Write about the main events of the battles of Khaybar and Tabuk.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. 3(a) Khaybar: it was fought in 628 (7AH) against the Jews who had broken their agreements with the Muslims; the Muslim army of 1400 caught the city by surprise; 'Ali was given the banner to carry; the Muslims attacked the first fort of Naim; there were numerous strongholds and the Muslims took over all of them; 'Ali is said to have moved a heavy door by himself; the Jewish leader was killed; the Jews requested they stay in the oasis and in return give half their produce to the Muslims; the battle strengthened the Muslims and the Prophet's leadership.
2. 3(a) Tabuk: took place in 9 AH; the Byzantines were wary of the growing Muslim power and wanted to defeat them before they became too big or powerful to conquer; the Nabateans brought news to Madina of a big and powerful army that Heraclius was preparing; the Prophet (pbuh) made a decision to go to war and meet the Byzantines on their border; 'Uthman gave a lot of his wealth for the campaign and Ali was left behind to look after his family; they marched to Tabuk with 30 000 men; they faced many hardships on the way and had little water; once at Tabuk they stayed some days, but the Byzantine army did not arrive; the Prophet (pbuh) made treaties with some of the tribes on the border; on return to Madina the Muslims' reputation as a powerful force reached far and wide, and many delegations came to visit him after this event.
3. 3(b) The Prophet (pbuh) had set off to fight the Byzantines. They did not show, and so there was no war. The Prophet (pbuh) made treaties with people along the border. Some lessons Muslims can learn could be: Muslims should favour peace over fighting Muslims should fight in defence just as the Prophet (pbuh) did, preferring to make peace with those in neighbouring regions Showing unity could help remove the need to fight. Candidates may also answer this question on a personal level. Other valid responses should be credited.