Introduction:
Islam is a universal religion. Many of the prophet’s companions came from different countries. There was Bilal the Abyssinian, Suhaib the Roman and Salman the Persian. This added to the power of islam and introduced new ideas to Muslims.
The battle of the trench:
In their online lessons and courses of the Holy Quran and Islamic studies, kid and adult students learn that Quraish had good relations with the Jews of al-Madinah. Though the Jews knew very well that prophet Mohammad was a true prophet, the Holy Quran is the true book of Allah and that Islam was the religion of Allah, the Jews conspired against prophet Mohammad and the Muslims as well. Regardless of the accords signed between prophet Mohammad and the Jews which made it obligatory for the jews to defend al-Madina with the Muslims in case of any foreign attack, the treacherous Jews insinuated, urged and encouraged Quraish to assault al-Madinah though. Therefore,encouraged by the Jews, the Quraish prepared more than ten thousand warriors forming a collision of tribes to end up with prophet Mohammad and his companions.
It was a war and its strategic plans:
Prophet Mohammad met with his companions. They formed what can be called a war assembly. He consulted his companions about what was to be done to defend al-Madinah. There was brainstorming and a lot of companions gave their opinions. It was Salman the Persian who recommended digging a defensive trench around al-Madinah. The idea was new to the Arabs. It was a surprise which Quraish never expected. prophet Mohammad and his companions set to work. While digging the trench, the companions would often find a huge rock on their way. They couldn’t lift such a rock. They would resort to prophet Mohammad to help them with it. It was prophet Mohammad who lifted it.
The victory of Muslims:
It was winter time. Quraish forces arrived at the borders of al-Madinah. They were puzzled to see the trench. The Quraish army could do nothing about it. The assaulting forces imposed a siege around al-Madinah. Whenever they tried to cross the trench, Muslim fighters would kill those who attempted to cross. One windy cold night, the wind blew the tents and the cooking pots of Quraish away. The Quraish couldn’t withstand the siege any more. Eventually the Quraish withdrew their forces. They headed for Makkah. They were defeated. This battle happened in the fifth year after al-Hijrah.
Debts were paid:
Prophet Mohammad and his companions were victorious after the battle of the Trench. However, there was no time for them. They wanted the Jews to pay for their treason. So prophet Mohammad asked his companions not to put down their arms or armors. He asked his companions to meet him at al-Asr prayer at the district of the Jewish bani al-Nadir. The Muslims imposed a siege around the Jewish houses. Finally, the Jewish bani al-nadir were expelled out of the town of al-Madinah for their treason.
The Redwan pledge:
Having beaten the Quraish and done it with bani al-Nadir, the prophet and his companions wanted to visit Makkah for Umrah. Accompanied by more than ten thousand followers and companions, prophet Mohammad departed for makkah. They had their Hadi, animals of sacrifice, walk in front of them. The Muslims were not armed. That was a clear sign that they were peaceful and didn’t intend to fight. All they wanted was to visit al-kaaba. It was another heavy blow for Quraish. They couldn’t allow Muslims to enter makkah for Umrah. If they had done so, it would have been a confession of their defeat against Mohammad and his companions, they thought. If they had refused to allow Muslims to visit the holy mosque, it would have seemed as if the Quraish forbade the Arabs from visiting al-kaaba, they thought.
The agreement of al-Hudaibiah:
Quraish sent a delegation to negotiate an agreement. Also, prophet Mohammad sent Uthman ibn Affan as an envoy to reach an agreement. Finally, the negotiating parties reached an agreement. The agreement stated that prophet Mohammad and his companions returned back to Madinah without performing al-umrah on condition that they would do it the following year. Moreover, Quraish would accept any Muslim who rejected islam and joined Quraish. Meanwhile, Muslims wouldn’t accept any Quraish convert who would join Muslims in al-Madinah. Moreover, there would be a truce for a few years so that Muslims and Quraysh didn’t fight each other.
