What lessons can Muslims learn from the battle of Khandaq?

KCSE IRE Paper 2 2015 Question 4(b) with Answers.

​(b) What lessons can Muslims learn from the battle of Khandaq? (6 marks)

Lessons Muslims can learn from the Battle of Khandaq

1. Victory comes from Allah regardless of the number and material strengths of the enemies of Islam.
2. Reliance on Allah (tawakul) must be preceded by the necessary human efforts or preparation. e.g  the digging of the trench prior to the approach of the Makkan army.
3. There is no harm for a Muslim leader to accept wise counsel from among the rest of the Muslims. For instance, the idea of digging of a trench (Khandaq) was initiated by Salman al Farsy.
4. Leadership demands that the leader must lead from the front. For example the Prophet (P.b.u.h) took active role in the preparation for this battle.
5. Muslim affairs require that they are decided through mutual consultations (shura). The decision not to go for an open battle was arrived at through consultation among the Sahabas of the Prophet.
6. Seeking the pleasure of Allah (swt) should be a topmost motivating factor or drive in anything a Muslim undertakes. This is well illustrated in the individual combat between Ah bin abitalib (R.A.A) and Amr bin Abd-Wudd.
7. The leader should motivate his followers using different approaches or methods in the process of accomplishing a task. For example, the Prophet allowed his companions to sing songs/poems as a way of energizing them in this battle.
8. Matters reported to a leader must be investigated first before further action can be taken. For example when Banu Khuraiza betrayed the alliance they had with the prophet, the latter sent two Sahabas to confirm the validity of the report.
9. Taking necessary precaution by a leader to minimize loss or injury. For example, the Prophet instructed women and children to seek protection in fortified castles and houses so as to prevent the enemy forces from capturing them

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