Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 21 · Question 5

Write an account of the three ways Muslims might achieve ritual purity before prayer (salat).

Mark according to the marking grid for AO1 – Knowledge on page 5. Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be credited.

Candidates need to give an account of how ritual purity is achieved by writing about wudu, tayammum, and ghusl.

Candidates can go on to give an account of the instruction in the Qur’an about how to perform wudu as well as the sunna method of its performance. Four rites are mentioned in the Qur’an specifically for the performance of wudu. They are:

The above is the compulsory fard practice of how to perform ablution. The sunna method of performing wudu could be given to develop the answer and add substance to it.

Candidates could go on to say how wudu should be in a continuous process with each part being washed in the prescribed way. To wash thrice is the sunna of the Prophet (pbuh) who after wudu proclaimed the Shahadah. Permission for tayammum is given by God in the case of non-availability of water or on grounds of illness. The approved method of performing tayammum is to say Bismillah and then to make the intention to perform tayammum. After this both hands are struck on some clean earth, sand, or stone. Next the excessive sand should be blown off, then both hands are rubbed on the face in such a way that no part of the face that should be washed by wudu is left out. Then both hands should be struck again on the clean earth or sand and, after blowing off the excess, they should be passed over first the right and then the left arm up to the elbows. This completes the tayammum.

In the case of major impurity, a full bath, ghusl, is required which entails making the intention, washing both hands including wrists, and washing off any impurity from the body. This is followed by wudu in the prescribed order and finally pouring water thrice on the entire body from head to feet first from the right side and then the left.

Candidates may mention acts that nullify wudu as development of their answer, e.g. answering the call of nature, losing consciousness (fainting), being drowsy, falling asleep.

Why do you think so much importance is given to ritual purification in Islam? Give reasons for your answer.

Mark according to the marking grid for AO2 – Understanding on page 5.

Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be credited.

Wudu purifies a believer spiritually as well as physically. It washes away the sins of a believer and focuses the believer’s mind on the prayers they are about to perform.

It could be said that it is given importance as prayers (salat) are not accepted unless a person is in a state of ritual purity. It is also important as Muslims prepare to stand before their lord in the best physical and spiritual state. The Prophet (pbuh) in a Hadith has said that purity is half of faith which gives Muslims the teaching on the importance of purifying oneself.