The Prophet Muhammad was taken on a night journey and ascent to the heavens (al-'isra wa-l-mi'raj). Write an account of this journey.

Mark scheme

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

1. [10] (a) In the year before migration the Prophet (pbuh) was taken on a journey, “from the sacred mosque to the farthest mosque” (17.1). The Prophet (pbuh) was woken from his sleep and his heart was washed with zamzam. He was asked to choose between milk and wine and he chose the milk, to which Jibril said, "You have been guided on the fitra." He was then taken on al-Buraq from Makka to Jerusalem by the angel Jibril. There the Prophet (pbuh) led all the previous prophets (pbuh) in prayer. After that, Jibril took him to the heavens. He met Adam at the door to heaven, and thereafter he ascended and met various other prophets. 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 a number of times, then at five, stopped, saying he was too embarrassed to ask for further reduction. He saw some of the inhabitants of Heaven and Hell.
2. [10] 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.
3. [4] (b) The Prophet (pbuh) had been through a period of difficulty and this event made him realise that God had not left him. It allowed him to see what he, and all Muslims, should be striving for which gave him renewed strength.
4. [4] 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. It was one of the main miracles other than the Qur'an.
5. [4] Candidates can give their own suggestions, and relevant answers should be credited.