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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books History of Islam The Battle of the Ditch This battle, which is also called al-khandaq (the ditch) or al-ahzab (the Allies), took place in Shawwal, the 5th year of Hegira[^197] when Huyay ibn Akhtab, some chiefs of Banu’l-Nazir who had taken refuge in Khaybar and a group of Banu-Wa’il had visited Quraysh in Mecca and encouraged them to take part in a war against the Holy Prophet. They promised them of all sorts of assistance.

Quraysh asked them, “Which one is better; our religion or Muhammad’s?” Although the Jews doctrinally believed in God and they should not have supported idolatry, they answered, “Your religion is better than Muhammad’s and you are closer to the reality.” Having heard this, Quraysh were encouraged to fight the Holy Prophet. God condemns this hostile judgment of theirs in the following manner: Have you not seen those to whom a portion of the book has been given?

They believe in idols and false deities and say of those who disbelieve: They are better guided in the path than those who believe. Those are they whom Allah curses you shall not find any helper for him. (4:51-52) This hostile judgment of the Jewish leaders was so far away from logic and justice that some current Jews condemn it. In his book entitled The History of Judaism in the Land of Arabs, Dr.

Israel Wolfinson, a Jewish historian, writes: “They should not have committed such an obnoxious blunder; they should not have deemed the worshiping of idols superior to the Islamic monotheism even if they would fall out of Quraysh’s love and care.

This is because the Israelites have been carrying the banner of monotheists among the idol-worshippers for centuries.[^198]” Next, the Jewish leaders resorted to the chiefs of the Ghatafan tribe asking for assistance in a war against Muslims.[^199] Out of this tribe, the branches Banu-Fazarah, Banu-Murrah and Banu-Ashja` declared their cooperation.[^200] Then the agreement of Banu-Sulaym and Banu-Asad was obtained.[^201] Quraysh gained the support of their previous allies; Banu-Thaqif and Banu-Kinanah.[^202] As a result, a strong military force consisting of ten thousand troops[^203] and headed by Abu-Sufyan started moving towards Medina.