The Prophet's wives, family and companions: past paper questions
Real questions on the prophet's wives, family and companions
The newest 20 of 35 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0493/11 · May/June 2026 · Q5a[10]
5 (a) Give an account of the lives of Abu Talib and Abu Sufyan during the life of the Prophet (pbuh). [10]
See it on the paper → - 0493/11 · May/June 2026 · Q5b[4]
What lessons can Muslims learn from the lives of Abu Talib and Abu Sufyan about relationships with non-Muslims?
See it on the paper → - 0493/12 · May/June 2026 · Q5a[10]
5 (a) Write about the lives of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab and Khalid ibn al-Walid during the lifetime of the Prophet (pbuh). [10]
See it on the paper → - 0493/12 · May/June 2026 · Q5b[4]
Discuss two lessons Muslims can learn from the conduct of these Companions after they became Muslim.
See it on the paper → - 0493/11 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[10]
Write about the life of ʿAisha during the years she was married to the Prophet (pbuh).
See it on the paper → - 0493/11 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[4]
How can Muslims today apply lessons learned from ʿAisha’s life about the importance of education and knowledge?
See it on the paper → - 0493/12 · October/November 2025 · Q4a[10]
Describe the way the relationship between the Emigrants (Muhajirun) and Helpers (Ansar) developed in Madina.
See it on the paper → - 0493/12 · October/November 2025 · Q4b[4]
To what extent can relationships such as those between the Ansar and Muhajirun be developed by Muslims today?
See it on the paper → - 0493/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[10]
Write about the main roles played by the Scribes of the Prophet (pbuh).
See it on the paper → - 0493/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[4]
To what extent is it easier to record Islamic knowledge now than in the time of the Prophet (pbuh)?
See it on the paper → - 0493/11 · May/June 2025 · Q5a[10]
Write about the lives of Bilal ibn Rabah and Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib.
See it on the paper → - 0493/11 · May/June 2025 · Q5b[4]
How do the stories of Bilal ibn Rabah and Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib help Muslims understand and accept the death of a loved one?
See it on the paper → - 0493/12 · May/June 2025 · Q5a[10]
Give an account of the lives of Salman al-Farsi and Abu Talib.
See it on the paper → - 0493/12 · May/June 2025 · Q5b[4]
What lessons can be learned from Salman’s life experiences with the Prophet (pbuh)?
See it on the paper → - 0493/11 · October/November 2024 · Q5a[10]
Write about the lives of the following Companions during the lifetime of the Prophet (pbuh): • • Ja‘far ibn Abi Talib Zayd ibn Thabit.
See it on the paper → - 0493/12 · October/November 2024 · Q5a[10]
Give an account of the life of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid.
See it on the paper → - 0493/11 · May/June 2024 · Q5a[10]
Describe the conversion to Islam of Abu Bakr, ͑ Umar, ͑ Uthman and ͑Ali.
See it on the paper → - 0493/22 · May/June 2024 · Q3a[10]
Give an account of the four false prophets in Arabia and their defeat by Abu Bakr.
See it on the paper → - 0493/11 · May/June 2023 · Q5a[10]
Write an account of the life of Fatima and the life of any one other of the Prophet’s daughters.
See it on the paper → - 0493/11 · May/June 2023 · Q5b[4]
What lessons might Muslims learn from the relationship between the Prophet (pbuh) and his daughters? Give examples to support your answer.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Candidates generally demonstrated knowledge of the most well-known events from the lives of the two companions, such as persecution faced by Bilal ibn Rabah and his role as the Prophet’s muezzin and the events surrounding Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib’s martyrdom. Stronger responses included finer details from the lives of these two personalities which enabled them to achieve higher levels.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0493/11 Q5(a) (Cambridge)
Candidates who offered generic suggestions, such as being patient or having trust in God, achieved mid-range marks. Stronger responses made specific and insightful references. For example, some mentioned Bilal ibn Rabah’s struggle following the Prophet’s death, making thoughtful deductions about how grief is natural and missing loved ones is nothing to be ashamed of. Others referred to Bilal ibn R...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0493/11 Q5(b) (Cambridge)
Candidates generally answered the part of the question focusing on Abu Talib well, demonstrating knowledge of his role in the Prophet’s life from his upbringing to teaching him life skills and providing protection and support. In contrast, very few candidates possessed sufficient knowledge of the life of Salman al-Farsi. The suggestion of defending Madina with a trench was the only widely known fa...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0493/12 Q5(a) (Cambridge)
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