Read the following text passages then answer the questions which follow. Qur'an 31.14-15 31.14 And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), “Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal. 31.15 "But if they strive to make thee join in worship with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to me (in love): in the end the return of you all is to Me, and I will tell you the truth (and meaning) of all that ye did." Hadith 316 Parents Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A person came to Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and asked, “Who among people is most deserving of my fine treatment?" He (pbuh) said, “Your mother". He again asked, “Who next?” “Your mother”, the Prophet (pbuh) replied again. He asked, “Who next?" He (the Prophet (pbuh)) said again, "Your mother." He again asked, “Then who?" Thereupon he (pbuh) said, “Then your father.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Candidates could start by explaining that this verse is about having gratitude towards parents.
2. [1] This gratitude is due as a result of all their efforts in raising that child.
3. [1] Gratitude to parents should also lead to gratitude to God.
4. [1] Muslims must act justly towards their parents, by showing them respect as well as love and consideration.
5. [1] Obedience to parents should not be to the detriment of one's duties to God.
6. [1] In the case where the parents are forcing them to associate partners with God, then they should not be obeyed.
7. [1] Muslims should follow the path of their predecessors who have lived their lives according to Islamic teachings.
8. [1] All human beings will return to God in the afterlife to be rewarded or punished according to their actions on earth.
9. [1] Credit references to named tafsir (interpretation) where relevant.
10. [1] Candidates should clearly identify the teachings from the passage and describe them in their own words.
11. [1] Responses must explain the Hadith which mentions that the Prophet (pbuh) asks Muslims to give to the mother consideration three times more than to the father and this suggests that in Islam a mother deserves better treatment than fathers.
12. [1] Candidates could mention Qur'an 31.14 or 46.15 to explain that when mention is made of being dutiful to parents, the difficulties that the mother endured in pregnancy, labour and breastfeeding as well as taking care and raising the child is mentioned and that is why she is more deserving of good treatment from her child.
13. [1] Good treatment to mothers does not preclude good treatment to fathers.
14. [1] Ways of good treatments to both can be explained, such as making du'a for them, as mentioned in Qur'an 71.28 or 17.24.
15. [1] Qur'an 17.23 also stresses good treatment of them once they have reached old age.
16. [1] Candidates could also refer to any Hadith to support their answer. For example, the Hadith in Bukhari, where the Prophet was asked about the action that God loves best, and he mentioned kindness to parents before striving (jihad) in the way of God.
17. [1] In stressing the importance of the mother, the Prophet (pbuh) wanted to raise the status of women in a society where women were marginalised.
18. [1] Candidates might show depth of knowledge by describing incidents from Muhammad's life where he showed good treatment to his mother, e.g. he would cry when remembering his mother when he was a grown man, and would visit her grave.
19. [1] Candidates could define the roles and responsibilities of parents and children according to Islam including aspects such as giving respect and showing obedience to elders, teaching and passing on faith to children and often living in extended family units.
20. [1] Candidates could agree with this statement by saying that duty to parents has been greatly emphasised in the Qur'an and quote verses proving this, for example, 'We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents' Qur'an 29.8 or 46.15.
21. [1] Prophetic Hadiths also show to what extent Muslims need to obey their parents and not to hurt their feelings and reference could be made to the Hadith in Bukhari where the Prophet (pbuh) told the Companion who wanted to participate in Jihad, to stay behind to take care of his parents, showing that caring for parents has more worth than doing Jihad.
22. [1] In another Hadith the Prophet (pbuh) equals disobeying parents to a major sin on the same level as committing murder [Bukhari and Muslim].
23. [1] Candidates could disagree partially with the statement by saying that there are situations where disobeying parents is allowed, one such case being where the parents are forcing them to commit shirk, as mentioned in Qur'an 31.14.
24. [1] The Prophet (pbuh) has also said that there is no obedience in the disobedience of God and therefore, if parents demand the wrong or ask for the improper, disobedience becomes not only justifiable, but also imperative.
25. [1] Candidates can mention other situations where in obeying parents they would be disobeying God, for example if they ask them to work in a shop where wine or lottery tickets are sold or where they will indulge in interest.
26. [1] Another example is where they are forcing them to marry somebody they do not like just because they are from the same caste, nationality or ethnic origin, or because of their wealth even then they have the choice to refuse as there is no forced marriage in Islam.
27. [1] Candidates could explain that they are not allowed to be rude or disrespectful to parents, nor should they break ties with them as no situation justifies treating parents badly. If for whatever reason they have to disobey their orders, they should still be civil to them. They could refer to Qur'an 17.23 to support this point.
28. [1] For higher levels candidates should address the term 'everything' in their answers to show that they do not reject the statement completely. The strongest responses are likely to make convincing evaluation of different points of view, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses, as well as concluding with a personal response.