Islamiyat · May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Question 4
0493
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4(a)[10]
Give an account of the Prophet’s night journey and ascension (al-Israʾ wal-Miʿraj).
Use the AO1 Levels of Response.
Candidates should include some of the following points. All other relevant points must be credited.
A comprehensive answer will provide an account of the main events both of the journey to Jerusalem and the journey to the heavens, as well as mentioning the names of those the Prophet (pbuh) met and what he saw. In the year before migration the Prophet (pbuh) was taken on a journey, ‘from the sacred mosque to the farthest mosque’ (17.1). The Prophet (pbuh) was woken from his sleep and his heart was washed with zamzam by the Angel Jibril.
He was then taken on Buraq from Makka to Jerusalem. There the Prophet (pbuh) led all the previous prophets in prayer. He was asked to choose between milk and wine, and he chose the milk, to which Jibril said, ‘You have been guided on the fitra (faith)’.After that, Jibril took him to the seven heavens. He (pbuh) met Adam at the door to heaven, and thereafter he ascended and met various other prophets (some of whom should be mentioned). He was led to the Lote Tree, past which Jibril could not go, and then met with his Lord. He was given prayers and the last 2 verses of Sura Baqara.On his way down he met Musa who suggested the Prophet (pbuh) ask God to reduce the number of prayers given to his people. The Prophet (pbuh) did this a number of times, then at five, stopped, saying he was too embarrassed to ask for further reduction. He was shown some of the inhabitants of Heaven and Hell.Answers should also mention that this all took place in one night, and when the Prophet (pbuh) told the people, the Quraysh laughed at him. Abu Bakr believed in the event straight away, becoming Al-Siddiq.
4(b)[4]
How does the Prophet’s night journey and ascension help connect Muslims with God?
Use the AO2 Levels of Response.
Candidates can give other examples and all relevant answers should be credited.
This event can help Muslims connect with God because they know that He granted this event to the Prophet (pbuh) to bring ease after his difficulties, so it can give hope that God will also give them blessings when they are going through hard times.
It also helps them connect to God by telling them the results of their actions, from what was seen of the inhabitants of hell and heaven. This can help them to want to get closer to God so they are amongst the inhabitants of heaven. They can also connect to God through their daily prayers by realising the blessing of God giving them prayers and reducing them to a manageable number.
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