Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 21 · Question 1

describe their teachings about what Muslims believe; [4]

(i)

The teaching of this hadith is a simple one bringing all righteous Muslims the good news that if death comes to them whilst they are spending their lives following the prescribed path of their Lord they will earn the status of a martyr and will be awarded paradise. Martyrs in Islam, this hadith tells us, are not just those who die fighting in the way of God on the battlefield but all those Muslims who die in the way of God practicing some form of jihad.

(ii)

Caring for and fulfilling the needs of the less fortunate in society is compared to ibadah in this hadith and the reward for doing this are comparable to performing jihad in the way of God. Muslims are urged to look after the needs of others and be a source of benefit to them and this is what the hadith is teaching.

(iii)

Answers could link modesty to faith as it reflects mental piety. They could quote other hadiths to support this one e.g. ‘every religion has a distinctive quality and the distinctive quality of Islam is modesty.’ Answers could say that modesty is the key to good conduct and stops a person from wrong doings and builds a person’s character with the result that a modest person will always strive to act righteously.

(iv)

Brotherhood is the essence of Islam and at every stage Muslims are told by God and his Prophet (pbuh) to show care and concern for all in the community. The teaching of this hadith also promotes the concept of looking after the needs of the vulnerable in society and draws comparisons by saying that just as the head is the command centre of the human body and thus vital to humans so too is brotherhood vital to Islam.

explain how Muslims can put these teachings into action. [4] Hadith No. 8

(i)

Candidates could say how the teachings of the given hadith can be put into practice by saying that if Muslims want to attain the status of martyrs than they should be engaged in acts that please God. Examples from everyday life can be given to show how a Muslim can resist the temptations of satan and fight his nafs to be righteous or how a Muslim can be charitable with his/her wealth to earn God’s pleasure. How a Muslim dies does not matter however he/she should be active in the way of God.

(ii)

This hadith can be practiced by Muslims by supporting charities, doing voluntary works etc. Examples from the Prophets (pbuh) life or modern times could be given to support the answer.

(iii)

Modesty must be practiced in all actions of a Muslim, in their dress, their homes and lifestyles. Examples could be given here to show how modesty can be practiced and how concern for others stems from modesty and earns the modest person the respect of others.

(iv)

The teaching of the hadith can be practiced by Muslims always being ready to help those in need and by looking out for the interests of their Muslim brothers and sisters and helping them however they can, morally, physically, financially etc. wherever they may be. Donating funds to the refugees in the war torn Muslim countries could be an example of how Muslims can help other Muslims.