A: The Battle of AlKhandaq was a great trial with which Allah tried Muslims, set the argument against the Kafirs (disbelievers) and gave His Messenger (peace be upon him) and the believers victory. The Confederates of the Kafirs gathered and invaded Madinah, so it is also called the battle of AlAhzab (Confederates). The Messenger (peace be upon him) dug a trench around Madinah after the recommendation of Salman AlFarisy (may Allah be pleased with him). AlKhandaq was between him and the enemies and Allah made it useful. The Kafirs set Madinah under siege for two months. In this battle, Allah sent down His Saying (Glorified and Exalted be He):
O you who believe! Remember Allâh's Favour to you, when there came against you hosts, and We sent against them a wind and forces that you saw not [i.e. troops of angels during the battle of AlAhzâb (the Confederates)]. And Allâh is Ever AllSeer of what you do. When they came upon you from above you and from below you, and when the eyes grew wild and the hearts reached to the throats, and you were harbouring doubts about Allâh. There, the believers were tried and shaken with a mighty shaking. And when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease (of doubts) said: "Allâh and His Messenger (ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) promised us nothing but delusion!"
Thus, hypocrisy appeared and the Mushriks (ones who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) rallied to fight the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). It is called the battle of the Confederates, because Quraysh rallied many confederates from Ghatafan and outside Ghatafan and from AlAhabish (a tribe), to the extent that it was reported that they came in ten thousands to destroy Madinah and eradicate the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions. However, they were disappointed and returned despised, praise be to Allah, as Allah sent against them troops of angels which they did not see and a wind that shook and dispersed them.
"Allâh and His Messenger (ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) promised us nothing but delusion!"
This was the belief of the Kafirs and hypocrites, may Allah save us from their evil. The battle of AlKhandaq is not similar to the current incidents; it is severer except for the Kuwaitis. As for the disaster of Kuwait, it is severer, for they were driven out of their country, deprived of their properties and killed. May Allah avenge those who oppressed them and afflict them with misfortunes. He is AllHearer, Ever Near.