Describe the events relating to the Prophet's efforts to spread Islam in Ta'if.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. The Prophet (pbuh) had been preaching to the people of Makka for ten years and had faced many hardships. The number of Muslims was relatively small and his greatest supporters, Khadija and Abu Talib, had passed away. He now looked outside Makka to preach his message because the number of atrocities were becoming unbearable.
2. He went to Ta'if with Zayd ibn Haritha as he thought people there would be favourable to his message, but they were hostile towards him. The Prophet (pbuh) first went to the three chiefs of Bani Thaqeef tribe, but they rejected him.
3. He stayed several days there delivering the message to the people, but he was abused and jeered, eventually they were chased out by being pelted with stones till blood flowed down the Prophet's legs. Zayd was injured too.
4. They took refuge in an orchard a few miles away; seeing his condition, ‘Utbah and Shaybah sent their servant with a tray of grapes; their servant saw true prophethood in him.
5. Jibril later appeared with another angel and asked the Prophet (pbuh) for permission to bury the city; the Prophet (pbuh) refused and instead prayed for believers to be born from their progeny.
6. Some candidates might also mention the Prophet's encounter with the jinns and the refuge he sought on his return to Makka.
7. The Prophet (pbuh) forgave those who mistreated him at Ta'if, and so Muslims should look at themselves and how they can practise forgiveness in their lives for example, by not holding grudges.
8. They could also say that it encourages Muslims to persevere in difficulty, that the Prophet (pbuh) did not give up preaching Islam – despite the opposition he was facing in Makka he still tried to spread the message amongst others.
9. It can also teach people that walking away from a difficult situation or when you are under attack is not a sign of weakness but can give someone strength to know that they have tried their best to do something even if others are not willing to listen. Retaliating and getting into fights is not always the way to resolve a situation.