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)

Topics Life of Prophet (SAW) in Madinah

3rd Year after Hijrah – Battle of Uhud

Reference notes - 3
 Chapter 3 – 3rd AH- Battle of Uhud

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

3 Year after Hijrah – Battle of Uhud
rd

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
➢ Back ground/ Causes
o defeat at Battle of Badr
o Abu Sufiyan’s oath
➢ Quraysh Army
➢ Prophet (SAW)’s council of war
o Prophet (SAW) agreed to majority’s suggestion
➢ Muslim Army
o role of Abdullah Bin Ubbay
➢ On the Battle field
o defensive strategy of Prophet (SAW)
➢ Main Event of the general battle
o initial victory & Collection of booty
o a Tactical Mistake
o attack of Khalid Bin Waleed from Rear
➢ Prominent incidents:
o attack on Prophet (SAW)
o martyrdom of Musab Bin Umair (RA) – A rumour
o martyrdom of Hamza (RA)
➢ Conclusion of the battle
o Abu Sufyan’s Challenge to meet next year
o martyred/killed
➢ Results/Outcomes
o low the prestige of Muslims
o A great Moral Lesson

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 Chapter 3 – 3rd AH- Battle of Uhud

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. The Battle of Uhud was fought in the year 625. Describe the main events of this
battle. May/June 2017 [10]
2. Describe the events of the Battle of Uhad. Oct/Nov 2015 [10]

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.

Good candidates should be able to provide a clear and detailed narrative of the events of the
battle, including names of the key figures involved. The battle took place in 3AH (625) in revenge
for the Makkan defeat at Badr; the Prophet consulted his companions whether to fight outside or
inside the city; the Makkan army numbered 3 000 led by Abu Sufyan, whilst the Muslims were
around 1 000; shortly before the battle started Abdullah ibn Ubayy deserted the army with 300 of
his people; the Muslims decided to meet the Makkan army at Uhud; the Prophet posted 50 archers
on a hill to protect them from being attacked from behind; in the battle Hamza was killed by
Wahshi, who earned his freedom through this act; Khalid bin Walid tried to break the Muslims
from behind three times but the archers held him off; the Muslims were successful in driving back
the Makkans, and started to collect the spoils of war; on seeing this some of the archers left their
post on the hill to join those collecting the spoils; Khalid bin Walid noticed this and used the
opportunity to attack the Muslims from the rear; the Quraysh army on seeing this turned back and
renewed the battle; many Muslims fled; the Prophet was surrounded by nine Madinans, and only
Talha bin Ubaidullah and Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas survived; the Prophet was badly injured; remaining
Muslims were disheartened on hearing a rumour that the Prophet had been killed; the Prophet
and Muslims retreated to the Uhud mountain; the Makkans mutilated the dead bodies of the
Muslims, including Hind who chewed on the liver of Hamza; the Muslims buried their martyrs and
returned to Madina; around 70 Muslims were killed and 22/37 of the Makkans.

Excellent candidates will provide the above information with considerable detail and
accuracy, giving particulars about the role played by the key figures in the battle, as well
as offering some quotations.

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 Chapter 3 – 3rd AH- Battle of Uhud

3rd Year after Hijrah – Battle of Uhud

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

Background
• Basic causes were same as for the battle of Badr.
• defeat at Badr intensified enmity of Quraish
• Quraysh wanted to take revenge for their dead and regain their lost prestige.
• Abu Sufiyan vowed not to take bath till he had avenged the defeat at Badr and he prohibited tribes
to express grief over the dead.

Preparation & Army of Quraish
• Quraish decided to invest their trade
profit to fund the battle.
• Quraysh sent Poets to incite the tribes to
seek the revenge and write abusive
poems.
• Hypocrites of Madinah & Jews supported
the Qurish too.
Quraish Army
o Leader - Abu Sufiyan
o 3000 well equipped Army
o 200 Horses
o Right wing – Commander Khalid Bin Walid
o Left wing – Commander Ikramah Bin Abu Jahl
o 15 Women join the army too as Hind- Abu
Sufyan’s wife & Utbah’s Daughter, Ume Hakeem-
Abu Jahl’s grand Daughter and Fatimah - Khalid
bin Waleed’s sister.

Prophet (SAW)’s council of war
• Prophet (SAW) was informed about the
Quraish so he held a council of war
• Senior wanted to remain in Madinah
whereas younger men were eager to fight
in open. Prophet (SAW) yielded the
opinion of the majority to fight in open.
Muslim Army
• Prophet (SAW) advanced with One thousand
People to Uhad.
• Abdullah bin Ubbay with his 300 people of
deserted the Muslims with excuse that Prophet
(SAW) turned down his suggestion to fight in
city.
• Prophet (SAW) marched towards Uhad with Left
700 people
• First time Muslim women participated - Fatima
(RA), Nusaybah bint Ka'ab (RA), Umm Salamah
• Their main duty was to supply water and
dressing the wounded soldiers.

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 Chapter 3 – 3rd AH- Battle of Uhud
On the Battle field

Defensive strategy of Prophet (SAW)

o Muslims encamped on the rising ground, Mount Uhad was behind
o On top of Uhad hill, there was a pass at the rear which could be crossed by Quraysh
cavalry.
o Prophet (SAW) posted 50 archers to protect Muslims from a possible attack and instructed
them not to leave their position under any circumstances
o Single combat - Ali (RA), Talha (RA), Zubair(RA), Abu Dujana (RA) and Hamza (RA) killed
number of prominent Quraish warriors, including their flag-bearer.

Main Event of the battle

Preparation of Qurayish
Their poets motivated the people by writing
instigating poetry to donate generously.
Their women joined their cause
Jews and hypocrites also supported them.
A Tactical Mistake
• Initial victory & Collection of booty
o As the battle started, Ali (RA), Talha (RA),
Zubair (RA), Abu Dujana (RA) and Hamza
(RA) killed number of prominent Quraish
warriors, including their flag-bearer.
o Muslims fought bravely, killed and wounded
many Quraish worriers.
o Quraish were intercepted by Muslim archers,
when they tried to attack from behind.
o Due to Muslims’ bravery, Makkans began to
retreat, leaving behind a great deal of booty in
their camps.
o Some of the Muslim’s troops considering this as
their victory fell upon the spoils of war in
Quraishite Camp.

Except of 12, the remaining 38 Archers, disobeying

the instruction, left the position and got busy in
collecting the booty. Thus, the pass left unguarded. Attack of Khalid Bin Waleed
o Khalid bin Waleed took the opportunity and
attacked the Muslim Army from the back.
o A chaos and panic was created and Muslim
army retreated up the Uhad hill.
o Seeing this fleeing Quraish resumed fighting
and Muslims were trapped between the
Makkan soldiers and cavalry.

Reference from Quran

o Holy Quran mention this battle in following words,
o “Indeed, Allah fulfilled His promise to you when you ˹initially˺ swept them away by His Will, then your
courage weakened and you disputed about the command and disobeyed, after Allah had brought
victory within your reach. Some of you were after worldly gain while others desired a heavenly
reward. He denied you victory over them as a test, yet He has pardoned you. And Allah is Gracious
to the believers”. (Al-Imran 3:152)

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 Chapter 3 – 3rd AH- Battle of Uhud

Prominent incidents

➢ Attack on Prophet ➢ Martyrdom of Musab Bin Umair (RA) ➢ Martyrdom of

(SAW)
o Quraish took full
advantage of the situation
and tried to attack
Prophet (SAW) who was
surrounded and protected
by many of his faithful
companions.
o Prophet (SAW) himself
was injured and wounds
on the face, lost a tooth
and became unconscious.
and a rumour Hamza (RA)
o In the meantime, Musab Bin Umair was o Prophet (SAW)’s
martyred by ibne Qaimi’ah, (one of the uncle Hamza bin
leaders of Quraish) Abdul Muttalib
o Due to his resemblance to Prophet (SAW), (RA) was
a rumor spread that Prophet (SAW) had martyred by
been martyred. Wahshi a Slave
o This news demoralized Muslim Army. of Hind. She
Some of them threw their arms in despair. chewed the liver
o Soon Kab Bin Malik (RA) saw and of Hamza.
announced that Prophet (SAW) is alive.
o Prophet (SAW) was injured but shield
by his brave companions and eventually
carried to the higher place of the Hill by
them
o Muslims began to rally around him.

Conclusion of the battle

o Indecisive battle concluded when Quraish decided to

retreat back to Makkah. Martyred/killed
o Dead bodies of Muslim soldiers were mutilated and
necklace of their organs was made by women of o 70 Muslims Martyred
Quraysh. o Quraysh lost only 20 men
➢ Abu Sufyan’s Challenge to meet next year o Prophet (SAW) forbade the
o Before leaving the battle field, Abu Sufyan challenged mutilation of corpses and buried
Muslims for another combat next year. them in a single grave.
o And declared that this day was in return for Badr. o Muslim Martyrs were also buried
in the field of Uhud as per
o Bara bin Azib reported” …. Abu Sufiyan said, “this is
Prophet (SAW)’s instruction.
a day of revenge for the day of badr and the issue
of war is undecided.” (Sahih Bukhari)

o
Low the prestige of Muslims
o Neighbouring tribes broke their alliance
o Banu Nadir broke the alliance and were
banished after incident of Bir Mauna where
they tried to assassinate Prophet (SAW)
Outcomes
A great Moral Lesson for Muslims
o To show loyalty, Unity and discipline.
o They acknowledged the causes of defeat i.e., Lack
of obedience to Prophet (SAW) and greed.
o They became more determined and sincere for
Islam and Prophet SAW

Many verses of Surah Al Imran (3rd Surah) comment on this battle, highlighting the mistakes of Muslims
and giving them advices

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 Chapter 3 – 3rd AH- Battle of Uhud

Past Paper Questions and Marking Scheme

Part ‘b’ (4 Marks Question)

1. ‘Success for Muslims depends on their obedience to the Prophet.’ Discuss this
statement in relation to Muslims today. [4]

Marking Scheme:

Candidates could say that the defeat at Uhud occurred due to the fact that the archers did not
obey the Prophet’s command. They can mention this but should not focus on this point alone,
rather should go on to discuss how Muslims should obey the Prophet now. Candidates could say
that the rules and guidance of Islam is based on the Qur’an and also the sunnah and so to truly
practice Islam the way of the Prophet has to be followed.

In battle, Muslims should stick to the rules that the Prophet gave, like not harming the environment
or women and children, and this can give Muslim’s success as they are following the commands
of God, which they will be rewarded for.
In their everyday lives Muslims can obey the Prophet’s commands as to how to live their lives, in
terms of prayer, being good to people, etc., and this will make them successful in their lives as the
guidance given is all for their betterment.
Candidates could also say that following the Prophet does not make one successful nowadays
because e.g., success comes from individual’s work or their own thoughts and actions. Whatever
the candidates decide they should give reasons for their answer.

2. Why is it important for Muslims to show obedience to God in difficult situations? [4]
May/June 2017

Marking Scheme:

They could say that in difficult times, such as times of war, they should not give up hope of victory
or of ease in their situation, and that they should continue to pray and worship God and carry on
doing good deeds, because God is there for those who ask for help. Or, in times of difficulty such
as illness, God is testing how a person reacts, whether they lose hope and despair, or whether
they continue being steadfast in their faith. God says call on Me and I’ll answer you. These are
just some examples; candidates can give others but should give reasoning for their choices.

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