Chief of the Prophets

Chief of the Prophets — Page 158

Chapter Eight Battle of the Confederates Expulsion of the Banū Quraiẓah Letters to Various Kings Inviting Them to Islam Ghazwah of Khaibar ‘Umratul-Qa*ā’ The Battle of Mutah Battle of the Confederates (Battle of the Ditch) The next part of the life of Muḥammad sa is characterized by a united effort on part of all Arabia to make its utmost and final attempt to wipe out Islam. The Quraish of Makkah and the tribes of Najd, including Banū Ghaṭafān and Banū Sulaim, were already thirsty for the Muslims’ blood. When the exiled Jews who had settled at Khaibar toured all of Arabia, they cleverly convinced the other tribes of Arabia to wage war against the Muslims. About two years after the Battle of Uḥud, a mighty army of disbelievers estimated to be between 10,000 and 24,000 under the command of Abū Sufyān descended on Madīnah like a great flood in all of its pomp and pride. This army had barely left Makkah when Muḥammad sa found out about it through some special means. Muḥammad sa immediately gathered the Companions and consulted with them. Salmān, the Persian ra , 1 who was aware of foreign strategies of war, pointed out that Madīnah was protected on three sides because of its natural geographic location—its thick trees, continuous rocks, and walls. He advised that a deep and long ditch be dug on the fourth side to thwart a sudden attack of the enemy. Muḥammad sa approved of this proposal 2 and instructed groups of 15 Companions each to dig a piece of land about 15 feet wide to prepare the ditch under the supervision of Salmān ra. 3 Muḥammad sa took part in the digging of 1 A Companion of Persian origin. [Publisher] 2 Aṭ-Ṭabarī and Ibni Sa‘d. 3 Baiḥaqī, cited by Fatḥul-Bārī.