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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Candidates can explain that when a person is getting ready for Hajj they need to prepare themselves in different ways, physically, materially and spiritually.
2. [1] Qur'an:2.197 is about being prepared when going for Hajj: 'And take a provision (with you) for the journey but the best of provisions is right conduct. So fear Me o ye that are wise.!'
3. [1] Material preparation includes making sure they have enough finance to cater for the different expenses, e.g. to buy the airplane ticket, hotel fees, clothes, especially Ihram, food, transport
4. [1] Other preparation could be finding carers for the children if they are planning to leave the children behind and leaving enough money for the expenses of the family.
5. [1] Since performing Hajj can be extraneous and taxing physically some Muslims try to get in shape, by doing exercises, having a medical check-up and watching their diet.
6. [1] Some Muslims also go on classes or read books to learn about the way to perform Hajj, the order of the different rites of Hajj and they also memorise specific prayers.
7. [1] Spiritual preparation includes putting themselves in the mindset of a Hajji and aiming at changing themselves and their way of life. Many men, for example, start growing a beard that they intend to keep after their Hajj, and some women start wearing a headscarf just before leaving for Hajj. Others strengthen their spiritual habits before Hajj by doing additional prayers, reading more Qur'an.
8. [1] Some Muslims also feel the need to make up with those they have severed ties, especially close relatives before going for Hajj.
9. [1] Many Muslims believe that their Hajj will not be accepted if they have not earned the forgiveness of those they have wronged consciously and unconsciously, therefore they visit their friends and relatives and ask them for forgiveness.
10. [1] If the person has any debt or any other monetary obligation towards anybody, they have to settle it with them. If the creditor has passed away, they must settle the debt with the person's heirs and ask them for their forgiveness.
11. [1] The person going to perform Hajj also has to make the intention before entering the sacred state known as Ihram. They cut nails, shave hair or trim beard, take a shower and put on their Hajj garments, an unstitched sheet of white cloth for men, and their ordinary clothes for women.
12. [1] Candidates could start by explaining that Hajj is one of the five Pillars of Islam and it is obligatory on every Muslim to accomplish it at least once in their lifetime, if they have the means.
13. [1] Since no one knows when they will die, it is therefore better for a Muslim to perform Hajj as soon as possible.
14. [1] Qur'an: 3.97 'In it are Signs Manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah, – those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures.'
15. [1] In a Hadith the Prophet (pbuh) has urged Muslims not to delay the performance of Hajj. ‘O people! Allah (swt) had ordained obligatory (fardh) the worship of Hajj. Hurry to perform the Hajj.' (Muslim)
16. [1] Not performing the Hajj for someone who has the means is a grave sin, and may even take one out of the fold of Islam as mentioned by the Prophet (pbuh): 'He who possesses enough food for the trip, a means of transportation to reach to Makka, and yet does not perform Hajj, then he dies, he would then die as a Jew or a Christian' (Tirmidhi).
17. [1] Also, if someone performs Hajj while young, they have more chance of being able to perform it again in their lifetime, as there is a Hadith which says: "Make the Hajj and Umrah follow each other closely, for they remove poverty and sins as the bellows removes the dross of iron, gold and silver, and an accepted Hajj brings no less a reward than Paradise." (Tirmidhi).
18. [1] When discussing the extent candidates can say that it is not be feasible for someone to perform Hajj at a young age. One of the factors that make Hajj obligatory is the financial means, and most of the young people are not financially wealthy/independent for Hajj to be obligatory on them.
19. [1] Instead of focusing on Hajj which requires material means and is obligatory only once in a lifetime, young people should focus on establishing the other 'easier' pillars first. For example, if one is not consistent in their daily prayers (salah) or fasting Ramadan, then their priority should be in consolidating these in their life first and once this is done, they can start thinking about harder ones like giving charity (zakat) and Hajj.
20. [1] There is no Qur'anic verse nor Hadith that mentions the age at which Hajj should be performed, and it does not really matter whether a person does it while young or old, as long as it is performed during once lifetime, with the right intention.
21. [1] Conclusions should refer back to the question which asks for an evaluation of the extent it is better to perform Hajj at a young age and make a personal judgement summing up the arguments made.