'It is more challenging for a Muslim woman to practise her religion today than in the past.' Discuss by referring to one or more women you have studied in your answer.

Mark scheme

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

1. 10 marks AO1 – Knowledge and understanding
2. 15 marks AO2 – Analysis and evaluation
3. Mark according to the levels of response marking grids for AO1 and AO2. 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.
4. Candidates could refer to any woman that they have studied whether from modern ones or a woman from the past in their answer or can compare one from each period.
5. Definition
6. Challenges could be barriers or struggles women face in their day-to-day life in abiding by the teachings of Islam.
7. Agree
8. Women today face more challenges than women in the past. With new technology developing and new trends/ideas, it is becoming more and more difficult for them to keep to their religious beliefs and practices.
9. Cultural push towards sexual freedom in actions and clothing can pressure a Muslim woman away from her modesty.
10. Temptations are more common and widely accepted nowadays, and therefore it is harder for any Muslim (not just women) to abide by the Islamic teachings.
11. The rise of xenophobia has made it harder for any woman to practice her religion, but as Muslim women tend to be more religiously identifiable, for example through wearing headscarf (hijab) they are more likely to be targeted.
12. Rise in immigration in the past century has led to more Muslims living in non-Muslim countries where they have to follow non-Muslim laws, and in some countries, there are increasing restrictions on Muslim women, for example the banning of Burqa in some Western countries.
13. Rise of capitalism and materialism have pushed Muslim women towards having careers together with being homemakers, thus they are more likely to neglect their religious duties.
14. Disagree
15. The situation of women with regards to their religion was always challenging, for example even at the time of the first Muslims in Mecca, the women were not treated well and had a harder life compared to their counterparts in that patriarchal society.
16. At the beginning of Islam, torturing Muslim women for practicing their religion was common, and the first martyr of Islam was a woman, named Sumayya. Nowadays non-Muslim countries have become generally more tolerant of Muslims as multifaith nations are more normalised.
17. The greater spread of information due to the internet means Muslim women have more access to information and therefore it is easier for them to learn about their religion.
18. Cultural push towards more women in jobs does not mean women are less likely to fulfil their duty as Muslims rather that their role as Muslims has changed, as they are more proactive with the society they live in.
19. Conclusion
20. A judgement based on their argument, should be summed up at the end as to whether they agree with the fact that is it is harder for women to practise their religion now than before or not.