The Prophet was described as humble and just. Giving examples from his life, write about events that describe these qualities.

Mark scheme

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

1. [10] (a) Candidates should give examples of the Prophet's characteristics and give details of events where these characteristics were shown. Humble: The Prophet would not think of himself as above the other companions, like a king, and would take part in all the tasks the rest of the community would, like digging the Trench in battle despite his hunger, or taking part in the building of the mosque in Madina. He would take part in household chores, like cleaning and mending his garments, milking the goats, etc., and would not expect others to do it for him. He would sit on the floor and eat, saying, “I am only a servant, I eat like a servant or a slave eats, and I sit as any servant sits.” When the Prophet entered Makka after the conquest, he did not enter with a big display of victory; rather he was riding at the back of the army remembering and thanking God. He was so hunched over that his beard was touching the back of his animal. Just: He did not treat those he knew or was related to differently to those who were strangers. Once, a noble woman of the Quraysh committed theft. Her relatives tried to intercede on her behalf. The Prophet called the people saying: "What destroyed your predecessors was just that when a person of rank among them committed a theft (or any crime), they left him alone, but when a weak one of their number committed a theft (or any crime), they inflicted the prescribed punishment on him. I swear by Allah that if Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad, should steal, I would have her hand cut off." Many Jews of Madina brought their affairs and problems to him, knowing that he would always be fair. In administering justice, he made no distinction between believers and nonbelievers, friends and foes, high and low. When a Jewish man came to demand back the money the Prophet owed him, he grabbed the Prophet by the collar. 'Umar got angry at the Jew, but the Prophet smiled. He asked for the debt to be repaid and extra given due to the harsh treatment by 'Umar. Candidates can give other examples but should give details of them.
2. [4] (b) Candidates could say, e.g. that Muslims can be humble by eating with their servants, or the same food as their servants, or not treating them any differently to their own family; they can take part in tasks to help the community such as looking after and cleaning the mosque; they can help their family by doing chores and not thinking they are too busy for it; if they are in positions of authority at work, they should not try to treat their workers badly to show who is boss, but should treat them fairly and equally. These are just some examples; candidates can give others but should elaborate on the points made.