Islamiyat · May / June 2023 · Paper 21 · Question 1

Describe their teaching about what Muslims believe.

Mark according to the marking grid for AO1 – Knowledge, given on page 4. Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be credited.

Muslims can put the teachings of this Hadith into action by putting into practice the doctrines of Islam. Muslims should wholeheartedly accept God as their Creator and Master, say the prescribed salat five times a day and fast in the month of Ramadan. They can put into practice the given teachings and fulfil the other obligations if they have the means to.

Furthermore, Muslims should keep away from food and drink that God has prohibited, follow the principles of Islamic finance and not take interest (riba), and not give or take bribes.

Personal examples can be given to develop the answer.

There are many ways in which the teachings of this Hadith can be put into action.

A believer can strive in the way of God by worshipping Him. By not only offering the obligatory five prayers but waking up to offer tahajud/nafl prayers. One could offer to do voluntary work in the community to better the lot of those in need for example, by teaching basic literacy to some children who do not have the means or access to go to school.

Those with knowledge of the faith can spread the peaceful teachings of Islam and importantly teach the practice of Islam as taught by the Prophet (pbuh). Well to do Muslims could make financial contributions to projects such as building mosques, providing drinking water to areas where there are droughts, or helping communities affected by conflict across the world. These are ways by which Muslims can strive in God’s way and attain His pleasure.

This teaching can be put into practice by having good motives and intentions behind every action. If, for example, charity is given, the intention behind it must be to enable the person the charity is intended for to have a better life. Perhaps instead of giving a one-off cash donation the person being helped can be taught a skill which will help the person to support himself and not be dependent on charity.

Another way the teaching of this Hadith can be acted upon is by doing good acts for the love of God, rather than for self-promotion or boasting. One should also make sure that those being helped are not humiliated in any way. Therefore, it is important for Muslims to do deeds with the intention of pleasing God to earn His reward.

Muslims can show sincerity towards God by keeping faith in Him at the most difficult of times and by living according to His sharia and following the Pillars of Islam.

Sincerity to the Prophet (pbuh) can be shown by acknowledging him as the last Prophet, respecting him and trying to learn about his life and struggles, by following his Sunna and by living modestly as he did.

To the Qur’an by believing it to be the sacred book of God, reading it and understanding its content and acting upon its teachings.

Sincerity towards leaders can be shown by obeying the laws of the land, paying taxes to the government, working honestly in one’s job.

Finally, sincerity towards the common man can be shown by helping out in the community either by doing voluntary work or giving monetary donations as well as by showing compassion to others.