'It is difficult for a Muslim leader to rule by the laws of God in the modern world.' Discuss.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. 10 marks AO1 – Knowledge and understanding
2. 15 marks AO2 – Analysis and evaluation
3. 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. Introduction: Candidates may explain that the laws of God are those laws that have been legislated by God himself and can be derived from the sources of Islamic law, primarily the Qur'an and the Hadith.
5. Agree
6. Candidates could agree with the statement by saying that we live in a completely new world with new technological advancement and new challenges that are completely different from the time when Islam came to Arabia, 1400 years ago.
7. There are laws which are difficult to apply in current time, for different reasons e.g. some laws such as the death penalty is not allowed in many countries, because it is against the International Human Rights, by which most countries adhere.
8. Some countries might feel pressured by others in order not to implement some of the laws because of economic sanctions.
9. Furthermore, the population of a country, who are far more aware of their rights now, might disagree and revolt against a ruler who wants to implement God's laws in a modern society.
10. There are many different interpretations of God's law and all the more so because circumstances have changed so much in the modern world. Due to this it is very difficult for a Muslim leader to rule by their version of God's law, especially as many people expect to have their say in it.
11. Disagree
12. Candidates could argue that Islam being a universal religion, its laws can be applied at any time and in any place.
13. Ijtihad, which is individual thinking is something allowed in Islam, and is more and more being used to find ways of broaching topics which have not been covered by the primary sources of Islamic law, e.g. IVF or euthanasia. Therefore, by resorting to ijtihad one is still in keeping with shariah law.
14. Some countries are able to apply God's laws, even if not completely but partly. In these countries some of the shariah laws are part of their legislation, such as capital punishment for murder, cutting of hands for burglary, etc.
15. Conclusion: A personal judgement can be made about whether it is difficult or not for Muslim leaders to rule by abiding by the laws of God.