EITHER

Mark scheme

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

1. [variable] Qur'an 2.21 explains that the way to attain God-consciousness (taqwa) is through worshipping God.
2. [variable] Strict observance of obligatory religious duties and refraining from major sins are the two necessary and complementary foundations of God-consciousness (taqwa).
3. [variable] In the Qur'an the purpose of fasting as explained by God is so humans can attain God-consciousness (taqwa) (Qur'an 2.183).
4. [variable] Qur'an 20.14 is about how performing prayer can make one more aware of God: 'Verily, I am Allah: There is no god but I: So serve thou Me (only), and establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise.'
5. [variable] The Prophet (pbuh) has also said that to become pious, one should refrain from minor sins: 'A believer cannot be truly pious unless he refrains from certain permissible things lest he should commit risky things. Those who avoid such doubtful things can lead a truly religious life.
6. [variable] A Muslim can increase God-consciousness (taqwa) by obeying God's laws: 'Those are Limits (set by) Allah: Approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth Allah make clear His Signs to men: that they may learn self-restraint.' (Qur'an 2.187)
7. [variable] A Muslim can increase God-consciousness (taqwa) by remembering God (dhikr).
8. [variable] Reading Qur'an often, as reflecting on its verses and chapters with the many reminders of the Hereafter help build God-consciousness (taqwa).
9. [variable] Reflecting on God's creation can help Muslims to increase God-consciousness (taqwa) as shown in (Qur'an 10.6): ‘Verily, in the alternation Of the Night and the Day, And in all that God Hath created, in the heavens And the earth, are Signs For those who fear Him.'
10. [variable] Candidates can explain that the statement of faith (shahadah) is the first Pillar of Islam and through it, Muslims bear witness to the oneness of God (tawhid) and the prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh).
11. [variable] The statement of faith (shahadah) is read when a person reverts to Islam and if read with firm belief, all past sins are wiped away and all the good that they have done remains. So, it is the best way of purification for a new Muslim as they become as pure and sinless as a new-born baby.
12. [variable] By affirming the oneness of God (tawhid), one is purifying one's heart from disbelief (kufr) and associating others with God (shirk).
13. [variable] The Qur'an states that the one saying the statement of faith (shahadah) attains purification which in turn makes one among those who have succeeded. 'But those will prosper who purify themselves, And glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord, and (lift their hearts) in prayer'. (Qur'an 87.14-15).
14. [variable] Candidate could discuss the word 'main' by saying that the statement of faith (shahadah) has other purposes, among which it allows a Muslim to get closer to God.
15. [variable] The statement of faith (shahadah) contains the belief in one God which is not only the central tenet of the Islamic faith, around which all else revolves, but also the acknowledgement of the belief of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as God's messenger.
16. [variable] The statement of faith (shahadah) is part of the five daily prayers, as well as in the call to prayers (adhan) and many more pivotal moments of a Muslim's life, for example it is recited to newborn babies.
17. [variable] Reciting the statement of faith (shahadah) with full belief is a means for Muslims to earn paradise. The Prophet (pbuh) said: 'The statement of faith (shahadah) is an act of submission to God since by reciting it one is fulfilling one of the Five Pillars.
18. [variable] It also expresses a Muslim's complete acceptance of and total commitment to Islam.
19. [variable] Many scholars have said that the person who recites the statement of faith (shahadah) regularly will be able to say it with ease at the moment of death.
20. [variable] The Prophet (pbuh) also advised to recite the statement of faith (shahadah) to the person who is dying and make them recite it, so that they die in a state of belief.
21. [variable] Conclusions should come to a decision about whether there are other purposes to the declaration of the statement of faith other than just to purify a Muslim and which could be the main one.