To what extent are Muslim women able to hold a political office without compromising their religious values? Discuss with reference to a contemporary Muslim woman whom you have studied.

Mark scheme

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

1. [AO1: 10 marks] Knowledge and understanding
2. [AO2: 15 marks] Analysis and evaluation
3. [Guidance] Mark according to the levels of response marking grids for AO1 and AO2. 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.
4. [Definition] Candidates could define what it means by 'women holding a political office', for example it could be any woman who has an important role in the political arena.
5. [Context] Candidates could start by explaining that women have always held different roles without compromising anything, they can be mothers, wives, career women and social workers.
6. [Argument] There is always the risk that women will have to compromise some of their duties when they are in a post of leadership. There is the possibility that a woman might neglect her family/children, which is part of her religious duties, in order to meet her obligations as a leader.
7. [Counter-argument] It is not just women who find it difficult to fulfil all their religious duties when they are in a position of leadership, men find it difficult to juggle all of their responsibilities too.
8. [Historical Example] Reference can be made to Aisha as a woman in the past holding a political office. Aisha was not only the teacher of the Companions (sahabas) and the advisor to the Caliphs, but she was also the head of an army at the battle of the Camel. The fact that she was a good practising Muslim did not prevent her from being engaged socially and make a stance for justice when the need arose.
9. [Contemporary Examples] Other women, such as Razia Sultana, Ilhan Omar and Benazir Bhutto could be referred to showing that women are able to hold political posts without compromising their religious values.
10. [Alternative View] Candidates could also refer to other women who were not able to hold a political office because they had to compromise their religious values as an alternative view.
11. [Conclusion] Candidates should come to a balanced conclusion about whether it is possible for Muslim women to hold a political office and abide by their religious values and the extent to which this is possible.