Juz 21: Al-ʿAnkabūt 46 to Al-Aḥzāb 30
Section 16 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
The Battle of the Trench (Khandaq)
Beginning from verse 9, Surah Al-Ahzab provides a detailed account of one of the most critical moments in early Islamic history – the Battle of the Trench (Khandaq), which occurred in Shawwal of the fifth year after Hijrah. This battle represented the largest military coalition ever assembled against the Muslims up to that point, with the Quraysh rallying numerous Arab tribes, including the powerful Ghatafan from the north, creating an unprecedented force of 10,000-15,000 fighters.
Upon learning of this massive coalition, the Prophet (peace be upon him) consulted his companions about defensive strategies. Salman Al-Farisi, drawing from Persian military tactics, suggested digging a trench along the northern boundary of Madinah, as the southern side was already protected by the fortresses of the Jewish tribes with whom the Muslims had agreements of mutual protection. This innovative defensive strategy was implemented at what is now known as the area of the Seven Mosques north of the Prophet's Mosque.
The surah vividly depicts the emotional and psychological state of the believers during this siege, which lasted approximately one month:
إِذْ جَاءُوكُم مِّن فَوْقِكُمْ وَمِنْ أَسْفَلَ مِنكُمْ وَإِذْ زَاغَتِ الْأَبْصَارُ وَبَلَغَتِ الْقُلُوبُ الْحَنَاجِرَ وَتَظُنُّونَ بِاللَّهِ الظُّنُونَا
“(Remember) when they came upon you from above you and from below you, and when the eyes became dull, and the hearts reached the throats, and you were harboring doubts about Allah." (33:10)”
This powerful description captures the intense fear and anxiety that gripped the believers when faced with seemingly overwhelming odds. The surah continues to describe how the hypocrites exploited this critical situation, claiming that Allah's promises of victory were mere deception:
وَإِذْ يَقُولُ الْمُنَافِقُونَ وَالَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ مَّا وَعَدَنَا اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ إِلَّا غُرُورًا
“And when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease said, 'Allah and His Messenger promised us nothing but delusion.'" (33:12)”
In this moment of severe testing, Allah reminded the believers of the perfect example they have in the Prophet (peace be upon him):
لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا
“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent exemplar for anyone who has hope in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah often." (33:21)”
This verse establishes the fundamental Islamic principle of ittibā' (emulation of the Prophet), distinguishing Islam from traditions where prophetic figures are revered but not necessarily emulated in detailed aspects of daily life.
The siege eventually ended when Allah sent a powerful windstorm that uprooted the enemy's tents and scattered their animals, causing them to lose morale and retreat. This divine intervention fulfilled Allah's promise of victory without requiring a direct military confrontation.
The surah concludes this section with a powerful promise that extends beyond this immediate victory:
وَأَوْرَثَكُمْ أَرْضَهُمْ وَدِيَارَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُمْ وَأَرْضًا لَّمْ تَطَئُوهَا ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ
“and He let you inherit their land and their homes and their wealth, and a land you have not trodden (so far) . And Allah is Powerful to do any thing.” (33:27)