Q. & A. 711 to 1707 with solved Papers css 1971 to date

Conquest of Syria
The causes of the war between the Muslims and the Byzantines (commonly called as Romans) have already been discussed. During the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr (Rad.A) the Muslims had defeated Romans on the Syrian front and captured a number of cities like Busra and Ajnadain. They laid siege to Damascus when Hazrat Abu Bakr (Rad.A) passed away. After his death they captured Damascus, Hims and Qansrin. In all the three battles Hazrat Khalid bin Walid played an important role. Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) recognized Khalid’s merits and said, May Allah bless the soul of Abu Bakr (Rad.A) he put Khalid in the right place.”
The f»” r these important cities made the Byzantine Emperor, Herculius, furious and he sent a huge army to fight with the Muslims. In order to face this big army, Muslims left some of the places, occupied by them and returned to safer border. When the Islamic armies were leaving the conquered places, they paid back the ”Jizya” received from the non-Muslim inhabitants of those places saying ”Since we cannot protect you, we are returning it.” This was unique example in history. The people of those places were greatly impressed by the Muslim’s treatment. It is given in some books that the people of those places cried when Muslims left their places. THE BATTLE OF YARMUK (636 A.D./15 A.H.)
After the fall of Damascus, Hims and other places, the Romans fled to Antioch where Heraclius was staying and was thinking of moving to Constantinople, his permanent capital. They
Hazrat Uinar (Rod A) 2*9
appealed to Heraclius to help them against the Muslim armies He held this court at Antioch and began raising huge army against the Muslims to wipe them out of Syria.
The Muslims had aheady gathered at Yarmuk to face the Roman army. The Romans were several times larger in number than the Muslims,. In the beginning the command was in the hand of Hazrat Khalid bin Walid (Rad.A) but during the battle he received the letter of Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) deposing him from the post of commander-in-chief. Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) appointed Abu ’Ubaidah bin Jarrah (Rad.A) as the *-ommander-in-chief. A fierce battle was fought on the 20th August, 636, and at the end the Romans lost the field. The cavalry fled and the infantry was put to cword. Theodoras, the commander of Roman army himself fell and his entire army was turned into a fleeing, panic stricken mob. According to Tabari, about one hundred thousand Romans were killed in this battle. Muslim casualties were three thousand.
The battle of Yarmuk was a turning point in the history of Byzantine Empire. The power of Byzantine was crushed in this battle. The fate of Syria was decided and it fell in the hands of Muslims for ever. Hearing the defeat at Yarmuk. Herculius left Antioch and fled to Constantinople saying: ”Farewell, O Syria1 and what an excellent country this is for the enemy”. Removal of Hazrat Khalid (Rad.A) From the Command
Hazrat Khalid bin Walid (Rad.A) was successful and powerful genera! of Islam. He occupied a unique position in the history of heroism, and devoted his whole life to the cause of Islam. Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) always appreciated his services. But there were certain complaints against him, especially for being extravagant, when he awarded 10,000 dinars to a poet. Hazrat Khalid could not give satisfactory explanation to Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) hence he was removed from command. But Hazrat Khalid proved to be a very true Muslim and fought like an ordinary soldier in the army. As narrated above, he was deposed when the battle of Yarmuk was going on. The Caliph’s order was delivered to Khalid but it had no effect on him. He went on fighting ? fiercely as before. After the battle was over, his dismissal became known when some body asked him why the news did not damp his spirit at all, he said, ”I was fighting for the cause of Allah”.
According to those historians who had the opinion that the Battle of Yarmuk took place before the fall of Damascus, Hazrat

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Political and Cultural History of Islam

Khalid bin Walid was deposed in the early part of Umar’s Caliphate, which some think it took place around 17 A.H. because according to them the Battle of Yarmuk took place after the fall of Damascus. Regarding the removal of Hazrat Khalid some of the Muslim historians say: ”He (”Hazrat Umar (Rad.A)) had deposed Khalid from the government, not because of tyranny or fraud, but because he deemed it essential to admonish the people, who were inclined to put their trust in an arm of flesh, instead of looking to the Giver of all victory”.