Islamiyat Paper 22

describe their teaching about what Muslims believe; [4]

(i)

The teaching of this hadith is that a Muslim must be honest and fair in all aspects of his trade dealings. God looks favourably on those who deal with others with fairness and kindness. Other hadiths of the Prophet (pbuh) could be given to develop the answer e.g. ‘You should be kind to those on earth and He who is in the Heavens will be kind to you.’ Some responses in developing their answer could give examples of how some companions of the Prophet (pbuh) like ‘Uthman used to give more measures and weights while selling commodities and when buying commodities would pay more than the price of the commodity.

(ii)

An important aspect of Islam is the well-being of others in the community. Care for others is a sign of sincere belief as both God and His Prophet (pbuh) have instructed Muslims to do and promote good for the welfare of others. The true evidence of an Islamic brotherhood was the society established in Madina, the ansars with free will were ready to share everything with the muhajireen.

(iii)

Embracing Islam means submitting to the will of God. When a Muslim submits to God there is no room for pride in him as he accepts God as his creator and sustainer. The teaching of this hadith clearly highlights that pride and faith cannot co-exist. Faith makes a person mindful of his accountability before his Lord whereas pride leads to arrogance and leads man away from God.

(iv)

The teaching of this Hadith is that Islam is a very simple religion to follow. By following the pillars and keeping away from what is forbidden in Islam a Muslim may achieve paradise. The pillars of zakat and hajj are incumbent only on those who have the means to fulfil them whereas salat and sawm are compulsory for all Muslims. God wants to reward Muslims for following the path prescribed by Him and having given Muslims ease in fulfilling them expects obedience.

explain how Muslims can put these teachings into action. [4] Hadith No. 14

(i)

Candidates could say that Muslims can apply the teachings of this hadith by always being honest. For example increasing the prices of a commodity if there happens to be a shortage of that commodity in the market. When buying or selling, advantage of the buyers or sellers situation must not be taken; sub-standard goods must not be sold without the buyer being made aware of it. These and other similar points could be made to highlight how the teaching of this hadith can be put into action. Examples from the Prophet’s (pbuh) time could also be cited.

(ii)

Wanting the best for others, wishing well for everyone and being happy for others in their joyous times and genuinely sorry for them when something bad befalls them is how the teaching of this hadith can be applied practically. The application of this hadith is not confined to choosing the same material things that one chooses for oneself but rather genuinely responding to the needs of others. Belief it could be said is complete only with the right action.

(iii)

Muslims must always be wary of harbouring pride in their hearts and must actively try to follow the Prophet’s (pbuh) example and adopt humility in their dress, manner and behaviour. All relevant answers should be credited.

(iv)

A Muslim can put into practice the teaching of this Hadith by becoming regular and punctual in saying his five daily prayers, in fasting in the month of Ramadan and if he has the means, by fulfilling his other pillars. Candidates can give examples of how to stay away from haram things and can cite other hadiths to support their answer.

Giving references from the set Hadiths you have studied, outline the Prophet’s teachings about care in the community. [10]

From the set hadiths in the syllabus there are many that focus on the care that a Muslim must show in the community towards others and especially the vulnerable people in the community, like widows and orphans etc. Candidates need to refer to relevant hadiths e.g. hadiths 2, 3, 5, 6, 11, 15 etc. that they have studied from the syllabus and reflect on the general principles deduced from them about relationship with others and communal life.

How can the teachings of the Prophet concerning care in the community be applied today? [4]

Here as in other Part (b) answers an evaluative response is needed in which the candidate needs to highlight how the community can put into practice the Prophet’s (pbuh) teaching about care in the community in their everyday lives. Enquiring about the health of an ill relative or neighbour, helping to educate and care for an orphan child in the community are just some simple examples that could be cited. It could be said that on a wider scale the Muslims in a community should rally together when there is a natural disaster in the country and help collect funds and supplies that could be sent to the affected areas or offer their services as voluntary workers to ease a crisis. All valid responses need to be credited.

Write in detail about the policy followed by ‘Uthman as caliph in expanding and maintaining the state. [10]

During his twelve year caliphate ‘Uthman, to begin with followed, in the footsteps of the first two caliphs. He did a lot for the consolidation and establishment of the military on firm grounds and went on to expand on the territory that was left to him by Umar by conquering North Africa, Barqa and Marakish completely and adjacent countries of Persia namely Afghanistan and Khurasan. Armenia and Azerbaijan also came under Muslim control and with the advancement in naval warfare he even conquered Cyprus. He answered the naval attack of the Romans with a fleet of 500 ships.

How justified were the criticisms against ‘Uthman for burning the copies of the Qur’an? Give reasons for your answer. [4]

He brought about administrative changes in some areas e.g. Jordan and Palestine were united into one province Syria. To improve administration he divided the power and set up a new department of police. He did keep a strict watch on governors and other administrators, e.g. Saad bin Abi Waqas drew money from the bait ul maal and did not return it for which he was deposed by ‘Uthman. However he overlooked simple mistakes of his governors. He not only increased the income of the public treasury but spent more generously on the masses. He also started welfare projects for the masses as well as the state, new buildings in provinces, bridges, roads and highways etc. were built. He not only sent religious teachers to different tribes and cities but himself preached to the prisoners of war. The greatest service he performed during his caliphate was the compilation of the Qur’an. Candidates can say that the allegations against ‘Uthman for burning the copies were unjustified as he was trying to save the Qur’an from corruption. A word wrongly pronounced in Arabic can change the meaning of the word totally hence it was important that only those copies were in circulation that were accurate. Some could give a counter argument, which may not necessarily be their personal view and say that at the time some people did criticise ‘Uthman for burning the copies of the Qur’an as they felt that it did contain the words of God and hence should be respected others may have deemed it as a rash action. All valid responses need to be credited.

Belief in all the prophets is one of the articles of faith in Islam. Write about this Muslim belief in detail [10]

Belief in all the prophets sent by God starting from Adam to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is an integral part of every Muslims faith. Muslims believe that some of these prophets were nabis and others were rasuls. Answers could say that Muslims believe that all the prophets that came were men of outstanding moral character, sinless and preached the word of God. It is believed that there were 124 000 prophets in all, the line ending with the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). All of these prophets were endowed with miracles and some were given books to guide mankind. Candidates could develop their answers by giving the names of some of these prophets and also the books that were revealed to them. They could write about the importance of believing in all of them and giving respect to all and writing about the finality of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as the seal of prophets.

How is the message brought by these prophets important for Muslims today? [4]

It could be said that the message brought by all the prophets was of belief in the one God;

good conduct and belief in resurrection and the Day of Judgment. This message is important to Muslims today just as it was important to Muslims of the past ages and will be to those of the future because it reiterates tawhid and accountability which if a person bears in mind will lead to good conduct and prosperity in this world and the next. It teaches Muslims tolerance for other revealed faiths and makes them realise that Islam is a continuation and culmination of the other revealed faiths. The unity of the message will foster better relations between Muslims and other believers etc. Not all the points mentioned above need to be written about and discussed to get to the higher level marks.

Describe the particular features of Friday congregational prayers (Jum’a) and the main features of the Friday sermon. [10]

It could be said that for this prayer all Muslim men in the community should gather together, and in some communities women are also encouraged to attend these prayers. Purification is highly recommended before this prayer and worshippers are encouraged to bathe and wear clean/fresh clothes. There are two adhaans for this prayer and it can only be said behind an imam. The fard are prayed in two rakahs not four and there is no qada for this prayer. The sermon is a very important feature of this prayer. The Imam gives the sermon facing the congregation, the sermon is divided into two parts with a brief interval of about a minute between the two parts. The Friday sermon includes:

Explain how this event upholds the unity of the Muslim community [4]

Candidates could say that as missing these prayers without a valid reason for men is considered a sin, the Friday prayers are attended in very large numbers and creates a greater sense of unity amongst Muslims. It could also be said that meeting fellow Muslims, discussing the issues facing the umma at home and in the wider Muslim world all go to foster close ties amongst Muslims. Some answers could say that people tend to go to the Jamia mosque on Fridays whereas they may say their salat at their local mosque daily and this creates greater unity. These and other valid responses which answer the question should be credited.