The life and importance of the Prophet Muhammad — IGCSE Islamiyat (0493) questions by topic
The Battle of Badr, the persecution of early followers, and named qualities such as trustworthiness and forgiveness demonstrated in the Prophet's life make up this topic, with 23 real questions from 2023 to 2025 papers, all worth 14 marks.
Describe and outline want a focused narrative of events in order, while evaluate and to what extent expect you to deduce lessons from those events and give practical modern examples rather than simply retell the story. Drafting a response that pairs a specific event with a stated quality and marking it instantly shows whether the connection between the two has been made explicit, which the strongest answers always do.
What examiners look for
- Strong answers give a concise introduction linking open preaching to the onset of persecution, then a focused narrative recounting numerous incidents against early converts, slaves and notable Quraysh figures.
- Strong responses deduce multiple lessons from an event and give practical examples illustrating how Muslims can emulate the early Muslims' behaviour.
- Strong answers on trustworthiness and forgiveness understand precisely what each quality entails and select events from the Prophet's life that exemplify those qualities with ample detail.
- Strong responses broaden the evaluation by discussing different aspects of the Prophet's upbringing to draw lessons applicable to modern times.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
Describe the boycott of Muslims to Shi'b Abi Talib.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 12
Write about the events of the Battle of Badr.
Answer this question and get it marked →Give an account of the letters sent by the Prophet (pbuh) to spread Islam outside Madina.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 22
God revealed books to some of His prophets. Write about Muslim belief in prophets and the books revealed to them.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 11
Outline the growth of Islam in Makka from the first revelation until the migration to Madina.
Answer this question and get it marked →Give an account of the Prophet's night journey and ascension (al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj).
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
Give an account of the main events of the Pledges of Aqaba and the details of the pledges made.
Answer this question and get it marked →Give an account of the Battle of the Trench (Khandaq).
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
Describe the ways that the Prophet's family in Makka both supported and opposed him.
Answer this question and get it marked →Write about the way the Prophet (pbuh) demonstrated the qualities of honesty and simplicity.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
Give an account of the Prophet's migration (hijrah) from Makka to Madina.
Answer this question and get it marked →Describe the events of the final year of the Prophet's life.
Answer this question and get it marked →Give an account of the life of Khadija bint Khuwaylid.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
Using examples from the Prophet's life show how he demonstrated the two qualities of: trustworthiness; forgiveness.
Answer this question and get it marked →Write an account of the Battle of Uhud.
Answer this question and get it marked →Write an account of the life of Fatima and the life of any one other of the Prophet's daughters.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
Write about when the Prophet (pbuh) showed patience and self-restraint while living in Makka.
Answer this question and get it marked →Write an account of the Prophet's conquest of Makka in 630.
Answer this question and get it marked →Write an account of the lives of Amina bint Wahb and Halima Sa'adia during their time with the Prophet (pbuh).
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
The Prophet (pbuh) stopped at Hudaybiyya on his way to Makka. Give an account of the events that took place here.
Answer this question and get it marked →Some of the early Muslims migrated to Abyssinia. Give an account of the events of this migration.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
Describe the events relating to the Prophet's efforts to spread Islam in Ta'if.
Answer this question and get it marked →Give an account of the persecution faced by the early followers of Islam.
Answer this question and get it marked →