Past Paper Session Paper 1

[SESSION 2]

Q1) [MJ/2022/P12/Q2]

a) Give an account of the Prophet’s experience of receiving the first revelation of the Qur’an.
b) What was the significance of the Qur’an being revealed over 23 years?

Mark Scheme:

a) The Prophet (pbuh) had increased the time he spent in solitude in the cave of Hira. He used to
meditate for a month, as was the Arab tradition, only returning home for provisions. When he
was 40 the revelation came to him, during the month of Ramadan: The angel Jibril came to him
and instructed him to read (iqra) and the Prophet (pbuh) replied he could not. The angel
squeezed him hard (‘the angel pressed me until I could not bear it anymore’). He repeated the
command and squeezed the Prophet (pbuh) again, then after a third time the angel released
him and the Prophet (pbuh) recited the first few verses of Sura Alaq (96.1–5), saying it was as
though they were imprinted on his heart. The first verses of Sura Alaq are: ‘1. Read! in the name
of your Lord, who created, 2. Created man out of a clot of congealed blood: 3. Proclaim! And
your Lord is most bountiful, 4. He who taught by the pen, 5. Taught man what he did not know.’
The Prophet (pbuh) came out of the cave and saw the angel on the horizon. The angel told him,
‘You are the Messenger of Allah and I am Jibril.’ He was confused and shaken and he ran home
and asked his wife to cover him. She consoled him, saying God would not disgrace him, and
went to see her cousin, Waraqa ibn Nawfal, who confirmed his prophethood. Waraqa also
predicted the Prophet (pbuh) would face opposition from the Makkans. Answers can be
elaborated on with detailed description and quotations. Some candidates may also mention
customs of spending time in isolation (tahannuth) or give more details of the background. All
variations of some events, as recorded in reliable historical accounts are acceptable.
b) Giving the Prophet (pbuh) the Qur’an in small portions was an easier way for him to absorb and
teach the message to others. It also made it easier for the new followers to implement their new
faith. Some of the passages were revealed in response to specific events, so they came when
they were needed, over the Prophet’s lifetime. Not giving a complete book meant that it was
less likely for people to claim the Prophet (pbuh) had written it himself or had taken it from
elsewhere. Other relevant answers should be credited.

Answer:
a) As Holy Prophet was to become a Prophet he started feeling inward signs and started retiring
in the cave of Hira. No one amongst the Quraysh tribes knew of him going into the cave of Hira and
that is why no one questioned it. The holy month of Ramadan was his traditional month of retreat,
and during the end of Ramadan in 610 AD he experienced something unique. He was shocked by a
voice which woke him from his sleep and said “Read”. Holy Prophet at this time was shocked and as
reported by Hazrat Aisha (from what she heard from the Holy Prophet) “I said: I cannot read! The
Angel then took me and pressed me” This process happened for three times and after which the

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angel recited out the first five verses of Surah Alaq ("Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has
created (all that exists). He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read!
And your Lord is the Most Generous, Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He has taught man
that which he knew not.") As soon as the Holy Prophet heard it he started saying it out as well and
then ran out.

Upon being shaken by this experience and running out, he started tripping on the rocks, afraid of
what had happened to him. He then looked at the sky and it was filled with stars and on the sky he
saw Angel Jibraeel hanging over calling him out: “I am Jibraeel, and you are Muhammad the
Messenger of Allah”. Then onwards he ran to his house and upon reaching he asked his wife,
Hazrat Khadija to wrap him up in a blanket, afraid of what will happen to him. She consoled him
that nothing will happen to him as he has always been a nice person.

She then told him that she will be visiting her who was a Christian scholar and told Holy Prophet to
sleep. She went to Warqa, her cousin and told him what had happened, and he was shocked. Upon
hearing it he told Hazrat Khadija that he has been visited by the same Holy Spirit that visited Hazrat
Musa and others. He also told her that he will be facing a lot of problems, he will be persecuted and
will also be called a liar but he has to remain steadfast in this entire process. Hazrat Khadija then
went back home and told Holy Prophet whatever her cousin had told her. She then took him
alongside her to Warqa’s house where he told the Holy Prophet that he will be facing a lot of
hardships and will also be exiled by his own people. Prophet told him about his concern of hearing
the unseen voices upon which Warqa replied that the next time he hears it; he should listen to it
patiently to know what it is saying.

b) The Qur'an being revealed over 23 years was important for many reasons. First, it was easier for
the Prophet Muhammad to remember and teach the message to others in small portions. It was
also easier for new followers to understand and implement their new faith gradually. Some parts
of the Qur'an were revealed in response to specific events, so they came when they were needed
during the Prophet's lifetime. By revealing the Qur'an over time, it was less likely for people to
claim that the Prophet had written it himself or had taken it from elsewhere. This helped to
establish the authenticity of the Qur'an as a divine revelation.

Q2) [MJ/2021/P11/Q2], [ON/2020/P12/Q2], [ON/2018/P12/Q2]

a) Give an account of the different ways in which the Prophet (pbuh) received revelation. / a)
Describe the different ways that the Prophet (pbuh) received revelation from God. / a) Write an
account of the different ways in which revelations came to the Prophet. Include examples in
your answer.
b) Muslims around the world memorise/recite the Qur’an in Arabic even if they do not understand

Mark Scheme:

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a) Candidates may include some of the following information. All other relevant information must
be credited. Candidates should write about the different ways in which the Prophet (pbuh)
received revelation and not focus on the first revelation only. The Qur’an was revealed to the
Prophet (pbuh) over a period of 23 years. After the first revelation, in Cave Hira, revelation
stopped for a period which caused the Prophet (pbuh) to worry. Once they started again, they
came strongly and frequently. There were different ways in which the verses were revealed to
the Prophet (pbuh). A few times the Prophet (pbuh) saw the Angel in his original form. For
example, on the night journey (Sura Najm), and at the time of the first revelation. Sometimes
the Angel Jibril came in the form of a man, and he resembled the Companion Dihya al Kalbi. The
revelations also came in the form of dreams, and he would wake up and remember them. The
most difficult revelations were when they came as the ringing of a bell. The revelations would
weigh down on the Prophet (pbuh) so much so that his camel could not withstand the weight.
During one of the revelations it put pressure on Zayd’s thigh when he was sitting next to the
Prophet (pbuh). They would cause him to sweat even in the winter and shiver in the summer.
Ayesha’s Hadith could be given as reference for this. They were not within his control (Sura
75:16–19), he had no idea when they were coming, and they were safeguarded by God. The
Prophet (pbuh) also had direct revelation, when he went on the night journey and ascension.
The candidates might also mention how different verses/Suras were revealed according to the
need of time and circumstances.
b) Some benefits could be that; it is said when you listen to the Qur’an you receive the mercy of
God (7.204). The Qur’an will become an intercessor for that person on the Day of Judgment.
Each letter that is pronounced brings reward to that person. A person who recites the Qur’an
and is well versed in it, will be in the company of the angels who are scribes, and if they are
struggling with their recitation they will have double the reward. Some may say there are few
benefits when you read something you don’t understand, but answers must offer an
explanation

Answer:
After the first revelation, a long period of silence of continued in which no revelations came and this
made Holy Prophet anxious. Six months after the first revelation, one fine day while the Holy Prophet
was sleeping, he woke up shivering and in sweat where upon he heard the Angel Jibraeel reciting
Surah Mudhatir [ “O you wrapped up in a mantle, arise and deliver the warning”]. The verses also
had commands for the Holy Prophet to stay away from the worshipping of idols, deliverance of Allah’s
warning and giving charity. Holy Prophet stood up when Hazrat Khadija told him to rest but he told
her that the time for rest is over and that now he has to give the message of Allah to the people.
Hazrat Khadija told her that she accepts her message and became the first convert to Islam hence
also becoming a pillar of support for the beloved Prophet After the second revelation, another long
period of silence followed (3 months) and Prophet was taunted by people that his Allah had forgotten
him. It was then that Allah gave him the revelation of Surah al-Duha [“by the glorious morning light
and by the night when it is still, your Lord has not forsaken you”] whereupon he was instructed to

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help the creatures of Allah, thank Allah for whatever has been bestowed upon him and doing sacrifice
in the name of Allah. Surah Al-Duha was the stepping stone after which the revelations followed for
the next twenty years without any break. The gap in revelations is known as Fitrat-ul-Wahi [the
relaxation period].

The revelations occurred during two time periods, the first of these time periods was the Makkan
period which lasted for 12 years 9 months and 5 days and the next one was the Madni period which
lasted for 9 years, 9 months and 9 days. In the Makkan period the Surahs were short in detail and had
a harsh tone. The Surahs focused on the prevailing situation in Makkah at that time and were
mostlyabout consoling the Prophet. They also served as a guide to the Muslims to stay away from evil
and talked about harsh punishments that will be inflicted upon the ones going against the Messenger
and will of God.

The Madni period had Surahs in the start of the Holy Quran and they were longer in length. They
talked more about the legal aspect of the Quran and also told about the stories of the other Prophets
in order to teach Prophet through analogy. The tribes discussed in them were those other than
Makkans such as the Jews. Also, the tone used in them was lighter than the Makki Surahs

There were certain Surahs which were a result of the circumstances that followed for e.g. Surah
Kausar [“Verily we have granted you with abundance.”] was revealed on the Holy Prophet to calm
him down when the Quraysh e Makkah had started calling him an abtar and had started insulting
him. Also, Surah Tawbah verse stating “When the two of you were in the cave and your partner was
afraid you said do not worry because Allah’s help is with us” was revealed on the incident of what
happened in the cave of Thawr. Surah Ash-Shuara [“And warn ˹all, starting with˺ your closest
relatives,] was revealed to tell the Prophet to go and call his family members towards Islam. Surah
Hijr [to expound openly and to turn away from Pagans] was revealed to tell the Holy Prophet to
preach openly after which he went on to the mount of Safa. Surah-e-Baqrah last two verses were
directly revealed to the Holy Prophet by Allah when he went on to the night journey (Isra Miraaj).
Surah-e-Maida [“This day I have completed my favor upon you..”] came during the farewell sermon
which finally marked the completion of Quran stating how Allah has completed his favor upon the
Muslims and has chosen Islam as the religion for them

Holy Prophet had multiple experiences of getting a revelation which he has described himself “Never
once did I receive a revelation without thinking my soul had been torn away by me” He also said that
“When a revelation came, sometimes it was as clear and articulate as if an angel was dictating a
text from behind a veil” He also said: “Sometimes it came as a ringing of the bell and that is hardest
upon me; the shocks afterwards decrease when I am aware of their message” The companions also
narrated that they saw Holy Prophet in great amount of pain to the extent that he would put his face
between his knees and a look of great heaviness came appearing on his face. Hazrat Ali is also
reported to have said:” That he started to perspire a lot even in the extremist of cold”

Everytime the revelation would come; the weight of the Holy Prophet would increase. Hazrat Zaid bin
Thabit narrated: “Once I was sitting with the Holy Prophet and a revelation came to him, he had put

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his leg on mine and it became too heavy that I felt as if my leg would break”. It is also reported that
the Holy Prophet weight would increase so much that the camel he used to ride would hunch on its
back.

Holy Prophet also saw the Angel coming in different forms. Sometimes the Angel would come in his
original form and at other times he would come in the form of a man. The Angel came in the form of a
man which Hazrat Umar described as “One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah
there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was
exceedingly black; no signs of journeying were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He
walked and sat down by the Prophet. Resting his knees against his and placing the palms of his
hands on his thighs, he said: 'O Muhammad, tell me about Islam"

During the first revelation the Prophet saw Angel Jibraeel in his original form which has also
been stated by the Holy Quran “And he [i.e. Muhammad] has already seen him [i.e. Jibraeel] in
the clear horizon” [Quran 81:23]

b) This is because the Qur’an is considered to be the exact words of God, revealed in Arabic to
Prophet Muhammad. When Muslims recite the Qur’an, they believe that they are receiving
blessings from God and will be rewarded for their efforts. Each letter that they pronounce correctly
is said to bring them closer to God and earns them a reward. Even if a person is struggling with
their recitation, they will receive double the reward. So, although they may not understand the
meaning of the words, they believe that reciting the Qur’an has spiritual benefits and will help
them in the afterlife.

Q3[ON/2020/P11/Q5]
a) Describe the main difficulties faced by the early followers of Islam.
b) How can these events give hope to Muslims today?

Mark Scheme:
a) After the revelation to warn his nearest relatives (26.214), the Prophet (pbuh) took to Mount
Safa and invited the Quraysh to follow Islam publicly. They rejected him and feeling threatened
by the new message, because they could not dissuade the Prophet (pbuh) from preaching it,
they started to persecute the Muslims. Those who had no protection were easy targets and felt
the worst of the persecution. Bilal was severely beaten by his master Umayah bin Khalaf and
made to lie on the burning sand with a rock on his chest, but he did not give up belief in one
God. ‘Ammar bin Yasir, and his parents, were made to lie on hot embers – both his parents
were martyred, his father died due to severe tortures, his mother Sumayyah was bayoneted to
death. ‘Uthman ibn Affan was wrapped in palm leaves and set fire to by his uncle. Khabab bin
al-Arat was made to lie on burning coal with a rock on his chest. Harith bin Hala, a blacksmith,
was tortured and killed. Because of the persecutions, the Prophet (pbuh) allowed some people

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to migrate to Abyssinia. Later a social and economic boycott was imposed on the Banu Hashim
and they were to live in Shib-i-Abi Talib, where they faced great hardships for many years.
b) Candidates can give a variety of responses, but they must give reasons for why they have given
their answer. They may say that the persecutions show that Muslims in the past went through
difficulties as well, so they may get some reassurance from this that any difficulties now that
they face for being Muslim or practising Islam is not new. They could also say that they can use
the example of the early Muslims to show patience and perseverance with difficulties in their
own lives. Or that there will always be people around to help and support them so they should
not lose hope. God is always their protector so that should give Muslims hope in what they do.

Answer:
a)
In the early days of Islam in Makkah, the Prophet Muhammad preached his message to the people of
Quraysh on the Mount of Safa. However, this was met with severe hostility and persecution towards
the newly converted Muslims. The closest companions of the Prophet were among the first to be
attacked and tortured by the non-believers.

Hazrat AbuBakar, one of the Prophet's closest friends, was a hairy man and was involved in converting
others to Islam. The Quraysh became offended by him and would drag him by his hair and beard on the
roads of Makkah, inflicting physical harm. Despite the torture, he remained steadfast in his faith. Hazrat
Usman was another close companion of the Prophet who faced persecution. His uncle was angered by
his conversion to Islam and would tie him to a date palm tree. In order to torture him, his uncle would
burn hay near him, causing the fumes to make him renounce his religion.

Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir, a newly converted Muslim, was persecuted along with his parents Summaya
and Yasir. Summaya was killed by Abu Jahl, while Yasir eventually passed away due to his wounds.
Hazrat Bilal bin Rabah, an Abyssinian slave of Ummayah bin Khalaf, accepted Islam in his early days. His
master tortured him daily, and on one occasion, he was made to lie on hot sand with a large stone
placed on his chest. Despite the torture, he remained firm in his faith, declaring that Allah is One. He
was later bought and freed by Hazrat AbuBakar.

Hazrat Khabab bin-al Arat, a blacksmith, was also severely persecuted. He was thrown into burning
coal, but was eventually rescued by the Prophet. Hazrat Saad bin Abi Waqas was tortured by the
pagans of Makkah and was not allowed to pray inside the city. He had to go outside to pray and it was
there that he drew his first blood for Islam. Suhaib bin Sinan was captured and sold as a slave by the
Greeks. When he became a Muslim, the Quraysh beat him up savagely, but he remained steadfast in his
faith. Nahdiyya and Umm Unays were two female slaves who became Muslims and were tortured by
their masters for accepting Islam. They were later bought and freed by Hazrat AbuBakar. Abu Fukaiha
was the slave of Safwan bin Umayya and accepted Islam at the same time as Bilal. Like Bilal, he was also
dragged by his master on hot sand with a rope tied to his feet. Abu Bakr bought him and emancipated
him. Zunairah Al-Rumiyah was a slave of the Banu Makhzum tribe and lost her eyesight due to

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persistent torture. She regained her eyesight after being freed by Hazrat AbuBakar, a miracle of Allah
SWT.

In order to escape the persecution, some Muslims migrated to Abyssinia, a neighboring country ruled
by a Christian king who was known for his justice and tolerance. The migration was a difficult
experience for the Muslims as they had to leave behind their homes and families in Makkah. However,
they found a temporary refuge in Abyssinia, where the Christian king offered them protection and
allowed them to practice their religion freely. This migration also helped to spread the message of Islam
beyond the Arabian Peninsula.

Another challenge faced by the early Islamic community in Makkah was the boycott of Banu Hashim,
the Prophet's clan. The Quraysh imposed a social and economic boycott on Banu Hashim, which meant
that they were not allowed to trade, marry or socialize with anyone from the Quraysh tribe. This
boycott lasted for three years and caused Muslims to face many hardships, including hunger and
starvation. They were forced to live in a valley outside Makkah, and their situation became so dire that
some of them were forced to eat leaves and grass.

Despite the many difficulties they faced, the early Islamic community in Makkah remained steadfast in
their faith and continued to spread the message of Islam. Their perseverance and dedication eventually
led to the spread of Islam

b)
These events can give hope to Muslims today as they show that the difficulties faced by Muslims in the
present day are not new, and that Muslims have been facing and overcoming these challenges for
centuries. It also highlights the importance of patience and perseverance during times of hardship.
Muslims today can take inspiration from the early Muslims who remained steadfast in their faith and
never gave up, even in the face of extreme adversity. Muslims should also remember that Allah is
always their protector and that they will always find support from their community in times of need.
For example, a Muslim facing discrimination or bullying at school or work can find hope in the fact that
the early Muslims faced even greater persecution and still held strong to their faith.

Q4 [ON/2021/P12/Q4]
a) Write about the events of the migration to Abyssinia by some of the early Muslims.
b) What might be learned from the way the Muslims were treated in Abyssinia?

Mark Scheme:
a) The Muslims in Makka, mainly those without tribal protection and slaves, were being
persecuted by the Quraysh.
• An ayat was revealed about the earth being spacious for believers [Sura 39.10].

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• The Prophet (pbuh) allowed some followers to go to Abyssinia to seek protection from its
king, the Negus, in the 5th year of prophethood (614/615).
• ‘Uthman and Ruqayya went in the first migration of 12 men and 4 women, whereupon the
Quraysh chased them, but the migrants managed to board a boat before the Quraysh got to
them.
• Some came back from Abyssinia when they falsely heard that the Quraysh had accepted Islam
(Sura Najm incident).
• The persecutions increased and later the second delegation of 83 men and 19 women, led by
the Prophet’s cousin, Ja’far Ibn Abi Talib, migrated.
• ‘Amr ibn al-‘As and ‘Abdullah bin Abi Rabi’a followed them and asked the king to return the
Muslims.
• The Negus called the Muslims to give their account; Ja’far told him of the way they lived
before Islam.
• They returned the next day and the Makkans accused the Muslims of having strange beliefs
about Jesus. Ja’far then recited verses from Sura Maryam. The Negus drew a line in the sand
saying that the difference between Islam and Christianity was as thin as that line.
• Negus was moved to tears and he allowed the Muslims to stay in Abyssinia in peace and
freedom.
• The Quraysh envoys were given their gifts back and sent away.
• The Muslims lived here in peace until they moved to Madina.
b) Candidates may include some of the following information. All other relevant information must
be credited. The response should focus on treatment and lessons learned from it, not the
migration itself. The Muslims of Makka were given a fair hearing by the Negus, so now people
should also be ready to listen and judge fairly in a dispute. The Muslims were allowed to stay in
Abyssinia and were allowed to practise their faith freely, so people now can take the example
to allow others to come and live among them and have religious tolerance for other beliefs. The
emigrants acted in a way that led to them being welcomed and given the right to stay, so a
lesson could be to be always respectful and honest. Other examples can be given but
candidates should elaborate on them for higher marks.

Answer:
a) Seeing the persecutions happening on Muslims, the Holy Prophet was extremely worried and was
looking for help from Allah SWT. After the revelation of Surah az-Zumar which state “Allah’s earth
is spacious”, Holy Prophet got the instruction to allow his followers to migrate and he instructed
some of the Muslims to migrate to Abyssinia, a decision he arrived at after careful consideration.
Abyssinia was headed by King Negus who after Abraha had took charge of the place and was a just
man.

The first group of Muslims who migrated included twelve men and five women which also included
Hazrat Usman and his wife Hazrat Ruqayya. Holy Prophet did not migrate himself as instructions for
him to migrate had not yet come. The Muslims set out for Abyssinia in a boat as they were lesser in

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number and reached before the Quraysh could catch up to them. After an 8-day travel they reached
there where they were warmly welcomed and given refuge.

Everything was going well when the news came that Surah Najam had been revealed which has
caused everyone to accept Islam. The news was false as many had accepted Islam but there were
still many who had not. Upon hearing the news these people migrated back to Makkah in the hopes
of living safely in their homeland. When they arrived back they got to know that the news is false
and the persecutions on them doubled.

Seeing the condition of Muslims, Holy Prophet allowed the Muslims a second migration. This time
the migration participants increased, there were a total of eighty-three men and nineteen women
who were led by the cousin of Holy Prophet, Hazrat Jaffar. They all made their journey secretly to
Abyssinia.

Quraysh got to know about this move of the Muslims and rather than being happy about it they
sent two of their men (Abdullah ibn Abi Rabia and Amr ibn al Aas) alongside loads of expensive gifts
to Abyssinia. These two men were sent to tell Negus that these men are here to spread a new
religion and plague Makka. Upon reaching Abyssinia both these men entered the kingdom of Negus
and told him that some people have come over to his city to spread a new religion and that they
have destroyed religion back in Makka. They stated it in the following words “A group of our young
men have rejected the faith of their forefathers and have invented a religion which is opposed to
our religion as well as yours. They are now residing in your country. The elders and chiefs of
Quraysh earnestly request the king of Abyssinia to expel them as soon as possible.” When Negus
heard of it he was not pleased as he stated

Hazrat Jaffar led all these Muslims to the court where he was asked by Negus to present his
narrative. Hazrat Jaffar told how these people were living under darkness and used to worship
multiple gods while being involved in ill practices. He also told that Holy Prophet guided them
towards the right path and told them about one Allah rather than worshipping stones. He said this in
the following words “We were people steeped in ignorance, worshipping idols, eating unsacrificed
carrion, committing abominations….. Thus were we until Allah sent us a Messenger of our own,
whose lineage, trustworthiness, honesty and chastity we knew…”

Negus asked him for an example of the religion Hazrat Jaffar presented upon which Hazrat Jaffar
recited verse 17 to 26 of Surah Maryam. As Negus was a Christian, he was moved to tears and told
the Muslims that his and their religion have very minute differences. He drew a line on the floor and
stated that the thinness of the line represents the differences we have in our religion. He offered
them to stay in Abyssinia for as long as they wished and sent back the two men of Quraysh along
with their gifts. This was also the time that back in Makka, the two strongest men, Hazrat Umar and
Hazrat Hamza had accepted Islam.

b)

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Firstly, it shows the importance of fair hearing and impartial judgment when resolving disputes. The
Negus listened to the arguments presented by the Muslims and made a just decision, which allowed
them to stay in Abyssinia. This demonstrates the need to be open-minded and willing to consider
different perspectives. Secondly, the acceptance and religious tolerance shown by the Abyssinians
towards the Muslim immigrants is a lesson in welcoming others from different backgrounds and
having respect for diverse beliefs. This is particularly relevant in our increasingly globalized world,
where people from different cultures and faiths are living and working together. Lastly, the
respectful and honest behavior of the Muslim immigrants played a significant role in their
acceptance and right to stay. This highlights the importance of behaving with integrity and respect
towards others, regardless of their beliefs or background.

Q5 [MJ/2020/P11/Q3]
a) The Prophet (pbuh) went to spread Islam in Ta’if. Write about the background and details of this
event.
b) Giving examples, show how Muslims can practise forgiveness in their lives.

Mark Schemes:
a) Candidates may include some of the following points. All other relevant points must be credited.
The Prophet (pbuh) had been preaching to the people of Makka for ten years and they had
faced many hardships. The number of Muslims was relatively small and his greatest supporters
Khadija and Abu Talib had passed away. He looked out of Makka to preach his message. He went
to Ta’if with Zayd bin Haritha as he thought people there would be favourable to his message
but they were hostile towards him. He stayed several days there delivering the message to the
people, but he was abused and jeered, eventually they were chased out by being pelted with
stones till blood flowed down the Prophet’s legs. Zayd was injured too. They took refuge in an
orchard a few miles away; seeing his condition, ‘Utbah and Shaybah sent their servant with a
tray of grapes; their servant saw true prophethood in him. Jibril later appeared with another
angel and asked the Prophet (pbuh) for permission to bury the city; the Prophet (pbuh) refused
and instead prayed for believers to be born from their progeny. Further development, such as
the name of the tribe in Ta’if, the conversation with the servant Addas, and Jibril and the Angel
of the Mountain, details of the incident in which some jinn came to the Prophet (pbuh) and
accepted Islam, as well as the Prophet (pbuh) gaining protection from Mut’im ibn Adi, are all
important developments that will take the answer to a higher level.
b) Candidates should be able to draw examples from their own lives, or from current affairs, to
show how forgiveness can be practically applied. Relevant answers should be credited with
better answers being able to show a sense of the importance of forgiveness in those situations.

Answer:

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a) Seeing the persecutions, Prophet thought of visiting a nearby town known as Al-Taif and seeking
their help. The people of Taif used to worship the Goddess of Al-Lat and this had a lot of
significance for them.

Holy Prophet took his foster son, Hazrat Zayd bin Harith to the walled town so that they could meet
the three brothers (Masud, Habib, Abd Yalil) who were the caretakers of the temple of Al-Lat. As
soon as they were introduced to Islam, they got offended and started humiliating the Prophet. One
of the brothers said: “God did not find anyone else for His message except you?” Another said: “I
must be naive or a thief if I believed you to be a prophet.” And so it went on. They then drove both
the Holy Prophet and Hazrat Zayd out of their place and set small children with rocks in their hands
to chase them down. These children threw stones on them and both of them started bleeding
heavily when finally, they found refuge in an orchard which was walled from all ends. Holy Prophet,
while bleeding prayed to Allah in the following words “To You, my Lord, I complain of my weakness,
lack of support, and the humiliation I am made to receive….”

This orchard belonged to the sons (Utbah and Shaibah) of a person (Abd Manaf) who belonged to
the Quraysh and when they found out how one of their own tribesman had been insulted and
humiliated, they sent their Christian slave who went by the name of Addas with a handful of grapes.
After saying, Bismillah (‘in the name of Allah’), the Holy Prophet began eating. The words caught the
attention of Addas. He had never heard anyone utter those words before. “Nobody around here
knows or says that word”, he mumbled, which he followed up by asking, “You are different from
those around here. May I ask who you are?” The Holy Prophet replied with a question “Where are
you from? And what is your religion?” Addas replied “I am from Nayanvah and I am a Christian”.
The Holy Prophet stated “So you are from the town of the righteous Yunus ibn Matta…” Addas was
now all the more amazed and said “How do you know Yunus?” The Holy Prophet replied: “Yunus is
my brother. He was a prophet and so am I”. Thereupon, the founts of faith began bursting out from
the heart of Addas, and excitedly getting up at his feet, he seized the hands of the Prophet -upon
him blessings and peace- and pronounced the words of tawhid.

Later, Angel Jibreel came to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and told him that if he
wished, Allah could order an angel to collapse the two mountains surrounding the people of Taif
and crush them. The Prophet replied that he would rather pray for their progeny to be amongst the
believers.

Holy Prophet now was concerned about his visit back to Makkah as he had no protection over their
now. He moved away from Taif and settled in a place called Nakhla. Here he recited Quran and a
group of Jinns came to hear him. They went back to their clan and told them about how they heard
the word of Allah and invited their kinsmen to testify to the faith. This has been discussed in the
Quran in Surah Al-Ahqaf which states "Behold, We turned towards thee a company of Jinns
(quietly) listening to the Quran: when they stood in the presence thereof, they said, 'Listen in
silence!' When the (reading) was finished, they returned to their people, to warn (them of their
sins). They said, 'O our people! We have heard a Book revealed after Moses, confirming what
came before it: it guides (men) to the Truth and to a Straight Path. O our people, respond (to the

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call) of Allah, and believe in Him: He will forgive you your sins, and deliver you from a Penalty
Grievous.". Later, in order to go back, he needed protection. Therefore, he called out for Mut’im,
the man who was also one of the persons who helped uplift the boycott of Banu Hashim. He
immediately responded to Holy Prophet’s request and came out fully armed along with his sons and
cousins helping Holy Prophet move back to the Kaaba.

b) Forgiveness is an essential part of the Islamic faith, and Muslims are encouraged to practice it in
their daily lives. One way Muslims can practice forgiveness is by forgiving those who have
wronged them, even if it is difficult. For example, forgiving a friend who has betrayed our trust,
or a family member who has hurt our feelings. Another way Muslims can practice forgiveness is
by seeking forgiveness from Allah and repenting for their own mistakes. This involves
recognizing one's faults and striving to improve oneself, as well as seeking forgiveness from
those we have wronged. In conclusion, forgiveness is an essential aspect of Islam, and Muslims
can practice it by forgiving others, seeking forgiveness for themselves, and learning from the
examples of forgiveness in Islamic history and current events.

Q6 [ON/2021/P12/Q3]
a) Outline the main events from the Prophet’s night journey and ascension (al-isra wal-mi’raj).
b) In what way did this event give hope to the Prophet (pbuh)?

Mark Scheme:
a) Candidates may include some of the following information. All other relevant information must
be credited. In the year before migration, the Prophet (pbuh) was taken on a journey, ‘from the
sacred mosque to the farthest mosque’ [Sura 17.1]. • The Prophet (pbuh) was asleep in the
house of Umm e Hani/Hateem (Hijr). • He was woken from his sleep and his heart was washed
with Zamzam by the Angel Jibril. • He was then taken on Buraq from Makka to Jerusalem
(description of Buraq). • He was presented with vessels, one containing wine and the other milk.
The Prophet (pbuh) chose milk, to which Jibril said, ‘You have been guided on the fitra (faith).’ •
There the Prophet (pbuh) led all the previous prophets in prayer. • After that, Jibril took him to
the seven heavens. He (pbuh) met Adam at the door to heaven, and He (pbuh) met various
Prophets, on the second Isa and Yahya, on the third Yusuf, on the fourth Idris, on the fifth
Harun, on the sixth Musa, and on the seventh, Ibrahim, who was next to the Lote tree. • He was
led to the Lote Tree, past which Jibril could not go, and then met with his Lord. • He was given
prayers and the last 2 verses of Sura Baqara. • On his way down he met Musa who suggested
the Prophet (pbuh) ask God to reduce the number of prayers given to his people. The Prophet
(pbuh) did this numerous times, then at five, stopped, saying that he was too embarrassed to
ask for further reduction. He was shown some of the inhabitants of Heaven and Hell. Answers
should also mention that this all took place in one night, and when the Prophet (pbuh) told the
people, the Quraysh laughed at him. Abu Bakr believed in the event straight away, becoming As-
Siddiq.

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b) Candidates may include some of the following points. All other relevant information must be
credited. The Prophet (pbuh) was feeling sad after his wife and uncle had passed away. This
event reassured him of His status with God, and that God had sent him for a specific purpose. It
also reassured him that God had not left him alone, and so he should continue in his work in
spreading the faith. He realised his status amongst prophets, as seal of the prophets, he led
them in prayer, and realised the blessings God had given his community (by giving the five
prayers), which gave him renewed hope in his message, and he began to work towards better
prospects for him and his community. Loyalty shown by Companions such as Abu Bakr also
strengthened his heart.

Answer:
a) Holy Prophet was once called by her cousin, Umm-e-Hani who was the daughter of Abu Talib to
give the message of Islam to his husband. Holy Prophet went to their house and after the night
prayer when it was time to sleep, he was offered to sleep there which he accepted. During
midnight he went to visit the Kaaba which he usually did and during that visit slept in the Hijr (the
semi-circle also known as hateem). While he was asleep, he was awakened by Angel Jibraeel who
led him to a milky white winged shaped creature was standing. The name of the creature was
Burraq and it was there to take the Prophet to Jerusalem and then to the Heavens. Allah mentions
this incident in Surah Isra where it is stated: “Glory to Allah, who did take His servant for a journey
by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque”

Holy Prophet rode on Burraq and was shown different sites, the first was Madinah, the second was
Mount Sinai (The mountain where Torat was revealed to Hazrat Musa), the third was Bethlem (the
place where Hazrat Isa was born). Then he was taken to the site of Masjid-Al-Aqsa (Jerusalem)
where there was a great assembly of Prophets. He tied Burraq over a rock which was broken down
by Angel Jibraeel and the other Prophets had also tied their animals nearby. All of these Prophets
were led in prayer by the Holy Prophet. After the prayer was over, Angel Jibraeel brought two
vessels to the Prophet, one of them contained Milk and the other one had Wine inside of it. He was
asked to choose one, and drink from it. Holy Prophet chose the one containing Milk, upon which
Angel Jibraeel said that “You have been guided by the fitrah”. This first part of the journey is known
as Isra.

Holy Prophet then again rode on Buraaq and went to the heavens. While going on this journey, he
saw a caravan who had lost their camel. This part of the Journey is known as Al-Miraaj. Holy Prophet
met different Prophets at different levels of Heavens in the following ascending order:

1- Hazrat Adam (It is reported that Hazrat Adam was sitting with a large group of people on both of
his sides. It is stated that when he looked on his right he smiled, and while looking on left he
wept. It was later told that the ones on right are inhabitants of heaven and the ones on left are
inhabitants of hell)
2- Hazrat Yahya and Hazrat Isa
3- Hazrat Yousuf

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4- Hazrat Idris
5- Hazrat Haroon
6- Hazrat Musa
7- Hazrat Ibrahim

The seventh heaven led to a place from where onwards Angel Jibraeel said that he cannot go. This
place is known as the “Sidrat-ul-Muntha” and it is where the Mystical Lote Tree is. Holy Prophet
then went alone and was granted a sublime version of his Creator. Here he was directly revealed
with verse 285-286 of Surah Baqarah and both these verses represent the binding principles of
Islam. Moreover, the command for prayer was given over here. Initially the prayers were fixed at
fifty and were later reduced to five when Hazrat Musa commanded Holy Prophet that his nation will
not be able to pray fifty prayers a day much like the nation of Hazrat Musa. Holy Prophet also saw
Malik, the gate keeper of hell and Ridhwan, the gatekeeper of heaven. He also was shown the two
rivers of Paradise, “kauthar” being one of them.

Holy Prophet then returned back to Kaaba where his bed was still warm. In the morning he told
those at Kaaba about his night journey which no one believed in. Hazrat AbuBakar was then asked
by these people as to what his remarks were about his friend. He replied that if Hazrat Muhammad
is saying that then it is true. Thereupon, he was given the title of Al-Siddiq (Testifier to the truth).
Later, the Holy Prophet was asked by Qurayshites to prove his journey and that is when he told
them about the caravan that had lost his camel. Upon researching, it proved to be true that the
caravan did lose their camel.

The night journey proved to be vital for the Holy Prophet as he was undergoing persecutions at the
hands of Makkans but this strengthened his faith and now he was even more determined to spread
the word of Allah as he had been called upon by His Lord Himself.

b) The Prophet (pbuh) had been feeling sad and lonely after the passing of his wife and uncle.
However, this event gave him hope in many ways. Firstly, it reminded him of his special status with
God and that he had been sent for a specific purpose. It reassured him that he was not alone and
that God was with him. This gave him the confidence to continue his mission of spreading the faith.
The Prophet (pbuh) also realized his status amongst prophets as the seal of the prophets. He led
them in prayer and realized the blessings that God had given his community, which gave him
renewed hope in his message. He began to work towards better prospects for him and his
community. Additionally, the loyalty shown by his companions such as Abu Bakr strengthened his
heart and gave him hope that his message would continue to spread. Overall, this event gave the
Prophet (pbuh) renewed strength and motivation to continue his important work.

Q7 [ON/2018/P11/Q5]
a) Two of the Prophet’s wives were Aisha and Hafsa. Write an account of their lives during the
lifetime of the Prophet.

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b) Both wives were narrators of Hadith. What can Muslims learn from this about women and
education?

Mark Scheme:
a) Aisha: she was the daughter of the Prophet’s close companion, Abu Bakr; she was married to the
Prophet in Madina at a young age, and became his third wife; she was married to the Prophet for
nine years; she was known for her intelligence and sharp memory which is why she was able to
narrate so many saying of the Prophet .She was involved in many important events in the life of
the Prophet, and verses were revealed to the Prophet about her in relation to event of the
necklace (Nur:11–19); the Prophet passed away whilst he was with her.

Hafsa: she was the daughter of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab and was widowed at a young age; like Aisha,
she memorised the Qur’an by heart; she lived with the Prophet for eight years. She was quick
tempered like her father and was not shy to dispute with the Prophet. Revelation came after the
honey incident, where she told the Prophet his mouth didn’t smell good after eating honey. She
died around 60 years old

b) Muslims can learn that being wives of the Prophet, and being pious and close to God themselves,
they still valued being educated, knowing the way the Prophet did things, trying to understand
the teachings of Islam, and then teaching others the rules about Islamic rites and obligations, etc.
This should also mean that women now should value education too, and whilst they can still be
good wives and Muslims, learning and passing on that knowledge is a valuable thing to do, and
should not be neglected.

Answer:

a) Hazrat Aisha was the daughter of the best friend of Holy Prophet, Hazrat AbuBakar R.A. and his
second wife, Umm e Rumman. Hazrat Aisha became a Muslim alongside her parents in the second
year of Prophet hood and always had a love for the religion. According to a Hadith narrated by
Hazrat Aisha, she was engaged to the Holy Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬at age 6 and got married to him at the age of
nine. Such early marriages were a part of the Arab tradition back in those days.
It is reported that Holy Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬let her continue her youthful days even after marriage when her
young friends would visit her and this was encouraged by the Holy Prophet ‫ﷺ‬. Holy Prophet was
extremely close to his young wife and because of this Hazrat Aisha learnt Islam really well. She is
thought to be the most learned of all the wives of the Prophet. She narrated 2210 Hadith from the
Prophet and after his death she was also known as the biggest critic of the wrongly stated Ahadith.
She would also teach companions about Islam.

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Once Holy Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬and Hazrat Aisha along with the army went on an expedition. The time for
leaving had come and Hazrat Aisha thought of answering the call of nature, and once she was done
the caravan had left. Later in the morning, a man named Safwan found her and brought her back to
Madina. Hypocrites, such as Abdullah ibn Ubayy started talking wrongly about Hazrat Aisha and this
hurt the Prophet as well. Later on, Allah revealed in Surah Al-Nur (Verse 11-19) of how Hazrat Aisha
was innocent and how the hypocrites have no witnesses to bring forth for the claim that they make.
This cleared out all the accusations put on her. On another occasion, both Hazrat Aisha and Holy
Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬were on a journey. Hazrat Aisha had brought forth the necklace her sister had given her.
It so happened that she lost it and then started searching for it. Meanwhile, the entire caravan was
stopped and the time for prayer was nearing but there was no water for doing wudu. This was when
the verses of Surah An-Nisa were revealed permitting to do tayamum in case water was not
available. Hazrat Aisha used to take a lot of care of the Prophet and he also enjoyed her company
which caused slight jealously in the heart of the other wives. Moreover, during his last few days, the
Prophet of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬shifted to the house of Hazrat Aisha and it is reported that he passed away on
her lap.
Hazrat Aisha, after the death of Prophet was involved in the battle of camel, the result of which
made her leave all sorts of politics. She was the main link to the Prophetic teachings of the Prophet
‫ ﷺ‬and passed away some 47 years of the Prophet. She is buried in Jannat ul Baqi.
Hazrat Hafsa was the daughter of Hazrat Umar and was born in 605 AD. She converted to Islam
along with her parents and husband, Khunais bin Huzaifa. She migrated to Abyssinia along with her
husband and later to Madina where her husband participated in the battle of Badr and got
martyred. After the death of her husband, the Holy Prophet asked for her hand in marriage from
Hazrat Umar which duly done. Hazrat Hafsa had a desire for knowledge and memorized the Holy
Quran by heart alongside memorizing the Ahadith of Holy Prophet as well. She, like her father, was
also short tempered and was not shy to take on a dispute in which she thought she was right. It was
during that time when the Prophet used to visit her wives and ate whatever they offered him. It was
Hazrat Zaynab who used to give her a drink she had made from honey and the Prophet loved it very
much which is why he used to stay at her house a little longer. The other wives became envious of
this and it was Hazrat Hafsa who told the Prophet that his mouth did not smell good after he had
come back from having the honey. The Prophet vowed to never have it again and upon this Allah
sent a revelation “O Prophet, why do you prohibit (for yourself) what Allah has made lawful for
you, seeking the approval of your wives” which told the Prophet that why would he not have
something which Allah has made lawful for him. On knowing that Allah has sent a revelation on this
case, Hazrat Hafsa was extremely apologetic after this incident. The Prophet was married to her for
8 years until his death. After the death of the Prophet, Hazrat Hafsa kept the first compiled copy of
the Quran which came to be known as Mushaf-e-Hafsa and died at the age of 60.
b) Muslims can learn a lot about women and education from the fact that both wives of the Prophet
(pbuh) were narrators of Hadith. Despite being pious and close to God themselves, they still valued

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education and knowledge. They wanted to understand the teachings of Islam and pass them on to
others, which shows the importance of education in Islam. This example should serve as an
inspiration for women today. Women should value education and seek knowledge just as the wives
of the Prophet (pbuh) did. They can still fulfill their roles as good wives and Muslims while pursuing
education and sharing their knowledge with others. Education should not be neglected or seen as
unimportant for women. It is a valuable tool for personal and societal growth and development.

Q8 [ON/2022/P12/Q5]
a) Write about the lives of two of the following wives of the Prophet (pbuh): • Sawda bint Zama’a •
Aisha bint Abu Bakr • Hafsa bint ‘Umar • Umm Salama.
b) Choose from one of the wives named in part (a) and write about what her life might teach
Muslims about the role of women in society.

Mark Scheme:
a) Candidates should only choose two of the Prophet’s wives and write a detailed narrative about
their lives. Candidates should be able to mention some details about their background, when
they got married to the Prophet (pbuh), their circumstances when they got married and their
life as one of the ‘Mothers of the Believers’.
Sawda: she was one of the first women to migrate to Abyssinia. Her husband had died, and she
lived with her elderly father. She was middleaged and had children from her previous marriage.
She was the Prophet’s second wife and people were surprised he wanted to marry someone
who was widowed and older. They married one month after Khadija passed away to ease the
Prophet’s burden as help was needed to look after the prophet’s children and household. Her
house was the first to be built in Madina and she welcomed other wives into the household. She
was close to Aisha and gave up her time with the Prophet (pbuh) to Aisha. She was known for
her generosity, and she died ten years after the Prophet (pbuh) had passed away. She never got
out of her house after the Prophet’s death as per his instruction.
Aisha: she was the daughter of the Prophet’s close companion, Abu Bakr. She was married to
the Prophet (pbuh) in Madina at a young age and became his third wife. She was married to the
Prophet (pbuh) for nine years and became his favourite wife. She was known for her intelligence
and sharp memory and became one of the greatest narrators of Hadith. She was involved in
many important events in the life of the Prophet (pbuh), and verses were revealed to the
Prophet (pbuh) about her in relation to the event of the necklace (Nur:11–19), where she had
been left behind after the caravan she was travelling in left without her, and then she was taken
back to Madina by Safwan ibn-Salami. This caused people to slander her, and the verses were
revealed to prove her innocence. The Prophet (pbuh) passed away whilst he was with her.
Candidates could mention events in her life after the Prophet’s death, e.g. Battle of the Camel,
or that she was consulted by leading Companions due to her knowledge, but these details
should be kept brief.

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Hafsa: she was the daughter of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab and was widowed at a young age. Like
Aisha, she memorised the Qur’an by heart. She lived with the Prophet (pbuh) for eight years.
After his death when the Qur’an was compiled, a copy was kept with her for safekeeping, known
as the Mushaf. ‘Uthman took the Mushaf from her for standardising the Qur’an She was also a
narrator of Hadith. She quoted 60 Hadiths and was known for keeping fasts frequently. She was
quick tempered like her father, and revelation came after the honey incident where she told the
Prophet (pbuh) his mouth did not smell good after eating honey. She died around 60 years old.

Umm Salama: Her real name was Hind bint Abi Umaiya, and she was a widow when she married
the Prophet (pbuh), her husband having died after becoming injured at Uhud. She and her
husband were among the first to migrate to Abyssinia. After her husband passed away, she
rejected marriage proposals from both Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. She said nobody was better than
her husband, so she did not want to marry again and then the proposal came from the Prophet
(pbuh). She accepted the Prophet’s proposal, and they were married in 4AH. She memorised the
Qur’an by heart and took part in many expeditions. She was one of the most intellectual of the
wives. At Hudaiybiya the Prophet (pbuh) told the Companions to offer sacrifice, but they did not
do it. Umm Salama then told the Prophet (pbuh) to do the sacrifice himself then the
Companions will follow him. She was close to the Prophet’s household, especially Fatima and
her family. She outlived all the other wives of the Prophet (pbuh) and died at the age of 84.

b)
Candidates can offer other answers, but some suggestions could be: Although they were wives of the
Prophet (pbuh) and were given a special status, they were still in many ways active participants of the
community. They related many sayings of the Prophet (pbuh) due to their closeness with him, and Aisha,
in particular, was involved in teaching both women and men about Islam through the Hadith that she
narrated. This suggests that women should not only learn and educate themselves, but they can also
teach others from what they have learned. They were supportive and caring of each other and so
women can look for ways in which they can offer support and care to other women even if only in their
own household. Women may be involved in advisor roles in the community. Just as the Prophet’s wives
offered advice and support to the Prophet (pbuh), women with relevant skills and experience should
participate in roles where they can give advice, such as in mosques, etc.

Answer:
a)
Hazrat Sawda: It was after the demise of Hazrat Khadija that Holy Prophet was struggling with managing
his household and carrying on his mission of Islam together. His friends and companions suggested him
to remarry to ease his burdens but there seemed no viable option at that time. It was then that his
friends suggested him to marry Hazrat Sauda bint-e-Zama who was a widowed woman and had children
from her earlier marriage. helped the Prophet with managing the household and made sure that the
Prophet was happy at all times. She migrated to Madina soon after the Prophet did along with Hazrat

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Fatima and her house was the first to be built in Madina. It was during her marriage that the Prophet got
married to other women and she was very welcoming to them. She was a close friend of the Prophet’s
youngest wife, Hazrat Aisha and knew that the Prophet loved her company because of which she let him
spend time with her. She was a devout woman and extremely humble in her nature. She passed away in
the caliphate of Hazrat Usman

Hazrat Umm e Salamah was one of the most respected and learned wives of Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh). She was born in Makkah and her real name was Hind. She was married to Abdullah ibn Abdul-
Asad. Both the husband and wife decided to migrate to Abyssinia but she was not allowed to by her
relatives and her husband migrated. Later when she was allowed she joined her husband in Abyssinia
and then they migrated to Madina. Unfortunately, her husband was martyred in the Battle of Uhud,
leaving Umm e Salamah as a young widow with four children. After her husband’s death, Umm e
Salamah refused marriage proposals from Abu Bakr and Umar, as she believed that no one could replace
her first husband. However, when the Prophet (pbuh) proposed to her, she accepted, and they were
married in 4 AH.

Umm e Salamah had an exceptional memory, and she was one of the few people who had memorized
the Quran entirely. She was also a brave woman and actively participated in many battles and
expeditions with the Prophet (pbuh). One of the most notable incidents involving Umm e Salamah
occurred at the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. When the Prophet (pbuh) ordered his companions to sacrifice
their animals as part of the treaty, they hesitated, thinking it was a sign of defeat. Umm e Salamah
suggested to the Prophet (pbuh) that he should sacrifice his animal first, which would encourage the
companions to follow his example. This suggestion was successful, and the companions promptly
followed the Prophet's lead. Umm e Salamah was also known for her wisdom and sound advice. On one
occasion, a man came to the Prophet (pbuh) seeking permission to divorce his wife. Umm e Salamah
suggested that the Prophet (pbuh) should counsel the man to try to reconcile with his wife instead of
granting permission for a divorce. The Prophet (pbuh) followed Umm e Salamah’s advice, and the couple
reconciled their differences.

Umm e Salamah was close to the Prophet’s family, especially his daughter Fatima and her family. She
was present at the Prophet's deathbed, and it was reported that he leaned on her lap during his final
moments. After the Prophet's death, Umm e Salamah continued to serve the Muslim community and
imparted her knowledge to others. She outlived all of the Prophet's wives and died at the age of 84. Her
life is a testament to the strength, courage, and devotion of Muslim women and an inspiration to
generations of Muslim women to come.

b)

Hazrat Umm-e-Salama's life can teach Muslims about the important role of women in society. Despite
being a widow, she rejected marriage proposals from Abu Bakr and Umar and chose to live

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independently. Her life shows that women can be independent and highly educated, and they can also
contribute to the community in meaningful ways. Women should seek education and knowledge, and
use their abilities to help others and participate in the community. Umm-e-Salama's life also teaches us
about the importance of friendship and support among women, and the need to stand up for what we
believe in, even if it means going against societal expectations.

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