Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 12 · Question 4

Write about the lives of the Prophet’s grandsons: Hassan ibn ‘Ali and Hussain ibn ‘Ali.

Use AO1 Levels of Response.

Answers for this part could give an account of the lives of the grandsons of the Prophet (pbuh) from their childhood to their deaths.

For both of them, their closeness to the Prophet (pbuh) could be described as well as important points such as their support for their father throughout his Caliphate.

Hassan was born in 3AH and so spent 7 years in the company of the Prophet (pbuh). His mother passed away shortly after the Prophet’s death. Along with his brother Hussain, he was close to the Prophet (pbuh), they would climb on the Prophet (pbuh) while he was in prayer and sit next to him while he was giving his sermons.

In ‘Uthman’s Caliphate he fought against some of the non-believers and was one of those who protected and guarded ‘Uthman when he was besieged in his home. He would take food and water for ‘Uthman. Hassan was involved with his father in the battle of the Camel and the battle of Siffin. When his father was martyred, he became Caliph after being elected by the people of Kufa but gave it up after some months due to heavy opposition from Mu’awiya. It is said he was poisoned and died in the year 670 at the age of 48. Hussain was born a year after his brother in 4AH, and like his brother, was named by the Prophet (pbuh). After Mu’awiya’s death he rejected the Umayyads and refused to accept Yazid as caliph after Mu’awiya due to Yazid’s corruption.

He was invited by the people of Kufa to become their leader and they offered him support to oppose the leadership of Yazid. Hussain sent Muslim bin Aqeel to Kufa, and on finding the people’s support, sent a letter to Hussain telling him to come to Kufa. However, Muslim was then killed by the governor of Yazid and the people of Kufa went back on their support of Hussain.

On his way to Kufa, Hussain camped at Karbala and Yazid’s army surrounded the camp. There was a battle between his 72 supporters and Yazid’s army of thousands. Hussain’s supporters fought hard but they were killed and eventually Hussain was surrounded and martyred. His severed head was taken to the Caliph.

Hussain defended what he believed was right for the future of Islam. What lessons might Muslims learn from this?

Use the AO1 Levels of Response.

Candidates can give their own answers, but some suggestions could be: Muslims can stand up for justice in their own lives by opposing those who bully and oppress others. They do not have to fight others to do this, but can oppose oppression by speaking up against it, and saying the truth whenever they can.

They can use their social media platforms to defend Islam or to show support for those who are oppressed or in difficulty, by promoting positive messages and without having to resort to oppressing others or putting them down.

Other suggestions can be given, and all relevant answers should be credited.