Islamiyat · May / June 2021 · Paper 22 · Question 2

Write about the importance of knowing the Prophet’s Hadiths and following his Sunna for Muslims.

Use the AO1 Marking Grid

Candidates may include some of the following information. All other relevant information must be credited.

It could be said that the Prophet’s Hadiths are an important source of explaining the Qur’an and expanding on the brief teachings given in it. For example, the Qur’an stresses the need to offer prayers but it is the Hadith/Sunna of the Prophet (pbuh) that tells Muslims how to perform salat and what to read in it. How to pay zakat, perform hajj are all found in the Hadith and the Sunna of the Prophet (pbuh).

Hadiths are also a primary source of Sharia law after the Qur’an. The Prophet’s Hadiths provide principles regarding many aspects of law i.e. trading, marriage, inheritance etc. Some examples of the Prophet’s instruction in making Sharia law are: ‘No zakat is payable on a property until a year passes on it’ and ‘A Muslim may not inherit from a non-Muslim, nor a non-Muslim from a Muslim’.

The Prophet’s Hadiths have been a source of guidance to Muslims throughout the ages and even today are most useful in putting one’s faith in practice and in the use of ijma and qiyas.

The importance of following the Prophet’s Sunna lies in the fact that God Himself asks Muslims to do so. The Qur’an itself says, ‘Obey Allah and obey the Prophet’ [64:12].

By following the Sunna of the Prophet (pbuh) Muslims hope to walk the path of righteousness. The Prophet (pbuh) also instructed Muslims to follow his Sunna in his last sermon. Muslims try to follow his Sunna out of love for him.

Why are belief and action both important for Muslims? Give reasons to support your answer.

Use the AO2 Marking Grid

Candidates may include some of the following information. All other relevant information must be credited.

Candidates can say that belief and action are both important for Muslims because the Qur’an itself instructs Muslims to act on their beliefs in several passages.

It could also be said that belief is only sincere when put into action. To elaborate this view, they could say that belief in God is meaningful only when a Muslim believes in His Oneness, is obedient to His commands and worships Him.