Outline the requirements for places where Muslims may pray.

Mark scheme

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

1. [1] (a) It should be a clean place
2. [1] (a) Aligned towards Mecca / the Ka'ba / the qiblah
3. [1] (a) Without any pictures / photographs
4. [1] (a) Without any statues
5. [1] (a) Unless a cloth (sutrah) is placed in front of a praying person there is a chance of a passer disrupting
6. [1] (a) Not a toilet / washroom area
7. [1] (a) Not facing a grave or in a graveyard
8. [1] (a) Not in the religious building of another religion such as churches or synagogues
9. [1] (a) Avoid disrupting travel i.e., not in the middle of roads
10. [2] (b) There are many aspects of worship in Islam, including making the intention (niyyah) before starting. This is important in showing that a Muslim is doing the actions for God alone, and not for any other reason such as joining in with others without understanding fully the reasons for their actions.
11. [2] (b) Conditions have been set through Islamic law (shariah). This is based on the revealed word of God, the Qur'an, and the examples of Muhammad (pbuh), the Sunnah. Therefore, satisfying the conditions shows obedience to these primary sources of Islamic law (shariah). By adhering to this, Muslims show that they are submitting to the will of God, and they take seriously the revealed words and obey them. They also show that they are following the best example they have in Muhammad (pbuh).
12. [2] (b) Worship is done in order to enhance a Muslim's good deeds which may be rewarded at judgement in the afterlife. Failure to adhere to the conditions may result in those actions being inadmissible in the balance of deeds and so unhelpful in a Muslim's pursuit of paradise. By following the conditions properly, Muslims may find their good deeds are rewarded. Muslims take great care to do this and will often immediately correct another believer who errs from the conditions. This is ultimately to help them gain paradise.
13. [2] (b) Satisfying the conditions for worship promotes unity amongst the believers. Scholars had long discussions to reach consensus (ijma ') over various items to help Muslims reach a common approach. This is graphically important in looking at prayer and pilgrimage (Hajj) for example. If Muslims did not follow the conditions, then a sense of unity might be lost. By following the conditions, unity and strength is gained.
14. [2] (b) Islamic scholars, going all the way back to the companions (sahaba), and Sunni Imams and their schools of thought (madhhabs) went into great detail to ensure the conditions were properly defined. By following them, Muslims are paying attention to follow and respect the traditions which were handed down to them.
15. [2] (c) Definitions: The actions to be compared should be clearly stated and defined. For example, performing ablution (wudu); finding the right place; checking the time; making the right intention (niyyah) (considered either before or as a part of the prayer), facing towards the qiblah in Mecca and so on. Accept also additional actions: bathing (ghusl) on Fridays; performing extra prayers (Sunnah or nafl) before the main prayer such as two units (rakats) on entering a mosque.
16. [1] (c) Actions: Performing ablution (wudu) before prayer is significant because it clears the body of dirt and makes a Muslim clean, pure and at their best to face God in prayer.
17. [1] (c) Actions: Hadith suggest that this is like cleaning a Muslim of sin and is significant in that it shows obedience to the law (shariah) because Muhammad (pbuh) performed ablution (wudu) and Muslims follow his Sunnah in the same way as he did so.
18. [1] (c) Actions: Ablution (wudu) may vary in significance from compulsory before all prayers for Shi'i Muslims to compulsory if the last ablution is considered broken by Sunni Muslims.
19. [1] (c) Actions: Making optional prayers (Sunnah or nafl) such as two units (rakats) on entering a mosque also helps to focus the mind on God and prepare for the compulsory act.
20. [1] (c) Actions: As voluntary, additional actions they may gain the worshipper extra reward from God, such as by helping them focus on Islam in this life and being favoured by God in the afterlife.
21. [1] (c) Actions: However, because they are voluntary, if a Muslim does not have time for them or has other duties, there is no neglect in missing them, whereas missing ablution (wudu) might invalidate a prayer.
22. [1] (c) Actions: Facing the direction (qiblah) in Mecca ensures Muslims unite and focus their thoughts on the birthplace of Islam and the actions of Muhammad (pbuh).
23. [1] (c) Conclusions: The question asks for a comparison, so drawing the answer together at the end will refer to this. Candidates might say both are important in different ways, which have significance to different Muslims or particular roles. Accept any valid conclusion which is focused on the comparison made.