He remained there for a few days and sent out several detachments. When they returned, Muḥammad ibn Maslamah captured one of the enemy and brought him to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, who asked him about his companions. The man replied, “They fled yesterday.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then invited him to Islam, whereupon he accepted, and the Prophet ﷺ returned to Madinah.

Al-Wāqidī (1) said: The Prophet’s ﷺ departure for Dūmat al-Jandal was in Rabīʿ al-Awwal (2) of the fifth year.

He added: During that same month (3) the mother of Saʿd ibn ʿUbādah passed away while her son was with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ (4) on this expedition.

Abū ʿĪsā al-Tirmidhī relates in his Jāmiʿ (5): Muḥammad ibn Bashshār narrated to us; Yaḥyā ibn Saʿīd narrated to us, from Saʿīd ibn Abī ʿArūbah, from Qatādah, from Saʿīd ibn al-Musayyib, that the mother of Saʿd died while the Prophet ﷺ was absent, and when he returned he led her funeral prayer—a full month having elapsed.

This is a sound mursal report (6) and indicates that the Prophet ﷺ was away on this expedition for a month or more, just as al-Wāqidī—may Allah have mercy on him—stated.

[The Battle of the Trench, also called the Battle of the Confederates]

Regarding it, Allah the Exalted revealed the opening verses of Sūrat al-Aḥzāb:

“O you who believe, remember Allah’s favor upon you when the hosts came against you, and We sent against them a wind and forces you could not see; and Allah is ever-watchful over what you do. (9)

When they came at you from above and from below, when eyes grew wide and hearts reached the throats, and you entertained doubts about Allah. (10)

There the believers were tested and shaken with a severe shaking. (11)

And when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is sickness said, ‘Allah and His Messenger promised us nothing but delusion.’ (12)

And when a group of them said, ‘People of Yathrib, there is no place for you here; retreat!’ while another party asked leave of the Prophet, saying, ‘Our houses are exposed,’ though they were not exposed—they only wished to flee. (13)

Had the enemy entered from all sides and demanded disloyalty, they would have acceded to it and hesitated but little. (14)

Yet they had already pledged to Allah that they would not turn their backs, and a pledge to Allah will be questioned. (15)

Say, ‘Flight will not benefit you if you flee from death or killing; then you will enjoy life only for a brief while.’ (16)

Say, ‘Who is it that can shield you from Allah if He intends harm for you, or intends mercy?’ They will find for themselves no protector or helper apart from Allah. (17)

Allah surely knows those among you who hold back and who say to their brothers, ‘Come over to us,’ yet they approach the battle only a little, (18)

grudging you all assistance. Then, when fear comes, you see them looking at you, their eyes rolling about…”