Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Question 4

Use the AO1 Levels of Response.

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

The Prophet (pbuh) received many delegations in the final year of his life. In 631/10AH, the Prophet (pbuh) performed his final pilgrimage. The people knew that the Prophet (pbuh) was going for pilgrimage and so many people came to join him on this journey. They numbered 30 000 in total. They performed tawaf at the Ka’ba and then proceeded to ‘Arafah. At ‘Arafah the Prophet (pbuh) addressed the people gathered there; this is considered his farewell speech, in which he indicated he may not be there the following year. It set a precedent for the rites and rituals of Hajj that are to be performed by Muslims.

In his sermon he asked the Muslims to take their guidance from the Qur’an and sunna. Revenge was prohibited and usury was forbidden; he gave instructions for unlawful shedding of blood; the obligation towards looking after wives was emphasised as well as the kind treatment of women; sticking faithfully to the Pillars of Islam was emphasised; the equality of humankind was highlighted saying no Arab has superiority over a non-Arab and vice versa; brotherhood was established.

He told them the Qur’an and sunna were left for them and reminded them they would have to answer for their deeds and that no new prophet or faith will come after him.

Verses 5.3 were revealed (‘This day I have perfected your religion for you…’). The Prophet (pbuh) completed his pilgrimage and returned to Madina. He increased his seclusion. Jibril reviewed the Qur’an twice with him.

His illness began 13 days before his death. He moved into A’isha’s apartment for the last week and continued leading the prayers giving the congregation advice.

When he was no longer able to attend the mosque, he asked Abu Bakr to lead the prayers in his absence, which made the companions very sad. He called for Fatima, Hassan and Hussain and his wives. The Prophet (pbuh) passed away on 12th Rabi al-Awwal, 632/11AH.

Explain how two of the teachings from the Prophet’s Farewell Sermon

are significant for Muslims today.

Use the AO2 Levels of Response.

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

The Five Pillars are significant, they need to be fulfilled by Muslims who may not be performing all of them today. The Prophet’s Last Sermon emphasised the importance on fulfilling them all, and this reminds today’s Muslims of their significance, so that people do not lose sight of the basic principles of Islam. It may be that the reminder of the Day of Judgment is significant now as this would encourage Muslims to act in the best way to ensure they have good deeds when giving their account.

The equality of humankind, where no Arab has superiority over a non-Arab can be significant as it can help overcome issues of racism, particularly now when more people are interacting with one another and it needs to be emphasised that they are not better than others based on their

race/background/status but in their deeds.

The good treatment of wives, and women in general, could help deal with the problems facing the inequality of women whether at home or in the workplace.