Read the following text passages, then answer the questions which follow. Qur'an 13.3 And it is He who spread out the earth, and set thereon mountains standing firm and (flowing) rivers: and fruit of every kind He made in pairs, two and two: He draweth the night as a veil o'er the Day. Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those who consider! Hadith 73 Piety Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard Messenger of Allah () during the sermon of the Farewell Pilgrimage saying, “Be mindful of your duty to Allah; perform your five daily Salat, observe Saum during the month (of Ramadan), pay the Zakat on your properties and obey your leaders; (if you do so) you will enter the Jannah of your Rubb".

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. A01 - Knowledge and understanding
2. Mark according to AO1 – 5 marks for knowledge and understanding.
3. Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be credited.
4. This verse is one of the verses whose theme is about God as Creator.
5. In this verse man is asked to ponder over the creation of God in order to increase their faith.
6. God has made the earth for humans to dwell in and find their sustenance.
7. He has also made mountains to give the earth stability (in another place in the Qur'an, he refers to mountains as pegs).
8. Another of his creations/signs is the rivers which provide water to humans and plants.
9. This verse (ayah) also mentions about living beings, such as plants as being created in pairs.
10. God has also created the night to follow the day to provide rest for humans.
11. All these creations of God are signs of his might and power and therefore humans should be thankful to him and worship him as a result.
12. A01 - Knowledge and understanding
13. Mark according to the AO1 – 10-mark levels of response marking grid for knowledge and understanding.
14. Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be credited.
15. Responses should explain the Hadith given, about the obligations for Muslims to fulfil all their duties towards God in order to attain paradise (Jannah).
16. The Prophet (pbuh) was the model when it came to be mindful of God. Even when all society around him were sinning and worshipping idols, he kept away from sinful practices. He would even isolate himself from the Meccans in the cave of Hira to contemplate his life and the world around him.
17. In a Hadith Ibn Abbas narrates: 'I was riding behind the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), when he said to me, “Young man, I will teach you some words. Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you. If you ask, ask from Allah. If you seek help, seek help from Allah...”
18. When the Prophet (pbuh) was offered the most beautiful woman, wealth and fame, which was the way the Quraysh tried to tempt him in order to renounce his mission, he refused saying that even if they offered him the sun and the moon, he would still spread Islam.
19. Once Aisha asked the Prophet (pbuh), who had been standing in prayer (for such long hours) that his feet were swollen: 'Why do you undergo so much hardship despite the fact that Allah has pardoned for you your earlier and later sins?' He responded, 'Should I not prove myself to be a thankful servant?'
20. The Prophet (pbuh) has been a model about how to show great care and perseverance in prayers, and even in his last days, during his illness, he would attend the mosque and would sit while praying due to feebleness.
21. Even when they were fighting on the battlefield, the Prophet (pbuh) commanded a group of Muslims to pray while the others would be fighting and then swap roles, but he did not let the Muslims miss their prayers.
22. From these examples Muslims learn how the Prophet would put God first before anything else and aim at pleasing God in whatever way possible. Muslims should, therefore, aim to replicate this in their own life by keeping strictly to their duties.
23. Candidates might choose to focus on the Five Pillars of Islam or wider duties or a combination of both in their answer.
24. AO2 - Analysis and evaluation
25. Mark according to the AO2 – 10-mark levels of response marking grid for analysis and evaluation. 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.
26. Signs can be used to guide
27. Candidates can start by explaining what signs are, they could be events happening around them, such as a calamity, or a dream or the creations of God.
28. Candidates could explain that signs can act as a reminder that God is not pleased with a person as shown by this verse 'Whatever good (O man!) happens to thee is from God; but whatever evil happens to thee is from thy (own) soul...' (Qur'an 4.79). For instance, if Muslims of weak faith, who are negligent with their prayers, suddenly become ill this could trigger them to change and to be vigilant with their religious duties.
29. Looking at the creation around them can guide some Muslims as they will be reminded of God's power and how he is most deserving of their worship. ‘Soon will We show them Our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the truth. Is it not enough that Thy Lord doth witness all things?' (Qur'an 41.53).
30. Signs from God can be in the form of a dream too. The Prophet (pbuh), who dreamt he was accomplishing pilgrimage (umrah), was prompted to go to Mecca. This is an example of how signs can guide Muslims to accomplish their duties to God. About dreams the Prophet (pbuh) has said: “When the time draws near (when the Resurrection is near) a believer's dream can hardly be false.'
31. Issues with observing signs for guidance
32. Sometimes seeking answers in the signs may make Muslims fall into disbelief (kufr) or associating partners with God (shirk), such as the people of Ibrahim who by observing the sun and moon ended up worshipping them.
33. Candidates could argue that there is no connection between signs and doing their religious duties. Muslims have to fulfil their duties, whether they see signs or not, there is no leeway in Islam for not performing the Five Pillars of Islam.
34. If a Muslim has to wait for signs to accomplish the religious duties that are obligatory, they might never do them as signs can come randomly, and to some people, but not all. Only God can decide who will be sent signs.
35. There are also those who, even after observing signs, still are not guided. Referring to them God says: 'Those are they whose hearts, ears, and eyes God has sealed up, and they take no heed...' (Qur'an 16.108).
36. Conclusion
37. An overall judgement might refer to the extent Muslims can get guidance through signs.