Asbabu al-Nuzuul (Reasons for Revelation)
9 Grade 10 Religious Education (IRE) questions on Asbabu al-Nuzuul (Reasons for Revelation), with worked marking schemes. 9 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
1 markUrwa ibn al-Zubayr once understood Q. 2:158, 'there is no blame upon him who walks between them [al-Safa and al-Marwah]', to mean that walking between the two hills during Hajj or Umrah was optional. Aishah (R.A.) corrected him by explaining the occasion on which the verse was revealed (Bukhari). What did that occasion show?
A. It cancelled an earlier command to walk between the two hills
B. It excused the Ansar alone from Sa'y but not other pilgrims
C. It removed the Ansar's unease and did not make Sa'y optional
D. It allowed sick pilgrims to leave out Sa'y without any penalty
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 2
5 marksSurah 'Abasa (Q. 80:1-10) was revealed when the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) frowned and turned away from a blind man, Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum (R.A.), who came seeking knowledge while the Prophet was busy inviting leaders of the Quraysh to Islam.
(a) Explain how knowing this occasion helps a reader understand the opening verses of the surah. (2 marks)
(b) Outline three lessons a student leader in a Kenyan senior school can draw from this occasion. (3 marks)
(5 marks)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 3
4 marksOutline four benefits of knowing asbaab al-nuzuul to a Muslim who is studying the Qur'an. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 4
4 marks(a) Outline the occasion of the revelation of Q. 58:1-4 (Surah al-Mujadilah). (2 marks)
(b) Explain how knowing this occasion helps a learner understand the ruling given in these verses. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 5
4 marksThe verses of Surah al-Nur (Q. 24:11-20) were revealed after hypocrites in Madinah spread a false accusation (al-ifk) against Aishah (R.A.), the wife of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Analyse two lessons that these verses, read in the light of their occasion, teach Muslims about handling rumours in their community. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
Any two lessons, 2 marks each: 1 mark for stating the lesson and 1 mark for explaining it with reference to the verses or the occasion (4 marks). - Think well of fellow believers on hearing a rumour (Q. 24:12): the believers should have assumed good of Aishah (R.A.) instead of entertaining the slander. - Demand evidence before accepting an accusation (Q. 24:13): the accusers brought no four witnesses, so in Allah's sight they are liars. - Do not repeat what you have no knowledge of (Q. 24:15): people passed the slander from tongue to tongue thinking it minor, yet it was grave with Allah (S.W.T.). - Refuse to talk about such matters (Q. 24:16): believers should say it is not right for them to speak of it and call it a great slander. - Do not love to see indecency spread among believers (Q. 24:19): those who enjoy spreading scandal face a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. - Allah (S.W.T.) defends the innocent who are patient: the verses declared Aishah's innocence after about a month, so the wronged should be patient and trust Allah. - Recognise Allah's grace and mercy (Q. 24:14, 20): the community was spared a great punishment only by Allah's favour, so those who erred should repent and be grateful.
Question 6
6 marksDescribe the three kinds of asbaab al-nuzuul (reasons for revelation). (6 marks)
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
2 marks for each kind: 1 mark for identifying the kind and 1 mark for a correct description or accurate example (6 marks). 1. Revelation in response to an event or a general situation (1): verses were revealed after something happened in the life of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) or the Muslim community, to comment on it, guide or console (1). Creditable examples: Surah al-Masad (Q. 111) after Abu Lahab cursed the Prophet at Mount Safa (Bukhari); Q. 24:11-20 after the false accusation against Aishah (R.A.); Q. 80:1-10 after the Prophet frowned at the blind Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum (R.A.); Surah al-Kawthar (Q. 108). 2. Revelation in response to a particular question asked by someone (1): a person or group asked the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) about a matter and a verse came with the answer, often beginning 'They ask you...' (1). Creditable examples: Q. 17:85 on the soul (ruh), asked by some Jews (Bukhari); Q. 2:222 on menstruation (Muslim); Q. 2:219 on wine and gambling; Q. 2:189 on the new moons; Q. 8:1 on the spoils of war; Q. 18:83 on Dhul-Qarnayn. 3. Revelation for other reasons, known or not known to us (1): verses revealed without any recorded incident or question, as general guidance whose wisdom is known to Allah (S.W.T.) (1). Creditable examples: most verses on the stories of earlier prophets, on belief in Allah, or describing Paradise, Hell and the Day of Judgement.
Question 7
1 markMany verses of the Qur'an were revealed in connection with a particular person or incident. The majority of scholars of 'Ulum al-Qur'an hold the principle that 'the lesson is drawn from the general wording of a verse, not from the specific cause of its revelation'. What does this principle mean for a Muslim today?
A. The verse lost its force once the people it addressed had died
B. The ruling covers all similar cases, not only the original incident
C. The verse can be applied only once its occasion has been identified
D. The ruling binds only the companions who were involved in the event
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 8
1 markSurah al-Kawthar (Q. 108) was revealed to console the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) after an enemy mocked him in Makkah following the death of his infant son. Knowing this occasion helps a reader understand that 'al-abtar' (the one cut off) in verse 3 refers to
A. Anyone who fails to slaughter on Eid al-Adha
B. The hypocrites who deserted the Muslims at Uhud
C. The Prophet himself, whose sons had died young
D. The enemy who mocked the Prophet's loss
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see itQuestion 9
3 marksGive three reasons why knowledge of asbaab al-nuzuul must be based on authentic reports from the Sahabah and not on personal opinion. (3 marks)
(3 marks)
Marking scheme for this question
Create a free account to see it7 more marking schemes are on this page. A free account opens all of them, and lets you build your own paper on the topics you have actually taught, laid out in KNEC format with its full marking scheme.
Create a free account