Epic Battles of Badr, Uhud & The Trench! - The Muslims Achieved the Impossible!
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The year is 624. That critical day had come. The day that would shape the future of Islam. Either Islam would begin to rise with a great victory, or everything would end right there on that battlefield. The Muslims were so close to victory. But one crucial mistake turned everything upside down. The Mujahideen (warriors) suddenly found themselves surrounded from both the front and the back, trapped between two fierce attacks. Seizing the moment, Wahshi threw his spear and it pierced through the chest of this mighty companion. The army's only approach to the city was blocked by a trench that was nearly 6 kilometers long. They were incredibly wide and deep, like a barrier impossible to cross.
The confidence they had felt for an easy victory suddenly turned into fear and uncertainty. Faced with such a defensive tactic, the enemy had no idea what to do, because they had never seen anything like it in their entire lives. But how did things come to this point? And how did the Muslims come up with such a plan to stand against this overwhelming force? And most importantly, what was about to happen next? Betrayals, secret plans, and miracles. Let's go back to the beginning and see how it all unfolded. This video series is based on hundreds of references from reliable Islamic sources.
All AI visuals were prepared in consultation with qualified Muslim scholars and are in line with Islamic guidelines. While establishing the new state in Medina, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) had also set up an intelligence system. He wanted to know in advance of any possible threats to the city and to gather information about the nearby areas. In the second year after the Hijra (migration), a report came through this network. The Quraish had sent out a huge trade caravan led by Abu Sufyan. Of course, this caravan was not made up of their own goods alone. Remember the time of Hijra (migration). The Muslims were forced to migrate under very harsh conditions.
They had to leave all their possessions behind in Mecca when they set out. Then those goods were seized by the Quraish and added to that caravan to be sold. The believers' hard-earned possessions were now about to become weapons in the hands of their enemies. Even during the Hijra (migration), the Messenger of Mercy and Justice (peace be upon him) thought of the belongings of the idolaters and appointed Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) to return them to their owners. But the Quraish showed no such sense of morality and seized the possessions of the Muhajirun (migrants).
The time had come to show the Mushrikun (polytheists), who had driven the Muslims out of their homes and treated them with all kinds of cruelty, who truly held the power. They needed to see that they could no longer do whatever they wanted, and they had to be shown something that would strike fear into them. They were not going to stop unless they saw real physical strength standing against them. So, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent a scout to follow the caravan.
Then he said to his companions, "Whoever has an animal to ride, let him ride it and come with us." Rasulullah (The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him) began to make preparations for a possible encounter with the Quraish. The companions were very eager to join this expedition. When the preparations were complete, an army of 313 men was assembled. Under the scorching sun, Rasulullah (Messenger of Allah ﷺ) set out for Badr with his companions. Because there were several water wells there, caravans would often pass through this area. The army had very few riding animals. Only two horses and 70 camels.
The Prophet (peace be upon him), Ali, and Marthad ibn Abi Marthad shared one camel, taking turns to ride it. When it was the Prophet's turn to walk, the other two said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, you ride, and we will walk instead of you." But the Prophet (peace be upon him) refused and said, "You are not stronger than me when it comes to walking, and I need good deeds and the reward from Allah just as much as you do." And so, they continued on their way. At one point along the journey, Rasulullah (peace be upon him) looked at his army. Some of them were walking barefoot with nothing to protect their feet for the battle.
He prayed, "O Allah, these soldiers have no animals to carry them, so You carry them. O Allah, they have nothing to wear, and they are hungry, so You clothe them and feed them." They were living in poverty, but they knew that the true strength came from faith. And that faith, in the most beautiful form, was present in this army. Before they had even reached the plains of Badr, Abu Sufyan learned that the Muslims were marching there as an army. "The Muslims are coming!" From the moment he set out, he feared that the Muslims might intercept them. And now, what he feared came true. He immediately sent one of his men to Quraish to deliver the news and changed their route.
He was going to lead the caravan to Mecca by a different path. The man reached Mecca as fast as he could. Running through the streets, he shouted, "O Quraish! Muhammad and his companions have attacked your caravan! All your goods will be lost! Hurry! Go and help Abu Sufyan! Fear spread throughout Mecca because almost every family had wealth invested in that caravan. They quickly prepared and gathered an army of 950 men. With 100 horsemen and 700 camels, the fully equipped army set out for Badr. Leading them was Abu Jahl, one of the fiercest enemies of Islam. Abu Lahab, on the other hand, made his illness an excuse and sent someone else in his place.
The Quraish army was marching towards Badr with songs and drums. After some time, Abu Jahl received a message: "You had set out to protect your caravan and your men. Both are safe now, so you can return." The one who sent this message was Abu Sufyan. He had safely brought the caravan back to Mecca and was now asking them to come back. Most of the army wanted to return, but Abu Jahl, who held a grudge against the Muslims, had no intention of doing so. There was a thousand-strong, fully equipped army under his command. For him, this was an opportunity he could never miss. He was sure that he could wipe out all the Muslims. He said, "We can't go back now. We must go to Badr.
We'll stay there for three days, slaughter camels, eat and drink wine. We'll have the slave women sing to entertain us. The Arabs will gather to watch us. And from then on, they'll always fear us." He managed to convince the army, and they set off once again. When the news reached the Prophet (peace be upon him) that the caravan had arrived in Mecca and that the Quraish were marching to Badr with a large army, he was surprised. And he said, "Allah Azza wa Jal (Mighty and Majestic) has promised me one of two things: either the caravan or a clear victory. By Allah, it is as though I can see the exact places where the enemy will fall.
Allah's help is with you." When night came, everyone fell asleep to rest. Everyone except one man: The Messenger of Allah (upon him be prayer and peace). He spent the whole night praying and pleading to Allah. "O Allah, fulfill Your promise to me. O Allah, if this small group of Muslims is destroyed, there will be no one left on Earth to worship You." And this heartfelt prayer would be answered in the Quran. In the ninth ayah (verse) of Surah Al-Anfal: "When you were calling your Lord for help, He responded to you: 'I am going to support you with one thousand of the angels, one following the other.'" Yes, Allah would not abandon this handful of believers who were fighting in His cause.
He would support them with His unseen armies, with His angels. Finally, the day of battle had arrived. When the Quraish army reached the plains of Badr, they were shaken by what they saw. "They've taken control of all the wells!" The Muslims had already taken control of the area that held strategic importance. But still, relying on their large numbers, they thought victory would come easily. When the two armies faced each other, there were 313 Muslims against 950 Quraish fighters. Ahadun Ahad (One [God], One [God])! Difference in numbers was striking. The material advantage was with the Quraish. But spiritually, the situation was the complete opposite.
On one side, the shouts of Takbir (Allahu Akbar) echoed across the field... Allahu Akbar! (Allah is the Greatest!) ...while on the other, drums and songs filled the air. On one side stood an army that drew its strength from Allah and stood against oppression, and on the other was an army that fought only to oppress and to spill blood. Then, one of the leaders of Quraish, Utba ibn Rabi'ah, stepped forward with his brother Shayba ibn Rabi'ah and his son Walid. This was a common pre-battle tradition known as Mubaraza (duel). Before the fighting began, one, two, or three warriors would step forward for a duel, and then the real battle would start.
Three young men from the Ansar (helpers)— Awf, Mu'awwidh, and Abdullah ibn Rawaha— stepped forward. Utba looked at them and with a mocking tone asked, "Who are you?" "Who are you?! O Muhammad, send us our equals to fight!" He did not want to fight with anyone else. His hatred was for the clan of Banu Hashim. So Rasulullah (The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him) called the Muslims of Medina back. But who would the Messenger of Allah ﷺ choose? From the Muhajirun (migrants), he sent forward Ubaydah ibn al-Harith, Hamza, and Ali (may Allah be pleased with them both). -"Who's coming out?" -"Ubaydah, and Ali." -"Ali?" -"And the third, who is it?" -"Hamza." -"No, Hamza.
This is not good." All three of those chosen by the Prophet (peace be upon him) were from his own family. This time, Utba was satisfied with those who stood before him. And the duels began. Hamza faced Shayba. Ali faced Walid. And Ubaydah began his duel with Utba. After just a few strikes, the opponents of Ali and Hamza lay dead on the ground. But Ubaydah and Utba were still fighting fiercely. According to the tradition of Mubaraza (duel), the one who defeated his opponent could then go and help the others. So Hamza and Ali quickly rushed to help Ubaydah and killed Utba. Trying to lift his army's morale, Abu Jahl shouted, "Don't be shaken by the deaths of Utba, Shayba, and Walid!
They rushed forward and died for nothing! I swear today, victory will be ours! Muhammad and his companions are just a small bite for us!" Then he reorganized his troops. When the command was given, both sides charged forward. Battle began with full force. Rasulullah (Messenger of Allah) himself was at the front, fighting alongside his companions. He did not say, "I am the Prophet, you go and fight." Instead, he was encouraging them with his words and filling their hearts with courage. He fought with such bravery that Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) later said, "That day, the bravest of all was him.
No one was closer to the enemy lines than he was." Hamza, Ali, and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) were cutting down anyone who stood in their path. With their swords, they were slicing through the enemy lines as they moved forward. The companions were fighting with all their strength. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ took a handful of dust, threw it towards the enemy army, and prayed, "May their faces be darkened! O Allah, fill their hearts with fear and make their feet tremble!" That handful of dust reached the eyes of the entire enemy army. They could not see a thing.
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala (Glorified and Exalted be He) described this very event in the Quran: "And you did not throw when you threw, but it was Allah who threw." After a while, a wind like no other began to blow. Nothing could be seen. And the Quraish were scattered in every direction. Then a second wind came, followed by a third. Allah had fulfilled His promise and sent His angels to help. The Quraish were stunned. Because they had thought they were only facing an army of 300. But suddenly, in their eyes, the Muslim army appeared far greater and mightier. Abu Jahl, who had said, "They are just a small bite for us" before the battle, was now looking for a place to hide.
Everyone was after this enemy of Islam. They were racing each other to kill him. Two young brothers from the Ansar (helpers) came to Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf and asked who Abu Jahl was. Ibn Awf asked, "What will you do with him?" "I heard that he insulted the Prophet. I have made an oath to Allah that if I were to see him, we would not part until one of us is dead." Those brave young men were Mu'adh and Mu'awwidh. At that moment, Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf saw Abu Jahl and pointed at him. "There is your man." They both rushed towards him at once. Abu Jahl did not take them seriously, and he mocked them, saying, "You foolish boys! So eager to die?" But things did not turn out the way he thought.
Mu'adh got close and struck his leg. Then Abu Jahl's son Ikrimah jumped in and he hit Mu'adh hard. At that moment, Mu'awwidh struck another blow to Abu Jahl and brought him down. "Had the Pharaoh of this Ummah (community) really died?" They both ran up to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and told him that they had killed Abu Jahl. Rasulullah (Messenger of Allah) wanted to be sure. So he ordered the companions to look for Abu Jahl among the dead. Abdullah ibn Masud was the one who found him. Abu Jahl had not yet died. He was taking his last breaths. Ibn Masud put his foot on his neck and said, "O enemy of Allah! Do you see?
Allah has humiliated you." Even as he was dying, Abu Jahl was still arrogant. He replied, "You have stepped on a high place, O son of a shepherd. It's nothing new for a great man to be killed by his own people and tribe. Now tell me, who has the victory today?" Ibn Masud said, "Allah, and His Messenger." With those words, he had already killed him in spirit before he actually killed him. He picked up Abu Jahl's sword from the ground and struck the final blow that ended his life. Once the leaders of Mecca had been killed one after another, the Quraish army broke apart. And the disbelievers ran for their lives without even looking back. 14 Muslims were martyred on the field of Badr.
They were the brave men who had turned their lives into a fortress for Islam and a shield for the Messenger of Allah (upon him be prayer and peace). And those who survived would forever be honored as Ashabul Badr (Companions of Badr). Because Badr was not an ordinary battle. For the Muslims, it was perhaps the most critical battle in history. Because their numbers were very few. And if they had been defeated here, they would have become even fewer. That would have given the Quraish a perfect chance to destroy the Muslims completely. So what did the enemy's side look like? In the battle, 70 men from the Quraish were killed. And another 70 were taken captive. So, what would be done with them?
Two conditions were set. "Rasulullah (Messenger of Allah) offers you two options. You will either pay a ransom to gain your freedom or teach 10 children of Medina how to read and write." Only under these conditions they could be released. This showed how deeply Islam values knowledge and learning. After many of Mecca's leading figures were killed, Abu Sufyan became the new leader of Quraysh. Everyone around him was pressing him to get revenge. "Muhammad has destroyed us by killing our elders. Now is the time to take revenge." "Yes. Let's give the trade caravan's capital back to its owners and use the profits to prepare for war against the Muslims." Everyone agreed on the plan.
They sold off the goods, turned them into money, and used the profits to fund the war preparations. Everyone, especially those who had lost their loved ones at Badr, put all their effort into getting ready for another battle. The Prophet (peace be upon him) uncle Abbas informed the Messenger of Allah about what was happening in Mecca. He learned that an army of 3,000 men was preparing to march towards Medina. Upon hearing this, Rasulullah ﷺ gathered his companions and asked their opinion about the situation. His own view was to defend Medina from within the city. But consulting his companions was part of his Sunnah (tradition). Even in moments as critical as this.
He didn't want to decide alone. He wanted to hear what his companions thought as well. During the meeting, two main opinions stood out. The younger companions wanted to go out and meet the enemy in an open battle, just like at Badr. Hamza too supported this idea. At the same time, the ones who hadn't been able to join Badr felt that they had missed a great honor, and that's why they wanted to fight in the open field as well. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the more experienced companions, however, were in favor of defending the city from inside it. But after the consultation, the majority chose to face the enemy in open battle.
And so the Prophet (peace be upon him) followed their decision and decided to fight outside the city. Then, after leading the Asr prayer, the Prophet (peace be upon him) went home to put on his armor and strap on his sword. Meanwhile, two companions, Sa'd ibn Mu'adh and Usaid ibn Hudayr, spoke to the Muslims who had gathered outside and said: "Even though the Messenger of Allah ﷺ didn't want to leave Medina, you kept insisting that we should go out. But the command comes to him from the heavens. Leave this matter to him, and follow whatever he decides." These words changed the minds of those who had wanted to face the enemy outside the city, and some of them even began to feel regret.
When they saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) come out of his house wearing his armor and carrying his sword, they said: "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, we don't want anything that you dislike. If you wish to stay in Medina, then we will stay with you. We would never want to act against your will." The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: "It does not befit a prophet after putting on his armor to take it off before fighting the enemy, and before Allah gives His judgment between him and them." With his army, the Prophet (peace be upon him) set out from the place called Ash-Shaykhayn and began marching towards Uhud.
Among them were also the hypocrites of Medina, who were looking for ways to weaken the Muslims' unity and break their spirit. "Muhammad listened to the words of young men with no experience and left my advice! O people! I just cannot understand why should we risk our lives fighting for him when he didn't listen to us." Then about 300 men from his tribe and the hypocrites who supported him suddenly left the army and went back to Medina with him. With this betrayal, the Muslim army was reduced to just 700 men. Only one-fourth of the Quraysh army. The Messenger of Allah did not turn back because his army had grown smaller. He continued his march with the remaining companions.
They reached Uhud late at night. The Prophet (peace be upon him) looked carefully over the battlefield and chose the most strategic spots where the Muslims should take their positions. In front of them stood an army four times their number, with around 200 horsemen. So the Prophet (peace be upon him) had to plan every move with great care. He placed 50 skilled archers on the hill of Aynayn. If the enemy's cavalry, their horsemen, attacked from that direction, the Muslims could easily be caught between two forces. That's why guarding the hill was extremely important. If the archers left their post, the enemy could quickly gain an advantage.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) gave the archers a clear command: "Even if you see us defeating the enemy, do not leave your position until I tell you to or send someone to call you. And if the enemy defeats us, do not abandon your post saying 'Let's go and help them'." The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) then placed his army in a strategic position with Mount Uhud behind them. The reason for this was clear. If the enemy attacked, they would have the mountain as shelter behind them. And if the Muslims attacked, it would make it easier for the enemy to escape. This tactic was designed to achieve victory with the least possible loss from both sides.
Both armies could now see each other. They had formed their battle lines and stood waiting. The moment had come. Unable to wait any longer, both sides finally charged forward. The clash began with lightning speed. The Mujahideen (warriors), eager to fight in the cause of Allah, rushed into the battle with great courage. It was time for Abu Dujana to keep his word. "I will take it with its due right!" He charged through the enemy lines with incredible speed, swinging his sword with unstoppable force. With every strike, he cut down whoever stood in his way and kept moving forward with firm steps.
Meanwhile, Hamza (may Allah be pleased with him) was shouting: "I am the lion of Allah!" As he rushed fearlessly into the enemy ranks, striking left and right. At that time, Khalid ibn Walid, who was on the side of Quraysh, was waiting behind the hill of Aynayn with 200 horsemen. His army was being overpowered by the Muslims. So he wanted to join the battle and help them. From time to time, he tried to cross the hill, but the archers the Prophet (peace be upon him) had placed there would not let him through. So Khalid kept waiting, watching carefully for the perfect moment to strike. The Muslim army was fighting with all their strength, showing incredible determination and courage.
Before long, the Mushrikun (polytheists) army could no longer stand their ground and began to flee in fear. By playing their drums and singing, the Quraysh women were trying to call the fleeing soldiers back. But for hearts without faith, all those efforts were in vain. They ran for their lives. Everything was going in favor of the Muslims until something completely unexpected happened. When the archers on the hill saw the Quraysh retreating, they thought the battle was over and their duty was done. Among them, Abdullah ibn Jubayr reminded them of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) command and called out: "Have you forgotten what the Messenger of Allah told you?
The order and instructions he gave you?" But despite his warning, except for a few who stayed with him, majority of them left the hill of Aynayn and began to collect the spoils of war. This was exactly why the Messenger of Allah had emphasized patience and perseverance. "Charge!" At that very moment, Khalid ibn Walid, who was still waiting behind Aynayn with 200 horsemen, saw the opportunity and immediately took action. They killed the 10 companions who had remained on the hill and attacked the Muslim army from behind. Seeing this, the Quraysh army turned back. Suddenly, the Muslims found themselves trapped between two enemy forces.
It was truly a shocking and devastating moment for the Muslims. That was the second stage of the Battle of Uhud. Those were the moments when the Muslims were tested with some of the hardest trials of their lives. The Mujahideen (warriors) were caught off guard and completely shocked. They couldn't pull themselves together and were forced to scatter across the battlefield. Even with all the panic, about 10 to 15 companions remained by the Prophet's (peace be upon him) side. This handful of believers stood their ground, fighting with everything they had.
They were throwing themselves in front of the Prophet ﷺ to shield him from the rain of arrows, spears, and sword strikes coming from the enemy. Then, in the midst of that chaos, a stone thrown by the disbelievers hit the Prophet's (peace be upon him) blessed face, breaking one of his lower right teeth. Another one cut his forehead and split his lower lip. Then a disbeliever named Abdullah ibn Qami'a struck with his sword, shattering the Prophet's (peace be upon him) helmet, and two of its metal rings pierced into his blessed face. Rasulullah's (Messenger of Allah) face was covered in blood.
He wiped the blood with his hand and said: "How can a people ever attain salvation after covering the face of their Prophet with blood while he is calling them to Allah?" On the other hand, Hamza (may Allah be pleased with him) was standing his ground, resisting the attacks of the idolaters with all his strength. He stood firm, facing the enemy head-on and fearlessly challenging them. From the very beginning of the battle, there was someone who had been watching Hamza closely, waiting for the right moment to kill him. Wahshi, the slave of Jubayr ibn Mut'im. But it was impossible to get close to him.
The lion of Allah was striking fear into the hearts of his enemies with his unmatched bravery and strength. "I am the lion of Allah!" As Hamza was cutting down the Mushrikun (polytheists) with his sword, Wahshi was hiding behind a rock. He was an expert with the spear, and he waited for the perfect moment to strike. Seizing the moment, Wahshi threw his spear and it pierced through the chest of this mighty companion. And on that heartbreaking day at Uhud, Hamza was martyred. Wahshi did not stop there. To impress Hind, the wife of Abu Sufyan, he cut open Hamza's chest, took out his liver and brought it to her.
The companions, still in shock over the loss of Hamza (may Allah be pleased with him), were struck by another devastating news. "I killed Muhammad! I killed Muhammad! I killed Muhammad!" When the companions heard this, they froze, not knowing what to do. Some even thought about returning to Medina. Was the Messenger of Allah really martyred? While they stood there in confusion, a powerful voice cried out: "Why are you sitting here?" It was Anas bin Nadr. "What will we do? Rasulullah (Messenger of Allah) is dead." "Even if the Prophet has been killed, the Lord of the Prophet has not been killed. Besides, what will you do with your life after the death of the Prophet?
Let us fight and become martyrs like him." Then without a moment's hesitation, he charged straight into the enemy lines. That day, burning with love for the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), Anas became a Shahid (martyr). His body torn to pieces. After the battle, his sister could only recognize him by his fingers. Encouraged by the words of Anas, the companions pulled themselves together. They wanted to find out if the Messenger of Allah had really been martyred. They were searching for him everywhere. What had actually happened? Where was the Prophet (peace be upon him)? At that time, the Messenger of Allah had fallen into a pit that the idolaters had dug.
But because of his wounds, he didn't have the strength to climb out. Finally, a few companions found him and helped him up from the pit. But then, who was the man that Ibn Qami'a had shouted about claiming "I killed Muhammad"? Mus'ab ibn Umayr looked very much like the Prophet (peace be upon him). Before the battle began, he had put on Rasulullah's (Messenger of Allah) cloak and was carrying the banner of the Muslim army. During the battle, he came face to face with Ibn Qami'a and fought bravely against him. Ibn Qami'a struck Mus'ab's arm, the one holding the banner, and cut it off with a single blow. Mus'ab valued the banner of Islam more than even his own life.
He caught it with his other arm so that it wouldn't fall. Then Ibn Qami'a struck again, cutting off his remaining arm too. Despite the unbearable pain, Mus'ab pressed the banner to his chest with his shoulders, trying to keep it upright. But when Ibn Qami'a struck him one last time, he was martyred. Rasulullah (peace be upon him), along with a few companions around him, took shelter in a small cave. There, the Prophet (peace be upon him) had only two choices. Either he could stay silent, or he could try to gather his scattered army. But to call them back, he would have to raise his voice. And if he did, the idolaters would hear him and come straight to kill him.
Rasulullah (peace be upon him) risked his life and chose the second option. He called out loudly and gathered his companions once again. When the Mushrikun (polytheists) realized that the Messenger of Allah was still alive, they immediately regrouped and rained arrows down on them from every direction. They wanted to finish it once and for all with one final blow. But the few companions around Rasulullah (Messenger of Allah) shielded him with their own bodies. Ready to sacrifice their lives to protect him. That day, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) shot so many arrows that his bow eventually broke.
Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas stood by his side, shooting arrows one after another to protect him. He kept shooting so much that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to him, and to him alone: "May my father and mother be sacrificed for you." When the Mushrikun (polytheists) realized they could do no more, they decided that the best way to avoid another defeat was to retreat. The Quraysh army was slowly retreating from the battlefield. The battle was finally over. For the warriors of Islam, it was now time to rest, tend to their wounds, and bury their martyrs. Until Allah grants us the conquest, the Mushrikun (polytheists) will never be able to harm us with such a calamity again.
These words of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) were a gentle comfort, a soothing relief for hearts still grieving after Uhud. The enemies of Islam would soon set aside their differences and join forces to wipe out the Muslims completely. A great battle was waiting for the Prophet and his companions. Unprecedented battle tactics, a very challenging preparation process and betrayals. So who would win this time? Would the Mushrikun finally achieve their goal? The Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir had been expelled from Medina as punishment for their betrayal. Some of them went to Sham (Levant/Syria) while others settled in Khaybar.
Khaybar had a larger Jewish population than any other region. So, because of their numbers, they were encouraging one another to fight. And that confidence led them to plan their revenge against the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions. But of course, this was not something they could do on their own. So, they sent a delegation of 19 men to persuade the Quraysh and other Arab tribes to go to war against the Prophet (peace be upon him). They would first visit the Quraysh, then the tribes of Ghatafan and Banu Sulaym, and after them, many other Arab tribes.
This is why this battle was also known as the Battle of Al-Ahzab - The Batte of Confederates, because many tribes, large and small, would gather together to stand against the Muslims. The Jewish delegation made an agreement with the Quraysh and secured their first ally. But that wasn't enough for them. To gain more support, they went to the tribe of Ghatafan, who lived between Mecca and Najd. And it didn't take much time to convince them either. Soon after, the Banu Sulaym also agreed to join forces with them. It wasn't only the Jewish delegation; the Quraysh themselves were also working tirelessly to persuade more tribes.
Then they gained the support of the Ahabish tribe and the tribes allied with them as well. With all these groups combined, their forces reached nearly 4,000 men. And after securing the support of the tribes around Medina, the Banu Nadir and the Quraysh eventually gathered a massive army of 10,000 men. "With an army of 10,000 men, we'll make them curse the day they were born!" While all of this was happening, a message came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) from the tribe of Khuza’a. "He's coming!
Abu Sufyan is raising a large army marching here!" -"How many?" -"Thousands." "Did you see them yourself?" "I passed their scouts in the wadi (valley), they’re moving fast." The Prophet (peace be upon him) immediately gathered his companions to consult with them. Everyone was sharing their opinions. Until one idea came that would change everything. "O Messenger of Allah, back in Persia, whenever we feared attacks from enemy cavalry, we would dig trenches around our city for protection." The one who spoke was Salman Al-Farisi, a companion of Persian origin. The Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions had never heard of such a tactic before.
Rasulullah (the Messenger of Allah) found the idea reasonable and approved it. They were going to dig trenches so wide and deep that even horses could not cross them. But they had less than 10 days to complete it. Everyone began digging with all their strength. And leading them was the Messenger of Allah himself (peace be upon him). With a pick and shovel in his hands, he too was working side by side with his companions, while encouraging them at the same time. Despite the heat and hunger, they kept digging all day without rest. Sometimes the companions would say: "Ya Rasulullah (O Messenger of Allah), please rest. Our work is enough.
You do not need to tire yourself." He could have chosen not to work at all. After all, he was the Messenger of Allah, and no one would have objected. But he was the one who said, "The leader of a people is the one who serves them." For him, sitting and watching was harder than working. He knew that Allah's blessings and mercy come through hardship. And so he worked harder than anyone else. That year, Arabia was in the grip of a severe drought and famine. Many Muslims had to tie stones to their stomachs to endure the pain of hunger. By doing so, they were trying to ease their pain with a false sense of fullness.
Feeling desperate, a group of companions came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and told him about their suffering. But when they saw the scene in front of them, their words just caught in their throats. Because when Rasulullah ﷺ untied the cloth around his stomach, not one stone, but two fell to the ground. "Have you also tied stones to your stomach? Because of hunger?" He was enduring the same hardship, even more than they were. While Rasulullah (peace be upon him) and his companions were digging the trench, the companions came across a large, solid rock. But no matter how hard they tried, they could not break it. So they immediately informed the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ came and took the axe of Salman Al-Farisi. Then he said "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah) and hit the rock with a powerful blow. With that single hit, one-third of the rock crumbled. He said: "Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)! I have been given the keys to Sham (Syria). By Allah, I can see its red palaces at this very moment." He struck it a second time, and another third of the rock broke apart. Again he shouted: "Allahu Akbar! I have been given the keys to Persia. By Allah, I can see Madain's white palace." When he struck it the third time, he shouted: "Allahu Akbar! I have been given the keys to Yemen.
By Allah, I can see the gates of Sana'a at this very moment." With that final blow, the rock shattered completely. When the believers heard these glad tidings, their faith grew even stronger. But what about the Munafiqun (hypocrites)? How did they react? In a mocking tone, they said: "How can he promise us the treasures of Kisra and Qaysar (Chosroes and Caesar), when none of us feels safe even to relieve himself?" They were trying to discourage everyone around them. Think about it. When these promises were given, Medina was surrounded by enemy tribes who all came together to kill the entire population of the Muslims. The believers had not even fully defeated Quraysh yet.
They had to dig a trench to defend themselves. They were hungry, thirsty, and exhausted. Yet, the one who actually made those promises was Allah, the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth. And every word the Prophet (peace be upon him) had said was the truth. And one by one, those promised victories would come true, within just a short span of time, during the caliphates of Umar and Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them both). The trench that would leave the Mushrikun (idolater) army stunned was completed in just six days. It was about 9 meters wide, roughly the length of five men. And its depth was about half of that. It was so wide that even the most skilled horseman could not jump across it.
Along the nearly 6 kilometer trench, only one small section was narrow enough for a single horseman to cross. "I think they’re coming." An army of 10,000 idolaters led by Abu Sufyan had arrived. They were facing a battle strategy they had never seen before. And it was a huge disappointment for them. "Stop! Stop your horses!" "What is this? What’s happening?" "Stop! Stop your horses!" They had imagined that they would easily enter Medina, spill blood in the streets, and hunt the Muslims down one by one. -"Stop! I said stop!" -"What’s going on?" But still, Abu Sufyan had no intention of backing down.
After finishing their preparations, they began shooting a storm of arrows from across the trench. The arrows were slicing through the air with a frightening whistle as they rained down on the Muslims. But the trench turned out to be a far greater obstacle than they had expected. No matter how hard they tried, they simply could not cross it. If you remember, there was a part of the trench that wasn't as wide as the rest. Some tried to cross from there, but they were struck down before they could make it across. But Amr ibn Abd Wudd managed to get through. He was one of the most renowned and fearsome warriors in all of Arabia.
Covered from head to toe in armor, he pulled hard on his horse's reins and stopped right in front of the Muslim army. "Who will fight me?" Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) stood up and said, "Ya Rasulullah (O Messenger of Allah), allow me to fight him." Seeing Ali’s determination, he prayed, "O Allah, grant him Your help." Then Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) stepped forward into the field. "Look, Ali... Ali is going." "Zulfiqar." "Who are you?" "I am Ali, son of Abu Talib." "I don't want to spill your blood. Your father was my friend." "By Allah, I do want to spill yours." Amr became furious. He pulled out his sword and mounted his horse.
But Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "How can I fight you when I am on foot and you are on horseback? Come down and face me!" So Amr dismounted and stood before Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). "Come on! Let’s see what you’ve got." Ali offered him two choices: "Accept Islam, or turn back." But Amr refused both. The duel began when Amr struck the first blow. Ali blocked it with his shield. But the sword cut into the shield and its tip wounded his head. A cloud of dust rose from the ground and wrapped around both of them, making it impossible for anyone to see what was happening inside. For a moment, no one could tell what had happened. Until a voice was heard.
"Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)!" Amr's head had fallen to the ground. That voice belonged to Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). When the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the companions heard the Takbir (proclamation of greatness), they realized that Ali had defeated Amr. And they all joined in shouting "Allahu Akbar!" Two or three more men also crossed the trench to attack Ali. But out of fear of death, they turned back. The enemy could not gain anything from their attacks. So they decided to remain in their siege positions. There was simply nothing else they could do. For several days, both sides shot arrows at each other from a distance.
But it only made the battle drag on even longer. And the longer it continued, the worse it would be for the Quraysh. Because the weather was growing harsher and harsher each day. In the daytime, it was scorching hot, and at night, it was freezing cold. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent about 500 companions to Medina and secured the city. In the cold of the night, he personally stood guard at the narrowest part of the trench because he thought the enemy might try to cross from there. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) later said that when the Prophet ﷺ returned home, he was shivering from the cold.
Because the crops around the city had already been harvested, the enemy army's animals had nothing to eat. "No feed left. We brought too little." At this rate, their animals would start dying one by one. Since they thought that they would fight for only a day or two and win easily, they had brought only a small amount of food with them. If things continued like this, they wouldn't be able to hold out for long. Abu Sufyan was aware of the situation. So he ordered his men to intensify their arrow fire. It was so intense that even moving became almost impossible for the Muslims. Then a group of the Quraysh cavalry reached a spot across from the Muslims and began shooting arrows at them.
Their attack was so heavy and non-stop that the Muslims had to defend the trench without a break until sunset. And because of this, Rasulullah (peace be upon him) and the companions were not able to pray Asr on time. The Messenger of Allah became so angry that he cursed the Mushrikun army saying: "May Allah fill their homes and their graves with fire, just as they have prevented us from praying Asr!" Then he made up the missed prayer, and so did his companions. The Messenger of Allah had not even cursed the people who stoned him in Ta'if. Yet the importance of prayer was so great that he made such dua (supplication) against those who had prevented them from praying.
the hypocrites were once again spreading fitna (strife) and saying: "Allah and His Messenger have given us nothing but false promises." Allah describes that day in Surah Al-Ahzab. "Remember when they came at you from above you and below you, and when the eyes rolled with fear and the hearts reached the throats, and you assumed about Allah various assumptions. Then and there the believers were put to the test and were violently shaken." Everything seemed to be turning against the Muslims. The Messenger of Allah wanted to know what the enemy army was doing and what their plans were. That night, he decided to send someone into their camp.
He asked a small group of Muslims standing guard around him: "Who will bring me news of these people, and Allah will make him my companion on the Day of Judgment?" You might think, what an honor! Who wouldn't want this? But the night was so harsh that no one responded. Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman, who was there at night, later said: "We had wrapped ourselves in pieces of cloth, just trying to stay where we were because of the freezing cold, hunger, and the terror of the night. I had never seen a night so dark or a wind so violent in my entire life. It was so dark that we couldn't even see our fingertips.
And the wind roared like thunder." When no one responded, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ called out to Hudhayfah. "Go and bring me information about the enemy." Hudhayfah did not know what to do. How could he go in that freezing cold? Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) made dua for him. "O Allah, protect him from in front of him, from behind him, from his right, from his left, from above, and from below." Hudhayfah said, "At that moment, all the fear inside me disappeared. And the cold left me as well." Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) told me: "Hudhayfah, until you return to me, do not do anything that might alert them.
Do not shoot an arrow, do not throw a stone, and do not strike with a spear or a sword." Hudhayfah then quietly slipped into the Quraysh camp. There he saw Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Quraysh, warming himself by a fire. Hudhayfah was behind him. His bow and arrow was ready. Their leader was right there. With one shot, he could have struck a major blow. But he remembered what the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had said and held himself back. There was actually a divine decree behind this. Allah was protecting His servant whom He would later guide to Islam from dying in disbelief. Then Hudhayfah moved closer into the crowd and blended in among them.
Abu Sufyan was about to announce an important decision. But a doubt came to his mind. Since it was too dark to recognize anyone, he took a precaution. "Grab the arm of the man next to you and ask his name." Hudhayfah was almost caught. But Allah inspired an idea in his heart. While everyone else grabbed only the person beside them, he quickly grabbed the arms of both the man on his right and his left and aggressively asked: "Who are you?" They both said their names, and so no one noticed him. "My people! This fierce wind has destroyed everything we have. Our horses and camels have begun to die. Pack up and leave at once!
For I have decided to go." Hudhayfah got the information and headed back. He still didn't feel any cold. But as soon as he reached the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), the cold returned. He found the Prophet ﷺ praying to his Lord with deep humility. And when he received the good news from him, the Prophet (peace be upon him) felt a great relief. Finally, the enemy was about to retreat. Then one night, Allah sent a wind so strong that the desert sand was lifted into the air and the tents of the idolaters were torn apart. The storm blew sand into their faces, and their horses and camels panicked, running in every direction. Everything fell into complete chaos.
The enemy army could not understand what was happening. In misery and panic, they began to retreat and ran away without even looking back. Surah Al-Ahzab describes that moment: "O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allah upon you when armies came to you, and We sent upon them a wind and armies you did not see. And Allah is watchful of whatever you do." The siege had ended, and the enemy had been driven away. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "After this battle, we will go to attack them, and they will not come to attack us." And that’s exactly what happened.
The idolaters would never be able to recover their strength, while the Muslims would grow stronger and stronger each day throughout the Arabian Peninsula. But this was just the beginning. The Quraysh were going to lose their men one by one. Their strongest men, the ones they least expected, would join the ranks of Islam. Hudaybiyyah was the key to a great victory. And those names would become the keys to many victories to come. And finally, that blessed day was drawing near. Mecca would be liberated. The years of longing would come to an end. And the Muslims of Mecca would return to their homes. Are you ready to witness one of the greatest victories of Islam?
The conquest of Mecca with many emotional scenes awaits us in the next episode. Stay tuned. "Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar." "Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar." Do you struggle to pray five times a day consistently? Or maybe you want to learn how to read the Quran in Arabic and get closer to your Rabb (Lord), but you don't know where to start. We have great news for you. We have developed two completely free and ad-free apps to help you on that journey. With our Salah (prayer) tracking app, you can track your prayers for 40 days and build a stronger prayer habit. And with the Lamelif app, you can learn to read the Quran from scratch through short, simple, and enjoyable lessons.
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The confidence they had felt for an easy victory suddenly turned into fear and uncertainty. Faced with such a defensive tactic, the enemy had no idea what to do, because they had never seen anything like it in their entire lives. But how did things come to this point? And how did the Muslims come up with such a plan to stand against this overwhelming force? And most importantly, what was about to happen next? Betrayals, secret plans, and miracles. Let's go back to the beginning and see how it all unfolded. This video series is based on hundreds of references from reliable Islamic sources.
All AI visuals were prepared in consultation with qualified Muslim scholars and are in line with Islamic guidelines. While establishing the new state in Medina, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) had also set up an intelligence system. He wanted to know in advance of any possible threats to the city and to gather information about the nearby areas. In the second year after the Hijra (migration), a report came through this network. The Quraish had sent out a huge trade caravan led by Abu Sufyan. Of course, this caravan was not made up of their own goods alone. Remember the time of Hijra (migration). The Muslims were forced to migrate under very harsh conditions.
They had to leave all their possessions behind in Mecca when they set out. Then those goods were seized by the Quraish and added to that caravan to be sold. The believers' hard-earned possessions were now about to become weapons in the hands of their enemies. Even during the Hijra (migration), the Messenger of Mercy and Justice (peace be upon him) thought of the belongings of the idolaters and appointed Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) to return them to their owners. But the Quraish showed no such sense of morality and seized the possessions of the Muhajirun (migrants).
The time had come to show the Mushrikun (polytheists), who had driven the Muslims out of their homes and treated them with all kinds of cruelty, who truly held the power. They needed to see that they could no longer do whatever they wanted, and they had to be shown something that would strike fear into them. They were not going to stop unless they saw real physical strength standing against them. So, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent a scout to follow the caravan.
Then he said to his companions, "Whoever has an animal to ride, let him ride it and come with us." Rasulullah (The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him) began to make preparations for a possible encounter with the Quraish. The companions were very eager to join this expedition. When the preparations were complete, an army of 313 men was assembled. Under the scorching sun, Rasulullah (Messenger of Allah ﷺ) set out for Badr with his companions. Because there were several water wells there, caravans would often pass through this area. The army had very few riding animals. Only two horses and 70 camels.
The Prophet (peace be upon him), Ali, and Marthad ibn Abi Marthad shared one camel, taking turns to ride it. When it was the Prophet's turn to walk, the other two said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, you ride, and we will walk instead of you." But the Prophet (peace be upon him) refused and said, "You are not stronger than me when it comes to walking, and I need good deeds and the reward from Allah just as much as you do." And so, they continued on their way. At one point along the journey, Rasulullah (peace be upon him) looked at his army. Some of them were walking barefoot with nothing to protect their feet for the battle.
He prayed, "O Allah, these soldiers have no animals to carry them, so You carry them. O Allah, they have nothing to wear, and they are hungry, so You clothe them and feed them." They were living in poverty, but they knew that the true strength came from faith. And that faith, in the most beautiful form, was present in this army. Before they had even reached the plains of Badr, Abu Sufyan learned that the Muslims were marching there as an army. "The Muslims are coming!" From the moment he set out, he feared that the Muslims might intercept them. And now, what he feared came true. He immediately sent one of his men to Quraish to deliver the news and changed their route.
He was going to lead the caravan to Mecca by a different path. The man reached Mecca as fast as he could. Running through the streets, he shouted, "O Quraish! Muhammad and his companions have attacked your caravan! All your goods will be lost! Hurry! Go and help Abu Sufyan! Fear spread throughout Mecca because almost every family had wealth invested in that caravan. They quickly prepared and gathered an army of 950 men. With 100 horsemen and 700 camels, the fully equipped army set out for Badr. Leading them was Abu Jahl, one of the fiercest enemies of Islam. Abu Lahab, on the other hand, made his illness an excuse and sent someone else in his place.
The Quraish army was marching towards Badr with songs and drums. After some time, Abu Jahl received a message: "You had set out to protect your caravan and your men. Both are safe now, so you can return." The one who sent this message was Abu Sufyan. He had safely brought the caravan back to Mecca and was now asking them to come back. Most of the army wanted to return, but Abu Jahl, who held a grudge against the Muslims, had no intention of doing so. There was a thousand-strong, fully equipped army under his command. For him, this was an opportunity he could never miss. He was sure that he could wipe out all the Muslims. He said, "We can't go back now. We must go to Badr.
We'll stay there for three days, slaughter camels, eat and drink wine. We'll have the slave women sing to entertain us. The Arabs will gather to watch us. And from then on, they'll always fear us." He managed to convince the army, and they set off once again. When the news reached the Prophet (peace be upon him) that the caravan had arrived in Mecca and that the Quraish were marching to Badr with a large army, he was surprised. And he said, "Allah Azza wa Jal (Mighty and Majestic) has promised me one of two things: either the caravan or a clear victory. By Allah, it is as though I can see the exact places where the enemy will fall.
Allah's help is with you." When night came, everyone fell asleep to rest. Everyone except one man: The Messenger of Allah (upon him be prayer and peace). He spent the whole night praying and pleading to Allah. "O Allah, fulfill Your promise to me. O Allah, if this small group of Muslims is destroyed, there will be no one left on Earth to worship You." And this heartfelt prayer would be answered in the Quran. In the ninth ayah (verse) of Surah Al-Anfal: "When you were calling your Lord for help, He responded to you: 'I am going to support you with one thousand of the angels, one following the other.'" Yes, Allah would not abandon this handful of believers who were fighting in His cause.
He would support them with His unseen armies, with His angels. Finally, the day of battle had arrived. When the Quraish army reached the plains of Badr, they were shaken by what they saw. "They've taken control of all the wells!" The Muslims had already taken control of the area that held strategic importance. But still, relying on their large numbers, they thought victory would come easily. When the two armies faced each other, there were 313 Muslims against 950 Quraish fighters. Ahadun Ahad (One [God], One [God])! Difference in numbers was striking. The material advantage was with the Quraish. But spiritually, the situation was the complete opposite.
On one side, the shouts of Takbir (Allahu Akbar) echoed across the field... Allahu Akbar! (Allah is the Greatest!) ...while on the other, drums and songs filled the air. On one side stood an army that drew its strength from Allah and stood against oppression, and on the other was an army that fought only to oppress and to spill blood. Then, one of the leaders of Quraish, Utba ibn Rabi'ah, stepped forward with his brother Shayba ibn Rabi'ah and his son Walid. This was a common pre-battle tradition known as Mubaraza (duel). Before the fighting began, one, two, or three warriors would step forward for a duel, and then the real battle would start.
Three young men from the Ansar (helpers)— Awf, Mu'awwidh, and Abdullah ibn Rawaha— stepped forward. Utba looked at them and with a mocking tone asked, "Who are you?" "Who are you?! O Muhammad, send us our equals to fight!" He did not want to fight with anyone else. His hatred was for the clan of Banu Hashim. So Rasulullah (The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him) called the Muslims of Medina back. But who would the Messenger of Allah ﷺ choose? From the Muhajirun (migrants), he sent forward Ubaydah ibn al-Harith, Hamza, and Ali (may Allah be pleased with them both). -"Who's coming out?" -"Ubaydah, and Ali." -"Ali?" -"And the third, who is it?" -"Hamza." -"No, Hamza.
This is not good." All three of those chosen by the Prophet (peace be upon him) were from his own family. This time, Utba was satisfied with those who stood before him. And the duels began. Hamza faced Shayba. Ali faced Walid. And Ubaydah began his duel with Utba. After just a few strikes, the opponents of Ali and Hamza lay dead on the ground. But Ubaydah and Utba were still fighting fiercely. According to the tradition of Mubaraza (duel), the one who defeated his opponent could then go and help the others. So Hamza and Ali quickly rushed to help Ubaydah and killed Utba. Trying to lift his army's morale, Abu Jahl shouted, "Don't be shaken by the deaths of Utba, Shayba, and Walid!
They rushed forward and died for nothing! I swear today, victory will be ours! Muhammad and his companions are just a small bite for us!" Then he reorganized his troops. When the command was given, both sides charged forward. Battle began with full force. Rasulullah (Messenger of Allah) himself was at the front, fighting alongside his companions. He did not say, "I am the Prophet, you go and fight." Instead, he was encouraging them with his words and filling their hearts with courage. He fought with such bravery that Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) later said, "That day, the bravest of all was him.
No one was closer to the enemy lines than he was." Hamza, Ali, and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) were cutting down anyone who stood in their path. With their swords, they were slicing through the enemy lines as they moved forward. The companions were fighting with all their strength. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ took a handful of dust, threw it towards the enemy army, and prayed, "May their faces be darkened! O Allah, fill their hearts with fear and make their feet tremble!" That handful of dust reached the eyes of the entire enemy army. They could not see a thing.
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala (Glorified and Exalted be He) described this very event in the Quran: "And you did not throw when you threw, but it was Allah who threw." After a while, a wind like no other began to blow. Nothing could be seen. And the Quraish were scattered in every direction. Then a second wind came, followed by a third. Allah had fulfilled His promise and sent His angels to help. The Quraish were stunned. Because they had thought they were only facing an army of 300. But suddenly, in their eyes, the Muslim army appeared far greater and mightier. Abu Jahl, who had said, "They are just a small bite for us" before the battle, was now looking for a place to hide.
Everyone was after this enemy of Islam. They were racing each other to kill him. Two young brothers from the Ansar (helpers) came to Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf and asked who Abu Jahl was. Ibn Awf asked, "What will you do with him?" "I heard that he insulted the Prophet. I have made an oath to Allah that if I were to see him, we would not part until one of us is dead." Those brave young men were Mu'adh and Mu'awwidh. At that moment, Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf saw Abu Jahl and pointed at him. "There is your man." They both rushed towards him at once. Abu Jahl did not take them seriously, and he mocked them, saying, "You foolish boys! So eager to die?" But things did not turn out the way he thought.
Mu'adh got close and struck his leg. Then Abu Jahl's son Ikrimah jumped in and he hit Mu'adh hard. At that moment, Mu'awwidh struck another blow to Abu Jahl and brought him down. "Had the Pharaoh of this Ummah (community) really died?" They both ran up to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and told him that they had killed Abu Jahl. Rasulullah (Messenger of Allah) wanted to be sure. So he ordered the companions to look for Abu Jahl among the dead. Abdullah ibn Masud was the one who found him. Abu Jahl had not yet died. He was taking his last breaths. Ibn Masud put his foot on his neck and said, "O enemy of Allah! Do you see?
Allah has humiliated you." Even as he was dying, Abu Jahl was still arrogant. He replied, "You have stepped on a high place, O son of a shepherd. It's nothing new for a great man to be killed by his own people and tribe. Now tell me, who has the victory today?" Ibn Masud said, "Allah, and His Messenger." With those words, he had already killed him in spirit before he actually killed him. He picked up Abu Jahl's sword from the ground and struck the final blow that ended his life. Once the leaders of Mecca had been killed one after another, the Quraish army broke apart. And the disbelievers ran for their lives without even looking back. 14 Muslims were martyred on the field of Badr.
They were the brave men who had turned their lives into a fortress for Islam and a shield for the Messenger of Allah (upon him be prayer and peace). And those who survived would forever be honored as Ashabul Badr (Companions of Badr). Because Badr was not an ordinary battle. For the Muslims, it was perhaps the most critical battle in history. Because their numbers were very few. And if they had been defeated here, they would have become even fewer. That would have given the Quraish a perfect chance to destroy the Muslims completely. So what did the enemy's side look like? In the battle, 70 men from the Quraish were killed. And another 70 were taken captive. So, what would be done with them?
Two conditions were set. "Rasulullah (Messenger of Allah) offers you two options. You will either pay a ransom to gain your freedom or teach 10 children of Medina how to read and write." Only under these conditions they could be released. This showed how deeply Islam values knowledge and learning. After many of Mecca's leading figures were killed, Abu Sufyan became the new leader of Quraysh. Everyone around him was pressing him to get revenge. "Muhammad has destroyed us by killing our elders. Now is the time to take revenge." "Yes. Let's give the trade caravan's capital back to its owners and use the profits to prepare for war against the Muslims." Everyone agreed on the plan.
They sold off the goods, turned them into money, and used the profits to fund the war preparations. Everyone, especially those who had lost their loved ones at Badr, put all their effort into getting ready for another battle. The Prophet (peace be upon him) uncle Abbas informed the Messenger of Allah about what was happening in Mecca. He learned that an army of 3,000 men was preparing to march towards Medina. Upon hearing this, Rasulullah ﷺ gathered his companions and asked their opinion about the situation. His own view was to defend Medina from within the city. But consulting his companions was part of his Sunnah (tradition). Even in moments as critical as this.
He didn't want to decide alone. He wanted to hear what his companions thought as well. During the meeting, two main opinions stood out. The younger companions wanted to go out and meet the enemy in an open battle, just like at Badr. Hamza too supported this idea. At the same time, the ones who hadn't been able to join Badr felt that they had missed a great honor, and that's why they wanted to fight in the open field as well. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the more experienced companions, however, were in favor of defending the city from inside it. But after the consultation, the majority chose to face the enemy in open battle.
And so the Prophet (peace be upon him) followed their decision and decided to fight outside the city. Then, after leading the Asr prayer, the Prophet (peace be upon him) went home to put on his armor and strap on his sword. Meanwhile, two companions, Sa'd ibn Mu'adh and Usaid ibn Hudayr, spoke to the Muslims who had gathered outside and said: "Even though the Messenger of Allah ﷺ didn't want to leave Medina, you kept insisting that we should go out. But the command comes to him from the heavens. Leave this matter to him, and follow whatever he decides." These words changed the minds of those who had wanted to face the enemy outside the city, and some of them even began to feel regret.
When they saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) come out of his house wearing his armor and carrying his sword, they said: "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, we don't want anything that you dislike. If you wish to stay in Medina, then we will stay with you. We would never want to act against your will." The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: "It does not befit a prophet after putting on his armor to take it off before fighting the enemy, and before Allah gives His judgment between him and them." With his army, the Prophet (peace be upon him) set out from the place called Ash-Shaykhayn and began marching towards Uhud.
Among them were also the hypocrites of Medina, who were looking for ways to weaken the Muslims' unity and break their spirit. "Muhammad listened to the words of young men with no experience and left my advice! O people! I just cannot understand why should we risk our lives fighting for him when he didn't listen to us." Then about 300 men from his tribe and the hypocrites who supported him suddenly left the army and went back to Medina with him. With this betrayal, the Muslim army was reduced to just 700 men. Only one-fourth of the Quraysh army. The Messenger of Allah did not turn back because his army had grown smaller. He continued his march with the remaining companions.
They reached Uhud late at night. The Prophet (peace be upon him) looked carefully over the battlefield and chose the most strategic spots where the Muslims should take their positions. In front of them stood an army four times their number, with around 200 horsemen. So the Prophet (peace be upon him) had to plan every move with great care. He placed 50 skilled archers on the hill of Aynayn. If the enemy's cavalry, their horsemen, attacked from that direction, the Muslims could easily be caught between two forces. That's why guarding the hill was extremely important. If the archers left their post, the enemy could quickly gain an advantage.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) gave the archers a clear command: "Even if you see us defeating the enemy, do not leave your position until I tell you to or send someone to call you. And if the enemy defeats us, do not abandon your post saying 'Let's go and help them'." The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) then placed his army in a strategic position with Mount Uhud behind them. The reason for this was clear. If the enemy attacked, they would have the mountain as shelter behind them. And if the Muslims attacked, it would make it easier for the enemy to escape. This tactic was designed to achieve victory with the least possible loss from both sides.
Both armies could now see each other. They had formed their battle lines and stood waiting. The moment had come. Unable to wait any longer, both sides finally charged forward. The clash began with lightning speed. The Mujahideen (warriors), eager to fight in the cause of Allah, rushed into the battle with great courage. It was time for Abu Dujana to keep his word. "I will take it with its due right!" He charged through the enemy lines with incredible speed, swinging his sword with unstoppable force. With every strike, he cut down whoever stood in his way and kept moving forward with firm steps.
Meanwhile, Hamza (may Allah be pleased with him) was shouting: "I am the lion of Allah!" As he rushed fearlessly into the enemy ranks, striking left and right. At that time, Khalid ibn Walid, who was on the side of Quraysh, was waiting behind the hill of Aynayn with 200 horsemen. His army was being overpowered by the Muslims. So he wanted to join the battle and help them. From time to time, he tried to cross the hill, but the archers the Prophet (peace be upon him) had placed there would not let him through. So Khalid kept waiting, watching carefully for the perfect moment to strike. The Muslim army was fighting with all their strength, showing incredible determination and courage.
Before long, the Mushrikun (polytheists) army could no longer stand their ground and began to flee in fear. By playing their drums and singing, the Quraysh women were trying to call the fleeing soldiers back. But for hearts without faith, all those efforts were in vain. They ran for their lives. Everything was going in favor of the Muslims until something completely unexpected happened. When the archers on the hill saw the Quraysh retreating, they thought the battle was over and their duty was done. Among them, Abdullah ibn Jubayr reminded them of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) command and called out: "Have you forgotten what the Messenger of Allah told you?
The order and instructions he gave you?" But despite his warning, except for a few who stayed with him, majority of them left the hill of Aynayn and began to collect the spoils of war. This was exactly why the Messenger of Allah had emphasized patience and perseverance. "Charge!" At that very moment, Khalid ibn Walid, who was still waiting behind Aynayn with 200 horsemen, saw the opportunity and immediately took action. They killed the 10 companions who had remained on the hill and attacked the Muslim army from behind. Seeing this, the Quraysh army turned back. Suddenly, the Muslims found themselves trapped between two enemy forces.
It was truly a shocking and devastating moment for the Muslims. That was the second stage of the Battle of Uhud. Those were the moments when the Muslims were tested with some of the hardest trials of their lives. The Mujahideen (warriors) were caught off guard and completely shocked. They couldn't pull themselves together and were forced to scatter across the battlefield. Even with all the panic, about 10 to 15 companions remained by the Prophet's (peace be upon him) side. This handful of believers stood their ground, fighting with everything they had.
They were throwing themselves in front of the Prophet ﷺ to shield him from the rain of arrows, spears, and sword strikes coming from the enemy. Then, in the midst of that chaos, a stone thrown by the disbelievers hit the Prophet's (peace be upon him) blessed face, breaking one of his lower right teeth. Another one cut his forehead and split his lower lip. Then a disbeliever named Abdullah ibn Qami'a struck with his sword, shattering the Prophet's (peace be upon him) helmet, and two of its metal rings pierced into his blessed face. Rasulullah's (Messenger of Allah) face was covered in blood.
He wiped the blood with his hand and said: "How can a people ever attain salvation after covering the face of their Prophet with blood while he is calling them to Allah?" On the other hand, Hamza (may Allah be pleased with him) was standing his ground, resisting the attacks of the idolaters with all his strength. He stood firm, facing the enemy head-on and fearlessly challenging them. From the very beginning of the battle, there was someone who had been watching Hamza closely, waiting for the right moment to kill him. Wahshi, the slave of Jubayr ibn Mut'im. But it was impossible to get close to him.
The lion of Allah was striking fear into the hearts of his enemies with his unmatched bravery and strength. "I am the lion of Allah!" As Hamza was cutting down the Mushrikun (polytheists) with his sword, Wahshi was hiding behind a rock. He was an expert with the spear, and he waited for the perfect moment to strike. Seizing the moment, Wahshi threw his spear and it pierced through the chest of this mighty companion. And on that heartbreaking day at Uhud, Hamza was martyred. Wahshi did not stop there. To impress Hind, the wife of Abu Sufyan, he cut open Hamza's chest, took out his liver and brought it to her.
The companions, still in shock over the loss of Hamza (may Allah be pleased with him), were struck by another devastating news. "I killed Muhammad! I killed Muhammad! I killed Muhammad!" When the companions heard this, they froze, not knowing what to do. Some even thought about returning to Medina. Was the Messenger of Allah really martyred? While they stood there in confusion, a powerful voice cried out: "Why are you sitting here?" It was Anas bin Nadr. "What will we do? Rasulullah (Messenger of Allah) is dead." "Even if the Prophet has been killed, the Lord of the Prophet has not been killed. Besides, what will you do with your life after the death of the Prophet?
Let us fight and become martyrs like him." Then without a moment's hesitation, he charged straight into the enemy lines. That day, burning with love for the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), Anas became a Shahid (martyr). His body torn to pieces. After the battle, his sister could only recognize him by his fingers. Encouraged by the words of Anas, the companions pulled themselves together. They wanted to find out if the Messenger of Allah had really been martyred. They were searching for him everywhere. What had actually happened? Where was the Prophet (peace be upon him)? At that time, the Messenger of Allah had fallen into a pit that the idolaters had dug.
But because of his wounds, he didn't have the strength to climb out. Finally, a few companions found him and helped him up from the pit. But then, who was the man that Ibn Qami'a had shouted about claiming "I killed Muhammad"? Mus'ab ibn Umayr looked very much like the Prophet (peace be upon him). Before the battle began, he had put on Rasulullah's (Messenger of Allah) cloak and was carrying the banner of the Muslim army. During the battle, he came face to face with Ibn Qami'a and fought bravely against him. Ibn Qami'a struck Mus'ab's arm, the one holding the banner, and cut it off with a single blow. Mus'ab valued the banner of Islam more than even his own life.
He caught it with his other arm so that it wouldn't fall. Then Ibn Qami'a struck again, cutting off his remaining arm too. Despite the unbearable pain, Mus'ab pressed the banner to his chest with his shoulders, trying to keep it upright. But when Ibn Qami'a struck him one last time, he was martyred. Rasulullah (peace be upon him), along with a few companions around him, took shelter in a small cave. There, the Prophet (peace be upon him) had only two choices. Either he could stay silent, or he could try to gather his scattered army. But to call them back, he would have to raise his voice. And if he did, the idolaters would hear him and come straight to kill him.
Rasulullah (peace be upon him) risked his life and chose the second option. He called out loudly and gathered his companions once again. When the Mushrikun (polytheists) realized that the Messenger of Allah was still alive, they immediately regrouped and rained arrows down on them from every direction. They wanted to finish it once and for all with one final blow. But the few companions around Rasulullah (Messenger of Allah) shielded him with their own bodies. Ready to sacrifice their lives to protect him. That day, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) shot so many arrows that his bow eventually broke.
Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas stood by his side, shooting arrows one after another to protect him. He kept shooting so much that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to him, and to him alone: "May my father and mother be sacrificed for you." When the Mushrikun (polytheists) realized they could do no more, they decided that the best way to avoid another defeat was to retreat. The Quraysh army was slowly retreating from the battlefield. The battle was finally over. For the warriors of Islam, it was now time to rest, tend to their wounds, and bury their martyrs. Until Allah grants us the conquest, the Mushrikun (polytheists) will never be able to harm us with such a calamity again.
These words of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) were a gentle comfort, a soothing relief for hearts still grieving after Uhud. The enemies of Islam would soon set aside their differences and join forces to wipe out the Muslims completely. A great battle was waiting for the Prophet and his companions. Unprecedented battle tactics, a very challenging preparation process and betrayals. So who would win this time? Would the Mushrikun finally achieve their goal? The Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir had been expelled from Medina as punishment for their betrayal. Some of them went to Sham (Levant/Syria) while others settled in Khaybar.
Khaybar had a larger Jewish population than any other region. So, because of their numbers, they were encouraging one another to fight. And that confidence led them to plan their revenge against the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions. But of course, this was not something they could do on their own. So, they sent a delegation of 19 men to persuade the Quraysh and other Arab tribes to go to war against the Prophet (peace be upon him). They would first visit the Quraysh, then the tribes of Ghatafan and Banu Sulaym, and after them, many other Arab tribes.
This is why this battle was also known as the Battle of Al-Ahzab - The Batte of Confederates, because many tribes, large and small, would gather together to stand against the Muslims. The Jewish delegation made an agreement with the Quraysh and secured their first ally. But that wasn't enough for them. To gain more support, they went to the tribe of Ghatafan, who lived between Mecca and Najd. And it didn't take much time to convince them either. Soon after, the Banu Sulaym also agreed to join forces with them. It wasn't only the Jewish delegation; the Quraysh themselves were also working tirelessly to persuade more tribes.
Then they gained the support of the Ahabish tribe and the tribes allied with them as well. With all these groups combined, their forces reached nearly 4,000 men. And after securing the support of the tribes around Medina, the Banu Nadir and the Quraysh eventually gathered a massive army of 10,000 men. "With an army of 10,000 men, we'll make them curse the day they were born!" While all of this was happening, a message came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) from the tribe of Khuza’a. "He's coming!
Abu Sufyan is raising a large army marching here!" -"How many?" -"Thousands." "Did you see them yourself?" "I passed their scouts in the wadi (valley), they’re moving fast." The Prophet (peace be upon him) immediately gathered his companions to consult with them. Everyone was sharing their opinions. Until one idea came that would change everything. "O Messenger of Allah, back in Persia, whenever we feared attacks from enemy cavalry, we would dig trenches around our city for protection." The one who spoke was Salman Al-Farisi, a companion of Persian origin. The Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions had never heard of such a tactic before.
Rasulullah (the Messenger of Allah) found the idea reasonable and approved it. They were going to dig trenches so wide and deep that even horses could not cross them. But they had less than 10 days to complete it. Everyone began digging with all their strength. And leading them was the Messenger of Allah himself (peace be upon him). With a pick and shovel in his hands, he too was working side by side with his companions, while encouraging them at the same time. Despite the heat and hunger, they kept digging all day without rest. Sometimes the companions would say: "Ya Rasulullah (O Messenger of Allah), please rest. Our work is enough.
You do not need to tire yourself." He could have chosen not to work at all. After all, he was the Messenger of Allah, and no one would have objected. But he was the one who said, "The leader of a people is the one who serves them." For him, sitting and watching was harder than working. He knew that Allah's blessings and mercy come through hardship. And so he worked harder than anyone else. That year, Arabia was in the grip of a severe drought and famine. Many Muslims had to tie stones to their stomachs to endure the pain of hunger. By doing so, they were trying to ease their pain with a false sense of fullness.
Feeling desperate, a group of companions came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and told him about their suffering. But when they saw the scene in front of them, their words just caught in their throats. Because when Rasulullah ﷺ untied the cloth around his stomach, not one stone, but two fell to the ground. "Have you also tied stones to your stomach? Because of hunger?" He was enduring the same hardship, even more than they were. While Rasulullah (peace be upon him) and his companions were digging the trench, the companions came across a large, solid rock. But no matter how hard they tried, they could not break it. So they immediately informed the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ came and took the axe of Salman Al-Farisi. Then he said "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah) and hit the rock with a powerful blow. With that single hit, one-third of the rock crumbled. He said: "Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)! I have been given the keys to Sham (Syria). By Allah, I can see its red palaces at this very moment." He struck it a second time, and another third of the rock broke apart. Again he shouted: "Allahu Akbar! I have been given the keys to Persia. By Allah, I can see Madain's white palace." When he struck it the third time, he shouted: "Allahu Akbar! I have been given the keys to Yemen.
By Allah, I can see the gates of Sana'a at this very moment." With that final blow, the rock shattered completely. When the believers heard these glad tidings, their faith grew even stronger. But what about the Munafiqun (hypocrites)? How did they react? In a mocking tone, they said: "How can he promise us the treasures of Kisra and Qaysar (Chosroes and Caesar), when none of us feels safe even to relieve himself?" They were trying to discourage everyone around them. Think about it. When these promises were given, Medina was surrounded by enemy tribes who all came together to kill the entire population of the Muslims. The believers had not even fully defeated Quraysh yet.
They had to dig a trench to defend themselves. They were hungry, thirsty, and exhausted. Yet, the one who actually made those promises was Allah, the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth. And every word the Prophet (peace be upon him) had said was the truth. And one by one, those promised victories would come true, within just a short span of time, during the caliphates of Umar and Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them both). The trench that would leave the Mushrikun (idolater) army stunned was completed in just six days. It was about 9 meters wide, roughly the length of five men. And its depth was about half of that. It was so wide that even the most skilled horseman could not jump across it.
Along the nearly 6 kilometer trench, only one small section was narrow enough for a single horseman to cross. "I think they’re coming." An army of 10,000 idolaters led by Abu Sufyan had arrived. They were facing a battle strategy they had never seen before. And it was a huge disappointment for them. "Stop! Stop your horses!" "What is this? What’s happening?" "Stop! Stop your horses!" They had imagined that they would easily enter Medina, spill blood in the streets, and hunt the Muslims down one by one. -"Stop! I said stop!" -"What’s going on?" But still, Abu Sufyan had no intention of backing down.
After finishing their preparations, they began shooting a storm of arrows from across the trench. The arrows were slicing through the air with a frightening whistle as they rained down on the Muslims. But the trench turned out to be a far greater obstacle than they had expected. No matter how hard they tried, they simply could not cross it. If you remember, there was a part of the trench that wasn't as wide as the rest. Some tried to cross from there, but they were struck down before they could make it across. But Amr ibn Abd Wudd managed to get through. He was one of the most renowned and fearsome warriors in all of Arabia.
Covered from head to toe in armor, he pulled hard on his horse's reins and stopped right in front of the Muslim army. "Who will fight me?" Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) stood up and said, "Ya Rasulullah (O Messenger of Allah), allow me to fight him." Seeing Ali’s determination, he prayed, "O Allah, grant him Your help." Then Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) stepped forward into the field. "Look, Ali... Ali is going." "Zulfiqar." "Who are you?" "I am Ali, son of Abu Talib." "I don't want to spill your blood. Your father was my friend." "By Allah, I do want to spill yours." Amr became furious. He pulled out his sword and mounted his horse.
But Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "How can I fight you when I am on foot and you are on horseback? Come down and face me!" So Amr dismounted and stood before Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). "Come on! Let’s see what you’ve got." Ali offered him two choices: "Accept Islam, or turn back." But Amr refused both. The duel began when Amr struck the first blow. Ali blocked it with his shield. But the sword cut into the shield and its tip wounded his head. A cloud of dust rose from the ground and wrapped around both of them, making it impossible for anyone to see what was happening inside. For a moment, no one could tell what had happened. Until a voice was heard.
"Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)!" Amr's head had fallen to the ground. That voice belonged to Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). When the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the companions heard the Takbir (proclamation of greatness), they realized that Ali had defeated Amr. And they all joined in shouting "Allahu Akbar!" Two or three more men also crossed the trench to attack Ali. But out of fear of death, they turned back. The enemy could not gain anything from their attacks. So they decided to remain in their siege positions. There was simply nothing else they could do. For several days, both sides shot arrows at each other from a distance.
But it only made the battle drag on even longer. And the longer it continued, the worse it would be for the Quraysh. Because the weather was growing harsher and harsher each day. In the daytime, it was scorching hot, and at night, it was freezing cold. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent about 500 companions to Medina and secured the city. In the cold of the night, he personally stood guard at the narrowest part of the trench because he thought the enemy might try to cross from there. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) later said that when the Prophet ﷺ returned home, he was shivering from the cold.
Because the crops around the city had already been harvested, the enemy army's animals had nothing to eat. "No feed left. We brought too little." At this rate, their animals would start dying one by one. Since they thought that they would fight for only a day or two and win easily, they had brought only a small amount of food with them. If things continued like this, they wouldn't be able to hold out for long. Abu Sufyan was aware of the situation. So he ordered his men to intensify their arrow fire. It was so intense that even moving became almost impossible for the Muslims. Then a group of the Quraysh cavalry reached a spot across from the Muslims and began shooting arrows at them.
Their attack was so heavy and non-stop that the Muslims had to defend the trench without a break until sunset. And because of this, Rasulullah (peace be upon him) and the companions were not able to pray Asr on time. The Messenger of Allah became so angry that he cursed the Mushrikun army saying: "May Allah fill their homes and their graves with fire, just as they have prevented us from praying Asr!" Then he made up the missed prayer, and so did his companions. The Messenger of Allah had not even cursed the people who stoned him in Ta'if. Yet the importance of prayer was so great that he made such dua (supplication) against those who had prevented them from praying.
the hypocrites were once again spreading fitna (strife) and saying: "Allah and His Messenger have given us nothing but false promises." Allah describes that day in Surah Al-Ahzab. "Remember when they came at you from above you and below you, and when the eyes rolled with fear and the hearts reached the throats, and you assumed about Allah various assumptions. Then and there the believers were put to the test and were violently shaken." Everything seemed to be turning against the Muslims. The Messenger of Allah wanted to know what the enemy army was doing and what their plans were. That night, he decided to send someone into their camp.
He asked a small group of Muslims standing guard around him: "Who will bring me news of these people, and Allah will make him my companion on the Day of Judgment?" You might think, what an honor! Who wouldn't want this? But the night was so harsh that no one responded. Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman, who was there at night, later said: "We had wrapped ourselves in pieces of cloth, just trying to stay where we were because of the freezing cold, hunger, and the terror of the night. I had never seen a night so dark or a wind so violent in my entire life. It was so dark that we couldn't even see our fingertips.
And the wind roared like thunder." When no one responded, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ called out to Hudhayfah. "Go and bring me information about the enemy." Hudhayfah did not know what to do. How could he go in that freezing cold? Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) made dua for him. "O Allah, protect him from in front of him, from behind him, from his right, from his left, from above, and from below." Hudhayfah said, "At that moment, all the fear inside me disappeared. And the cold left me as well." Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) told me: "Hudhayfah, until you return to me, do not do anything that might alert them.
Do not shoot an arrow, do not throw a stone, and do not strike with a spear or a sword." Hudhayfah then quietly slipped into the Quraysh camp. There he saw Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Quraysh, warming himself by a fire. Hudhayfah was behind him. His bow and arrow was ready. Their leader was right there. With one shot, he could have struck a major blow. But he remembered what the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had said and held himself back. There was actually a divine decree behind this. Allah was protecting His servant whom He would later guide to Islam from dying in disbelief. Then Hudhayfah moved closer into the crowd and blended in among them.
Abu Sufyan was about to announce an important decision. But a doubt came to his mind. Since it was too dark to recognize anyone, he took a precaution. "Grab the arm of the man next to you and ask his name." Hudhayfah was almost caught. But Allah inspired an idea in his heart. While everyone else grabbed only the person beside them, he quickly grabbed the arms of both the man on his right and his left and aggressively asked: "Who are you?" They both said their names, and so no one noticed him. "My people! This fierce wind has destroyed everything we have. Our horses and camels have begun to die. Pack up and leave at once!
For I have decided to go." Hudhayfah got the information and headed back. He still didn't feel any cold. But as soon as he reached the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), the cold returned. He found the Prophet ﷺ praying to his Lord with deep humility. And when he received the good news from him, the Prophet (peace be upon him) felt a great relief. Finally, the enemy was about to retreat. Then one night, Allah sent a wind so strong that the desert sand was lifted into the air and the tents of the idolaters were torn apart. The storm blew sand into their faces, and their horses and camels panicked, running in every direction. Everything fell into complete chaos.
The enemy army could not understand what was happening. In misery and panic, they began to retreat and ran away without even looking back. Surah Al-Ahzab describes that moment: "O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allah upon you when armies came to you, and We sent upon them a wind and armies you did not see. And Allah is watchful of whatever you do." The siege had ended, and the enemy had been driven away. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "After this battle, we will go to attack them, and they will not come to attack us." And that’s exactly what happened.
The idolaters would never be able to recover their strength, while the Muslims would grow stronger and stronger each day throughout the Arabian Peninsula. But this was just the beginning. The Quraysh were going to lose their men one by one. Their strongest men, the ones they least expected, would join the ranks of Islam. Hudaybiyyah was the key to a great victory. And those names would become the keys to many victories to come. And finally, that blessed day was drawing near. Mecca would be liberated. The years of longing would come to an end. And the Muslims of Mecca would return to their homes. Are you ready to witness one of the greatest victories of Islam?
The conquest of Mecca with many emotional scenes awaits us in the next episode. Stay tuned. "Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar." "Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar." Do you struggle to pray five times a day consistently? Or maybe you want to learn how to read the Quran in Arabic and get closer to your Rabb (Lord), but you don't know where to start. We have great news for you. We have developed two completely free and ad-free apps to help you on that journey. With our Salah (prayer) tracking app, you can track your prayers for 40 days and build a stronger prayer habit. And with the Lamelif app, you can learn to read the Quran from scratch through short, simple, and enjoyable lessons.
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