The Battle of the Trench (al-Ahzab)

A confederacy of some 10,000 fighters — Quraish, Ghatafan and their allies, drawn together by leaders of Banu an-Nadir — marches on Madinah. On Salman al-Farisi’s advice the Muslims dig a trench across the open northern side, the Prophet ﷺ at their head encouraging and helping them through severe hunger. The siege lasts over a month. Nu’aim bin Mas’ud sows distrust among the allies, and a freezing wind tears down their camp until they leave. From now on, the Prophet says, the Muslims will not wait to be invaded.

As the book dates it: Shawwal – Dhul-Qa’dah, 5 A.H.

Who was there

• SSalman al-FarisiA Persian companion who suggested digging the trench around Madinah.
• ASAbu Sufyan bin HarbLeader of Quraish in the wars against the Muslims, who accepted Islam just before the Conquest of Makkah.
• NMNu’aim bin Mas’udA new Muslim whose quiet efforts split the allied armies at the Trench.
• HHudhaifah bin al-YamanSent out on a bitterly cold night at the Trench to bring back news of the enemy camp.
• SMSa’d bin Mu’adhA clan chief of Madinah whose people accepted Islam with him; he was later asked to judge Banu Qurayzah.