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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. Candidates could start by explaining that in every culture there are rituals linked to birth, and that birth rituals can convey values.
2. In Islam there is the tradition of giving the call to prayer (adhan and iqamah) in the ears of the new-born, just after birth. These are whispered into the right ear of the child by his or her father. They contain the declaration of faith (shahadah) and praise God, and this is to ensure that the first words that the baby hears is about God's unicity, which can lead them to staying on the Islamic path as they grow. The shahadah is also the last words that a Muslim says before their death, showing that a Muslim must spend their life from beginning to end in obedience to God.
3. The baby's first taste should be of something sweet, so Muslim parents may chew a piece of date and rub the juice along the baby's gums (tahnik). It is done to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and is believed to be a noble practice with which the new-born is greeted upon entering into the first moments of this life, before any other type of food enters his/her stomach. In some families this is done by a pious person or the father/grandfather and can lead to the child becoming pious too. Some say that is helps the tiny digestive system to kick in.
4. After seven days it is recommended to have the baby's head shaved. This is to show that the child is the servant of God. The removed hair is weighed and the equivalent weight in silver is given in charity. This shows that any cause for celebration in Islam is linked to giving charity to the poor, showing the compassionate nature of Islam.
5. Circumcision (khitan) - Muslim baby boys are circumcised when they are seven days old, although it can take place any time before puberty. Along with showing the importance for good hygiene in Islam, by performing khitan one also follows the example of the Prophet Ibrahim.
6. It is also a tradition to choose a name for the baby on the seventh day. The naming ceremony is important in all cultures, not just Muslim culture, as it is an act which conveys the individuality of the baby and at the same time their connection to the family they belong to.
7. On the seventh day, the sacrifice of an animal is also carried out (aqiqah). This is a celebration which involves the slaughter of a sheep, and the meat of the sacrificed animal is distributed to relatives and neighbours, and also given to the poor. Some families prepare a meal with the meat and invite everyone to partake in their joy at the birth of the baby and it is also a great way to show their gratitude to God.