The expedition known as Ahzab or Khandaq, undertaken in Ramadan of the fifth year of Hijrah, was a pivotal event in Islamic history. The circumstances leading to this confrontation were instigated by the Bani Nuzayr, a Jewish tribe expelled from Medina due to their conspiracies. Some members of this tribe sought refuge in Khyber, while their leader, Huyy bin Akhtab, journeyed to Mecca to rally the Quraish and other Arab tribes against the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Highlighting grievances such as their expulsion and confiscation of property by the Muslims, Akhtab successfully persuaded Abu Sufyan and the Quraish to unite with the Bani Quraiza, a Medina-based Jewish tribe, promising a coordinated attack from multiple fronts. This coalition mobilized a formidable force comprising 2,000 men from various tribes, including the Quraish, Bani Ghitfan, and Bani Sulaym, thus setting the stage for a significant confrontation. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), upon learning of the impending assault, consulted his companions, leading to the adoption of Salman Al-Farsi’s ingenious plan to dig a protective trench around Medina—a strategy unprecedented in Arabian warfare.

Ibn Babawayh has narrated in Khisal through Amirul Momineen (a.s.) that Quraish came with Arab tribes and made a firm covenant that till they do not slay the Prophet with all the issues of Abdul Muttalib, they would not return. They came armed in multitudes and besieged Medina and they were over-confident of their numbers and strength. Before their arrival, Jibraeel had informed the Messenger of Allah (S) about them.

The Holy Prophet (S), Muhajireen and Ansar dug a trench around Medina and Quraish camped by the side of the trench besieging us. They used to threaten the Muslims. The Holy Prophet (S) used to call them to the Almighty Allah and adjure them for the sake of their relationship. This increased their rebellion and neither they accepted Islam nor agreed to return without fighting.

At that time Amr bin Abde Wudd was their greatest warrior who was challenging the Muslims in various ways. No one dared to accept his challenge. At last the Holy Prophet (S) sent me to confront him. I was made to wear the turban and Zulfiqar was handed to me. When I stepped into the battlefield, women began to wail because they feared for me.

Finally the Almighty Allah had him killed through me, even though Arabs did not consider anyone his equal. Then he pointed to his head said: He slashed me here. I also attacked him and because of my blows, the infidels of Quraish fled from there. Then he turned to the companions if it was not true? All said that it was indeed true.

Shaykh Mufeed, Shaykh Tabarsi, Ibn Shahr Ashob and Ibn Abil Hadid and all Shia and Sunni tradition scholars have narrated that when Amr bin Abde Wudd (l.a.) jumped into the battlefield and challenged the Muslims to send anyone as his equal, the Holy Prophet (S) asked: “Who will volunteer to face him?” But no one offered any reply.

Amirul Momineen (a.s.) came forward and volunteered the task. But the Holy Prophet (S) said: “Sit down, this is Amr bin Abde Wudd. Perhaps someone else will take up the challenge.” Again the foe repeated his challenge. “Where is your Paradise which you claimed that your killed ones go to?” Amirul Momineen (a.s.) arose and said: “O Messenger of Allah (S), I will go.”

“Sit down,” said the Prophet. At last he was permitted the third time. The Holy Prophet (S) dressed him in his coat of mail. Put on his turban, entitled Sahaab and handed his sword, Zulfiqar and said: “Go.” And he prayed to the Almighty Allah to protect him. According to Ibn Abil Hadid when Amirul Momineen (a.s.) went to fight the Battle of Heeja, the Messenger of Allah (S) said: “Complete faith is going to confront complete infidelity.”

When Amirul Momineen (a.s.) reached the battlefield, Amr bin Abde Wudd recognized him and said: “Go back, and send someone else. I don’t want to kill a noble man like you. And I don’t want to slay the son of my friend.” Imam Ali (a.s.) says: “But I want to slay you as long as you are an idolater.” Ibn Abil Hadid says: When I mentioned this tradition to my teacher, he said that accursed one was a liar.

When he saw Imam Ali (a.s.) and he remembered his blows of Badr and Uhud, he chickened out and wanted to escape through this pretext. But he was infuriated by this reply. So he jumped down from the horse and attacked the Imam with his sword as a result of which his helmet split and his head was injured.

Imam Ali (a.s.) at once attacked him and cut off his head. Imam Ali (a.s.) raised the call of Allahu Akbar and people came to know that he has killed Amr bin Abde Wudd. When he brought his severed head to the Prophet, he said: “O Ali, good cheers to you that if this act of yours is compared to the deeds of my whole community, your act will be heavier than all.

Because there is no house among infidels that is not shocked by his slaying and there is no house from the houses of Muslims, which is not strengthened through this.” And it is mentioned in continuous traditions that the Holy Prophet (S) said: “Each blow of Ali (a.s.) on the day of the Battle of Khandaq is better than all the worship acts of Jinn and men till Judgment Day.”

Ref: Hayat Al Qublub by Allama Majlisi, Vol 2