Trench War

The ruler of Domatlul Jandle had economically strangulated the people of Medina by imposing restrictions upon the trade Caravans of medina going to Syria and Middle East. Holy Prophet on in taking about one thousand believers with him decided to go to Domatul Jandle. On the way he had a meeting with the chief of the Gutfan Tribe to persuade him to remain impartial in case of any war. The chief said that he is an ally of Quraish and because of that of the Jews of Khyber and in case of an attack upon medina he is bound to help them with his army, which according to him was expected shortly.

Holy Prophet gathered the reports of intelligence and when the information was confirmed to be true, he returned to Medina and counseled with his companions. According to the information received number of army of Quraish exceeded ten thousand warriors. Salman Farsi, a learned companion of the Holy Prophet suggested that a trench should be dug around the city as was done in territories beyond Arabia to defend a city or a fort. The trench was to have width and depth that couldn't be crossed by the infantry or cavalry units of the enemy.

Holy Prophet approved the Idea of digging a trench around the city and ordered to gather entire produce of the farms and fields in the suburbs of and amass it in the storehouses in Medina. The length of minimum required ditch was about six kilometers. All the males and females including the young girls and boys of Muslim population of Medina got busy in digging a trench around the city. Muslims set an example of sacrifice and submission in digging a six kilometers long trench around the city. They all worked round the clock. Muslims were working in groups of ten people each when one group finished its part of the task: it started assisting the other group.

Holy Prophet also worked hard day and night by taking part in digging or carrying the earth out of the trench.

When the arm of ten thousand warriors of infidels reached Medina the trench was complete and the weather was changing. The soldiers were feeling cold in their tents. The Muslims guarding the trench at night were at different places were also in distress because of the cold weather.

When Abu Sufyan failed in finding any way of crossing the trench, he approached the Jews of Hanu Quriza. When Muslims figured it out that Quraish and Banu Quriza were about to enter a war pact, they got worried and said to the Holy Prophet. We are in great danger, if the Quraish attack us from the front the Banu Quriza from behind then we are bound to suffer a heavy loss and we may not be victorious." Holy Prophet after listening to all this said very calmly. The infidels are depending upon the help of Jews and I believe in depending upon God. Believe you me, God will not abandon us."

Then it happened that an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion was created between Quraish and Banu Quriza and they could not agree to unite against Muslims. When the siege of Medina prolonged and for more than a fortnight the problems relating to the supply of ration and fodder for the animals started emerging. Commanders of the army were facing the challenge of scarcity of provisions. They also knew that if the ration for the soldiers could not be arranged it might end up in mutiny resulting killings of soldiers amongst themselves which would be disastrous for them. One night when they were wrecking their brains to find some solution to this situation a fierce wind started blowing and all the tents fell upon the ground, the fire also extinguished. The army that was not used to cold was in awful condition and then to add to their misery it started raining torrentially, which culminated into a flood. Abu Sufyan could not withstand the situation and in sheer fright he ordered to abort the siege and leave.

He was so confused and puzzled that when he rode his camel to run away he forgot to open the string with which the camel was tied to the peg and he was just hitting the camel with his whip.

Although the siege of Medina had come to an end and war inflicted upon Muslims was over the economic sanctions and blockade were very much in place.