17604 - From Qatadah regarding His saying: 'When they came at you from above you and from below you,' he said: This verse was revealed on the day of the Confederates (al-Ahzab). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) had been besieged for a month, so the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) dug the trench. Abu Sufyan approached with Quraysh and those of the people who were with him until they encamped at the side of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). 'Uyaynah ibn Hisn, the brother of Banu Badr, approached with Ghatafan and those who followed him until they encamped at the side of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). The Jews corresponded with Abu Sufyan and supported him. Allah sent fear and the wind upon them, and he mentioned that whenever they built a structure, Allah would cut its ropes; whenever they tied an animal, Allah would cut its tether; and whenever they lit a fire, Allah would extinguish it. It was mentioned to us that the leader of every tribe would say: 'O sons of so-and-so, come to me!' And when they gathered to him, he would say: 'Escape... escape! You have been attacked,' because Allah had sent fear upon them (2).

17605 - From Mujahid regarding His saying: 'When they came at you from above you,' he said: 'Uyaynah ibn Hisn with the people of Najd. 'And from below you,' he said: Abu Sufyan ibn Harb with the people of Tihamah, while those facing them were the Banu Qurayzah (3).