Past Paper Questions and Marking scheme

May/June 2023 2058/22

3(a) Give an account of the Battle of Nihawand.
Mark according to the marking grid for AO1 – Knowledge, given on page 4.
Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be
credited. The Battle of Nihawand was fought in 642 between the Persians and
the Muslims during the caliphate of ‘Umar. In his determination to bring back
the rich plains of Mesopotamia (Iraq) under his control, Yezdegird rallied support
and gathered troops at Nihawand to fight the Muslims. On finding out about
Yezdegird’s intent ‘Umar sent letters to Kufa and Basra ordering the armies to be
assembled. The Muslim armies then marched on to Nihawand. One force was
stationed on the border between the province of Fars and Isfahan to prevent
Persian reinforcements from coming through from the south. The Muslim army of
30 000 was much smaller in size than the Persian army. Both sides however had
volunteers in their ranks who had missed the Battle of Qadissiya and were keen
to prove themselves in battle. The Persians had located themselves by a ravine
and fortified themselves behind trenches. The Muslims in several attempts were
unable to lure them out and they only came out from behind their fortified
positions when it suited them. In a council of war the Muslims devised a plan on
how to lure the Persians out from behind their trenches. It was decided that the
Muslim cavalry would advance and attack the trenches and then withdraw to lure
the Persians out. The Muslim commander Nau’man ibn Muqarrin kept the main
army in check until almost the end of the day and motivated his men by saying
that they were fighting for their honour and their faith and when they finally
attacked the enemy, victory came swiftly. Most of the army fought on foot with
swords; the cavalry began to slip on the blood-soaked ground and the Muslim
commander Nau’man was thrown off his horse and killed as well. Despite the
adverse conditions the Muslims continued to advance, and the Persians
retreated. In the dark, and panicking, many Persians lost their way and fell into
the ravine. The surrender of the towns quickly followed the military victory.
3(b) Why was the Battle of Nihawand known as the ‘Victory of Victories’?
 Mark according to the marking grid for AO2 – Understanding, given on page 5.
Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be
credited. Victory at Nihawand gave the Muslims a beautiful country and an
ancient civilisation to rule. This victory came to be known as Fath ul Futuh, the
Victory of Victories as this was a significant victory in which the chief priest led
the post war negotiations and offered a great prize to the Muslims - a large
quantity of gems that the king had left for emergencies - in exchange for the lives
of the inhabitants. Also, after this victory, ‘Umar ordered the invasion of the
Persian provinces and by the following year Isfahan, Khurassan, Rayy, Fars and the
outlying region of Sindh were conquered. This battle strengthened and enriched
the Muslim empire – it made the eastern frontiers more secure and spread
Muslim influence both eastwards as well as westwards.
2058/21 Paper 2 May/June 2016
3 (a) The conquest of Persia was one of ‘Umar’s great achievements. Write
an account of any two battles fought with the Persians during his caliphate.
[10]
In answer to this question, candidates need to name any two of the battles that
were fought against the Persians during ‘Umar’s term as caliph and give a detailed
account of them. Giving dates, names of generals, other relevant details and
outcomes of the battles will help gain higher levels. Brief notes are given below
on the battles.
Battle of Namrak: The Persians were furious at the fall of Hira. They sent a large
army under Rustum. Muthanna bin Harith asked the caliph for reinforcements
and the battle of Namrak was fought by Muthanna and Khalid bin Waleed in
634. The Persians were defeated.
Battle of Jasr (Bridge): Rustum assembled a huge army at the bank of the
Euphrates. The Muslims crossed the bridge under the command of Abu ‘Ubaid
ath-Thaqafi in 634. Fierce fighting broke out; Abu Ubaida was martyred and the
Muslims were in chaos. Someone cut the bridge to encourage them to fight but
it had the opposite effect. The Muslims lost the battle.
Battle of Buwaib: Shocked at the defeat, ‘Umar sent reinforcements to
Muthanna’s army. A large Persian force of 200000 men under Mehran met the
Muslim army at Buwaib; a fierce battle was fought, the Persian commander
was killed and 100000 of their men lost their lives. The battle was won by the
Muslims.
Battle of Qadisiya: The Persian emperor Yezdgird assembled a large force under
Rustum. The Muslim army was led by Sa’d bin Abi Waqas who offered the
Persians three options: accept Islam, pay jizya or fight. They opted to fight. A
fierce battle was fought in 637. The battle lasted for three days and a Muslim
force of 28000 men defeated a Persian force of 120000. Rustum was killed in this
battle and the Persians were defeated. After Qadisiya, Sa’d, with the permission
of the Khalifa, occupied Madain, bringing the whole territory from the Euphrates
to the Tigris under the banner of Islam. Again, Sa’d’s army met the Persians at
Jalula and defeated them.
Battle of Nahawand:
After the surrender of Jalula, there was peace for some time but then the
Persians united against the Muslims. They were 60000 in number and the
Muslim forces were 30000. Both armies met at Nahawand and there was a
fierce battle for two days. On the third day, the Persians took refuge in the forts
but by using a clever strategy the Muslims got them out and defeated them.
Thus, in 642 the Persians were completely defeated at Nahawand. The above
notes are brief for the reference of examiners; candidates need to give fuller
accounts of the two battles they choose to write about.
(b) Say which in your opinion was the most significant of the battles
fought under ‘Umar against the Persians and why. [4]
The candidates need to choose any one battle that was fought against the
Persians. The battle they choose to write about does not necessarily have to be
from the two they have written about in part (a). They do, however, have to say
why in their view the one they have chosen to write about was the most
important one fought between the Persians and the Muslims. Evaluation is what
is being looked for and here candidates could write about the effects of the battle
after it was over or perhaps compare it to other battles.
2058/22 Paper 2 May/June 2024
4(a) Write an account of the Battle of Buwayb and the Battle of
Qadisiyyah, fought in the caliphate of ʿUmar.
Mark according to the marking grid for AO1 – Knowledge, given on page 4.
Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must
be credited.
Battle of Buwayb Fought in the year 635 to avenge the defeat at the Battle of
the Bridge. Umar sent messengers to all parts of Arabia to gather a force to face
the Persians. Many Muslims and Christians gathered around the Muslim
standard and Muthanna though seriously wounded in the Battle of the Bridge
led the force from his sick bed. The Persian army of 12 000 men led by Mehran
met the Muslim force on the bank of the Euphrates. Both sides faced each other
from either side of the river but this time the Persians crossed over and the
battle was fought on the western front. The Persians, greater in number than the
Muslims, fought hard but Mehran was killed by a young man from the Taghlib
tribe, and his death
demoralised the Persians and they tried to retreat but the Muslims blocked the
access to the bridge and managed to eliminate the Persian force. Southern Iraq
now came under Muslim control and with this victory Muslims lost their fear
and awe of the Persians.
Battle of Qadisiyyah Fought in the year 636. The Persians prepared to fight the
Muslims to avenge their defeat at Buwayb. The Muslim commander was Sa’d bin
Abi Waqqas with an army of 12 000. Sa’d was ill at the time and commanded the
army from his sick bed. Muslim accounts say that a delegation was sent to
Yazdegerd inviting him to accept Islam, pay jizya or prepare for war. The arrogant
emperor was contemptuous of the Arabs and refused the first two options. A
stand-off lasted three months with skirmishes on border settlements which the
Muslims won. Desertions and defections in the Persian side led to Rustam
blocking the channel and crossing over to attack the Muslims. The Muslim army
had been reinforced by this time. Sa’d using tactical methods and with clever
strategies was able to break the Persian army. On the third day Rustam was killed
as he tried to swim to safety and the Persians were routed. Two thirds of the
Persian army was killed, and the Muslims lost a fifth of their men in this battle. It
was a decisive battle in the history of Islam, it shattered the strength of the
Persians and many people of the conquered areas accepted Islam.
4(b) What do ʿUmar’s actions following the conquest of Jerusalem tell you
about his character? Mark according to the marking grid for AO2 –
Understanding, given on page 5. Answers may include some of the following
ideas, but all valid material must be credited. Candidates understanding of
Umar’s character is being gauged
by looking at his actions at the time of the conquest of Jerusalem. It could be
said that his conduct at the time reflected his humbleness and his piety and give
reasons to back their view. For example, he accepted the condition of the
inhabitants of Jerusalem that he personally be present at the surrender of
Jerusalem, despite his army being victorious, he showed humility and accepted
their demand. Sharing a camel with his slave on his journey to Jerusalem, him
setting about cleaning the Temple Mount, not praying (salat) in the church for
fear that Muslims may convert it into a mosque reflect his humility and his
religious tolerance. By also acknowledging the rights of the Christians and the
Jews he displayed his fairmindedness.
4(a) Describe the events of one of the following battles: • Battle of Qadisiyya
• Battle of Yarmuk
October/November 2023 2058/21

Mark according to the marking grid for AO1 – Knowledge, given on page 4.
Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must
be credited. Candidates need to choose any one battle from the two given
which were fought in the caliphate of ‘Umar.
Battle of Qadisiyya This battle was fought in the year 636. The Persians prepared
to fight the Muslims to avenge their defeat at Buwayb. The Muslim commander
was Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas with an army of 12,000. Some accounts put the figure at
30,000. Sa’d was ill at the time and commanded the army from his sick bed.
Muslim accounts say that a delegation was sent to Yazdegerd inviting him to
accept Islam, pay jizya or prepare for war. The arrogant emperor was
contemptuous of the Arabs and refused the first two options. A stand-off lasted
three months with skirmishes on border settlements which the Muslims won.
Desertions and defections in the Persian side led to Rustam blocking the channel
and crossing over to attack the Muslims. The Muslim army had been reinforced
by this time. Sa’d using tactical methods and clever strategies was able to break
the Persian army. On the third day Rustam was killed as he tried to swim to
safety and the Persians were routed. Two-thirds of the Persian army was killed,
and the Muslims lost a fifth of their men in this battle.
The Battle of Yarmuk This battle was fought in the summer of 636 between the
Byzantines and the Muslims. Heraclius organised a massive army in the Golan
Heights when reports of the fall of Damascus and defeat at Fihl and Homs
reached him. He was determined to recover Palestine for Christian rule. To retain
their gains Muslim forces also assembled in the Golan Heights under Khalid ibn
Waleed, Abu Ubaydah ibn Jarrah, Yazid ibn Abu Sufyan and Amr ibn al ‘Aas.
Negotiations between the two armies were held in which the Byzantines tried to
convince the Muslims to leave Syria and offered them large bribes to do so. Khalid
gave the Byzantines the 3 options: accept Islam, pay jizya or battle. The war
strategies of the Muslim commanders paid off and the battle lasted six days. By
the afternoon of the sixth day only one-third of the Byzantine army remained, the
rest had been killed or fled. The Muslim loss of life was 3000 men besides
those who were severely wounded.
4(b) In your opinion, did the Battle of Qadisiyya or the Battle of Yarmuk
have more significance for Islam? Give reasons for your answer.
Mark according to the marking grid for AO2 – Understanding, given on page 5.
Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be
credited. It could be said that the Battle of Qadisiyya was significant for the
Muslim empire as it was a decisive battle in the history of Islam. This battle
shattered the strength of the Persians’ capital and many people of the conquered
areas accepted Islam and following it peace followed for a while in the empire. If
candidates choose the Battle of Yarmuk it could be said that it was significant for
the Muslims as the power of the Byzantines was completely crushed in this battle
and the Muslims were able to subdue other cities of Syria and that with the
outcome of this battle Heraclius withdrew from Syria and moved his capital to
Constantinople. This withdrawal was significant because it allowed the Muslims
to become dominant in Syria and paved the way for the conquest of Jerusalem.
3 (a) ‘‘Umar’s caliphate is regarded as a golden era in Islamic history.’ Write an
account of how ‘Umar ruled during his ten year caliphate. [10]
M/J 2017
3(a) ‘Umar made several administrative reforms during his ten year
caliphate. Write an account of at least five of them and say how these
reforms helped make his rule so admirable. [10]
Answer (Learn and write):
Hazrat Umar not only conquered a vast empire during the ten year of his Khilafat
but also consolidated it by an effective system of administration. As an
administrator, he remained a model for all rulers who followed him and his
administrative reforms make his caliphate a golden period of early Islamic history.
Despite being the ruler of a mighty empire he lived a very simple life. Once he
said about his salary from Bait ul Maal, “Nothing in Halal for me and for my
family from Allah’s money except a dress for summer and a dress for winter
and a salary equal to the income of an average Quraishi. I am no more than an
ordinary Muslim amongst you.”
• Hazrat Umar framed the constitution of the state on the basis of democracy.
He established the Majlis e Shura consisting of prominent companions of the
holy Prophet from both Muhajirin and Ansars. Hazrat Umar consulted this body
in all matters. He also constituted a larger body called the Majlis –e- Aam,
consisting of Muhajirin and Ansar and representatives of various tribes. This was
called into session on special occasions.
• Judiciary was established under the Qazi. He separated executive from
judiciary. In this way he assured the citizens swift and impartial justice. The
judiciary was made completely independent and impartial. He was displeased
when a judge showed some respect to him when he appeared in his court as a
defendant.
• He took steps to give the Islamic State a clean and efficient administration. The
State was divided into Provinces and each province was placed under an
efficient Governor called the Wali or Ameer. The wali was not only the ruler of
the province but also the military and religious head. The provinces were
furthers divided onto districts and placed under Amils.
• The bait ul maal was created under Amils. After meeting the expenditure of
the State, the surplus money used to be distributed among the Muslims based
on three principles: relationship with the holy Prophet; priority of conversion to
Islam and military services to Islam. In this way, all Muslim men, women, slaves
and children had share in the bait- ul- Maal or the public treasury. He made the
government finances save from misuse and kept corruption out of government.
• All appointments were made in consultations with the Majlis e Shura. The
appointee was given a regular order of appointment setting out his duties and
emoluments. The person appointed to a high post was required to give a
written undertaking to lead a simple Islamic life. He had to submit particulars of
his property and assets, so that on his retirement, it may be seen whether he
had amassed wealth by illegal means. Hazrat Umar kept a very strict watch on
the activities of his officers. He used to receive secret reports from officers
specially appointed for this purpose.
• Hazrat Umar set up a department of finance the Diwan, which was in charge of
the revenue of the centre and the provinces. The function of the Diwan was to
regulate the receipt and disbursement of the caliphate’s revenues which were
generated from jizya, zakat, kharaj(tax levied on the land of non-Muslims) and
fay
(income from crown lands). A tax called ushr was also levied on the produce of
land. It is said that there was so much economic prosperity during the caliphate
of Hazrat Umar that there was hardly any citizen in need of zakat .
• Umar established new towns like Basra, Musal and Kufa. He made new
highways, roads and out posts on the roads. The conquered lands were
surveyed. Umar made special effort for construction of Mosques and schools.
Teachers were sent to the villages to teach the Holy Quran to the villagers.
• He introduced the Muslim era of Hijra, the system of old age pension and
census of the population of the Muslims State. Thus he laid foundation for
the development of modern cities.
• Hazrat Umar maintained a well-disciplined army which was divided into
cavalry and infantry. He was particularly concerned about welfare of his
soldiers. He also forbade them to live with the settled people in cities and
ordered them to live in
cantonments. They kept the armed forces content and happy and they
were happy to serve the caliphate.
• Umar paid special attention to the well-bieng of Dhimmis(minorities), and
settled their matters in consultation with their representative. He expelled
Christians and Jews communities of Najran and Khayber, when they refused to
abide by his order..
Hazrat Umar stands unparalleled in every aspects of administration in the
History of Islam.
3.(b) How does ‘Umar’s conduct at the surrender of Jerusalem set an
example for Muslims? [4]
Hazrat Umar’s conduct at the time of the surrender of Jerusalem sets an example
for today’s Muslims. He entered Jerusalem accompanied by just one servant and
a camel between them which they rode in turns which shows the importance of
the kind treatment of our servants and subordinates. He signed a treaty
according to which the inhabitants of Jerusalem were granted complete security
of their life and property. It emphasizes on people’s freedom to practice their
own religion and the protection given to their places of worship. The Quran says,
“Let there be no compulsion in religion.” His conduct therefore sets an example
of simplicity, humility, a respect for all faiths and tolerance.
4.(b) ‘Umar’s unbending attitude led to his assassination’. What can
Muslims learn from this? [4]
3(b)In your opinion what lesson(s) can be learnt from the martyrdom of
‘Umar? [4]
Hazrat ‘Umar went about conducting the affairs of the caliphate even though
there was a threat to his life, he did not increase the security around him, nor
did he succumb to the demands of Abu Lulu who threatened his life for not
relieving him from paying a tax. Muslims today should learn from Hazrat ‘Umar’s
action and have complete faith in Allah and believe that only He is the giver and
taker of life. leaders sometimes have to take unpopular decisions which could
cause them difficulty but they must never opt to take the easy option rather
they should do that is right; they must not shy away from their responsibilities
for the sake of personal safety etc. They must not give in to unjust demands of
people and work honestly at whatever they do.
3.(b) What does the way he died tell us about his character? [4]
Hazrat Umar bin Khattab was killed by a Persian slave Abu Lulu al-Feroz in
23AH/644AD when he was leading the morning Prayer. The reason was that
Hazrat Umar refused to exempt him from the payment of a tax. This shows Hazrat
Umar characteristics of total impartiality and his refusal to give concession even
to those who were close to him. He was very firm about the correct observances
of all regulations and never gave preferential treatment to anyone for example
when his own son was found guilty of drinking wine, he punished him with 80
lashes. He was buried next to the Prophet (P.B.U.H) which shows that he was held
in high esteem.