Context and the Confederation
After the defeat at Uhud (625 CE), the Quraysh and allied tribes saw an opportunity to eliminate the Muslim community before it grew stronger. The Banu al-Nadir (a Jewish tribe expelled from Medina in 625 CE) played a key role in organizing the confederation against the Muslims — traveling to the Quraysh and Ghatafan to coordinate the assault.
The coalition assembled approximately 10,000 fighters — an overwhelming force against Medina’s 3,000 defenders.
The Trench
Salman al-Farsi suggested an innovative strategy: dig a trench across the northern approach to Medina, protecting the side that was naturally unprotected. The Prophet organized the Muslims into groups, each responsible for a section. The Prophet himself participated in digging.
A famous miracle occurred during the digging: a hard rock resisted all tools. The Prophet struck it three times with a pick, and with each blow he said: “Allahu Akbar — I have been given the keys of Syria / Persia / Yemen.” — prophesying the future Islamic conquests.
The Siege — Three Weeks
The confederation arrived to find the trench — an approach they had no answer for. Arab cavalry tactics required open field engagement; the trench prevented this. For three weeks:
- The Quraysh could not cross
- Occasional arrow exchanges occurred
- A few cavalry attempted to cross at a narrow point and were repelled (including ‘Amr ibn ‘Abd Wudd, killed by Ali ibn Abi Talib)
The Resolution
The Banu Qurayza (the remaining Jewish tribe inside Medina) reportedly negotiated with the confederation to attack the Muslims from within. The Prophet sent envoys to verify. Their reported treachery created an additional crisis — potential enemies on two fronts.
Divine intervention: The Quran (33:9): “O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allah upon you when armies came to [attack] you and We sent against them a wind and armies [of angels] you did not see.”
A powerful storm struck the confederation’s camp, destroying their tents and disrupting their supplies. Internal disagreements between the Quraysh and Ghatafan about whether to continue led to withdrawal.
See also: Prophet Muhammad, Seerah Medina, Seerah Badr, Seerah Uhud, Sahaba, Ali Ibn Abi Talib