Discuss how a Muslim leader can contribute to the development of Muslim practice. Refer to the contribution of contemporary leaders that you have studied.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] AO1 – Knowledge and understanding
2. [15] 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. Candidates might choose from the examples listed in the syllabus, but are not limited to these: – Muhammad `Abduh – Syed Abul `Ala Maududi – Hasan al-Banna – Syed Ahmad Khan – Allama Iqbal
5. Candidates can write about the Prophet (pbuh) or a Rightly Guided Caliph, but they will have to refer to a modern leader of their choice also.
6. Candidates can explain what they understand by Muslim practice, it could be how Muslims live their life by applying the rules of Islamic law (shariah) or any other way they practice their faith.
7. Candidates might begin by introducing the leaders that they wish to write about and continue by explaining how those leaders have contributed to the development of Muslim practice in their time/country. For example, Hassan al-Banna was involved in nationalist politics and called for moral reform and Islamisation of the state, the economy, and the society in Egypt. He declared that establishing a just society required development of institutions and progressive taxation and elaborated on an Islamic fiscal theory where almsgiving (zakat) would be reserved for social expenditure in order to reduce inequality.
8. Syed Ahmad Khan is widely credited as the father of the two-nation theory, which formed the basis of the Pakistan movement. He firmly believed that Muslim society would not progress without the acquisition of Western education and science, and he promoted a Western-style scientific education by founding modern schools and journals and organising Islamic entrepreneurs. Sir Syed advocated for strong interfaith relations between Islam and Christianity.
9. Depth and breadth of knowledge should be assessed together with evaluation, for example whether the chosen leader's contribution did help to develop Muslim practice.