Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Question 4

Use the AO1 Levels of Response.

Candidates should include some of the following points. All other relevant points must be credited.

Mu’ta: This was the fiercest battle during the Prophet’s lifetime, fought in 629 (8AH). The Prophet (pbuh) had sent al-Harith ibn ‘Umair al-Azdi carrying a letter to the ruler of Basra, inviting him to Islam. He was intercepted and killed by the governor of al-Balqa’ Shurahbil Ibn Amr. The Prophet (pbuh) had to act over this killing and so mobilised an army of 3000 men; people near the scene of al-Harith’s murder would be invited to Islam and if they accepted, no battle would ensue.

Zayd ibn Haritha was to lead the army, Ja’far ibn Abi Talib would replace him if he fell, and ‘Abdullah ibn Rawaha would then replace Ja’far if he fell. Heraclius sent 100 000 troops with another 100 000 from tribes allied to the Byzantines.

The two armies fought relentlessly. Zayd was martyred and so Ja’far took his place. He had his right arm cut off, then his left, and eventually he too was martyred. ‘Abdullah then took his place and fought until he was martyred.

Khalid ibn Walid stepped up to take leadership and showed his skills as a strategist; the Muslims from the back were asked to come to the front to give the impression of reinforcements, then they gradually retreated to save lives. The Byzantines, thinking they had to fight a renewed army did not come forward again, which allowed the battle to end.

Hunayn: This battle occurred in 630 (8AH). Following the conquest of Makkah, the tribes of Hawazin and Thaqif wanted to fight the Muslims. The tribes wanted to halt the spread of Islam, and defend their polytheistic beliefs, gathering an army of 20 000.

Hearing of their aggressive intentions, the Prophet (pbuh) marched to meet them with 12 000 men.

The enemy hid in the valley of Hunayn and when the Muslims stopped to pray, the tribes ambushed them, hurling stones and shooting arrows. The enemy attack became fierce, and many Muslims started to retreat. The Prophet (pbuh) called out: ‘Come on, people! I am the Messenger of Allah. I am Muhammad, the son of Abdullah.’

Eventually the Prophet’s troops returned, and they went on to defeat the enemy tribes.

Because the enemy’s leader Malik ibn ‘Awf had told everyone to take their families and belongings with them, the Muslims captured huge spoils of war.

This battle is mentioned in Sura Tawba, v25–26.

What lessons can be learned from the Prophet’s actions at the Battle

of Hunayn?

Use the AO2 Levels of Response.

Candidates can give other examples and all relevant answers should be credited.

The Prophet (pbuh) wanted to fight the tribes to defend Islam. Some may argue this shows that Muslims can take action to defend themselves against those who want to harm Islam.

The Prophet (pbuh) also rallied the Muslims to come back and fight. This shows the importance of sticking together and also in not giving up when one sets out to do something, even if things get difficult.

The Prophet (pbuh) also showed clemency after winning the battle. The Prophet’s foster sister Shayma was among the captives, and he treated her with great courtesy, teaching Muslims to be merciful to captives. The Prophet (pbuh) also gave more generously to the Makkan Muslims than to the Ansars, saying later that his presence with them in Medina was a gift in itself, teaching Muslims that love of the Prophet (pbuh) is a greater gift than money.

Write about the life of ʿAisha during the years she was married to the