Section B: Answer EITHER Question 3 OR Question 4.

Mark scheme

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

1. [10] AO1 – Knowledge and understanding
2. [10] Mark according to the AO1 – 10-mark levels of response marking grid for knowledge and understanding.
3. [10] Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be credited.
4. [1] One perspective in that the birthday should be celebrated. Many Sunni and Sufi scholars encouraged this out of love for the Prophet (pbuh).
5. [1] They refer to the Qur'an 21.107 which refers to Muhammad (pbuh) as a "mercy” to people, so feel that his role may be marked with a special occasion.
6. [1] As seal of the Prophet's, Muhammad's birth marked not only a human life but also the culmination of the messengers to humankind from God, and Muhammad's examples are regarded as perfect, so his birthday is an occasion to celebrate his life and all that was special about it.
7. [1] Historical traditions record that Muslims in the past celebrated this day and many Muslims today across the Muslim world in countries from Egypt to Pakistan celebrate the birth.
8. [1] Another perspective is that the birthday should not be celebrated. It is suggested that the celebration goes further than is allowed in Islam because it hints that a person is being worshipped in some way, whereas only God should be worshipped. This is a form of innovation (bid'ah) according to some Muslims.
9. [1] The Sunnah of Muhammad (pbuh) does not need a day of celebration, and he did not command people to celebrate, therefore Muslims should not add anything to their religion to mark it.
10. [1] Some scholars including Ibn Taymiyya and later Saudi based scholars opposed this festival.
11. [1] It is not celebrated in some countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar today.
12. [1] Some fear it might be like copying other religions, such as Christianity, where Jesus' birth is celebrated at Christmas.
13. [1] A third perspective is that the occasion might be marked with educational activities short of celebration. This approach divides celebration from worship and acknowledges good things which can be learned from the occasion, whilst taking into account the concerns.
14. [1] Some of those who oppose the celebration of Prophet's birthday might not object to recognising the birthday of Prophet (pbuh) but oppose some ways it is celebrated as they feel is not allowed or accepted according to Islamic teaching.
15. [15] AO2 - Analysis and evaluation
16. [15] Mark according to the AO2 - 15-mark levels of response marking grid for analysis and evaluation.
17. [15] 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.
18. [1] Definitions: Muhammad's family descendants came through his wife Khadijah, daughters including Fatimah who bore him grandchildren Hasan and Husayn. Muhammad (pbuh) had several other wives including Aisha.
19. [1] Perspectives: The family of Muhammad (pbuh) were amongst his closest companions and narrators of Hadith traditions which record his Sunnah or examples on which Islamic faith and practice are based.
20. [1] Perspectives: 'Ali, close companion and adopted into Muhammad's family, related through marriage to Muhammad's daughter Fatimah, is important as Caliph to both Shi'i and Sunnis.
21. [1] Perspectives: Neither Shi'i nor Sunni Muslims give the family of Muhammad (pbuh) prophethood status, both may give them special respect and regard Muhammad (pbuh) as the final, seal of the Prophets.
22. [1] Perspectives: Leaders need to be educated, morally upright and good reciters of the Qur'an, respected by the community. Piety and education form qualifications to both groups.
23. [1] Perspectives: To Shi'i, leaders gain spiritual authority through their descendance from Muhammad (pbuh). They will also be educated and pious, but these qualities do not qualify them as leaders. Many Sunni Imams and Shaykhs also claim spiritual authority passed down from the Prophet (pbuh), though this does not need to be through his family.
24. [1] Perspectives: Events at Karbala stole the legitimate leadership from Husayn according to Shi'i Muslims, and therefore from the family of Muhammad (pbuh) who suffered injustice to be corrected. This perspective is not shared by Sunni Muslims as it is not necessary for the family of Muhammad (pbuh) to lead the Muslims, but most share the sense of loss for the community (ummah).
25. [1] Conclusions: Several perspectives of similarities might be drawn together in a concluding paragraph.