seeratunnabi QNS SET-3
I can continue with Questions 201–300, which will focus heavily on the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, the letters sent to world emperors, the fallback of internal conspiracies, and the grand transition leading to the liberation of Makkah.
Here is the third installment containing questions and answers 201–300. This section focuses heavily on the expansion of Islam, the diplomatic letters sent to world emperors, the legendary Battle of Khaybar, and the tactical steps leading up to the historic Conquest of Makkah.
Part 10: Diplomacy, Letters to Emperors, and Truces (Questions 201–225)
Q201: What dream did the Prophet (PBUH) have in 6 AH that prompted him to travel toward Makkah?
A201: He dreamed that he and his companions were safely entering the Grand Mosque in Makkah, shaving their heads and cutting their hair for Umrah.
Q202: How many companions accompanied the Prophet (PBUH) on this journey for Umrah, which led to the Hudaybiyyah standoff?
A202: Around 1,400 companions.
Q203: Did the Muslims carry weapons of war when they set out for Hudaybiyyah?
A203: No, they only carried sheathed swords, which was the standard practice for travelers at the time.
Q204: Who was the main negotiator sent by the Quraysh to finalize the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah?
A204: Suhail bin Amr.
Q205: What correction did Suhail bin Amr insist upon making to the opening phrase of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah?
A205: He refused “Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim” and insisted it be replaced with the traditional Makkan phrase “Bismika Allahumma” (In Your Name, O Allah).
Q206: What second correction did Suhail bin Amr demand regarding the Prophet’s (PBUH) signature block?
A206: He objected to the phrase “Muhammad, Messenger of Allah,” arguing that if they believed he was Allah’s messenger, they wouldn’t have blocked him. It was changed to “Muhammad, son of Abdullah.”
Q207: Which companion refused to erase the words “Messenger of Allah” from the treaty scroll out of sheer reverence?
A207: Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib (RA). The Prophet (PBUH) then erased the words with his own hands.
Q208: For how many years did the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah establish peace and suspend war between Makkah and Madinah?
A208: Ten years.
Q209: What highly unfair clause did the treaty contain regarding individuals defection or migration?
A209: If a Makkan accepted Islam and fled to Madinah, the Muslims had to return him; if a Muslim left Madinah for Makkah, the Makkans did not have to return him.
Q210: Who was the Muslim refugee who arrived at Hudaybiyyah in chains, begging for help, just as the treaty was signed?
A210: Hazrat Abu Jandal (RA), who happened to be the son of the negotiator Suhail bin Amr.
Q211: How did the Prophet (PBUH) comfort Abu Jandal (RA) when he had to be sent back according to the brand-new treaty?
A211: He told him to remain patient and steadfast, assuring him that Allah would soon create a way out and relief for him and other oppressed believers.
Q212: Why did the companions hesitate to shave their heads and sacrifice their animals at Hudaybiyyah when told to do so?
A212: They were paralyzed by deep grief and shock that they had to return to Madinah without performing Umrah that year.
Q213: Whose wise advice saved the day at Hudaybiyyah when the companions were slow to respond to the Prophet’s command?
A213: His wife, Hazrat Umm Salamah (RA), who suggested he go out and sacrifice his camel and shave his head publicly without saying a word.
Q214: What was the reaction of the companions when they saw the Prophet (PBUH) shaving his head?
A214: They immediately rushed to follow his example, sacrificing their animals and shaving one another’s heads.
Q215: What did the Prophet (PBUH) use the newfound peace of Hudaybiyyah to achieve?
A215: He launched an international diplomatic campaign, sending letters to world emperors inviting them to Islam.
Q216: Which Roman Emperor received the Prophet’s (PBUH) letter through the envoy Dihyah al-Kalbi (RA)?
A216: Emperor Heraclius.
Q217: Whom did Heraclius summon to court to cross-examine and verify the character of the Prophet (PBUH)?
A217: Abu Sufyan, who happened to be in Syria on a trade mission at the time.
Q218: What was Heraclius’s conclusion after questioning Abu Sufyan about the Prophet’s lineage, truthfulness, and message?
A218: He admitted that if everything Abu Sufyan said was true, Muhammad was indeed a true Prophet, and his dominion would soon reach the ground beneath his feet.
Q219: Which arrogant Emperor tore the Prophet’s (PBUH) letter into pieces?
A219: Chosroes (Khosrow II), the Emperor of Persia.
Q220: What did the Prophet (PBUH) say when he heard that Chosroes had torn his letter?
A220: He said, “May Allah tear his kingdom into pieces.”
Q221: Who was the ruler of Egypt and Alexandria to whom the Prophet (PBUH) sent a letter of invitation?
A221: Al-Muqawqis.
Q222: How did Al-Muqawqis respond to the Prophet’s (PBUH) letter?
A222: He received the envoy politely and sent respectful gifts to the Prophet (PBUH), including garments and a mule.
Q223: What was the name of the ruler of Yamamah who rejected the invitation unless he was given a share in governance?
A223: Hawdhah bin Ali.
Q224: Which companion was sent as an envoy with a letter to the King of Abyssinia (Negus)?
A224: Hazrat Amr bin Umayyah al-Damri (RA).
Q225: What was the name of the Umrah performed by the Muslims in 7 AH to make up for the missed pilgrimage of Hudaybiyyah?
A225: Umrah al-Qada (The Fulfilled Umrah).
Part 11: The Fall of Khaybar and New Allies (Questions 226–250)
Q226: Why did the Prophet (PBUH) march against the fortresses of Khaybar in 7 AH?
A226: Because Khaybar had become a dangerous hotbed of military plots, funding the pagan tribes to launch surprise attacks on Madinah.
Q227: How many fortresses made up the formidable Jewish stronghold of Khaybar?
A227: Eight major fortresses.
Q228: What did the Prophet (PBUH) declare the night before the final, most heavily fortified fortresses of Khaybar fell?
A228: “Tomorrow I will give the standard to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and whom Allah and His Messenger love. Allah will grant victory through his hands.”
Q229: Who was the champion given the flag the next morning despite having a severe eye infection?
A229: Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib (RA), whose eyes were miraculously healed after the Prophet applied his saliva to them.
Q230: Who was the legendary, giant Jewish warrior of Khaybar who challenged the Muslims to single combat and was defeated by Hazrat Ali (RA)?
A230: Marhab.
Q231: What physical feat did Hazrat Ali (RA) perform when his shield was struck out of his hand during the storming of the Khaybar fort?
A231: He ripped a heavy iron gateway off its hinges and used it as a shield for the remainder of the battle.
Q232: What assassination attempt did the Prophet (PBUH) survive immediately after the victory at Khaybar?
A232: A Jewish woman named Zainab bint al-Harith served him a roasted sheep laced with a deadly poison.
Q233: How did the Prophet (PBUH) know the food was poisoned before swallowing a lethal amount?
A233: The piece of meat spoke to him by the permission of Allah, saying, “O Messenger of Allah, I am poisoned.”
Q234: Which companion swallowed a piece of the poisoned meat during that meal and passed away shortly after?
A234: Hazrat Bishr bin al-Bara (RA).
Q235: What terms did the Prophet (PBUH) grant to the people of Khaybar after they surrendered?
A235: He allowed them to stay on their lands and farm them on the condition that half of their agricultural harvest be paid to the Islamic state.
Q236: Which two highly influential military leaders traveled from Makkah to Madinah to accept Islam in 8 AH?
A236: Hazrat Khalid bin al-Walid (RA) and Hazrat Amr bin al-Aas (RA).
Q237: What title did the Prophet (PBUH) give Hazrat Khalid bin al-Walid (RA) due to his tactical brilliance?
A237: Saifullah (The Sword of Allah).
Q238: What was the immediate cause of the Battle of Mu’tah in 8 AH?
A238: The Ghassanid governor, a vassal of the Roman Empire, broke diplomatic immunity by executing the Prophet’s envoy, Harith bin Umair (RA).
Q239: Whom did the Prophet (PBUH) appoint as the first commander for the expedition to Mu’tah?
A239: Hazrat Zayd bin Harithah (RA).
Q240: What sequential chain of command did the Prophet (PBUH) lay down for Mu’tah in case the leaders were martyred?
A240: If Zayd is killed, Ja’far bin Abi Talib takes command; if Ja’far is killed, Abdullah bin Rawahah takes command.
Q241: What was the massive size mismatch faced by the Muslims at the Battle of Mu’tah?
A241: The Muslim army had 3,000 men; they were met by a massive Byzantine coalition numbering close to 200,000 soldiers.
Q242: How many swords did Hazrat Khalid bin al-Walid (RA) break in his hand during the brutal combat at Mu’tah?
A242: Nine swords.
Q243: How did the Prophet (PBUH) describe the Battle of Mu’tah to the companions in Madinah while it was happening hundreds of miles away?
A243: Allah lifted the physical veil, and the Prophet narrated the deaths of Zayd, Ja’far, and Abdullah in real-time, weeping as he spoke.
Q244: What brilliant tactical move did Khalid bin al-Walid (RA) use to save the remaining Muslim army from annihilation at Mu’tah?
A244: He rearranged his troops at night, swapping the left wing with the right wing and the front line with the rear, making the Romans believe massive Muslim reinforcements had arrived.
Q245: Which allied tribe of the Muslims was attacked by the Banu Bakr (allies of the Quraysh), breaking the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah?
A245: Banu Khuza’ah.
Q246: Where did the elders of Banu Khuza’ah go to appeal directly to the Prophet (PBUH) for military protection?
A246: They traveled directly to his mosque in Madinah, reciting poetry about the treachery they suffered.
Q247: What did Abu Sufyan do when he realized that his allies had endangered the peace treaty with Madinah?
A247: He rushed to Madinah in panic to personally beg the Prophet (PBUH) to extend and renew the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.
Q248: How did the Prophet (PBUH) respond to Abu Sufyan’s desperate pleas to renew the treaty?
A248: He ignored him completely, refusing to give him any verbal assurance or security.
Q249: Whose house did Abu Sufyan visit in Madinah, only to have his own daughter roll up the Prophet’s mattress so he wouldn’t sit on it?
A249: The house of his daughter, Hazrat Umm Habibah (RA), who was a wife of the Prophet (PBUH).
Q250: What reason did Hazrat Umm Habibah (RA) give her father for pulling the mattress away from him?
A250: She said, “This is the clean mattress of the Messenger of Allah, and you are an unclean polytheist.”
Part 12: The Liberation of Makkah (Questions 251–275)
Q251: What strategy did the Prophet (PBUH) use to guarantee that Makkah would be liberated without bloodshed?
A251: He kept the military preparations completely secret so the Muslims could catch the Makkans off guard and force a peaceful surrender.
Q252: Which companion attempted to send a secret letter to his family in Makkah warning them of the incoming Muslim army?
A252: Hazrat Hatib bin Abi Balta’ah (RA).
Q253: How did the Prophet (PBUH) intercept Hatib’s secret letter before it reached Makkah?
A253: He sent Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Zubair (RA) to track down a woman carrying the letter hidden in her braided hair at a place called Rawdat Khakh.
Q254: Why did the Prophet (PBUH) forgive Hatib bin Abi Balta’ah (RA) for this act of high military treason?
A254: Because Hatib confessed his mistake honestly, and the Prophet noted he was a veteran of the Battle of Badr, whom Allah had forgiven.
Q255: On what date did the Muslim army march out from Madinah to liberate Makkah?
A255: 10th of Ramadan, 8 AH.
Q256: How many Muslim soldiers made up the historic army that marched to conquer Makkah?
A256: Ten thousand soldiers.
Q257: What tactical order did the Prophet (PBUH) give his army when they camped at Marr al-Zahran near Makkah at night?
A257: He ordered every single soldier to light their own separate campfire to make the army appear impossibly massive to Makkan scouts.
Q258: Who was captured by Muslim scouts while spying on the camp at Marr al-Zahran?
A258: Abu Sufyan, the chief of Makkah.
Q259: Who brought Abu Sufyan safely to the Prophet’s (PBUH) tent, leading to Abu Sufyan accepting Islam that night?
A259: Hazrat Al-Abbas bin Abdul-Muttalib (RA), the Prophet’s uncle.
Q260: What special psychological privilege did the Prophet (PBUH) grant Abu Sufyan to preserve his honor as a leader?
A260: He declared: “Whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyan shall be safe.”
Q261: What other two locations did the Prophet (PBUH) declare as zones of absolute safety for the citizens of Makkah?
A261: “Whoever locks their own front door shall be safe, and whoever enters the courtyard of the Holy Kaaba shall be safe.”
Q262: How did the Prophet (PBUH) physically enter Makkah on his camel to demonstrate his humility?
A262: He rode with his head bowed so low in gratitude to Allah that his beard almost touched the saddle of his camel.
Q263: Into how many separate military columns did the Prophet (PBUH) split his army to enter Makkah from all directions?
A263: Four separate columns.
Q264: Which commander’s column faced brief armed resistance from a small group of stubborn Makkans at the southern gate?
A264: Hazrat Khalid bin al-Walid (RA).
Q265: What famous Quranic verse did the Prophet (PBUH) recite as he toppled the pagan idols around the Kaaba with his staff?
A265: “Truth has come, and falsehood has vanished. Indeed, falsehood is bound to vanish” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:81).
Q266: Who did the Prophet (PBUH) order to climb to the roof of the Holy Kaaba to call the Adhan on the day Makkah was conquered?
A266: Hazrat Bilal bin Rabah (RA).
Q267: What question did the Prophet (PBUH) ask the gathered citizens of Makkah as they waited to hear their execution or slavery sentences?
A267: “O Quraysh! What do you think I am going to do with you today?”
Q268: What did the Makkans reply to the Prophet’s question regarding their fate?
A268: They said, “We expect good from you. You are a noble brother and the son of a noble brother.”
Q269: What legendary words of forgiveness did the Prophet (PBUH) utter to his lifelong persecutors?
A269: “Go, for you are all free (Tulaqa).” He used the exact words of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) to his brothers.
Q270: Who was Ikrimah, the son of Abu Jahl, and what happened to him after the Conquest of Makkah?
A270: He initially fled Makkah by sea in terror, but his wife secured an amnesty for him from the Prophet; he returned, accepted Islam, and became a dedicated soldier.
Q271: Why did the Prophet (PBUH) refuse to move back to live in his hometown of Makkah after its successful conquest?
A271: Out of loyalty to the Ansar, he promised them that he would live and die with them in Madinah.
Q272: Which massive pagan tribal alliance began mobilizing an army of 20,000 men immediately after Makkah fell, leading to the Battle of Hunayn?
A272: The Hawazin and Thaqif tribes.
Q273: How large was the Muslim army that marched to meet the enemy forces at the valley of Hunayn?
A273: Twelve thousand men (the 10,000 from Madinah plus 2,000 newly converted Makkans).
Q274: What spiritual mistake did some Muslims make regarding their army size right before the Battle of Hunayn?
A274: They felt overconfident, boasting, “We will not be defeated today due to small numbers.”
Q275: What happened to the Muslim army when they entered the narrow pass of the valley of Hunayn at dawn?
A275: They were caught in a catastrophic ambush by enemy archers hiding on the slopes, causing the Muslim lines to break and retreat in panic.
Part 13: Consolidation and Consolidation of Power (Questions 276–300)
Q276: Who remained steadfastly by the side of the Prophet (PBUH) at Hunayn when thousands of soldiers fled?
A276: A tiny group of about a dozen close companions and family members, including Hazrat Abu Bakr, Umar, Abbas, and Ali (RA).
Q277: What did the Prophet (PBUH) shout out boldly to rally his fleeing troops back to the battlefield at Hunayn?
A277: “I am the Prophet, this is no lie! I am the son of Abdul-Muttalib!”
Q278: Whom did the Prophet (PBUH) order to call out to the Ansar and Muhajirun in a booming voice to turn back?
A278: His uncle, Hazrat Al-Abbas (RA), who possessed an exceptionally loud, commanding voice.
Q279: What miracle did the Prophet (PBUH) perform at Hunayn that turned the tide of the battle?
A279: He took a handful of desert dust and threw it toward the enemy lines, causing it to magically enter the eyes of every single opposing soldier.
Q280: Which fortified city did the fleeing remnants of the Hawazin and Thaqif tribes lock themselves into after Hunayn?
A280: The mountain city of Ta’if.
Q281: What advanced siege weapon did the Muslims use for the first time in Islamic history during the Siege of Ta’if?
A281: The catapult (Manjanik).
Q282: Why did the Prophet (PBUH) lift the Siege of Ta’if after several weeks without a total military surrender?
A282: He realized the city posed no immediate military threat anymore, and prayed, “O Allah, guide the people of Thaqif and bring them to us.”
Q283: Where did the Prophet (PBUH) store and distribute the massive spoils of war captured from the victory over Hawazin?
A283: At a valley location called Al-Ji’ranah.
Q284: Why did the Prophet (PBUH) give massive shares of the war booty to former enemy chieftains like Abu Sufyan and Safwan bin Umayyah?
A284: To soften their hearts toward Islam and solidify their fragile, newfound faith (called Mu’allafati Qulubuhum).
Q285: Why did the native helpers (Ansar) of Madinah feel hurt during the distribution of the spoils at Al-Ji’ranah?
A285: Because they received none of the worldly wealth, while the newly converted Makkans received vast herds of camels and sheep.
Q286: What did the Prophet (PBUH) say to the Ansar in his emotional speech that reduced them to tears of joy?
A286: “Are you not satisfied, O Ansar, that the people take home worldly sheep and camels, while you return to your homes with the Messenger of Allah?”
Q287: In which Islamic year did the Prophet (PBUH) make the payment of Zakat on livestock, agriculture, and gold legally enforceable via state collectors?
A287: 9 AH.
Q288: What rumors led directly to the launching of the grueling Expedition of Tabuk in late 9 AH?
A288: Reports that the Byzantine Emperor was mobilizing a massive army on the Syrian border to invade and crush Madinah.
Q289: What was the extreme heat and harvest season called during which the Tabuk expedition took place?
A289: Sa’at al-Usrah (The Hour of Hardship).
Q290: Which companion donated his entire net worth and property for the funding of the Tabuk expedition?
A290: Hazrat Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA).
Q291: What did the Prophet (PBUH) ask Abu Bakr (RA) when he brought all his wealth, and what was his reply?
A291: He asked, “What have you left for your family?” Abu Bakr replied, “I have left for them Allah and His Messenger.”
Q292: What percentage of his vast wealth did Hazrat Umar (RA) donate for the Tabuk expedition?
A292: Exactly half of his entire wealth.
Q293: Which wealthy companion single-handedly equipped one-third of the entire army with horses, camels, and gold coins for Tabuk?
A293: Hazrat Usman bin Affan (RA).
Q294: Who were the “Bakka’un” (The Weepers) during the preparations for the Tabuk expedition?
A294: Sincere, poor Muslims who wept bitterly because the Prophet (PBUH) had no spare mounts or shoes to allow them to join the march.
Q295: Whom did the Prophet (PBUH) leave behind as his deputy governor in Madinah during the Tabuk expedition?
A295: Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib (RA).
Q296: What honorific comparison did the Prophet (PBUH) give Hazrat Ali (RA) to comfort him when he complained about being left with the women and children?
A296: “Are you not pleased that you are to me as Aaron was to Moses, except that there is no Prophet after me?”
Q297: How many soldiers made up the Muslim army that marched across the scorching desert toward Tabuk?
A297: Thirty thousand soldiers (the largest army assembled during the Prophet’s lifetime).
Q298: What did the Byzantine forces do when they heard that the Prophet (PBUH) had marched out with 30,000 men to meet them?
A298: They were gripped with fear, abandoned their border posts, and retreated deep into their internal territories.
Q299: For how many days did the Prophet (PBUH) camp at Tabuk, securing peace treaties with local border tribes, before returning?
A299: Twenty days.
Q300: Who were the three sincere companions who stayed behind from Tabuk without valid excuses and were boycotted for 50 days before being forgiven by Allah?
A300: Ka’b bin Malik, Murarah bin al-Rabi, and Hilal bin Umayyah (RA).