Explain how one significant work written by a Muslim that you have studied might be used to invite people to Islam.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. A01 – Knowledge and understanding
2. Mark according to the AO1 – 10-mark levels of response marking grid for knowledge and understanding.
3. Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be credited.
4. Inviting people to Islam (da 'wah) might include explaining the main beliefs of Islam to them in a way they can understand and relate to. This includes explaining questions about the world around, making sense of signs in it and relating it to creation by the one, unseen God.
5. Candidates might choose any significant work they have studied. Those listed in the syllabus are:
6. – Ibn Tufayl's work Hayy ibn Yaqzan
7. – Al-Ghazali's Incoherence of the Philosophers
8. – Ibn Khaldun's work on social science, The Muqaddimah
9. – the mystical poetry of Rabi'a al-'Adawiyya
10. – Al-Biruni's work on comparative religion, History of Religions
11. – a published work chosen by the candidate
12. Hayy Ibn Yaqzan seeks to explain the existence of God and creation through a philosophical tale. Boy Hayy is marooned alone on a desert island and grows up with a gazelle. He works out for himself that there must be a single creator behind the universe. This might help bring da'wah to someone looking for a philosophical approach.
13. Al-Ghazali criticised Muslims who followed Greek philosophy, in The Incoherence of the Philosophers. He argues that the Qur'an should be taken as proof and Muslims should then find deeper meaning through prayer and spiritual practices, whereas philosophy can lead to confusion. This might help bring da'wah to someone looking for traditional routines of faith.
14. Rabi'a's poetry might inspire someone looking for mysticism and inner meaning, as well as her example as a Muslim woman and humble ascetic, who had the strength and conviction to give up wealth and lead a life of humility and devotion to God in prayer, which is reflected through her poetry.
15. Answers should link the details of whatever work they have chosen to how this can be used to inspire, persuade and convince someone about the merits of Islam.
16. Credit personal examples of how candidates might have experienced da'wah and how they might have discussed a work they have studied with others and the reaction it brought.
17. AO2 – Analysis and evaluation
18. Mark according to the AO2 – 15-mark levels of response marking grid for analysis and evaluation. 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.
19. Definitions
20. This statement suggests that people might respond better if da'wah is tailored to them personally. For example, a person interested in mysticism might be better addressed with a book about Sufism, as compared to a person interested in discussion, who might be better given a book of philosophy.
21. Agree
22. Muhammad (pbuh) sometimes preached words of warning, when he addressed the polytheists, and sometimes words of encouragement and exhortation, particularly to the new Muslims in Medina. This suggests that a degree of tailoring of the message is a part of the Sunnah.
23. People live in different societies around the world today, have different life experiences and relate to literature in different ways.
24. The existence of a wealth of different sources which may be used for da'wah might be seen as a sign that God has blessed Muslims with all this, and no type has been excluded by the Prophet (pbuh), so Muslims should use tailored sources for effectiveness.
25. Disagree
26. God is One. Muslims therefore should be able to explain God in one way which might avoid confusion.
27. The Qur'an itself is the one surviving holy book of Islam from which teachings are drawn, so it would make sense to use this as a single source. Using other sources might lead to theological disagreements.
28. This suggests Islam can be individualistic. But in becoming Muslim, a person should engage with the community of Muslims (ummah). This might mean that using similar sources would be more effective at preparing people from different backgrounds for interaction in Muslim communities.
29. Conclusions
30. Evaluations should balance out the different factors discussed and come to an overall judgement about whether it is more effective to use different sources for different people.