The battle of the

Confederates
chapter of Alahzab 9-20.
Mr. Shafiey
The battle of the Confederates
• the following verses came to depict one of the cases of trials
believers were afflicted with. It was one of the hardest times
Muslims went through. It is the ordeal indicated by the holy
verses and known as the battle of the confederates, trench or
Ahzab. It is the day of ‘earthquake’ as put by the holy Qur’an.
In ordeals, realities become clear and people differ in their
reactions and thus the strong become distinct from the weak,
and believers from skeptics. However, Allah, Glory be to Him,
does not abandon His devoted sincere worshippers and those
who are certain of meeting their Lord, Glory be to Him.
 (Surat Al-Ahzab: 9:20.)
‫َان‬ َ ‫علَ ْي ُك ْم ِإ ْذ َجا َءتْ ُك ْم ُجنُو ٌد فَأ َ ْر‬
َ ‫س ْلنَا‬
َ ‫علَ ْي ِه ْم ِري ًحا َو ُجنُودًا لَّ ْم تَ َر ْو َها ۚ َوك‬ ِ َّ َ‫اذك ُُروا نِ ْع َمة‬
َ ‫َّللا‬ ْ ‫ِين آ َمنُوا‬
َ ‫يَا أَيُّ َها الَّذ‬
)9( ‫يرا‬ َ ُ‫َّللاُ ِب َما تَ ْع َمل‬
ً ‫ون بَ ِص‬ َّ
"0 you who believe Remember Allah's favor unto you when there came against you hosts, and We
sent against them a great wind and hosts you could not see. And Allah is ever All-Seer of what you
do.
‫اَّلل‬ ُ َ‫اج َر َوت‬
َ ُّ‫ظن‬
ِ َّ ‫ون ِب‬ ِ َ‫وب ا ْل َحن‬
ُ ُ‫ت ا ْلقُل‬
ِ َ‫ار َو َبلَغ‬
ُ ‫ص‬َ ‫ت ْاْل َ ْب‬ َ ‫سفَ َل ِمن ُك ْم َو ِإ ْذ َزا‬
ِ ‫غ‬ ْ َ‫ِإ ْذ َجا ُءوكُم ِمن فَ ْو ِق ُك ْم َو ِم ْن أ‬
)10(‫ظنُونَا‬ُّ ‫ال‬
When they came upon you from above you and from below you, and when eyes grew wild and
hearts reached to the throats, and you were imagining vain thoughts concerning Allah .
َ ‫ون َو ُز ْل ِزلُوا ِز ْل َز ًاًل‬
)11( ‫شدِيدًا‬ َ ُ‫ي ا ْل ُم ْؤ ِمن‬
َ ‫ُهنَا ِل َك ا ْبت ُ ِل‬
There were the believers sorely tried, and shaken with a mighty shock .
)12( ‫ورا‬ ُ ‫سولُهُ إِ ًَّل‬
ً ‫غ ُر‬ َّ ‫ع َدنَا‬
ُ ‫َّللاُ َو َر‬ ٌ ‫ِين فِي قُلُوبِ ِهم َّم َر‬
َ ‫ض َّما َو‬ َ ُ‫َوإِ ْذ يَقُو ُل ا ْل ُمنَافِق‬
َ ‫ون َوالَّذ‬
And When the hypocrites, and those in whose hearts is a disease, were saying: Allah and His
messenger promised us nothing but delusion.
‫ون ِإ َّن بُيُوتَنَا‬ َّ ‫ق ِم ْن ُه ُم النَّ ِب‬
َ ُ‫ي يَقُول‬ ُ ‫ستَأْذ‬
ٌ ‫ِن فَ ِري‬ ْ َ‫ب ًَل ُمقَا َم لَ ُك ْم ف‬
ْ َ‫ار ِجعُوا ۚ َوي‬ َ ‫طا ِئفَةٌ ِم ْن ُه ْم يَا أَ ْه َل يَثْ ِر‬
َّ ‫َو ِإ ْذ قَالَت‬
)13( ‫ارا‬ ً ‫ُون ِإ ًَّل فِ َر‬
َ ‫ي ِبعَ ْو َر ٍة ۖ ِإن يُ ِريد‬ َ ‫ع َْو َرةٌ َو َما ِه‬
And when a party of them said: O folk of Yathrib! There is no stand (possible) for you, therefore,
turn back. And certain of them (even) sought permission of the Prophet, saying: Our homes lie open
(to the enemy). And they lay not open. They but wished to flee.
)14( ‫يرا‬
ً ‫س‬ِ ‫س ِئلُوا ا ْل ِفتْنَةَ ََلتَ ْو َها َو َما تَلَبَّثُوا ِب َها ِإ ًَّل َي‬
ُ ‫علَ ْي ِهم ِم ْن أَ ْق َط ِار َها ث ُ َّم‬
َ ْ‫َولَ ْو د ُِخلَت‬
If the enemy had entered from all sides and they had been exhorted to treachery, they would have
committed it, and would have hesitated thereupon but little.
 (Surat Al-Ahzab: 9:20.)
ً ‫سئ‬
)15( ‫ُوًل‬ ْ ‫َّللا َم‬
ِ َّ ‫ع ْه ُد‬ َ َ‫ون ْاْل َ ْدب‬
َ ‫ار ۚ َوك‬
َ ‫َان‬ َ ُّ‫َّللا ِمن قَ ْب ُل ًَل يُ َول‬
َ َّ ‫َولَقَ ْد كَانُوا عَا َهدُوا‬
And verily they had already sworn unto Allah that they would not turn their backs (to the foe). An
oath to Allah must he answered for.
َ ُ‫ت أَ ِو ا ْلقَتْ ِل َوإِذًا ًَّل ت ُ َمتَّع‬
ً ‫ون إِ ًَّل قَ ِل‬
)16( ‫يًل‬ ِ ‫ار إِن فَ َر ْرتُم ِم َن ا ْل َم ْو‬
ُ ‫قُل لَّن يَنفَعَ ُك ُم ا ْل ِف َر‬
Say: Flight will not avail you if you flee from death or killing, and then you dwell in comfort but a
little while.
‫َّللا َو ِليًّا‬ َ ‫سو ًءا أَ ْو أَ َرا َد ِب ُك ْم َرحْ َمةً ۚ َو ًَل َي ِجد‬
ِ ‫ُون لَ ُهم ِمن ُد‬
ِ َّ ‫ون‬ ُ ‫َّللا ِإ ْن أَ َرا َد ِب ُك ْم‬
ِ َّ ‫قُ ْل َمن َذا الَّذِي َي ْع ِص ُمكُم ِم َن‬
)17( ‫يرا‬ ً ‫َو ًَل نَ ِص‬
Say: Who is he who can preserve you from Allah if He intends harm for you, or intends mercy for
you. They will not find that they have any friend or helper other than Allah.
)18( ‫يًل‬ َ ْ ‫ون ا ْلبَأ‬
ً ‫س إِ ًَّل قَ ِل‬ َ ُ ‫ين ِ ِِل ْخ َوانِ ِه ْم َهلُ َّم إِلَ ْينَا ۖ َو ًَل يَأْت‬
َ ‫ين ِمن ُك ْم َوا ْلقَائِ ِل‬ َّ ‫۞ قَ ْد يَ ْعلَ ُم‬
َ ِ‫َّللاُ ا ْل ُمعَ ِوق‬
Allah already knows those of you who hinder, and those who say unto their brethren: "Come you
hither unto us!" and they come not to the stress of battle save a little,
َ ‫ت ۖ فَ ِإ َذا َذ َه‬
‫ب‬ َ ‫ُور أَ ْعيُنُ ُه ْم كَالَّذِي يُ ْغش َٰى‬
ِ ‫علَ ْي ِه ِم َن ا ْل َم ٰ ْو‬ ُ ‫ون ِإلَ ْي ٰ َك تَد‬
َ ‫ظ ُر‬ ُ ‫ف َرأَ ْيتَ ُه ْم َين‬ َ ً‫ش َّحة‬
ُ ‫علَ ْي ُك ْم ۖ فَ ِإ َذا َجا َء ا ْل َخ ْو‬ ِ َ‫أ‬
ِ َّ ‫علَى‬
‫َّللا‬ َ ‫َان َذ ِل َك‬ َ ‫َّللاُ أَ ْع َمالَ ُه ْم ۚ َوك‬
َّ ‫علَى ا ْل َخ ْي ِر ۚ أُولَ ِئ َك لَ ْم يُ ْؤ ِمنُوا فَأَحْ بَ َط‬ َ ً‫ش َّحة‬ ِ َ‫سنَ ٍة ِحدَا ٍد أ‬ِ ‫سلَقُوكُم ِبأ َ ْل‬ َ ‫ف‬ ُ ‫ا ْل َخ ْو‬
)19( ‫يرا‬ ً ‫س‬ ِ َ‫ي‬
Being sparing of their help to you (believers). But when the fear comes, then you (Muhammad) seest
them regarding you with rolling eyes like one who faints unto death. Then, when the fear departs,
they scald you with sharp tongues in their greed for wealth (from the spoil). Such have not believed.
Therefore, Allah makes their deeds fruitless. And that is easy for Allah.
‫سأَلُو َن ع َْن أَن َبا ِئ ُك ْم ۖ َو َل ْو‬
ْ ‫ب َي‬ َ ‫اب َي َودُّوا لَ ْو أَنَّ ُهم َباد‬
ِ ‫ُون ِفي ْاْلَع َْرا‬ ِ ْ ‫اب لَ ْم َي ْذ َهبُوا ۖ َو ِإن َيأ‬
ُ ‫ت ْاْلَحْ َز‬ َ ‫ون ْاْلَحْ َز‬َ ُ‫سب‬َ ْ‫يَح‬
)20( ‫يًل‬ ً ‫كَانُوا فِيكُم َّما قَاتَلُوا ِإ ًَّل قَ ِل‬
They hold that the clans have not retired (for good); and if the Clans should advance (again), they
would fain be in the desert with the wandering Arabs, asking for the news of you and if they were
among you, they would not give battle, save a little."
The battle of the Confederates

1-The instigation of Banu An-Nadhir the enemies of Muslims to fight them to

Get their revenge.
2- The unity of the goal of the alleys against prophet Muhamed and his companions
3- Retrieving their sovereignty over the Arabian region.
4-Eraadicating the new message that threatens their interests in the region
Lesson Vocabulary
 In the time of crisis, fear and great trials for at that time people are unstable and tend
to believe every thing they are told.

Spreading fear, terror, lies among people and absence of trust.

Stop spreading it – Wait for authorities to investigate and give a report.

The instigation of Banu An-Nadir to the tribes of Quraish to come and the desire of the people of
Quraish to retrieve their dominion over the region by eradicating the newborn power of Islam

It indicates the complete siege that their enemies laid from all entries and exits of Madinah
Traits and conducts
The holy verses clarified some behaviors of hypocrites and revealed some of
their intentions which appeared in their deeds:
1. Asking the prophet, peace be upon him, for a permission to disseminate
despair and defeatism among the ranks of the Muslims.
2. Using false pretexts to justify their cowardice and weakness.
3. To promulgate rumors in Al Madinah so as to propagate disorder and
desperation within society.
4. Withdrawal and fleeing to their homes at time when there is a dire
need by society for all capacities of its individuals.
Their acts reflected their characteristics, lies and weakness of faith.
The holy verses then illustrated their inner intentions.
Had the confederates entered Al Madinah, they would have hurried to
apostasy and fought against the Muslims although they had promised Allah
at the time of peace to be steadfast and never flee, but they ran away even
before the beginning of the combat. If they really had been true believers,
they would have realized that fleeing would not save them from death, and
that standing firm in battle would never decrease one's life even one
moment. Life and death are only in the hands of the Almighty Allah and the
time of death cannot be accelerated or delayed.
 disseminate despair and defeatism among Muslims

promulgate rumors and propagate disorder and desperation within society

Doubting and undermining the ability of the Muslim society.

They don’t have a principal or faith and look for their own interests

Warning: not to break promises

Threat: That Allah will question them about it in the day of judgment.
 I discuss and criticize
» ۚ ً‫سو ًءا أَ ْو أَ َرا َد ِب ُك ْم َرحْ َمة‬
ُ ‫َّللا ِإ ْن أَ َرا َد ِب ُك ْم‬
ِ َّ ‫• «قُ ْل َمن َذا الَّذِي َي ْع ِص ُمكُم ِم َن‬
• Say: Who is he who can preserve you from Allah if He intends harm for you,
or intends mercy for you.
ponder on the following phrases then discuss them based on the above,
through their application in reality according to the following table:

Meaning what is destined is inevitable even if you are cautious

Caution is a must
We must be cautious and make use of the best available
causes but we leave the results to Allah and Don’t depress
if Allah destined for us something else

We should procrastinate nothing related to the Hereafter.

Having patience and well organize everything related to this world.
•
Peace, serenity and prosperity
When we fear Allah in everything we do it the best way and that
leads to happy relationship among society members.
 Pictures from the incident
First: the picture of those hindering the progress of society while asking their
brethren to leave their duty and give up fighting with the Prophet, peace be upon
him, and companions. They did not participate except minimally to attests to their
attendance. They try to make Muslims believe that they are with them. They have
no merit or advantage and they are either frustrated or frustrating the efforts of
others in fields of work, achievement, creativity and donation. Their harm is bigger
than their benefit.

Second: the picture of skeptics and their turmoil and panic as if they were on the
verge of death due to their mere feeling of danger. They even hoped that there were
away from Almedina at a safe place content with asking about what happened. They
did not care except about their security even if at the expense of their people and
nation. And even in case of peace they only long for their interests and benefits. The
Almighty Allah says:
َ ‫َّللاُ أ َ ْع َمالَ ُه ْم ۚ َوك‬ ٰ َ ً‫ش َّحة‬
‫َان‬ َّ ‫علَى ا ْل َخ ْي ِر ۚ أُولَ ِئكَ لَ ْم يُ ْؤ ِمنُوا فَأَحْ َب َط‬ ِ َ ‫سنَ ٍة ِحدَا ٍد أ‬
ِ ‫سلَقُوكُم ِبأ َ ْل‬
َ ‫ف‬ َ ‫ٰ فَ ِإ َذا َذ َه‬
ُ ‫ب ا ْل َخ ْو‬
)19( ‫يرا‬ ً ‫س‬ ِ َّ ‫علَى‬
ِ َ‫َّللا ي‬ َ َ‫َذ ِلك‬
“But when the fear comes, then you (Muhammad) seest them regarding you with
rolling eyes like one who faints unto death. Then, when the fear departs, they scald
you with sharp tongues in their greed for wealth (from the spoil). Such have not
believed. Therefore, Allah makes their deeds fruitless. And that is easy for Allah”
They offended the Prophet, peace be upon him, and the believers to gain material
advantages.
Pictures from the incident
• Third: the picture of believers who deserved Allah's support,
glory be to Him, since the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon
him, and the believers did not leave their places and stayed
sincerely and steadfastly. They did not disobey the commands
of their commander and never lost hope of Allah's mercy or
gave up their trust in Him.
• Fourth: the picture of the confederates' camp when the
Almighty Allah sent His soldiers against them, such as wind,
cold and disunion. Their tents scattered, their luggage
dispersed, their deception and plots of the hypocrites went in
vain, and their hopes failed
 Encouraging Muslim to remain steadfast and never panic or cowardice.

To put the country and religion interest before their own.

Never promulgate rumors that spread disorder in time of turmoil.

Raising the morals of each other to overcome any hindrance or ordeal the Muslim
Nation is facing.

To take part in defending my country and never flee the battle ground.

Disseminate positive attitudes among society and fight rumors.

 Since they didn’t follow Allah and his messenger, He nullified their deeds
and didn’t accept them.
The Hypocrites
Because of their Hypocrisy and internal disbelief.

Because they disseminated despair and fled their ground trying to weaken the Muslims.

Wishing that the confederates fight Muslims and exterminate them and they would ask “is it
over yet?”. Proving my point is their wish not to be among Muslims when this happen.
Sending Wind on the disbelievers’ camp that uprooted their tents.
Sending heavenly hosts to support the believers.

Ghatfan – Banu Asad – Quraish – Banu An-Nadir – Banu Amir

To exterminate Muslims and Prophet’s Message

Lying Break - promises

Weak faith treacherous

Promulgate rumors Treachery

Undermine the morals
Fleeing the battle field of Muslims
Forming secret alliance The internal enemies of
with the enemy the countries
Doubting any goodness Spread out disorder
for their country
The confederates defeat and withdrawing empty handed.
In the case of war they are cowards afraid of death their eyes rolling and fainting
In the case of peace they are just greedy and are not shy to demand the bounty of
Allah on his messenger with sharp language.

Be grateful to Allah Almighty.

The tremendous panic and fear .

1-The instigation of Banu An-Nadir The Arab clans to exterminate the prophet because
of what he did to them when they broke their promise and expelled them from Madina
2-the demanding desire of these tribes to rid of the prophet and his message.
3- Retrieving sovereignty over the region.

Diminish the Muslims' morale Spreading disorder Promulgate rumors

Withdraw from the Army to weaken it

If the enemy had entered from all sides and they had been exhorted to treachery,
they would have committed it, and would have hesitated thereupon but little.(14)