Hijrah & Early Years
How many years did the Prophet spend in Makkah?
13 years
In which month and year did both the Battles of Badr and Uhud take place?
Uhud took place in Shawwal of 3 AH.
Who gave the idea to dig a trench for this battle?
Salman al-Farisi
What caused the Prophet to take his companions with him to Makkah?
He saw a dream that they were performing Umrah
In what year and month did the Battle of Khaybar take place?
Muharram 7 AH
Who was the Sahabi whom the Prophet sent to Madinah to teach the people there about Islam?
Mus'ab ibn 'Umair
Describe the response of the Sahaba when the Prophet asked them what to do at Badr.
They all responded that they would fight alongside the Prophet, both the Muhajirun and Ansar.
Why is this battle called al-Ahzab?
Ahzab means confederates - basically a large group of enemy tribes came to attack Madinah and eliminate the Muslims entirely.
Why did the Prophet and the Sahaba travel with weapons?
What was the main aspect which made this battle complicated?
The Jews' fortresses
The first masjid in Islam is named what and where was it built?
It is called Masjid Quba, built in the area of Quba just a short walk away from Masjid an-Nabawi
If someone came to you, doubting Islam and the character of the Prophet because of his marriage to A'ishah radi Allaahu 'anha, how would you respond?
We need to keep in mind that societal standards were very, very different back then compared to now. People matured earlier and it was generally normal for them to get married very early, as soon as they reached puberty. At the time, not one person raised any concerns about this marriage, as it was indeed normal. Also, if one reads the ahadith, you will see that A'ishah was definitely not a child. Her maturity level is clear through her speech. After the Prophet's death, she never once said that she was forced or mistreated in the marriage.
Who was Nu'aim ibn Mas'ud and what role did he play?
A Muslim from Banu Ghatafan who usd deception and tricks to get the Quraysh and the Jews to not trust each other, and he was able to cause disunity in their ranks.
Who was the final negotiator from Quraysh?
Suhayl ibn 'Amr
For the Jewish tribes, what action of theirs caused most of their problems?
Their treachery and betrayal
Describe some of the miracles that happened during the Prophet's own hijrah.
The disbelievers did not see him and Abu Bakr in the cave, the sheep at the tent of Umm Ma'bad giving milk, Suraaqah ibn Malik not being able to catch up to them
Describe the incident with Banu Qaynuqa' after Badr.
A Jewish man from the tribe exposed the 'awrah of a Muslim woman in the marketplace, which led to a domino effect and violence. Banu Qaynuqaa' did not live up to the terms of the treaty they agreed so. Banu Qaynuqaa' is eventually expelled from Madinah for what they did.
Describe the context of the Battle of al-Ahzab.
The Jews went to Quraysh and told them that their religion (idolatry) was better than Islam. They wanted a plan to get rid of the Muslims once and for all. The Jewish tribes were also angry about being expelled from Madinah.
Describe some of the clauses in the treaty.
The Muslims will not make Umrah this year and will have to come back next year.
No fighting for 10 years.
If anyone from Quraysh becomes Muslim and goes to Madinah without his guardian's permission, he has to be returned to Makkah. But if any Muslim from Madinah joins the disbelievers in Makkah, he will not be sent back.
What was the name of the Jewish woman whom the Prophet married after this battle and who was she in Banu Nadeer?
She was Safiyyah bint Huyayy ibn Akhtab, the daughter of the chief of Banu Nadeer
Who was Ayyash ibn Abi Rabi'ah and what was his story in the hijrah?
He was the half-brother of Abu Jahl. He managed to successfully make hijrah to Madinah with 'Umar but was tricked by Abu Jahl into coming back to Makkah. Abu Jahl came to Madinah and lied to Ayyash, saying their mother had sworn she would not comb her hair or sit under the shade until she saw Ayyash again. Ayyash believed Abu Jahl and went back with him, despite 'Umar telling him not to go. On the way back, Abu Jahl and his companion ambushed Ayyash, attacked him, and then imprisoned him in Makkah.
What was the main event which caused the Battle of Uhud to not go in favor of the Muslims?
The archers disobeying the Prophet and leaving their posts on Jabal ar-Rumah
How did the wind affect the polytheists?
It was not fatal, but it was so severe that the ropes of their tens were torn off, their torches were extinguished, and their pots were overturned. Horses became wild. They could not stay encamped there anymore.
Describe the wisdom of the Prophet in agreeing to the treaty.
He understood fully that something good would come out of this, even if the clauses did not seem to be in the Muslims' favor. He knew this would provide time for him to give da'wah to other groups and to resolve other issues and for people to enter Islam. Even during the writing of the treaty, the Prophet made compromises for the sake of peace.
Before the battle, how did the Prophet describe the person that he was going to give the banner to, and who did that turn out to be?
He said, "Tomorrow I will give the banner to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger and Allah and His Messenger love him." It turned out to be 'Ali ibn Abi Talib.