Write about the Prophet's wife Aisha during the lifetime of the Prophet.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2015). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. (a) Candidates should give a detailed narrative about the life of Aisha and her relationship with the Prophet.
2. Answers will be able to mention key events from her life, such as her early marriage to the Prophet, her youth and good memory which allowed her to remember and teach many of the sayings and events from the life of the Prophet, as well as teaching the way of Islam whenever a new revelation was given. Due to her closeness to the Prophet, and her great memory, she became one of the greatest narrators of hadith. She was the daughter of the Prophet's close companion, Abu Bakr, and became the Prophet's third wife. Candidates should also mention that she took part in major battles, mainly Uhud, and should talk about the events that surrounded the necklace controversy after which a revelation was revealed about her (Nur:11–19). Candidates should also know that the Prophet was with her when he passed away.
3. Good answers will be able to present their narratives in a clear and comprehensive manner giving details of the exact events, and should refrain from giving details about her life after the Prophet's death.
4. (b) Candidates should say whether they agree with the statement or disagree with it, and then give reasons for their answer.
5. They could say, e.g., that she is a role model because she was one of the main teachers of hadith, having narrated over 2000 hadith, and that men and women came to learn from her but it didn't take away from her religious obligations.
6. Or they could say that she is not a role model because e.g., men and women now need modern role models that are more relevant to their lives so it is easier to understand them.
7. The Shi'i point of view could also be mentioned, and valid answers with explanation should be credited.
8. Relevant answers with reasons should be credited.