Section A: Answer EITHER Question 1 OR Question 2.

Mark scheme

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

1. [5] A01 - Knowledge and understanding
2. [5] Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be credited.
3. [5] One mark should be awarded for each response.
4. [1] Approved (halal) items or discouraged but not prohibited (makruh) items may possibly be traded
5. [1] Example: meat slaughtered in an in approved way
6. [1] Forbidden (haram) items should not be traded
7. [1] Example: alcohol/ pork should not be traded
8. [1] The traders should be of age / sane
9. [1] There should be no interest (riba)
10. [1] Measurement should be accurate
11. [1] Description should be honest
12. [1] Item should be in possession of the seller (there are different views on this)
13. [1] Terms should be agreed
14. [10] A01 - Knowledge and understanding
15. [10] Mark according to the AO1 - 10-mark levels of response marking grid for knowledge and understanding.
16. [10] Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be credited.
17. [1] The principles from the Qur'an are about obeying God's teachings and being aware of God in all actions. Detailed answers are likely to make reference to broad principles, as well as supporting these with references.
18. [1] Some understanding may be shown by mention of rules from the Qur'an.
19. [1] There are many general principles, such as conducting all affairs with God in mind, that may be applied by Muslims. The Qur'an commands good conduct from Muslims, and this includes some verses about behaviour whilst conducting business dealings.
20. [1] Words from the Qur'an, such as thanking God (alhamdulilah), and if God wills (inshallah), are commonly used and may also underline business dealings. This reminds Muslims that their business and prosperity really come from God and they need to thank God for it.
21. [1] The principle of hard work and fair earning applies to trade. Qur'an 53.39 -40 states: 'That man can have nothing but what he strives for; That (the fruit of) his striving Will soon come in sight.'
22. [1] The principle of good will, honesty, faith in business partners and so on is necessary for trade in Islam. Qur'an 4.29 states: 'Let there be amongst you traffic and trade by mutual good-will: nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily God hath been to you Most Merciful.
23. [1] Qur'an 2.275 states: 'God hath permitted trade and forbidden usury.' From this, rules about the Islamic prohibition of interest, applied in many different ways, originates.
24. [1] Qur'an 5.90 states: ‘O ye who believe! intoxicants and gambling (dedication of) stones and (divination by) arrows are an abomination of Satan's handiwork: eschew such (abomination) that ye may prosper.' This links prosperity to avoiding forbidden trades and puts limits on what Muslims can trade.
25. [1] Qur'an 17.35 states: 'Give full measure when ye Measure, and weigh with a balance that is straight'
26. [1] Muslims also take into account that the principle of judgement by God applies to conduct in business.
27. [1] Muslims should help each other to gain wealth. The Quran 59.9 refers to the emigrants who joined the Ansar in Medina. It asks the Muslims of Medina to help them 'so that they may achieve prosperity.'
28. [1] The Qur'an 2.188 warns against taking other's property: And do not eat up your property among yourselves for vanities nor use it as bait for the judges with intent that ye may eat up wrongfully and knowingly a little of (other) people's property.
29. [10] AO2 - Analysis and evaluation.
30. [10] Mark according to the AO2 - 10-mark levels of response marking grid for analysis and evaluation.
31. [10] Answers may refer to any religious theory or teaching. Candidates may propose, analyse and evaluate some of the following arguments. All relevant arguments must be credited.
32. [1] Definitions: Faith is about belief and practice. Business is about making money and trade. Business might also include how it is done, according to beliefs.
33. [1] Agree: Muslim traders inevitably end up trading items which are sold internationally or by those of other faiths, so they need to interact on a level playing field and get the best deal for their customers. Religion might hinder this.
34. [1] Agree: It could be argued that faith is a personal matter, and business is an interaction with those in society. Mixing the two could lead to disagreements and make reaching business deals more difficult.
35. [1] Agree: Businesses supply essentials, including food. Following faith might disrupt trade at prayer times, making it more difficult.
36. [1] Disagree: The Qur'an links being fair in business transactions to judgement in the afterlife, and in other places reminds Muslims that God is watching, so this would suggest faith and business are linked, just as every area of life in Islam is interlinked and under the preserve of God's predestination.
37. [1] Disagree: The Qur'an and Hadith contain guidance about trade. This suggests faith and business are linked.
38. [1] Disagree: Islam is considered a complete way of life, and different parts cannot be easily separated from the whole.
39. [1] Conclusions: Candidates should come to a personal conclusion about how far they consider faith and business should be kept separate and how far they are interlinked or even conditional upon each other.