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86<br />
<strong>Life</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Muhammad</strong> sa<br />
the two figures relate to two different stages <strong>of</strong> the<br />
battle. The Battle <strong>of</strong> the Ditch was fought in three<br />
stages. We had the first stage before the enemy had<br />
come near to Medina, and Muslims were engaged in<br />
digging the ditch. During this time, we may well assume<br />
that in removing the excavated earth to a distance,<br />
children and, to some extent even women must have<br />
come in to assist. In the digging <strong>of</strong> the trench we may,<br />
therefore, assume that there were altogether three<br />
thousand souls employed on the Muslim side. The<br />
number included children and some women. The<br />
children were able to help in carrying the earth, and<br />
women who always vied with the men in helping all<br />
Muslim campaigns, must have been useful in doing<br />
many ancillary jobs connected with the digging. There is<br />
evidence to support this assumption. When the digging<br />
started, even children were asked to come. Practically<br />
the whole population took part in the digging. But as<br />
soon as the enemy arrived and the battle began, the<br />
Prophet sa ordered boys under fifteen to withdraw from<br />
the scene <strong>of</strong> operations. Those above fifteen were allowed<br />
to take part if they were so minded (Halbiyya, Vol. 2).<br />
From this it appears that at the time <strong>of</strong> digging, Muslim<br />
numbers were much larger than when the battle began.<br />
At the time <strong>of</strong> the battle the very young boys had all<br />
withdrawn. Estimates which put the Muslim numbers in<br />
the battle at three thousand relate only to the digging,<br />
and those which put the figure at one thousand two<br />
hundred relate to the actual battle in which only grownup<br />
males took part. The only estimate we have not<br />
accounted for is that which puts the figure at seven<br />
hundred. Even this estimate, according to us, is correct.<br />
It has been proposed by as reliable an authority as Ibn<br />
Ishaq, who is supported in this estimate by no less a<br />
person than Ibn Hazm. It is difficult to question this<br />
estimate. Fortunately, when we turn to the other details<br />
<strong>of</strong> the battle, even this estimate turns out to be correct.<br />
There is evidence to show that when the Banu Quraiza,<br />
against their plighted word, joined the enemy, and
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