EITHER

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 the AO1 – 10-mark levels of response marking grid for knowledge and understanding.
3. Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be credited.
4. Candidates could start by explaining what almsgiving (zakat) is and why it must be paid.
5. There are numerous conditions for paying almsgiving (zakat), such as the person paying it should be a Muslim, since it is not acceptable from a non-Muslim.
6. Almsgiving (zakat) is compulsory on all free Muslims. However, it is not required of a slave since they do not own property.
7. The person should have reached the age of puberty, children do not have to pay almsgiving (zakat).
8. Muslims on whom almsgiving (zakat) is due should be in possession of a sufficient amount of savings (nisab).
9. Lapse of a year on property (hawl), twelve complete lunar months while the savings (nisab) is in the possession of its owner. This is a special condition when the following are considered: two currencies, merchandise and cattle. For plantations, fruits, minerals and treasures, the lapse of a year is not a pre-requisite.
10. Conditions the savings (nisab) must satisfy:
11. The savings (nisab) are required to be more than what is necessary for the basic needs of people e.g. feeding, clothing, shelter etc. It is therefore important that the payer of almsgiving (zakat) is self-sufficient.
12. The savings (nisab) must completely belong to a particular individual. Almsgiving (zakat) is not paid from money or property that does not belong to a specific person. For example, money that was contributed towards building a mosque, an endowment (waqf) set aside for the well-being of a community, or properties in the treasuries of welfare or philanthropic organisations.
13. AO2 - Analysis and evaluation
14. Mark according to the AO2 – 15-mark levels of response marking grid for analysis and evaluation. Answers may refer to any Islamic religious theory or teaching. Candidates may propose, analyse and evaluate some of the following arguments. All relevant arguments must be credited.
15. In Islam, Muslims are allowed to spend their money as they want as long as what is being spent on is not forbidden (haram).
16. If a person has the means and they want to spend their money in an approved way (halal) then this is not forbidden.
17. 'Let the rich man spend according to his means; and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him' (Qur'an 65.7).
18. The area on which it is most recommended for a Muslim to spend their money is on their family. 'When a man spends on his family, hoping for reward, that is (counted as) an act of charity for him.' So, if one is providing a home, food and clothing for their family, it is commendable.
19. Muslims are also allowed to spend on good means of transport, 'The best dinar which a man can spend is a dinar which he spends on his children, a dinar which he spends on his riding beast for the sake of Allah, and a dinar which he spends on his companions for the sake of Allah.' (Muslim)
20. If Muslims have not paid their dues in terms of almsgiving (zakat) or other charity (e.g. Sadaqat-ul-Fitr), then they are not allowed to spend on other luxurious commodities as these then become forbidden (haram). Not paying almsgiving (zakat) when it is due is a grave sin. In a Hadith in Muslim, Abu Dharr reported: 'I went to the Apostle of Allah (pbuh) and he was sitting under the shade of the Ka'ba, as he saw me he said: 'By Allah, in Whose hand is my life, no person on earth who dies and leaves behind camels, or cattle or goat and sheep, and does not pay zakat (would be spared the punishment).'
21. Also, if Muslims have got debts, then they are obligated to repay their debts as soon as they are able to, as it is considered a sin to die without repaying debts. It is narrated by Abu Musa Al Ash'ari that the Prophet (pbuh) said: 'After the major sins which must be avoided, the greatest sin is that someone dies in a state of debt and leaves behind no asset to pay it off.' (Darimi)
22. Islam also does not condone waste, so spending in a wasteful manner is not encouraged: 'And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes)' (Qur'an 25.67).
23. However, the best way to spend ones' surplus money is by giving charity beyond that required: Abu Huraira narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said: 'The best charity is that which is practiced by a wealthy person. And start giving first to your dependents.' (Bukhari)
24. Conclusion
25. A judgement should be made as to how far Muslims can spend their money in an allowable way and what could be the possible restrictions from so doing.