Identify five different occasions when a Muslim might perform purification (wudu).

Mark scheme

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

1. [1] Before a prayer service: dawn prayer (fajr)
2. [1] Before a prayer service: midday prayer (zuhur)
3. [1] Before a prayer service: afternoon prayer (asr)
4. [1] Before a prayer service: sunset prayer (maghrib)
5. [1] Before a prayer service: night prayer (isha)
6. [1] Before other prayers: Friday prayers (Jumu'ah)
7. [1] Before other prayers: Eid
8. [1] Before other prayers: Sunnah prayers
9. [1] Before other prayers: Supererogatory (nafl) prayers
10. [1] Before taking part in practices of remembrance (dhikr) for Sufis
11. [1] Before reading the Qur'an
12. [1] After 'breaking' a previous wudu
13. [1] After sleep/first thing in the morning
14. [1] After going to the toilet/breaking wind
15. [10] Candidates should choose and name the school of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) they are referring to, although many of the points may be common to most schools.
16. [10] The five categories of action may be applied: Compulsory conditions (fard/wajib), such as after a Muslim has gone to the toilet or woken from sleep
17. [10] The five categories of action may be applied: Recommended (mustahab), such as after becoming angry or saying unpleasant words
18. [10] The five categories of action may be applied: Neutral (mubah)
19. [10] The five categories of action may be applied: Disliked (makruh), such as wasting water during wudu
20. [10] The five categories of action may be applied: Forbidden (haram), such as making wudu without saying the intention, niyyah; or using waste or unclean water
21. [10] The main source for wudu is the Qur'an 5.6. Credit explanations and interpretations of this verse.
22. [10] From the Hadith, Angel Jibril first taught Muhammad (pbuh) how to perform wudu.
23. [10] Some jurists rule that doubt does not break wudu; others that a fresh wudu should be undertaken. There are different opinions given by different scholars based on traditions and their interpretation.
24. [10] Bleeding may require a fresh wudu to be made, except for the Shafi'i school of thought which only requires a fresh wudu in more severe cases of bleeding. Wounds which are bandaged may be omitted from wudu and wiped over the top of the bandage instead.
25. [10] Shi'i Muslims generally consider it a requirement to perform wudu before each prayer, on three occasions per day (as they combine zuhur and asr; maghrib and isha prayers).
26. [10] Credit specific points relevant and distinctive of any particular school of thought chosen.
27. [10] Candidates might begin by defining wudu, the main methods, and what different points of view are being referred to.
28. [10] For example, a candidate might choose to compare two or more different schools of fiqh or opinions of scholars, and clearly state which will be mentioned in an introductory paragraph.
29. [10] Candidates may refer to different circumstances Muslims face and how they may vary methods of ablution in them, such as whilst on a journey they may wipe over socks. They might consider how far methods of wudu vary at different times.
30. [10] Candidates might identify differences between two different schools of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), name them and analyse variations between them and the extent to which any differences are significant.
31. [10] The importance of following a ritual ablution, which the believer considers justified by a fiqh interpretation of Qur'an and Sunnah, with an intention (niyyah) given to perform this act for the worship of God, might suggest that whatever the differences, the main parts are common.
32. [10] Fiqh schools may differentiate between Sunnah acts, such as washing each part three times, and the minimum required, to wash once. Variation may occur at different times, such as whether a Muslim is busy or might, by way of washing three times, miss the time slot for a prayer such as the sunset maghrib prayer. In such circumstances it might be ruled preferable to wash once and meet the prayer time. When water is scarce, once might be recommended.
33. [10] There are some differences about how much of the hair/head may be wiped over between the different Sunni madhhabs. It could be debated how significant this is.
34. [10] There are some circumstances in which it may not be possible to perform wudu, in which case a form of purification using sand (tayammum) is done, which is dry purification. Some people may be ill in hospital and unable to perform wudu, so in those cases their intention may suffice.
35. [10] Some Muslims, including some Ismailis who follow the teachings of their Imam, consider the cleansing of the heart and spiritual purification to be the compulsory wudu applicable for modern times, more so than the ritual washing.
36. [10] Conclusions might be drawn about how significant variations in practice are, and how far there is little difference.
37. [10] Good conclusions refer back to the words in the question: 'not important' and make a personal judgement.