Write about the events of the final year of the Prophet's life.

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 most of this information with some detail. Level 4 answers should have most of this information with a lot of detail. They should have a quotation as well as good narration. Candidates may give extra information about the sermon, more details about the pilgrimage, or that he visited Khadija's grave before leaving Makka, and can be credited as long as some of the main points in the MS have also been made. They may also mention that the Prophet (pbuh) visited Baqi', they may give details about the final illness, which would be considered development of the answer. Candidates responses that only focus on final sermon, can only go up to lower level 3. Candidates may include some of the following points. All other relevant points must be credited.
2. [10] (a) The Prophet received many delegations in the final year of his life. In 631/10AH, the Prophet performed his final pilgrimage. The people knew that the Prophet (pbuh) was going for pilgrimage and so many people came to join him on this journey. They numbered 30 000 in total. The performed tawaf at the Ka'ba and then proceeded to Arafah. At 'Arafah the Prophet (pbuh) addressed the people gathered there; this is considered his farewell speech, in which he indicated he may not be there the following year.
3. [10] (a) In his sermon he asked the Muslims to take their guidance from the Qur'an and sunnah. Revenge was prohibited and usury was forbidden; he gave instructions for unlawful shedding of blood; the obligation towards looking after wives was emphasised as well as the kind treatment of women; sticking faithfully to the pillars of Islam was emphasised; the equality of humankind was emphasised saying no Arab has superiority over a non-Arab and vice versa; brotherhood was established.
4. [10] (a) He told them the Qur'an and sunna were left for them and reminded them they would have to answer for their deeds. Then the verses 5.3 were revealed (today your religion has been perfected).
5. [10] (a) The Prophet completed his pilgrimage and returned to Madina. He increased his seclusion. Jibril reviewed the Qur'an twice with him.
6. [10] (a) Prophet (pbuh) ordered an expedition to Syria under Usama. His illness began 13 days before his death. He moved into A'isha's apartment for the last week and continued leading the prayers giving the congregation advice.
7. [10] (a) When he was no longer able to attend the mosque, he asked Abu Bakr to lead the prayers in his absence, which made the companions very sad.
8. [10] (a) He called for Fatima, Hassan and Hussain and his wives. The Prophet passed away on 12th Rabi al-Awwal, 11AH.
9. [4] (b) Where reasons as to why any particular point chosen by candidates are mentioned, level 3 and 4 can be given. The last sermon is considered a summary of the main elements of faith, as it includes the five pillars, equality of humankind, ethics and morality. It can be used in many modern-day issues such as racism, inequality of women, the financial structure (dealing in interest), adultery, responsibility of actions (particularly in crimes), treating other Muslims as brothers, and worshipping God. Candidates can choose any point but should give reasons for why they think it is important.