After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that he would mention the Battle of Khandaq, also known as the Battle of Ahzab (Battle of the Trench). This battle took place in 5 AH, or February/March 627 AD.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Battle of Ahzab has been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an as follows:
‘O ye who believe! remember the favour of Allah on you when there came down upon you hosts, and We sent against them a wind and hosts that you saw not. And Allah sees what you do. When they came upon you from above you, and from below you, and when your eyes became distracted, and your hearts reached to the throats, and you thought diverse thoughts about Allah. There and then were the believers sorely tried, and they were shaken with a violent shaking. And when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts was a disease said, ‘Allah and His Messenger promised us nothing but a delusion.’ And when a party of them said, ‘O people of Yathrib, you have possibly no stand against the enemy, therefore turn back.’ And a section of them even asked leave of the Prophet, saying, ‘Our houses are exposed and defenceless.’ And they were in truth not exposed. They only sought to flee away. And if entry were effected against them into the town from its environs, and then they were asked to join in the disturbances, they would have at once done so, and would not have tarried in their houses save a little. And truly they had already covenanted with Allah that they would not turn their backs. And a covenant with Allah will have to be answered for. Say, ‘Flight shall not avail you if you flee from death or slaughter; and even then you will enjoy but a little.’Say, ‘Who is it that can save you against Allah if it be His wish to do you harm or if it be His wish to show you mercy?’ And they will not find for themselves any friend or helper other than Allah. Verily Allah knows those among you who hinder men and those who say to their brethren, ‘Come to us;’ and they come not to the fight but a little, Being niggardly with regard to you. But when danger comes, thou seest them looking towards thee, their eyes rolling like one who is fainting on account of death. But when the fear has passed away, they assail you with sharp tongues being greedy for wealth. These have never believed; so Allah has rendered their works null and void. And that is an easy thing for Allah. They think that the confederates have not gone away; and if the confederates should come again, they would wish to be among the nomad Arabs in the desert, asking for news about you. And if they were among you they would not fight save a little. Verily you have in the Prophet of Allah an excellent model, for him who fears Allah and the Last Day and who remembers Allah much. And when the believers saw the confederates, they said, ‘This is what Allah and His Messenger promised us; and Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth.’ And it only added to their faith and submission. Among the believers are men who have been true to the covenant they made with Allah. There are some of them who have fulfilled their vow, and some who still wait, and they have not changed their condition in the least; That Allah may reward the truthful for their truth, and punish the hypocrites if He so please, or turn to them in mercy. Verily Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful. And Allah turned back the disbelievers in their rage; they gained no good. And Allah sufficed the believers in their fight. And Allah is Powerful, Mighty.’ (The Holy Qur’an, 33:10-26)
His Holiness (aba) said that this battle is known as the Battle of Khandaq (Trench or Ditch) because, contrary to the common tac