Describe the different ways that the Prophet (pbuh) received revelation from God.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] (a) The Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet (pbuh) over a period of 23 years. After the first revelation, in Cave Hira, revelation stopped for a period which caused the Prophet (pbuh) to worry. Once they started again, they came strongly and frequently. There were different ways in which the verses were revealed to the Prophet (pbuh). Sometimes the Angel Jibril would come in the form of a man, which the Companions witnessed when Jibril came to confirm the tenets of belief (hadith Jibril, Daya Kalbi). A few times the Prophet (pbuh) saw the Angel in his original form, e.g. on the night journey (sura najm), and at the time of the first revelation. They also came in the form of dreams, and he would wake up and remember them. The most difficult was when they came as the ringing of a bell. The revelations would weigh down on him, so much so that his camel could not withstand the weight. The candidates might narrate stories related to these revelations, such as the pressure that it put on Zayd's thigh when he was sitting next to the Prophet (pbuh) during one of the revelations. They would cause him to sweat even in the winter and shiver in the summer. Aisha's Hadith can be given as reference. They were not within his control (sura 75:16–19), he had no idea when they were coming, and they were safeguarded by God. The Prophet (pbuh) also had direct revelation, when he went on the night journey and ascension. The candidates might also mention how different verses/suras were revealed according to the need of time and circumstances, which will be creditable.
2. [4] (b) Candidates can give a range of answers; they should present their opinion and give reasons for it. They could say, for example, that it was to show that the Prophet (pbuh) had not written the revelations himself, and neither did he copy them from elsewhere as he had not read other books. In those days, the oral tradition and poetry was important and so the revelation was sent in a similar method for people to be able to relate to it and respect it. Others might say that it is not even relevant whether the Prophet(pbuh) could read or write, prophethood is a special favour, granted by God, to His chosen people and one's ability to read and write does not have any impact on God's choice. Some may go further and say that God chooses people with high moral principles and impeccable character hence the fact whether one can read or write is insignificant.