah Ibn Uthatha Ibn Abbas Ibn Al-Muttalib, went out. I and Umm Mistah returned to my house after we finished answering the call of nature. Umm Mistah stumbled by getting her foot entangled in her covering sheet and on that she said, ‘Let Mistah be ruined.’ I said, ‘What a hard word you have said. Do you abuse a man who took part in the battle of Badr?’ On that she said, ‘O you Hantah! Didn’t you hear what he said, ‘I said, “What did he say?’

They she told me the slander of the People of Ifk. So my ailment was aggravated, and when I reached my home, Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) came to me, and after greeting me, said, ‘How is that (Lady)?’ I said, “Will you allow me to go to may parents?’ as I wanted to be sure about the news through them. Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) allowed me (I went to my parents) and asked my mother, ‘O Mother! What are the people talking about?’ she said, “O my daughter! Don’t worry, for scarcely is there a charming women who is loved by her husband and whose husband has other wives besides herself that they would find faults with her. I said, ‘Subhan-Allah (Glory be to Allah). Are the people really talking in this way?’ I kept on weeping that night until dawn. I could neither stop nor sleep then in the morning again I kept on weeping when the Divine Inspiration was delayed.

Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) called Ali Aibn Abi Talib and Usamah Ibn Zaid to ask and consult them about divorcing me. Usamah Ibn Zaid said what he knows of my innocence, and the respect he preserved in himself for me. Usamah said. ‘O Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) She is your wife and we do not know anything except good about her.” Ali Ibn Abi Talib said. ‘O Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) Allah dose not put you in difficulty and there are plenty of women other than she, yet ask the maid servant who will tell you the truth. ‘On that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) called Barira and said, “O Barira! Did you ever see anything which aroused your suspicion?’ Barira said to him, ‘By Him Who has sent you with the Truth. I have never seen anything in her (Aishah) which I would conceal, except that she is a young girl who sleeps leaving the dough of her family exposed so that the domestic goats come and eat it’

So, on that day, Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) got up on the pulpit and complained about Abdullah Ibn Ubai before his Companions, Saying,

“O you Muslims! Who will relieve me from that man who has hurt me with his evil statement about my family? By Allah, I know nothing except good about my family and they have beamed a man about whom I know nothing except good and he used never to enter my home except with me.”

Sa’d Ibn Mu’ad, the brother of Banu Abd Al-Ashhal, got up and said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him)! I will relieve you from him; if he is from the tribe of Al- Aws, then I will chop his head off, and if he is from our btothers, (Al-Khazraj) then order us, and we will fulfill your order.’ On that, a man form Al-Khazraj got up. Umm Hassan, his cousin, was from his branch tribe, and he was Sa’d Ibn Ubadah, chief of Al-Khazaj. Before this incident, he was a pious man, but his love for his tribe led him into saying to Sa’d, ‘By Allah, you have told a lie; you shall not and cannot kill him. If he belonged to your people, you would not wish him to be killed.’ On that Usaid Ibn Hudair who was the cousin of Sa’d got up and said to Sa’d Ibn Ubahah, ‘By Allah! You are lair! We will surely kill him, and you are a hypocrite arguing on the behalf of hypocrites.’ On this, the two tribes of Al-Aws and Al-Khazaj got so much excited that they were about to fight while Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) was standing on the pulpit. Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) kept on calming them until they become silent and so did he. All that day I kept on weeping with my tears never ceasing and I could never sleep.

In the morning, my parents were with me and I wept for two nights and a day with my tears never ceasing and I could never sleep until I thought that my liver would burst from weeping. So, while my parents were sitting with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked me to grant her admittance. I allowed her to come in, and when she came in, she sat down and started weeping with me. While we were in this state, Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) come, greeted us and sat down. He had never sat with me since that day of the slander. A month had elapsed and no Divine Inspiration came to him regarding my case. Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) then recited Tashah-ud and then said,

“O Aishah! I have been informed so-and-so about you; if you are innocent, then soon Allah will reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah and ask Him for forgiveness for when a slave confessed his sins and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.”

When Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) finished his speech, my tears ceased flowing completely that I no longer felt a single drop of tear flowing. I said to my father, ‘Reply to Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) on my behalf concerning what he has said,’ My father said, ‘By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).’ Then I said to my mother, ‘Reply to Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) on my behalf concerning what he has said.’ She said, ‘By Allah, I do not know to say to Allah’ Messenger.’

In spit of the fact that I was a young girl and had a little knowlege of Qur’an, I said, ‘By Allah, no doubt I know that you heard this (slanderous) speech so that it has been planted in your hearts and you have taken it as a truth. Now if I tell you that I am innocent, you will not believe me, and if confess to you about it, and Allah knows that I am innocent, you will surely believe me. By Allah, I find no similitude for me and you except that of Joseph’s father when he said, ‘(For me) patience in the most fitting against that which you assert; it is Allah (Alone) Whose Help can be sought.’ Then I turned to the other side and lay on my bed; and Allah knew than that I was innocence and hoped that Allah would reveal my innocence. But, by Allah, I never thought that Allah would be recited (forever) as I considered myself too unworthy to be talked of by Allah with something of my concern, but I hoped that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) might have a dream in which Allah would prove my innocence. But, by Allah, before Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) left his seat and before any of the household left, the Divine Inspiration came to Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

So, there overtook him the dame hard condition, which used to overtook him, (when he used to be inspired Divinely). The sweat was dropping from his body like pearls though it was a wintry day and that was because of the weighty statement, which was being revealed to him. When that state of Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was over, he got p smiling, and first word he said was, “O Aishah! Allah has declared your innocence! “Then my Mother said to me, ‘Get up and go to him (Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)). I replied, By Allah, I will not go to him, and I praise none but Allah. So Allah revealed the Verses:

“Those who brought forward the lie are body among yourselves……… (An-Nur: 11-20)”

Allah revealed those Quranic verses to declare my innocence. Abu Bakr As-siddiq who used to disburse money for Mistah Ibn Uthahta because of his relationship to him and his poverty, said, By Allah, I will never give to Mistah Ibn Uthatha anything after what he has said about Aishah.’ Then Allah revealed,

“And let not those among you who are endued with grace and amplitude do means resolve against helping their kinsmen, those in want, and those who have left their homes in Allah’s cause, let them forgive and overlook, do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (An-Nur: 22)”

Abu Bakr said, ‘Yes, by Allah, I would like that Allah forgive me,’ and went on giving Mistah the money he used to give him before. He also added, ‘By Allah, I will never deprive him of it at all.’ Aishah further said, ‘Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also asked Zainab bint Jahsh (his wife) about my case. He said to Zainab, “What do you know and what did you see?” She replied, “O Allah’s Messenger! I refrain from claiming falsely that I have heard or seen anything. By Allah, I know nothing except good (about Aishah).’ Form amongst the wives of the Prophet Zainab was my peer (in beauty and in the love she received from the Prophet) but Allah saved her form that evil because of her piety. Her sister Hammah started struggling on her behalf and she was destroyed along with those who were destroyed. The man who was blamed said, ‘Subhan-Allah! By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, I have never uncovered the cover (veil) of any female.’ Later on the man was martyred in Allah’ Cause.”

The Battle of Al-Ahzab (The Trench)

Regarding the battle of Al-Ahzab or Al-Khandaq (the trench), Allah, Most High, revealed the following Qur’anic veres,

“O ye who believer! remember the grace of Allah, (bestowed) on you, when there come down on you hosts (to overwhelm you): but We sent against them a hurricane and forces that ye saw not: but Allah sees (clearly) all that ye do. Behold! They come on you form above you and from below you, and behold, the eyes swerved and the hearts gaped up to the throats, and ye imagined various (vain) thoughts about Allah! In that situation were the believers tried: they were shaken us as by a tremendous shaking. And behold! The hypocrites and those in whose hearts is disease say: Allah and His Messenger promised us nothing but delusions!’ Behold! A party among them said: ‘Ye men of Yathirb! Ye cannot stand (the attack)! Therefore go back!’ And a band of them ask for leave of the Prophet, saying, ‘Truly our houses are bare and exposed.’ Though they were not exposed: they intended nothing but to run away. And if any entry had been effected to them from the sides (of the city), and would certainly have brought it to pass, with none but a brief delay! And yet they had already covenanted with Allah not to turn their backs, and a covenant with Allah must be answered for. Say; ‘Running away will not profit you if ye are running away from death or slaughter; and even if (ye do escape), no more than a brief (respite) will ye be allowed to enjoy!’ Say: Who is it that can screen you from Allah if it be His wish to give you punishment or to give you mercy?’ Nor will they find for themselves, besides Allah, any protector or helper. Verily Allah knows those among you who keep hack (men) and those who say to their brethren, ‘Come along to us’, but come not to fight except for just a little while, covetous over you. Then when fear comes, thou wilt wee them looking to thee, their eyes revolving, like one who faints from death: but when the fear is past, they will smite you with sharp tongues, covetous of goods. Such men have no faith, and so Allah has made their deeds of none effect: and that is easy for Allah. They think that the Confederates have not withdraw; and if the Confederates should come (again), they would wish they were in the deserts (wandering) among the Bedouins, and seeking news about you (from a safe distance); and if they were in your midst, they would fight but little. Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah and excellent exemplar for him who hopes in Allah and the Final Day, and who remembers Allah much. When the believers saw the Confederate forces, they said, ‘This is what Allah and His Messenger had promises us what was true.’ And it only added to their faith and their Zeal in obedience. Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah: of them some have died and some (still) wait: but they have never changed (their determination) in the least: that Allah may reward the men of Truth for their Truth, and punish the hypocrites if that be His will, or turn to them in mercy: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And Allah turned back the unbelievers for (all) their fury: no advantage did they again; and enough is Allah is full of Strength, Exalted in might. And those of the people of the Book who aided them - Allah did take them down from their strongholds and cast terror into their hearts, (so that) some ye slew, and some ye made captives. and He made you heirs of their lands, their houses, and their goods, and of a land which ye had not frequented (before). And Allah has power over all things. (Al-Ahzab: 9-27 “

According to most of the late and early Muslim scholars, the Battle of Al-Ahzab took place in Shawwal, 5 AH.

THE OCCASION OF THE BATTLE

Scholars of Siyrah relate that a number of Jews who had formed a party against the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), among whom were Sallam Ibn Al-Huqayq An-Nadri, Huyayy Ibn Akhtab An-Nadri, Kinanah Ibn Abu Al- Hyqayq An-Nadri, and Haudhah Ibn Qays AL-Wa’ili, and ABu Ammar Al-Wa’ili with a number of the tribe of An-Nadr and the tribe of Wa’il went to Quraish at Mecca and invited them to join them in an attack in the Messenger so that they might get rid of him altogether. Quraish said, “You, O Jews, are the first scripture people and know the nature of dispute with Muhammad. Is our religion the best or his?” They replied, “Certainly, your religion is better than his and you had a better claim to be in the right.”

It was about them that Allah, Most High, sent down the following Qur’anc versed,

“Hast thou not turned they thought to those who were given a portion of the book? They believe in sorcery and Taghut and say to the unbelievers that they are better guided in the (right) way than the believers! They are (men) whom Allah has curses: and those whom Allah hath cursed, thou wilt find, have no one to help. (An-Nisa: 51-52).”

These words, consequently, rejoiced Quraish and they responded gladly their invitation to fight the Messenger and they assembled and made their preparations. Then that company of Jews went off to Gattafan of Qays Aylan and invited them to fight the Messenger and told them that they would act with them and that Quraish had follower their lead in the matter; they too joined in with them. Quraish marched under the leadership of Abu Sufyan Ibn Harb; and Ghatafan led by Uyaynah Ibn Hisn Ibn Hudhaifah with the tribe Fuzarah; and Al- Harith Ibn Awf Ibn Harithah Al- Marri with the Tribe of Murra; and Mis’ar Ibn Rukhlah Ibn Nuwayrah Ibn Tarif Ibn Shamah Ibn Abdullah Ibn Hilal Ibn Khalawah Ibn Ashja Ibn Rayth Ibn Gatafan with those his people from Ashja who followed him

MUSLIMS MAKE THEIR PREPARATIONS

When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) heard of the intention of his enemies he drew a trench about Medina. Digging a trench, according to Ibn Hisham, was the suggestion of Salman, the Persian. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) joined the Muslims in digging the trench encouraging the Muslims with the hope of reward in heaven. True Muslims worded very hard with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) while the disaffected held back from hem and began to hide their real object by working slackly and stealing away to their families without the Messenger’s permission or knowledge. In this connection, Allah, Most High, revealed the following Qur’anic verses,

“Only those are believers. who believe in Allah and His Messenger: when they are with him an a matter requiring collective action, they do not depart until they have asked for his leave; these who ask for the leave are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, so when they ask for thy leave, for some business of their, give leave to those of them whom thou wilt, and ask Allah for their forgiveness; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Deem not the summons of the Messenger among yourselves like the summons of one of you to another: Allah doth know those of you who slip away under shelter of some excuses: then let those beware who withstand his (the Messenger) order, last some trial befall them or a grievous chastisement be inflicted on them. Be quite sure that to Allah doth belong whatever in the heavens and on earth. Well doth He know what ye are intent upon: and the day they will be brought back to Him, He will tell them the truth of what they did: for Allah doth know all things. (An-Nur: 62-64) “

The Muslims worked at the trench until they had finished it, and they made a jingle about one of the Muslim called Ju’ayl who the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) named Amr.

In his Sahih, Al-Bukhari barrated the following ahadith:

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went out towards the Khandaq (trench) and was the Muhajirun and the Ansar digging the trench in the cold morning. They had no slaves to do that (work) for them. When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was their hardship and hunger, he said,

“O Allah! The real life is the life of the Hereafter, so please forgive the Ansar and the Muhajirun.”

The said in reply, “We are those who have given the pledge of allegiances to Muhammad for to observe Jihad as long as we live.”

Also, Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Muhajirun and the Ansar were digging the trench around Medina and were carrying the earth on their backs while saying; “We are those who have given the pledge of allegiance to Muhammad for Islam as long as we live.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said in reply to their saying,

“O Allah! There is no goodness except the goodness of the Hereafter; so please grant Your Blessing to the Ansar and the Muhajirin.”

The people used to bring a handful of barley, and a meal used to be prepared there of by cooking it with a cooking material (oil, fat and butter having a change in color and smell) and it used to be presented to the people (workers) who were hungry, and it used to stick to their throats and had nasty smell.

Sahl Obn Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that we were with Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the trench, and some were digging the trench while we were carrying the earth on our shoulders. Allah’ Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said,

“O Allah! There is no life except the life of the Hereafter, so please forgive the Muhajirun and the Ansar.”

Al-Brar’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported thet the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was carrying earth on the day of Al-Khandaq (trench) until his abdomen was fully covered with dust, and he was saying,

“By Allah, without Allah we would not have been guided, neither would we have given in charity, nor would we have prayed. So (O Allah), please send Sakina (calmness) upon us, and make our feet firm if we meet the enemy as the enemy have rebelled against us, and if they intended affliction (want to frighten us and fight against us), then we would not (feel but withstand them).”
The Prophet used to raise his voice saying

“Abaina! Abaina! (We would not, we would not)

In another narration, Al Bara’ (may Allah be pleased with him) said that when it was the day of Al-Khandaq (i.e., the clans) and Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) dug the trench, I saw him carrying earth out of the trench until dust made the skin of his abdomen out of my sight and he was a hairy man. I heard him reciting the poetic verses composed by Ibn Rawahah while he was carrying the earth,

“O Allah! Without You we would not have been guided, nor would we have given in charity, nor would we have prayed. So, (O Allah), please send Sakina (calmness) upon us and make our feet firm if we meet the enemy, as they have rebelled against us. And if they intend affliction (want to frighten us, and fight against us), then we would not (feel but withstand them).”

The prophet would then prolong his voice at the last words.

MARVELOUS SCENES

Ibn Ashaq said, “I have heard some stories about the digging of the trench in which there is an example of Allah’s justifying His Messenger and confirming his prophetic office, things which the Muslims saw with their eyes.”

In this context, Al-Bykhari narrated on the authority of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the latter said that we were digging (the trench) on the day of Al-Khandaq and we come across a big solid rock. We went to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said, “Here is a rock appearing across the trench.” He said, “I am coming down.” Then he got up, and a stone was tied to his belly for we had not eaten anything for three days. So the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) took the spade and struck the big solid rock and it become like send. I said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Allow me to go home.” (When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) allowed me) I said to my wife, “I saw the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in a state that I cannot treat lightly. Have you got something (for him to eat?)” she replied, “I have barley and a she-got.” So I slaughtered the she-kid and she ground the barley; then we put the meat in the earthenware cooking pot. Then I come to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) when the dough had become soft and fermented and (the meat in) the pot over the stone trivet had nearly been well-cooked, and said, “I have got a little food prepared, so get up O Allah’s Messenger, you and one or two men along with you (for the food).” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked, “How much is that foods?” I told him about it. He said, “It is abundant and good. Tell your wife not to remover the earthenware pot from the fire and not to take out any bread from the oven until I reach there.” Then he said (to all his Companions), “Get up.” So, the Muhajirun and the Ansar got up. When I come to my wife, I said, “Allah’s Marcy be upon you! The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) come along with the Muhajirun and the Ansar and those who were present with them.” She said, ” Did the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ask you (how much food you had)?” I replued, “Yes” Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Enter and do not throng.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) started cutting the bread (into Pieces) and put the cooked meat over it. he covered the earthenware pot and the oven whenever he took something out of them. He would give the food to his Companions and take the meat out of the pot. He went on cutting the bread and scooping the meat (for his Companions) until they all ate their fill, and even then, some food remained. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said (to my wife), “Eat and present to other the people are struck with hunger.”

In another narration Jabir Ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said that when the trench was dug, I saw the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the state if severe hunger. So I returned to my wife and said, “Have you got anything (to eat), for I have seen Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in as state of severe hunger.” She brought out for me, a bag containing one Sa’ of barley and we had a domestic she-animal which I slaughtered then, and my wife ground the barley and she finished at the time I finished my job. Then I cut the meat into pieces and put it in an earthenware (cooking) pot, and returned to Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). My wife said, “Do not disgrace me in front of Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and those who are with him.” So I went to hm and said to him secretly, “O Allah’s Messenger! I have slaughtered a she-animal of ours, and we have ground a Sa’ of barley which was with us. So please come, you and another person along with you.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) raised his voice and said, “O people of trench! Jabir has prepared a meal so let us go.” Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to me, ‘Don’t put down your earthenware meat pot (form fireplace) or bake your dough until I come.” So, I come to my house and Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) too, come, proceeding before the people. When I come to my wife, she said, ‘May Allah do so-and-so to you.” I have told the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) of what you said. “Then she brought out to him the dough, and he spat in it and invoked for Allah’s Blessings in it. Then he proceeded towards our earthenware meat-pot and spat in it and invoked for Allah’s Blessings in it. Then he said to my wife, “Call a lady baker to bake along with you and keep on taking out scoops from your earthenware meat-pot, and do not put it down from its fireplace.” The were on-thousand (who took their meals), and by Allah they all eat, and when they left the food and went away, our earthenware pot was still bubbling (full of meat) as if it had not decreased, and our dough was still being baked as if nothing had been taken from it.

According to Ishaq, a daughter of Bahir Ibn Sa’d sisterof An-Numan Ibn Bashir said, ‘my mother Arah, daughter of Rawahah, called me and gave me handful of dates which she put in my garment and told me to take them to my father and my uncle Abdullah Ibn Rawahah fro their food. As I went off looking for them I passed the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) who called me and asked me what I had. When I told him that I was taking the dates to my father and my uncle he told me to give them to him. So I poured them into his hands but they did not fill them then he called of a garment which was laid out for him and threw the dates upon it so that they were scattered on it. Then he told the men to summon the diggers to lunch, and when they come they began to eat and the dates went on increasing until they turned away from them and they were still falling falling from the ends of the garment.

Ibn Ishaq, moreover, narrated on the authority of Salman Al-fasi that the latter said, ”I was working with a pock in the trench where a rock gave me much trouble. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) who was near at hand saw me hacking and saw how difficult the place was. He dropped down onto the trench and took the pick from my hand and gave such a below that lighting showed beneath the pick. This happened for a second and a third time. I said, “O you, dearer than father or mother what is the meaning of this light beneath you pick as you strike?’ He said,

“Did you really see that, Salman? The first means that Allah opened up to me the Yemen; the second Syria and the west; and the third the east.”

Abu Hurairah (my Allah be pleased with him) used to say when countries were conquered in the time of Umar and Uthman and after, “Conquer where you will, by Allah, you have not conquered and to the Day of judgment you will not conquer a city but Allah has given its keys beforehand to Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).”

In the context, we read in the Sahih of Al-Bukhari the following narrations: Abu Hurairah (my Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said,

“I have been given the keys of eloquent speech and given victory with awe (cast into the hearts of the enemy), and while I was sleeping last night, the keys of the treasures of the earth were brought to me until they were put in my hand.”

Abu Hurairah added, “Allah’s Messenger left (this world) and now you people are carrying those treasures from place to place.” Also Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah’s Messenger said,

“When Chosroes is ruined, there will be no Chosroes after him; and when Caesar after him. By Him in Whose Hands my life is, you will spend their treasures in Allah’s Cause.”

THE CAMP OF QURAISH

When the the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) finished the trench, Quraihs come and encamped where the torrent-beds of Ruma meet between Al-Jurut and Zughabah with then thousand of their black mercenaries and their followers from the tribe of Kinanah and the people of Tuhamah. Ghatafan too come with their followers from Najad and halted at Dhanab Naqma towards the direction of Uhud.

On the other side, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and the Muslims come out with three thousand men having Sala at their backs. He pitched his camp there with the trench between him and his enemy, and gave orders that the women and children were to be taken up into the forts.

According to Ibn Hisham, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) appointed Ibn Umm Maktum as the ruler of Medina in that period. Al-Bukhari narrated on the authority of Aishah (my Allah be pleased with him) that the latter said, “As regards the following Qur’anic verse,

“Behold! They came on you from above you and from below you, and behold the eyes swerved and the hearts gaped up to the throats, and ye imagined various (vain0 thoughts about Allah.” (Al-Ahzab: 10) “

The happened on the Day of Al-Khandaq (trench) The Jewish tribe of Bani Quraizha, who had stood by the agreement, was pressed by a Jewish emissary from the enemy to break their promise. Eventually, they agreed to do so and when the news of this reached the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his Companions they were greatly troubled.

Sa’d Ibn Mu’ad, The leader of the trine of Aws, was sent by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) with two other men to fine out if this were true. When they arrived in the part of Medina were the Jews lived, they found that things were even worse then they had previously thought. Sa’d Ibn Mu’ad, whose tribe was closely allied with Banu Quraizah, tried to persuade their leader not to break the treaty with the Muslims could not relax their guard for one moment. for they were now threatened not only by the enemy beyond the trench, but by Banu Quraizha, within the walls of the city.

The situation, according to Ibn Ishaq, ceome serious and fear was everywhere. He enemy came at them from above and below until the believers imagined vain things and disaffection was rife among the disaffected to the point the Mu’attib Ibn Quraish, brother of Banu Amr Ibn Awf, said “Muhammad used to promise us that we should eat the treasures of Chosroes and Caesar and today not one of us can feel safe in going to the privy!”

It reached such a point that Aws Ibn Qazi said, “O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) Our houses are exposed to the enemy. This he said before a large gathering of his people. So let us go out and return to our home. for it is outside Medina.”

In this context, the Glorious Qur’an says,

And behold! The hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease say: ‘Allah and His Messenger promised us nothing but delusions! Behold! A party among them said: ‘Ye men of Yathrib! Ye cannot stand (the attack)! Therefore go back!’ And a band of them ask for leave of the Prophet, saying, Truly our houses are bare and exposed.’ Though they were not exposed: they intended nothing but to run away. (Al_Ahzab: 12-13)

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and the polytheists remained twenty days and more nearly a month, without fighting except for some shooting with arrows, and the siege. When condition pressed hard upon the people, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) wanted to offer Ghatahan a third of the dates of Medina on condition that they would go back and leave him and his men, so peace was made between them so for as the writing of a cocument. the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) consulted both Sa’d Ibn Abadah and Sa’d Ibn Mu’adh, the leaders of Al-Aws and AL-Ghazraj, regarding giving the unbelievers one-third of the fruits of Medina in return of making pace with them. They said. “Oh Messenger of Allah, is it a more plan of you, or a Divine order that we should abide by?” He said, “It is my plan to protect you against the allied forces of Arabs.” Sa’d Ibn Mu’adh said, “Oh Messenger of Allah, we were pagans and those never expected to take anything from the fruits of Medina. Then, Allah has honored us with Islam, guided us to Him and granted us dignity by believing in Him and following You. How could we give them our money! We are in no need of doing so. By Allah, we will give them nothing but swords, i.e., fighting, until Allah judges between us and them.” the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Don according to this?” In the meantime, some horsemen of Quraish, among whom were Amr Ibn Abd Wudd and Ikrimah Ibn abu Jahl, donned their armor and went forth on horseback to the stations of the tribe of Kinanah saying, “Prepare for fighting and then you will know who are true knights today.” They galloped forward until they stopped at the trench. When they saw it, they exclaimed, ‘This is a device that the Arabs have never employed.’

Then they made for a narrow part of the trench and beat their horses so that they dashed trough it and carried them into the swampy ground between the trench and Sal’. Ali with some Muslims came out to hold the gap through which they had forded a passage against (the rest) them and the horsemen galloped to meet them.

Amr Ibn Wudd come out wearing a distinguishing mark to show his rank, and when he and his contingent stopped the challenged anyone to fight him. Ali accepted the challenged and said to him, “Amr, you swore by Allah that if any man of Quraish offered you two alternatives you would accept on of them?” “Yes, I did,” be said. Ali replied, “Then I invite you to Allah and His Messenger and to Islam. “He said that had no use for them. Ali went on, “Then I call you to single combat.” He replied, “O son of my brother, I do not want to kill you.” Ali said, “But I want to kill you.” This so enraged Amr that he got off his horse and hamstrung it and beat its face; then he advanced on Ali, and they fought, the one circling round the other. Ali Killed him and their cavalry fled, bursting headlong on flight across the trench. The situation was so difficult that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his Companions had been prevented from offering the Asr Prayer in its due time.

Al-Bukhari narrated on the authority of Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that the latter said, “On the day of Al-Khandaq, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said,

“(Let) Allah fill their (i.e., the infidels houses and graves with fire just as they have prevented us from offering the Middle Prayer (Asr Prayer) until the sun had set.”

Al- Bukhari, moreover narrated that Ibn Jabir Ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Umar Ibn Khattab come on the day of Al- Khandaq after the sun had set and he was abusing the infidels of Quraish saying. “O Allah’s Messenger! I was unable to offer the (Asr) Prayer until the sun was about to set.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “By Allah, I have not offered this Asr Prayer.” “So we come down along with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to Buthan where he performed ablution for the prayer and then we performed the ablution for it. Then he offered the Asr Prayer after the sun had set, and after it he offered the Maghrib prayer.”

THE PROPHET’S DUA AGAINST QURAISH AND ITS ALLIES

In this context, we read the following narrations in Sahih Al-Bukhari:

Abdullah Ibn Abi Awafah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) invoked evil upon the clans saying,

“Allah, the Revealer of the Holy Book (i.e., the Qur’an), the Quick Taker of the accounts! Please defeat the clams. O Allah! Defeat them and shake them.”

Also, Abdullah (my Allah be pleased with him) reported that whenever Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) returned from a Ghazwah (battle), Hajj or Umrah, he used to start (saying, “Allahu-Akbar (Allah is the Greatest).” Thrice and then he would say,

“None has the right to be worshiped except Allah alone Who has no partners. To Him belongs the Kingdom, all praises are for Him, and He is Able to do all things (Omnipotent). We are returning with repentance (to Allah) worshiping, prostrating, and praising our Lord. Allah has fulfilled His promise, made His slave victorious, and He (Alone) defeated the clans (of infidels).”

HUDHAIFA’S DANGEROUS MISSION

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) wanted to know what Quraish was doing by nignt. Hudhaifah was ordered by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to do so.

It has been narrated by Ibrahim on the authority of his father who said, “we were sitting in the company of Hudhaifah. A man said, ‘If had been alive at the time of the Messenger of Allah, I should have fought by his said and should have striven hard for his causes.’ Hudhaifah said, ‘You might have done that (by you should not make a flourish of your enthusiasm). I was with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) on the night of the battle of Al-Ahzab and we were gripped by a violent wind and severe cold. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said,

“Hark, the man who (goes reconnoitering and) brings me the news of the enemy shall be ranked with me on the Day Judgment by Allah, Most High.”

We all kept quiet and none of us responded to him. (Again) he said,

“Hark, the man who (goes reconnoitering and) brings me the news of the enemy shall be ranked with me on the Day Judgment by Allah, Most High.”

We all kept quiet and none of us responded to him. He again said,

“Hark, the man who (goes reconnoitering and) brings me the news of the enemy shall be ranked with me on the Day Judgment by Allah, Most High.”

Then he said, “Stand up, Hudhaifah, bring me the news of the enemy!”

When he called me by name, I had not alternative but to stand up. He said,

“go and bring me information about the enemy, and do nothing that may provoke them against me.”

When I left him, I felt warm as if I were walking in a heated bath, until I reached them. When I saw Abu Sufyan warming his back against the fire, I put an arrow in the muddle of the bow, intending to shoot at him, but I recalled the words of “Hark, the man who (goes reconnoitering and) brings me the news of the enemy shall be ranked with me on the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), ‘do not provoke them against me.’ Had I shot at him, I should have hit him. But I returned and (felt warm as if) I were walking in a heated bath. Presenting myself to him, I gave him information about the enemy. When I had done so, I began to feel cold, so the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) wrapped me in a blanket that he had surplus his own requirements and with which he used to cover himself while saying his prayers. So I continued to sleep until it was morning. When it was morning, he aid, “Rise, Oh heavy sleeper!”

THE COMING OF ALLAH’S HELP

Allah, Most High, sent bitter cold wind against the polytheists in the winter nights which upset their cooking-pots and overthrew their tents.

In this connection, Allah, Most High, revealed the following Qur’anic verses,

“O ye who believer! Remember the grace of Allah, (bestowed) on you, when there come down on you hosts (yo overwhelm you): but We sent against them a hurricane and forces that ye was not: but Allah sees (clearly) all that ye do…. And Allah turned back the unbelievers for (all) their fury: no advantage did they gain; and enough is Allah for the believers in their fight. And Allah is Full of Strength, Exalted in Might. (Al-Ahzab: 9-25) “

Al- Bukhari narrated on the authority of Sulaiman Ibn Surd who said, ‘When the clans were driven away, I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying,

“Form now onwards we will go to attack them (the polytheists) and they will not come to attack us, but we will go to them’ “

On the day of Al_Khandiq the following Muslimi wer martyred: Sa’d Ibn Mu’adh, Ans Ibn Aws, Abdullah Ibn Sahl, At-Tufail Ibn Nu’man, The Iabah Ibn Ghanamah and Ka’b Ibn Zaid (may Allah pleased with him all).