Write about how the pillars of Islam help Muslims to improve their communal relationships and social responsibilities.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2014). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] (a) Islam is a religion based on social justice. God has laid great emphasis on huqaq al ibad and it is incumbent on Muslims to care not only for their fellow Muslims but for humankind at large. Candidates can, referring to the five pillars and how they impact upon the communal relationships and social responsibilities of Muslims, say that some pillars are mainly concerned with a believer's responsibilities to God, and some are mainly concerned with responsibilities to other people. However, the two aspects can overlap. For example salat is mainly responsibility to God but it is often performed in congregation and so brings people together, promotes equality; the giving of zakat is about helping the poor and ensuring that everyone helps each other; the observance of sawm is about responsibility to God and about understanding the difficulties faced by the less fortunate in society making the better off more compassionate and generous, also the breaking of the fast together at sunset during Ramadan brings the community together. The Hajj is a Muslim's responsibility towards Allah but is a gathering of Muslims who become equal once they don the ihram and again is a forum for promoting equality, sharing ideas, solving problems that face the Muslim communities over the world, etc. Candidates can write in detail about the ideas listed above and give quotes to support their answers. Details and development in the response will help reach higher levels.
2. [4] (b) An evaluative response is needed here as in all other Part (b) answers. Answers could say that by praying five times a day Muslims become God conscious and are therefore less likely to commit sins; it teaches them punctuality, cleanliness, fosters humility and brotherhood and is a lesson in living righteously. Valid answers showing understanding and evaluation should be credited.