Detailed Account

In the fifth year after Hijrah, a grand coalition of Arab tribes led by the Quraysh and including Jewish allies gathered 10,000 soldiers to attack Madinah and eliminate the Muslims. Learning of this unprecedented threat, the Prophet ﷺ consulted his companions. Salman al-Farisi suggested digging a trench around Madinah's vulnerable northern side (a Persian military tactic unknown to Arabs), which the Muslims implemented despite severe hunger and cold. The Prophet ﷺ personally participated in the digging, during which several miracles occurred: he struck a rock causing sparks and prophesied conquests of Persia, Rome, and Yemen; he multiplied a small amount of food to feed hundreds; and he converted water into milk for thirsty diggers. When the coalition arrived, they were shocked by this unexpected defensive strategy that neutralized their cavalry advantage. The siege lasted approximately one month with limited skirmishes. The most significant was when Amr ibn Abd Wudd and other warriors crossed a narrow part of the trench to challenge Muslims to single combat. Ali ibn Abi Talib accepted and killed Amr in a famous duel. Meanwhile, the Prophet ﷺ successfully implemented diplomatic strategy by sending Nu'aym ibn Mas'ud (a new convert unknown to the allies) to create discord among the confederate tribes, sowing distrust between Banu Qurayza and the Makkan forces. This strategy, combined with severe weather conditions sent by Allah (intense cold, wind that extinguished fires and blew away tents), broke the coalition's morale. After nearly a month of unsuccessful siege, the confederates withdrew without achieving their objectives, fulfilling the Quranic description: 'Allah repelled the disbelievers in their rage; they gained no advantage.'