The failed siege taught Muslims that not every battle ends in immediate success. Allah grants victory when He wills, and patience with trust in Him is the true path. In which year did the Battle of Tabūk take place? A. 7 A.H. B. 8 A.H. C. 9 A.H. D. 10 A.H. Correct Answer: C. 9 A.H. Explanation: The Tabūk expedition happened in Rajab, 9 A.H., also called the “Year of Hardship” due to famine and drought in Arabia. Who was the enemy force expected at Tabūk? A. Quraysh B. Persians C. Romans (Byzantines) and Ghassānid allies D. Thaqīf Correct Answer: C. Romans (Byzantines) and Ghassānid allies Explanation: The Prophet ﷺ prepared to confront the Byzantine Romans and their Arab allies, though the confrontation never occurred. What was the size of the Muslim army at Tabūk? A. 10,000 B. 20,000 C. 30,000 D. 40,000 Correct Answer: C. 30,000 Explanation: This was the largest Muslim army assembled during the Prophet’s ﷺ lifetime, despite the hardships of the time. Why is the Tabūk expedition also called “Ghazwat al-ʿUsrah” (Expedition of Hardship)? A. Because it was fought in the desert heat B. Because of shortage of food, water, and resources C. Because the Muslims were defeated D. Because it lasted 40 days Correct Answer: B. Because of shortage of food, water, and resources Explanation: There was famine and drought in Madinah. Many lacked mounts, food, and water. Muslims endured extreme hardship in preparation and travel. Who was the commander of the army at Tabūk? A. ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb B. ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib C. The Prophet ﷺ himself D. Khālid ibn al-Walīd Correct Answer: C. The Prophet ﷺ himself Explanation: As with most major expeditions, the Prophet ﷺ personally commanded the Muslim army. How long did the Prophet ﷺ stay at Tabūk? A. 7 days B. 10 days C. 20 days D. 40 days Correct Answer: C. 20 days Explanation: The Prophet ﷺ stayed at Tabūk for 20 days, but no actual battle occurred as the Byzantines did not engage. How did the Prophet ﷺ finance the expedition? A. From Bayt al-Māl alone B. Through spoils from Khaybar C. By calling for public donations D. By taking a loan from Quraysh Correct Answer: C. By calling for public donations Explanation: The Prophet ﷺ asked the Muslims to contribute. The wealthy gave generously, while the poor gave small amounts or even physical labor. Who gave the greatest financial contribution at Tabūk? A. Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq B. ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb C. ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān D. ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib Correct Answer: C. ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān Explanation: ʿUthmān (RA) gave 300 camels, 1000 gold dinars, and huge supplies, earning the title “Ghanī al-Tabūk” (the Generous of Tabūk). What did Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq (RA) contribute? A. Half of his wealth B. All of his wealth C. A sword and shield D. Ten camels Correct Answer: B. All of his wealth Explanation: Abū Bakr (RA) brought everything he owned, leaving nothing at home, relying completely on Allah. What did ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (RA) contribute? A. All his wealth B. Half of his wealth C. A few dirhams D. 50 camels Correct Answer: B. Half of his wealth Explanation: ʿUmar (RA) gave half his wealth, hoping to outdo Abū Bakr, but found Abū Bakr had given everything. How were the poor Muslims who lacked mounts described? A. Ashāb al-Ṣuffah B. Ashāb al-Badr C. Al-Bakkāʾūn (Those who wept) D. Al-Muhājirūn Correct Answer: C. Al-Bakkāʾūn (Those who wept) Explanation: These were companions who wept because they had no means to join the expedition. Allah praised their sincerity in Qur’an 9:92. Which verse of the Qur’an mentions the hardship of Tabūk? A. Qur’an 8:17 B. Qur’an 9:42–92 C. Qur’an 33:10 D. Qur’an 48:1 Correct Answer: B. Qur’an 9:42–92 Explanation: These verses in Sūrat al-Tawbah address the difficulties, hypocrites, and sincere believers during Tabūk. How did hypocrites behave regarding Tabūk? A. They eagerly joined B. They tried to discourage Muslims C. They financed the army D. They fought bravely Correct Answer: B. They tried to discourage Muslims Explanation: Hypocrites made excuses not to join and mocked believers, showing their lack of faith and sincerity. Who was left in charge of Madinah during the Prophet’s ﷺ absence? A. Abū Bakr B. ʿUmar C. ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib D. Zayd ibn Thābit Correct Answer: C. ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib Explanation: The Prophet ﷺ left ʿAlī in charge of Madinah. Some mocked him, but the Prophet ﷺ reassured him: “You are to me as Hārūn was to Mūsā.” Which three companions initially lagged behind but later repented sincerely? A. Abū Hurayrah, Bilāl, Salmān B. Kaʿb ibn Mālik, Hilāl ibn Umayyah, Murārah ibn Rabīʿ C. Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ, Abū ʿUbaydah, Zubayr ibn al-ʿAwwām D. ʿUthmān, Ṭalḥah, al-Miqdād Correct Answer: B. Kaʿb ibn Mālik, Hilāl ibn Umayyah, Murārah ibn Rabīʿ Explanation: These three delayed without excuse but later repented. Their repentance was accepted after 50 days of social boycott, as mentioned in Qur’an 9:118. What was the result of the expedition? A. A major battle was fought B. Muslims defeated the Romans C. No battle occurred; Romans withdrew D. Muslims suffered heavy loss Correct Answer: C. No battle occurred; Romans withdrew Explanation: The Byzantines did not appear to fight, and the Muslims returned without combat, but with strengthened prestige. How did Tabūk affect neighboring tribes? A. They resisted fiercely B. They made treaties with Muslims C. They fled to Syria D. They allied with Byzantines Correct Answer: B. They made treaties with Muslims Explanation: Many northern tribes, like Aylah and Jarbaʾ, signed peace treaties, acknowledging Muslim power. How did the Prophet ﷺ describe the sincerity of those who stayed behind with valid excuses? A. “They are forgiven.” B. “They are with us in reward.” C. “They are not true Muslims.” D. “They will be punished.” Correct Answer: B. “They are with us in reward.” Explanation: He said, “There are people in Madinah who are with us in every valley we cross, though they remained behind. They were held back by excuses.” (Bukhārī). Why is the Tabūk expedition considered important despite no fighting? A. It showed Muslim unity and power B. It was the last Ghazwah C. It exposed hypocrites D. All of the above Correct Answer: D. All of the above Explanation: Tabūk demonstrated Muslim strength, tested sincerity, exposed hypocrites, and was the Prophet’s last campaign. What is the main lesson of Tabūk? A. Victory always requires combat B. Reliance on Allah, sincerity, and sacrifice matter more than fighting C. Wealth is the key to jihād D. Muslims should avoid hardship Correct Answer: B. Reliance on Allah, sincerity, and sacrifice matter more than fighting Explanation: The expedition showed that jihād is not just physical battle but sacrifice of wealth, comfort, and sincerity of intention. Allah looks at hearts, not numbers.

Verses in Sūrat al-Tawbah mention the Battle of Ḥunayn, highlighting the lesson that reliance on numbers leads to defeat without Allah’s support.

Some Anṣār felt overlooked, but the Prophet ﷺ reminded them their reward was far greater: his companionship and Jannah.

The Prophet ﷺ gave Quraysh leaders generous portions to strengthen their faith, an act known as taʾlīf al-qulūb.

After lifting the siege, the Prophet ﷺ returned to Jiʿrānah, where the spoils of Ḥunayn were distributed.

ʿUrwah ibn Masʿūd was a respected leader of Thaqīf. Though not present at the siege, he later accepted Islam.

Later, the Thaqīf came to Madinah and embraced Islam without further bloodshed.

The Prophet ﷺ magnanimously released 6,000 captives, winning many hearts to Islam, including Hawāzin leaders.

The Prophet ﷺ knew Allah’s victory comes with patience. He did not see it as a defeat but as a temporary step.

The Muslims could not penetrate Ṭāʾif’s defenses, so the Prophet ﷺ lifted the siege after 20 days.