Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 11 · Question 4

Write about the way the Prophet (pbuh) demonstrated the qualities of honesty and simplicity.

Use the AO1 Levels of Response.

Candidates should include some of the following points. All other relevant points must be credited.

Honesty is being truthful in all circumstances even when it is not to your benefit: examples of the Prophet’s honesty are that even before prophethood he was known for being honest and trustworthy. He always engaged in honest dealings as a trader.

Khadija married him due to his honesty in trade. The people of Makka testified to his honesty when questioned at Mount Safa. The Quryash would keep their belongings with him, even after they rejected his message.

When the Prophet (pbuh) was leaving Makka to migrate to Madina, he left the belongings entrusted to him with ‘Ali to return to the people, to ensure that they did not feel cheated, and to fulfil his promise to them.

When Abu Sufyan met the Byzantine Emperor, he spoke highly of the Prophet (pbuh) saying he never lies or betrays others.

Also, at the Treaty of Hudaibiyya, Abu Jandal was sent back to Makka because the new terms of the treaty had already been signed and the Prophet (pbuh) did not want to go back on his word.

Simplicity is living with few things and not being extravagant even when you have the chance: examples are that the Prophet (pbuh) lived his life with very little worldly comforts. He would do things with his own hands, rather than asking others to do it for him, such as milking his goats, patching his clothes, or mending his shoes.

He worked on the construction of the mosque and digging the trench at battle. He did not like the companions to stand up for him when he entered. He would eat as others ate and sit on the floor as others sat. He would take his meals with slaves and people from any class of society. He would eat very little. He would sleep on a simple mattress on the floor without home comforts or decorations. Once Omar saw marks on his body from sleeping on jute mat and commented that he was living in such simplicity, the Prophet (pbuh) reminded him of better reward in the Hereafter. Every day, before he went to sleep, he would give away any surplus that he had.

To what extent can Muslims live their lives as simply as the Prophet (pbuh).

Use the AO2 Levels of Response.

Candidates can give other examples and all relevant answers should be credited.

Some may say that it is easy to live in a simple way as the Prophet (pbuh) did, as his example is the way for everyone. Muslims can get rid of their excess clothing and wealth, not hoard anything and give more to charity. They can also live more simply by eating and buying less, which is important now as the world suffers environmental damage due to humankind’s excesses. Others may say that it is not easy to live like the Prophet (pbuh) as people now have access to more wealth and disposable income. They may also say that the needs of people are different now and it is not easy to go back to living with less, when people have become dependent on furnishing their homes, having cars and entertainment, and feel like they would have a low quality of life without them.

Alternatively, some may say that many people around the world still live simple lives the way the Prophet (pbuh) did, in basic accommodation with little food and they are able to survive. However, this may not be the way that is comfortable for people to live on a daily basis, and so would not be comparable to the way the Prophet (pbuh) lived.