Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 22 · Question 2

Using four of the set Hadiths, write about the different ways their teachings guide Muslims in their communal life.

Mark according to the marking grid for AO1 – Knowledge, given on page 5.

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

The Prophet’s Hadiths give Muslims important teachings about how to live their lives that would be not only most beneficial to them, but also guide them in their communal life, and if followed would positively impact the whole community.

Candidates can refer to any relevant Hadiths and must link the teaching of how they guide Muslims in their communal life. The following are some Hadiths that could be given, but candidates could choose others.

Hadith 14 (May God show mercy to a man who is kindly when he sells, when he buys, and when he demands his money back) is teaching Muslims to be merciful, kind and honest in all trade dealings which would help the economy of the community and gain it the blessings of God.

The teaching given in Hadith 6 (Whosoever of you sees an evil action …) is that Islam does not encourage complacency and encourages action. A Muslim must always remove or, at the very least try to remove, evil from society. By following the teachings of the Hadith Muslims can maintain peace in society and use lawful and peaceful measures to remove it or correct the issue which will benefit the community by ridding it of evil and helping victims of injustice and by stopping those who are being unjust to others.

Hadith 10 (One who manages the affairs of the widow and the poor man …) is about the rights of the people upon believers being just as important as the rights of God. It teaches us that Islam is a religion which strongly promotes social justice and therefore lays great emphasis on the care of the vulnerable in society. When the teachings given in this Hadith are followed, the needs of those who would struggle in society without help are met and no member of the community is left behind. When this guidance of the Prophet (pbuh) is followed the community will become a safe place for all where the needs of everyone will be met. It will promote harmony and brotherhood between people from different walks of life and make bonds which are strong. By following the teachings given in Hadith 15 (God will not show mercy to him who does not show mercy to others) Muslims should develop the traits of kindness and mercy in their personalities to show compassion to all living things on this Earth and to forgive the mistakes of others. By following the Prophet’s example, who prayed for the people of Taif when they rejected him and also forgave the Makkans at the time of the conquest of Makka, Muslims too must forgive those who wrong us and in general be merciful towards all of God’s creation thus establishing brotherhood in the community (ummah) and strengthening bonds between Muslims.

The teachings given in Hadith 9 (No one eats better food than that which he eats out of the work of his own hands) teach Muslims about how to create an honest community by earning one’s livelihood from the labours of personal hard work and respecting every member for the job they do. This will develop a God-fearing community which is free from greed, the pursuit of money and wrongdoing.

The all-important teaching given in Hadith 5 (Every person’s every joint must perform a charity every day the Sun comes up …) is for Muslims to show compassion and care in society and to perform acts of charity which are not restricted to just the giving of money but include small everyday acts of kindness that would make the community stronger and increase awareness of God and His bounties.

By following the Prophet’s guidance given in the Hadiths, the community can most definitely be guided and become a haven for all its members where no one is left behind and the care and concern for all the members of the community join them in bonds of brotherhood.

In your opinion, what were the main benefits of preserving the Prophet (pbuh)’s guidance? Give reasons to support your answer.

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

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

Candidates could give several benefits for why it was important to preserve the Prophetic Hadiths.

It was important to preserve Hadiths so that future generations of Muslims can access the Prophet’s sunna and live their lives following his example. Hadiths are an essential source of religious and political guidance; hence it was essential to preserve them so they can be used today.

The Prophet (pbuh) was the final authority on all religious and secular matters. His Hadiths became the means by which issues could be resolved so it was important to preserve them so that a correct decision could be reached in the light of his teaching.

Write an account of Abu Bakr’s accomplishments as caliph.