The Battle of the Trench halted the Quraysh coalition's attack on Medina, securing early Muslim survival and undermining Meccan trade and prestige.
Key Facts
- Year
- 627 CE
- Duration
- Approximately two weeks
- Confederate force size
- 7,500–10,000 men
- Muslim casualties
- 5–6
- Quraysh casualties
- 3
- Key defensive tactic
- Trench dug around Medina on Salman the Persian's advice
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Quraysh, recognizing their limited military capacity as primarily merchants, allied with Bedouin tribes including Banu Ghatafan, Banu Sulaym, and Banu Asad, and enlisted the exiled Banu Nadir who offered crops to recruit them, assembling a confederate force of up to 10,000 to attack the Muslim community in Medina.
Muhammad's followers, advised by Salman the Persian, dug a deep trench around Medina to block the confederate advance. The unfamiliar tactic stalled the attackers for roughly two weeks. Muhammad simultaneously negotiated secretly with the Banu Ghatafan, sowing distrust among the coalition. Deteriorating weather ultimately caused the invading force to withdraw without breaching the defenses.
Following the failed siege, the Muslims besieged the Banu Qurayza; upon their unconditional surrender, the men were killed and the women and children enslaved. The battle dealt a severe blow to Meccan prestige and caused the Quraysh to lose their trade routes to Syria, significantly weakening their regional influence.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Muhammad, Salman the Persian (advisor).
Side B
1 belligerent