Give a detailed account of the checks made on the text and narrators of Hadiths.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] (a) Compilers of Hadiths made a number of checks to confirm the reliability of the narrator and the authenticity of the Hadith they related. Some of the checks they made are listed below and could well be given by candidates in their answer. If other valid checks are given which are not listed in the MS they should be credited as well.
2. The narrator must be a person Muslim of faith.
3. The chain of narrators must be complete and continuous.
4. The narrator must be known for his truthfulness and honesty.
5. He should be at an age where he understands the significance of what he hears and realises that the slightest change may change the meaning of the Hadith.
6. He should report exactly as he heard the Hadith.
7. The text should not be contrary to what the Qur'an has to say.
8. It should not be against common sense or other verified Hadiths.
9. It should not praise an individual, tribe or place etc.
10. Development of the points given above and other valid points which are made will add substance to the answer.
11. [4] (b) Here candidates need to give an evaluative response in which they need to express their views as to what the advantages of making checks to confirm the authenticity of Hadiths are. They could say that:
12. Sahih Hadiths provide an accurate model for Muslims to follow.
13. Prevent weak and false Hadiths to be accepted.
14. Keep the faith and the practise of Islam pure.
15. Create unity in the ummah.
16. Help in the classification of Hadiths and making Islamic law.
17. All valid responses to be credited.