O-LevelIslamiyatThe first Islamic community2058/12 · Oct/Nov 2023 · Q414 Marks

Give an account of the persecution faced by the early followers of Islam.

(a)Give an account of the persecution faced by the early followers of Islam.[10]
(b)What might the early followers' response to persecution teach Muslims about facing difficulties? Give examples to support your answer.[4]

Mark scheme

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

Candidates can write about any of the early followers who faced persecution.
After the Prophet (pbuh) took to Mount Safa and invited the Quraysh to follow Islam publicly, they rejected him and feeling threatened by the new message they started to persecute the Muslims.
Those who had no protection were easy targets and felt the worst of the persecution.
Bilal was severely beaten by his master Umayah ibn Khalaf and made to lie on the burning sand with a rock on his chest, but he did not give up belief in one God.
'Ammar ibn Yasir, and his parents, were made to lie on hot embers – both his parents were martyred, his father died due to severe tortures, his mother Sumayya was bayoneted to death.
'Uthman ibn Affan was wrapped in palm leaves and set fire to by his uncle.
Khabab ibn al-Arat, a blacksmith, was made to lie on burning coal with a rock on his chest. Harith ibn Hala was tortured and killed.
Because of the persecutions, the Prophet (pbuh) allowed some people to migrate to Abyssinia.
Later a social and economic boycott was imposed on the Banu Hashim and they were to live in Shib-i-Abi Talib, where they faced great hardships for many years.
Candidates may say that the persecutions show that Muslims in the past went through difficulties as well as Muslims now. Muslims may get some reassurance from this that any difficulties now that they face for being Muslim or practising Islam is not new so they should not despair.
They could also say they can use the example of the early Muslims to show patience and perseverance with difficulties in their own lives.
Or that there will always be people around to help and support them so they should not lose hope and accept help and assistance when offered.
God is always their protector so that should give Muslims hope in times of trial and tribulation.