The enemies of the Prophet (sa) were divided into two divisions, the Koraysh, together with its proven allies from the south were to set out upon their march to Medina via the coastal route which was also the same route they had taken to Uhud. As for the second division, it was agreed that they would approach Medina from their homelands of the Najd. There was much prestige to be gained in the forthcoming encounter so, although Abu Sufyan was the commander of the Koraysh army, it was agreed among the Koraysh chieftains that they would take it in turns to lead the army so that the honor would be evenly divided.

Not everyone in Mecca supported Abu Sufyan. There were a few, including Abbas, the uncle of the Prophet (sa), who once again feared for his nephew's safety, so under the cloak of secrecy he dispatched several horsemen to Medina with the news.

The urgent state of affairs compelled them to ride with such haste that they reached Medina in just four days. Upon reaching Medina, the horsemen wasted no time and went directly to the Prophet (sa) to inform him of the two armies advancing on Medina on either side giving details of their numbers and weaponry. Once again, the Muslims had a week in which to prepare for the hostilities.

Immediately, the Prophet (sa) shrewdly sent word to his followers in the outlying areas of Medina to return to the City, and called for a meeting to discuss the strategy that would best serve them. Once more he reminded the companions that if they obeyed Allah and were patient, victory would be theirs.

His words made an indelible impression upon his companions as they remembered the disobedience of some among them with its consequences at Uhud. Ideas abounded from every quarter, however, Salman proposed a plan that had been both used and proven in Persia. Salman advised the Prophet (sa) that when the Persians feared a cavalry attack, they would dig a large, circular trench around them as it was extremely difficult for the horses of the enemy to cross the wide divide and consequently they were better able to defend themselves. Salman's proposal met with great enthusiasm and so it was agreed that this would be the best course to adopt.

The Digging of the Trench

It was unnecessary to dig a complete trench around the entire City as there was an unbroken line of fortified houses, strong enough to resist the advance of the enemy in one part. Then again, outside the City lay the fortresses of their allies from the Jewish tribe of Krayzah that also afforded them additional protection.

There was yet another blessing, outside the City towards the north-west lay impenetrable hillocks of rock. One of these hillocks was called the hill of Sal, and it was there that they decided to make their camp after connecting the existing fortifications together by the trench.

The site had other advantages; the ground on the near side of Sal's slope was considerably higher than in other places, not only did it afford additional protection but from it they would be able to monitor the movements of the unbelievers. There was no time to waste, so Salman instructed the companions on the depth and width of the trench, and the digging began. Salman, had until recently been the slave of the tribe of Krayzah and knew that his former masters owned many tools, so it was agreed that they should be asked to loan them in accordance with the pact they had signed with the Prophet (sa) a few years ago that also stated they would not ally themselves with the enemy of the Prophet (sa).

The Krayzah were quick to realize that they stood to loose their possessions and date groves if they did not help defend Medina and so every tool they possessed was made available and work began. Each section of the Muslim community was assigned a specific area to excavate and soon the continuous sound of axes hacking away at the ground and shovels removing the loosened ground filled the air, coming only to a halt at the time of prayer and when sleep finally overtook them.

Prophet Muhammad (sa) worked tirelessly alongside his companions who encouraged one another to work harder. As for Salman, he was an extremely strong, fit person. During his years of slavery he had labored tirelessly in the fields digging and carrying, and his companions were amazed to see just how strong he actually was; all were of the opinion that he was worth ten of them put together.

As the digging progressed, rocks were excavated and put to one side for use during the anticipated encounter. There were not enough baskets to go around to transport the earth so the companions took to using their upper garments as bags. Young lads came out to lend a hand, but the work was much too arduous so much to their sorrow, they were thanked but told to return home.

The Miracle of the Boulder

Jabir and his companions were working hard on their section when they struck a huge boulder. Try as best they might, no one, not even the strongest among them could shatter it let alone move it. When the news of the boulder reached the Prophet (sa) he left his section of digging and made his way to it, then, taking hold of a ax he struck the boulder three times whereupon it disintegrated into a piles of sand.

When the Prophet (sa) struck the boulder the first time, a light shone so brilliantly from it that it reached the ramparts of the castles in distant Yemen; which was then under the rule of Abyssinia. Upon his second strike, the light stretched as far away as the fortresses of Syria and upon the third, it reached and lit up the white palace of Chosroes in Madian. The Prophet (sa) later explained that the miraculous light was a sign that one day Islam would spread to these distant lands.

The Miraculous Meal

Before the Prophet (sa) returned to his digging, Jabir asked permission to return home to his wife, the Prophet (sa) agreed and Jabir went home. Jabir had noticed that the Prophet (sa) had strapped a stone to his stomach to ease the pains of hunger and had been told that he had not eaten for three days.

It distressed him greatly to see him in such a condition and so upon reaching his home he asked his wife if she had any food in the house. Jabir's wife told him that the only food they had was some barley and their nanny goat. Immediately, Jabir went out, slaughtered the goat and ground the barley. A fire was kindled and a large cooking pot filled with water placed on it to which the goat meat was added, and then the oven was made ready to bake the bread.

When the food was almost ready and the barley flour kneaded, Jabir returned to the Prophet (sa) and told him that he had prepared some food at home and asked if he and some others would care to join him in a meal. The Prophet (sa) was grateful and asked what he had prepared whereupon Jabir told him and he remarked, "That is indeed a lot of food." The Prophet (sa) told Jabir to return to his wife and tell her not to remove the pot from the fire, nor yet the bread from the oven until he arrived.

Then, the Prophet (sa) turned to all his companions and said, "Let us go," and so they all laid down their tools and made their way to Jabir's house. Jabir reached his home shortly before the Prophet (sa) and his companions arrived and told his wife, "The blessing of Allah be upon you, the Prophet (sa) together with all the Muhajir, Ansar and others are coming!" Shortly afterwards, the Prophet (sa) entered and told his companions to take their place a few at a time and not to over crowd the room.

Then, he broke the bread into pieces and put some of it on top of the meat, following this, he took some more bread from the oven and asked his companions to pass the food around. As soon as the first group had taken their fill, the next group entered and the Prophet (sa) humbly served his companions until all were replete. Even after everyone had eaten, then same quantity of bread and meat remained as it was before they had all eaten. Then the Prophet (sa) spoke to Jabir's wife saying, "Eat some and send some as a gift to the hungry."