The first revelation came to the Prophet Muhammad in 610. Describe his experience of this event.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2016). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] (a) Candidates could start by writing about the Prophet's (pbuh) increasing solitude in the cave of Hira; when he was 40 the revelation came to him; the angel Jibril came to him and instructed him to read, iqra, and the Prophet (pbuh) replied he could not; the angel squeezed him and said it again; after a third time the angel recited the first few verses of sura alaq (96); the Prophet (pbuh) came out of the cave and saw the angel on the horizon; he was confused and shaken; he ran home and told his wife who consoled him and went to see her cousin, who confirmed his prophethood.
2. [10] Development of these points is required for higher levels.
3. [4] (b) Candidates can give their own answers but some examples could be:
4. [4] It was important because being unable to read or write shows that it would not have been possible for the Prophet (pbuh) to have composed the Qur'an himself; the implication is that not being able to compose the Qur'an himself, shows that the Qur'an is from God.
5. [4] God did not want anyone else to be the Prophet's (pbuh) teacher, as that would have meant someone was superior to him in his knowledge of God. It was a miracle of God.
6. [4] It was not important that he was not able to read/write because God will send the revelation to whomever He wills.
7. [4] Development of points made is required for higher levels.