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The Prophetic Methodology of State Defense and Its Contemporary Application: A Special Study in the Context of the Battle of the Trench (Ghazwah al-Ahzab)
Dr. Syed Mujahid Hussain; Imran Hussain Hashmi
Abstract:
After the migration to Madinah, the political and defensive message of Islam emerged in an organized form. When the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) established the first Islamic state, he also formulated its defensive strategy, which appeared in the form of peace treaties as well as practical measures of armed struggle to ensure law, order, and stability. Among the defensive steps taken to safeguard the State of Madinah, the system organized during the Battle of the Trench (Ghazwah al-Ahzab) stood out as a unique and most advanced mechanism in the history of Arabia, and it was through this strategic arrangement that the enemies of Islam were defeated. In this context, this paper examines the principles of state defense found in the Prophetic biography (Sīrah), presenting the Battle of the Trench as a case study. The defensive strategy adopted by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) during this battle was not confined to military action alone; rather, it encompassed political insight, diplomatic strategy, intelligence measures, alliance-building, and psychological warfare. The research highlights that the Prophetic methodology is not limited to historical events; it continues to offer a practical and effective model for modern state defense, security policy, and international relations. The defensive measure of digging the trench during the Battle of the Trench, while militarily crucial in halting the enemy’s advance, also reflects collective qualities such as labor cooperation, discipline, and trust in leadership. Additionally, strengthening inter-tribal unity on the internal front and gaining timely information regarding external threats remained integral features of the Prophetic defensive system. The purpose of this study is to enable modern Muslim states to draw lessons from the Prophetic strategy in order to effectively confront current defense challenges and to establish their national and ideological security on stable foundations.
Keywords:
State Defense, Prophetic Methodology, Military Measures, Contemporary Applications, Diplomatic Insight, Psychological Strategy
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