(C) The Battle of Khandaq (Ahzab)
Inthefifthyearof the hijra,a Jewishtribeformedan alliancewith the
Meccans;andtogethertheyraisedanarmyof10,000soldiers.Itisknown
as Khandaq (i.e., ditch) because the Muslims haddug a ditch around
their campsite to prevent the enemy from entering the city.
The Allied forcesof the non-Muslimsbesieged Medinafora month.
Exceptfor afew famous soldiers,they were unableto cross the ditch.
The Alliedforcesfinallyretreated after‘Alī, in aone-to-oneencounter,
killed the most courageous of their fighters.