Pakistan International School Jeddah English Section

Academic Year: 2022–2023

Islamiyat 0493
Notes and Guidelines

Student Name/ID

Class/ Section

Chapter 3 The Life and Importance of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

Topic Life of Prophet (SAW) in Madinah

8th Year of Hijrah – Battle of Mu’tah

Reference notes - 7
 Chapter 3 – 8th AH- Battle of Mu’tah

Generic Guidelines
➢ These notes are consisted of outlines NOT the complete answer.
➢ Outlines are based on the IGCSE requirements with the reference of past paper question and
guidelines with examiner report for the relevant topics.
➢ These notes will serve the students as a mind map, in order to form a well-developed answer.
➢ Students are required to use the given key points to develop the response in their own words.
➢ For some topics notes are given in complete paragraph form to give idea how to develop the
answer
➢ References are also included within the notes to help students memorize

Life of Prophet (SAW) in Madinah

8th Year of Hijrah – Battle of Mu’tah

Whichever battles candidates choose, they should be able to name and describe them in detail
giving dates and important points. Better answers will also narrate the events as they unfolded
rather than giving confused details; excellent answers will give an in-depth narrative.

A good answer should have most of the information and a lot of detail, accurate chronology,
perhaps giving relevant quotes. Following is the outline for a well-developed response.

Outlines
➢ Causes
➢ Preparation of Muslim
➢ Appointment of three commanders and instructions
➢ Roman Army and inspiring speech of Abdullah bin Rawahah (RA)
➢ Main Events of Battle of Mutah
➢ Martyrdom of First Commander - Zayd bin Haritha (RA)
➢ Martyrdom of Second Commander - Jaffar bin Abu Talib (RA)
➢ Martyrdom of Third Commander - Abdullah bin Ruwahah (RA)
➢ Appointment of Fourth commander - Khalid bin Waleed (RA) and his unique strategy
➢ Allah (SWT)’s inspiration to Prophet (SAW) about battlefield
➢ Outcomes

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 Chapter 3 – 8th AH- Battle of Mu’tah

Past Paper Questions and Marking Scheme

Part ‘a’ (10 Marks Question)
Students are required to recall, select and present relevant facts from the main elements of the faith and
history of Islam in part ‘A’.

1. Write about the main events of the battle of Mutah. [10]

2. Write about the main events of two of the following battles: Khaybar, Mu’ta, Hunain,
Tabuk. [10] May/June 2015

Marking Scheme:

Good answers will be able to give relevant details of battle with dates and names of keys figures
involved, being careful to avoid general answers that could be attributed to any battle fought in
the Prophet’s lifetime.

Mu’tah: This was the fiercest battle during the Prophet’s lifetime; fought in 629 (8AH); The
Prophet had sent Al-Harith bin ‘Umair al-Azdi carrying a letter to the ruler of Basra; he was
intercepted and killed by the governor of al-Balqa’; the Prophet mobilized 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; Zaid bin Haritha was to lead the army, Ja’far bin Abu Talib would replace
him, and ‘Abdullah bin Rawaha would replace Ja’far if he fell; Heraclius sent 100,000 troops
with another 100,000 from tribes allied to the Byzantines; Khalid bin Walid stepped up to take
leadership and showed his skills as a strategist; the Muslims gradually retreated and the
Byzantines, thinking they were entrapped, stopped their pursuit allowing the Muslims to incur
minimal casualties.

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 Chapter 3 – 8th AH- Battle of Mu’tah

8th Year of Hijrah – Battle of Mu’tah

Answer must begin with the general introduction background and details about the ‘battle of Mu’tah’ in
eighth year after Hijrah of Prophet (SAW)’ as mentioned in the outline.

➢ Causes
o It was one of the most significant and dangerous battle.
o It was Muslims first attempt towards Christians.
o In 7th AH, Prophet (SAW) sent Haris bin Umair (RA) with a letter for the ruler of Basra
(Syria) but he was intercepted and killed by Shrahbil Ghassani, the Roman Governor of
Al Balqa and a close ally of Heraclius, Caesar of the Roman Empire.

➢ Preparation of Muslim
o Prophet (SAW) shocked and grieved as the killing of an ambassador was an act of war.
o In response to this aggression, Prophet (SAW) dispatched an army of 3000 warriors in
8th AH, under Zaid bin Hairtha (RA) with detailed instructions regarding the chain of
command.

➢ Appointment of Three Commanders and Instructions

o He asked to appoint Jaffer bin Abi Talib (RA) if Zaid bin Harith (RA) embraced martyrdom
and in case he too dies, then Abdullah bin Rawahah (RA) should lead the troops. If these
three are martyred then the army can choose their own commander.
o The Prophet (SAW) gave Zaid (RA) a white flag made by himself.

o He (SAW) instructed them to invite Islam. Muslims were to fight only if they reject the call.
o The code of conduct of the war was mentioned by Prophet (SAW). He advised them to fight
for Allah. He (SAW) ordered them to avoid aggression and violation of treaties, forbade the
killing of children, women, old and weak, discouraged hiding or stealing of booty, cutting of
trees and demolishing of homes.
o Prophet (SAW) Said, “In the name of Allah and in the way of Allah, Fight against
those who blaspheme Him. Behold! Commit no breach of Promise, nor of trust, nor
kill their children, old men on the verge of death, nor recluse the hermitage, and do
not cut down trees, nor demolish any building. (Al-Bukhari)
o Prophet (SAW) escorted the army for some distance out of Madinah and then bade them
farewell.
➢ Roman Army and Inspiring Speech of Abdullah bin Rawahah (RA)
o Roman sent 100,000 troops with another 100,000 from Arabian tribes allied to fight with the
Muslim army.
o When Muslims heard about the strength of Roman army, they sat conferring about the
situation, wondering whether to wade into the battlefield outnumbered or to send for
reinforcements. In this situation, Abdullah bin Rawahah (RA) gave an impassionate speech
which encouraged them to fight.

➢ Main Events of Battle of Mutah

o Both armies met at Mutah. The fierce battle started in which all three commanders of
Muslims were martyred one after another.

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 Chapter 3 – 8th AH- Battle of Mu’tah
➢ Martyrdom of First Commander - Zayd bin Haritha (RA)
o Zaid bin Harith (RA) was the adopted son of Prophet (SAW). He fought with his absolute
strength and matchless bravery until he was fatally stabbed.
➢ Martyrdom of Second Commander - Jaffar bin Abu Talib (RA)
o Next, the banner was given to Jaffer, who was entitled as Tayyar (one with two wings); he
also did a courageous job.
o Dismounting on the horse, he resumed fighting until his right hand was cut off. He seized the
banner with his left hand until this too was cut down. He then held onto the banner with both
arms until the Byzantine soldier cut him into two pieces. He had ninety wounds on his body,
none of them in the back.
o He made sure that the Flag of Islam was suspended in air until he died.
➢ Martyrdom of Third Commander - Abdullah bin Ruwahah (RA)
o The prophet (SAW)’s standard (white flag) was then taken up by Abdullah bin Ruwahah who
was a poet. He fought bravely and attained martyrdom.
➢ Appointment of Fourth commander - Khalid bin Waleed (RA) and his unique strategy
o After the last leader had fallen, Thabit bin Aqram (RA) ran to receive the flag and rose it high,
so that the Muslims would not disperse in chaos.
o Then Muslims chose Khalid bin Walid (RA) unanimously as their fourth commander.
o Khalid bin Waleed (RA) showed his skills as a strategist. He reshuffled the right and left
wings of the army and brought the rear division to the front.
o Khalid bin Walid (RA) cast fear in the enemy’s heart by misleading them that fresh forces had
arrived to fight them.
o While he was fighting, He (RA) used nine swords that broke. Later, the Prophet (SAW) entitled
him as “Saifullah” (The Sword of Allah)
o Along with fighting random clashes with the enemy, the Muslim forces retreated gradually in an
organized manner. The Byzantine thought they were being entrapped in the heart of the desert,
so they decided to stop pursuing the Muslim army. Thus, the Muslim army managed to retreat
to Madinah with minimal casualties.
➢ Allah (SWT)’s inspiration to Prophet (SAW) about battlefield
o Back in Madinah the Prophet (SAW) was fully informed of the happenings of the war. He (SAW)
gave the news of the martyrdom of three commanders and informed people that the command
had been handed over to Khalid bin Waleed (RA), whom he then referred to as one of Allah’s
Swords.
➢ Outcomes
o Khalid bin Waleed (RA) brought back the army safely with his great strategy.
o 12 Muslims were martyred only.
o It shows the strong determination of the Muslims that they are ready to give their lives for the
cause of Allah.
o Romans realized the power of Muslims that they can never be easily defeated.
o Arab tribes were very much impressed that Muslims can even face the challenge of the romans,
which is the most powerful empire in the world.
o Even though the battle did not satisfy the Muslims’ objective, namely avenging Al-Harith’s
murder, it resulted in a far-ranging impact and attached to the Muslims a great reputation in the
battlefields.

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