Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 21 · Question 4

What are the benefits to individuals and the community of fasting in the month of Ramadan? [10]

Fasting in the month of Ramadan has several benefits both to individuals and the community at large. Candidates need to state what these benefits are and what effect they have on both the individuals and the community. The more detail and development in the answer the higher the mark. For example it could be said that when a Muslim abstains from food, drink, foul talk etc. to earn the pleasure of God it builds his moral character and he learns self- restraint and self-control which is an individual benefit but also impacts upon the community, e.g. if a man was to lose his temper and in a state of anger was going to abuse or hit someone on the street they will, having learnt self-control whilst fasting be able to control their anger and not hit out leading to a more peaceful society. When Muslims fast and experience hunger they realise the sufferings of the poor and feel sympathy for them which not only makes them kinder people but earns them the pleasure of God and when they try to help the needy it improves social relations between them which in turn will have a positive impact on the community. Fasting brings a man closer to his creator and makes him grateful for his daily sustenance thus less arrogant and more humble which will lead him/her to help those less fortunate. There are economic benefits as well. People spend more generously on the poor to seek Allah’s pleasure so they have money to spend which is good for the economy etc. These are some examples, candidates could give others and if they are relevant than marks should be awarded accordingly.

Are ‘Id al-Fitr and ‘Id al-Adha more than just religious celebrations? Give reasons for your answer [4]

Candidates could here say that both the ‘Id’s, ‘Id al-Fitr and ‘Id al-Adha are religious celebrations but that their significance is that they mark the end of two important events in the Islamic calendar i.e. end of the month of fasting, Ramadan and the completion of the annual pilgrimage, hajj. To get to the higher levels the candidates will need to develop their answers more and put forward evaluative points like how the two ‘Ids help unify the umma, foster care and brotherhood in the community, remind Muslims of the spirit of sacrifice that they need to make in order to please their Lord, it brings to their minds the sacrifice of Ibrahim and makes them realise that no sacrifice is too big in the way of Allah. These and other such points should be made and developed by the candidates to get to the higher levels.