Battle of the Trench

The Battle of the Trench (Arabic: غزوة الخندق, romanized: Ghazwat al-Khandaq), also known as the Battle of Khandaq (Arabic: معركة الخندق, romanized: Ma’rakah al-Khandaq) and the Battle of the Confederates (Arabic: غزوة الاحزاب, romanized: Ghazwat al-Ahzab), was part of the conflict between the Muslims and the Quraysh, where this time the Quraysh took the offensive and advanced on the Muslims, who defended themselves in Medina by digging a trench around their settlement at the suggestion of Salman the Persian. The battle, which took place in 627 and lasted around two weeks, was lightly fought, with the Muslims reported to have suffered five to six casualties and the Quraysh three.

This article is about the event in early Islamic history. For the type of modern warfare, see Trench warfare. For the battle of the Greek War of Independence, see Battle of the Trench (1821). For the battle in 217 BCE mentioned in the histories by Polybius, see Battle of Leontion. For the battle of the Second Messenian War (7th century BCE), see Battle of the Great Foss.

Battle of the Trench
Part of the Muslim–Quraysh War

Map of the Battle of the Trench
Date31 March 627 – c. 14 April 627
Location
Surrounding perimeter of Medina
24°29′N 39°35′E
Result

Stalemate

  • Confederates Withdrawal
  • Muslim invasion of Banu Qurayza
Belligerents

Muslims including

  • The Ansar of Khazraj and Aws
  • The Muhajirun of various origins including significant portions of Quraysh Immigrants and Banu Qays

Confederates including

Commanders and leaders
Muhammad
Ali Ibn Abi Talib
Salman the Persian
'Ubadah ibn al-Samit		 Abu Sufyan
Amr ibn Abd al-Wud  †
Tulayha
Strength
3,000 10,000
7,500 (Watt’s Estimate)
Casualties and losses
5 – 6 3
Location within Saudi Arabia

The Quraysh, tired of seeing the Islamic prophet Muhammad continue to raid and plunder their trade caravans despite his defeat at the Battle of Uhud, decided to occupy his city base, Medina. Realizing that they had little military capability as they were only merchants, they negotiated vigorously with the Bedouins to get them to join the campaign. The Banu Nadir, whom Muhammad had previously expelled from Medina, were also part of this effort, to the extent that they offered the Bedouins half of their crops in Khaybar to persuade them to take part. In the end, they reportedly managed to gather a confederate force of 10,000 men (Watt estimates less than 7,500), including Banu Ghatafan, Banu Sulaym, and Banu Asad.

On the other hand, Muhammad, having learned of the impending Quraysh advance, took the advice of Salman the Persian to have his followers make a deep trench to impede their movement. The Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza assisted with this Muslims' effort by digging the trench and lending them their tools. When the Quraysh approached, they were unfamiliar with this tactic and struggled to get beyond the trench. As the siege gradually dragged on, Muhammad used the time to negotiate secretly with the Banu Ghatafan, sowing distrust among his opponents. After about two weeks, the weather deteriorated and the invading party withdrew.

The battle caused the Meccans to lose their trade to Syria and much of their prestige. Whereas for Muhammad, he was then reportedly visited by Gabriel, who directed him to attack the Banu Qurayza, which led to the slaughter and enslavement of its population by the Muslims.

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