The Battle of Ahzab (The Allies)
Again in the
month of Shawwal, two years later in 5 A.H., another great war was on
the rise. The Jews allied themselves with the unbelievers of Mecca led
by Abu Sufyan, the Bedouin tribes of Ghatafan, Solaim, Bani Qais and
Bani Asad as well as the Jews of Khaibar to destroy Islam and its
Prophet in a final escapade.
This battle is
historical in its nature and an example of the excellent defensive
capabilities of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.). It is known also as
the Battle of Khandaq (ditch or trench) because of the innovative
strategy of digging a trench fifteen feet wide and as deep along the
undefended north-west edge of the city. The enemy soon approached and
were struck dumb with astonishment. This mode of defense was unknown to
the Arabs, and they were at a loss to understand how to overcome this
obstacle so they laid siege.
Madinah was
besieged by 10,000 idolaters from diverse clans. Banu Quraidah severed
their peace agreement with the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) and joined
the ranks of the unbelievers. Thus, the balance of forces changed in
favor of the enemy. The Muslims were deeply frightened. The Qur’an
describes them saying:
"When
they came upon you from above you and from below you, and when the eyes
turned dull and the hearts rose up to the throats, and you began to
think diverse thoughts concerning Allah." Holy Qur’an (33:10)
More than a
fortnight elapsed, when a party of the besiegers’ horsemen found the
narrowest and weakest guarded part of the ditch. Amru bin Abd Wid,
Nawfal bin Abdullah and Dzarar bin Al-Khattab, led by Ikrimah bin Abu
Jahl, spurring their horses leaped forward towards the Muslims and
challenged them to single combat.
Amru bin Abd
Wid, on horseback, strolled conceitedly on the other side of the trench,
taunting the Muslims and taking pride in his heroic deeds. He then
shouted: "Is there anyone among
you who will challenge me in a single combat?"
Imam Ali
(a.s.) asked the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) to permit him to accept the
challenge, but the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said:
"Sit down. It is Amru."
Abd Wid repeated
his challenge debasing the Muslims and mocking them, saying:
"Where is your Paradise to which you
allege to go if you were killed? So, why don’t you send me a man
accepting my challenge?"
As none of the
Muslims showed willingness to accept his challenge, Imam Ali (a.s.)
repeated his request: "I am for
him, O Messenger of Allah!"
The Messenger of
Allah (s.a.w.) again declined saying:
"Sit down, it is Amru!"
Imam Ali (a.s.)
showed little respect for Amru and others like him, and said,
"What if he is Amru!"
At this stage
the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) agreed to let him go. He gave Ali
(a.s.) his own sword, Dhulfiqar, dressed him with his own armor, and put
his own turban on his head, and then he said,
"O Lord! This is my brother and cousin.
So, my Lord, do not let me alone. You are the best of inheritors!"
Ali went to the
battle-field and talked to Amru, saying:
"You had made a promise to God that no man
of the Quraish would give you two courses without you choosing one of
them."
"Indeed,"
replied Amru, "What is that?"
"I
summon you to Allah, His Messenger and to Islam."
Imam Ali said.
"I
have no need of that." He
answered.
"Then
I summon you to fight." said
Imam Ali (a.s.)
"Go
back," he told him,
"There was great friendship between me and
your father, and I do not like to kill you."
"But
by Allah, I like to kill you."
Amru became
angry and darted at Imam Ali (a.s.), who faced him boldly, as usual, and
killed him. The voice of Imam Ali (a.s.) was heard heralding
"Allahu Akbar"
(Allah is the Greatest!) which indicated victory.
When Imam Ali
(a.s.) returned from the battlefield, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.)
received him and said: "The
fighting of Ali bin Abi Talib with Amru bin Abd Wid is greater in
measure than the actions of my people until the Day of Resurrection."
After killing of
Amru bin Abd Wid, Imam Ali (a.s.) had the gap in the trench which Amru
had breached blocked, and took his post at that point with the intention
of confronting anyone who might try to cross the trench. Otherwise, the
army of the disbeliever’s, with their thousands, would have invaded
Madinah and beaten the Muslims. Thus, Imam Ali (a.s.) heroism in the
Battle of Ahzab was the most decisive factor in victory for the Muslims,
and in defeating the army of the disbeliever’s. The death of Amru
struck terror in the hearts of the enemy and they began to abandon the
fight group by group. Soon, Abu Sufyan, as well, had to retreat.
The crushing
defeat suffered by the unbelievers in the Battle of Ahzab at the hands
of Imam Ali (a.s.) so shattered their power and pride that they never
afterwards thought of advancing towards Medinah with any sinister
design. This battle also showed them beyond doubt that with a selfless
supporter, and a dauntless warrior like Imam Ali (a.s.) to protect the
Holy Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.) and his Mission, Islam had come to stay.
Following the
Battle of Ahzab, several minor wars took place in which the reputation
of Imam Ali (a.s.) gained great notoriety and fear in the hearts of
anyone who opposed him. Many great warriors would refuse to face him on
the battlefield and sometimes Imam Ali (a.s.) in order to put an end to
a battle would disguise himself or move stealthily at night so that the
enemy would not recognize him. The battles of Banu Quraidah, Banu
Mustalaeq, and Fadak are some of these
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