Give an account of the Prophet's migration (hijra) from Makka to Madina.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] (a) Level 3, 7 answers should have a good chronological narration, with most of the points in the MS made with some detail. Level 4 answers should have most of the points with a lot of detail and a quotation. Too much detail of background (pledges of Aqba, persecutions) will not be credited. Content for Level 4 answers may vary, depth and detail of the chosen content will determine the mark given. Quotations are embedded in text sometimes; examiners should credit them. Candidates may include some of the following points. All other relevant points must be credited.
2. [10] (a) The year is 622. In Makka there was a plot to assassinate the Prophet (pbuh). The Quraysh met at Dar al-Nadwa and then went to the Prophet's house to kill him at night, (referenced in sura 8.30). Jibril had already given the Prophet (pbuh) God's permission to migrate.
3. [10] (a) The Prophet (pbuh) told 'Ali to sleep in his bed - he came out of his house and threw dust at the assassins, reciting from sura Yasin (36.9).
4. [10] (a) Abu Bakr went with him. They took refuge in Cave Thawr and Abu Bakr went in to make sure it was clean and safe. Abu Bakr's foot was stung by an insect while the Prophet (pbuh) was sleeping, and he did not cry out for fear of waking the Prophet (pbuh).
5. [10] (a) They stayed in the cave for three nights; Abu Bakr's son and daughter visited them with food and news.
6. [10] (a) The Quraysh set a price of 100 camels for their capture. Some reached the mouth of the cave, which had been covered by a spider's web and bird's nest. The Prophet (pbuh) reassured Abu Bakr (sura 9.40).
7. [10] (a) After they left, Suraqa almost caught up with them but his horse kept stumbling.
8. [10] (a) Prophet (pbuh) also stopped at the tents of umm e Mu'abd. Eighty people from Banu Aslam also accepted Islam.
9. [10] (a) They stopped in Quba and stayed there for some days; they established a mosque and 'Ali caught up with them here. They arrived in Madina and the people welcomed the Prophet (pbuh).
10. [4] (b) Focus of the question is on the reasons for construction of these mosques not the functions of mosques in general. Despite travelling from Makka to Madina, the Prophet (pbuh) took the time to establish a mosque at Quba, and then in Madina. This was to show the Muslims that communal worship of God was to be the focal point of primary importance, and they should learn about their faith. Praying together as a community was important and beneficial, so much so that building a mosque was done before building houses. At Quba and Madina, they were free to establish prayers so it was done as a symbol of freedom – they were now free to worship together and in the open, unlike in Makka. Candidates can offer other answers and all relevant answers must be credited.