Incidents from the Battle of Al-Ahzab

06/08/2024| IslamWeb

In the fifth year of the Hijrah, the polytheistic forces rallied against the Muslims and advanced towards Medina with a formidable army, comprising ten thousand fighters from the tribes of Quraysh, Ghatafan, Banu Sulaym, and others. Led by Abu Sufyan, their goal was the complete eradication of Islam and its followers. During this time, the Muslims in Medina faced dire circumstances: they were outnumbered, surrounded by enemies, suffering from intense hunger, and enduring extreme cold. Additionally, they contended with the betrayal of the Jews, threats, and the spread of rumors by the hypocrites. Allah, the Exalted, depicts the plight of the Muslims then, stating: “O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allah upon you when armies came to [attack] you and We sent upon them a wind and armies [of angels] you did not see. And ever is Allah, of what you do, Seeing. [Remember] when they came at you from above you and from below you, and when eyes shifted [in fear], and hearts reached the throats and you assumed about Allah [various] assumptions. There, the believers were tested and shaken with a severe shaking.” [Quran 33:9-11] Ibn Kathir commented, “Allah, the Almighty, speaks of His benevolence, grace, and kindness to His believing servants by repelling their enemies and securing their victory in the year they were besieged and formed alliances against them, which was the year of the trench, in Shawwal of the fifth year of the Hijrah, according to the most accurate opinion.”

As-Sa‘di remarked, “There, the believers underwent a severe trial and were profoundly shaken by fear, anxiety, and hunger. This ordeal was designed to reveal their true faith and to enhance their certainty. As a result, their faith and unshakeable certainty became greater than that of any previous or subsequent generations.”

When the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) learned that the Confederates (Al-Ahzab) were marching toward Medina with intentions to engage the Muslims in battle, he sought counsel from his Companions. Following their deliberation, they resolved to fortify themselves within Medina and defend it. Salman the Persian (may Allah be pleased with him), drawing on his background in Persian military strategies, proposed the construction of a trench around Medina. He suggested, “O Messenger of Allah, in Persia, when we were besieged, we would dig a trench around ourselves.” The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) approved of this strategy and commanded that a trench be dug around Medina. As the ordeal deepened for the Muslims, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) prayed against the Confederates. Allah, the Exalted, answered His Prophet’s prayers, and signs of relief and victory began to manifest. Quraysh and the Confederates retreated, frustrated and vanquished, lifting the siege. Security was restored, the believers remained unyielding, and faith prevailed.

Abdullah Ibn Awfa (may Allah be pleased with him) recounted, “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) prayed against the Confederates, saying, ‘O Allah, Revealer of the Book, Swift to account, defeat the Confederates. O Allah, defeat them and shake them.’” [Al-Bukhari] Abu Sa‘id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated, “On the day of the trench, we said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what shall we recite? Our hearts have reached our throats.’ He replied, ‘Recite: O Allah, conceal our vulnerabilities and still our fears.’” He added, “Allah then smote His enemies’ faces with the wind and subdued them with it.” [Ahmad]

In the Battle of Al-Ahzab (also known as the Battle of the Trench), there are numerous incidents that offer profound lessons for reflection. One such episode involves Hudhayfah Ibn Al-Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him), whom the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) tasked with infiltrating the enemy ranks to gather intelligence. Ibrahim At-Taymi related a report from his father, Yazid Ibn Sharik, who said:

We were with Hudhayfah when a man remarked, “Had I been with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), I would have fought valiantly alongside him.” Hudhayfah replied, “Would you really have done so? I recall a night with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) during the Battle of Al-Ahzab. We faced a biting wind and intense cold. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked, ‘Who will bring us news of the enemy, and in return, Allah will place him with me on the Day of Resurrection?’ We remained silent; no one responded. He repeated his request twice more, and still, no one responded. Finally, he said, ‘Rise, Hudhayfah, and bring us news of the enemy.’ When he called me by name, I had no choice but to go.’ He instructed me, ‘Go, bring back news of the enemy, and ensure they do not become aware of you.’ As I departed, I felt as if I were walking in a warm bath, protected from the cold and wind, by Allah’s grace, in response to answering the Prophet’s call and undertaking the mission. Upon reaching the enemy, I saw Abu Sufyan warming his back by a fire, so I placed an arrow in my bow and was ready to shoot him, but then I remembered the words of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), ‘ensure they do not become aware of you.’ Had I proceeded, I would have surely hit him. So, I returned, still feeling as if walking in warmth. Upon delivering the news to the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), the cold seeped back into me. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then covered me with a part of the cloak he was using for prayer, and I slept until morning. At dawn, he woke me, saying, ‘Rise, O sleeper.’” [Muslim]

This narrative highlights the exceptional virtues of Hudhayfah Ibn Al-Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him) and the honor bestowed upon him when he wore the cloak of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). It further shows the humility, wisdom, and insight of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), as well as a miraculous sign, given that Hudhayfah was unaffected by the severe cold and wind due to the blessing of obeying the Prophet’s command. However, upon returning and reporting the enemy’s movements to the Prophet, Hudhayfah again felt the cold that the others were experiencing.

Hudhayfah Ibn Al-Yaman, the narrator of this incident from the Battle of Al-Ahzab (the Trench), is described by Adh-Dhahabi in “Siyar A‘lam An-Nubalaa’” as one of the eminent Companions of Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and the keeper of the Prophet’s secrets. He is noted for narrating twelve hadiths across the two Sahihs—eight in Al-Bukhari and seventeen [OE1] in Muslim. Entrusted by the Prophet with the names of the hypocrites and forewarned of future tribulations within the Ummah, Hudhayfah was once approached by Umar, who asked, “Am I among the hypocrites?” to which Hudhayfah reassured, “No, and I will not give this assurance to anyone after you.” Notably, it was Hudhayfah whom the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) sent on that critical night of the Confederates to gather intelligence about the enemy. His virtues and contributions are numerous, and he notably said, “People used to ask the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) about good, but I used to ask him about evil, fearing that it might overtake me.”

The story and role of Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) during the Battle of Al-Ahzab exemplify the Prophet’s profound understanding of his Companions’ capabilities. He selected Hudhayfah for a demanding task under severe conditions, specifically, to spy on the Confederates, a mission requiring exceptional courage, agility, and the ability to make rapid, critical decisions. The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was adept at assigning the most suitable individuals for specific roles. For military leadership, he chose individuals who possessed sound judgment, effective management, and courage, like Khalid Ibn Al-Walid (may Allah be pleased with him). For the mission of inviting others to Islam and imparting teachings, he selected those who were knowledgeable, well-mannered, gentle, and capable of engaging people, like Mus‘ab Ibn Umayr (may Allah be pleased with him). For diplomatic missions to kings and rulers, he chose those who were well-presented, articulate, and quick-witted, such as Abdullah Ibn Hudhafah (may Allah be pleased with him). For intricate and perilous tasks, he chose those who exhibited remarkable bravery, resilience, emotional control, and crisis management skills, like Hudhayfah and Abdullah Ibn Unais (may Allah be pleased with them). The Prophet’s (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) ability to discern and harness the distinct qualities and characteristics of his Companions not only demonstrates his profound wisdom but also his extensive knowledge of human nature.

The Prophet’s directive for Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) to infiltrate the enemy’s army underscores the critical role of reconnaissance in warfare. This is illustrated by his repeated call, “Who will bring us news of the enemy, and in return, Allah will place him with me on the Day of Resurrection?” When no one responded, he specifically commanded, “Rise, Hudhayfah, and bring us news of the enemy.” An-Nawawi commented on this, stating, “This hadith highlights the necessity for the imam and the army commander to deploy scouts and patrols to gather intelligence about the enemy. Allah knows best.” Furthermore, Hudhayfah’s experience reflects the Prophet’s deep affection for his Companions, his concern for their well-being, and his compassionate nature. Thus, Allah, the Exalted, described him as: “There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful.” [Quran 9:128] This profound love is evident in the Prophet’s (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) instruction to Hudhayfah, “Do not alarm them about me.” An-Nawawi explained this statement, “Ensure they do not become aware of you, meaning do not startle them or provoke them against me. Some interpret this as ‘do not incite them,’ which aligns closely with the first interpretation. The essential message is: do not provoke an attack against you, for if they capture you, it would cause me distress because you are my messenger and Companion.”

Upon Hudhayfah’s return from this demanding mission, the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) enveloped him in the cloak he had been using during prayer. Exhausted, Hudhayfah fell asleep until the dawn prayer. In a gentle and playful manner, the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) awoke him, saying, “Rise, O sleeper,” a light-hearted reference to his profound tiredness.

One of the profound lessons from Hudhayfah’s role in the Battle of Al-Ahzab is the imperative to obey the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and adhere to his commands, even when they seem counterintuitive or personally challenging. Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) exemplified this obedience under extremely harsh conditions. His decision to refrain from killing Abu Sufyan, despite having the opportunity, was a direct adherence to the Prophet’s instruction. He recounted, “I saw Abu Sufyan warming his back by a fire, so I placed an arrow in my bow and was ready to shoot him, but then I remembered the words of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), ‘ensure they do not become aware of you.’ Had I proceeded, I would have surely hit him.”

Such obedience to the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is associated with blessings, guidance, redemption, and success both in this world and the Hereafter. Allah the Exalted states: “And if you obey him, you will be [rightly] guided.” [Quran 24:54] He further declares: “And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.” [Quran 33:71] An-Nawawi commented on Hudhayfah’s experience, noting that he did not feel the cold or the severe wind that others did, as Allah protected him due to the blessing of obeying the Prophet and his prayer for him. This protection lasted until he returned; once back, the harsh cold that the others felt resumed for him. This is recognized as one of the miracles of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

The biography of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is rich with lessons and moral teachings derived from his battles, events, and incidents. Due to its significance, the Companions and our righteous predecessors (may Allah be pleased with them) imparted this knowledge to their children. Zain Al-Abidin Ibn Ali Ibn Al-Husayn remarked, “We were taught the military expeditions of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) just as we were taught a surah from the Quran.” Muhammad Ibn Sa‘d Ibn Abi Waqqas recalled, “My father used to educate us about the military expeditions and missions of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), advising, ‘O my sons, this is the honor of your fathers, so do not neglect it.’” Al-Hafiz Al-Khatib Al-Baghdadi emphasized, “Many rulings are derived from the military expeditions of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), necessitating their documentation and preservation.” The Battle of Al-Ahzab profoundly impacted the Muslims, as the disbelievers, Jews, and their allies gathered to besiege and attack Medina. The Muslims responded by digging a trench around the city for protection. Despite enduring these hardships, they remained patient and steadfast. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) displayed exemplary courage and steadfastness, such as the stance of Hudhayfah. Ultimately, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, intervened with His victory. He defeated the Confederates Himself, honored His soldiers, thwarted the schemes of the disbelievers, and prevented them from undertaking further aggression against the believers. He ensured their defeat and granted victory to His own party.