Describe the moral and spiritual benefits of fasting in Ramadan for Muslims and their society.

Mark scheme

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

1. [10] (General Guidance for part (a)) Mark according to the marking grid for AO1 – Knowledge, given on page 4. Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be credited. Fasting is an obligation not an option and has countless benefits. In response to this question, candidates need to write an account of how fasting benefits the believer and their society morally and spiritually by its observance.
2. It could be said that fasting is an invisible act and only God and the person fasting know whether the person is fasting or not. Therefore, fasting teaches sincerity. Fasting teaches the believer to live by the rules and regulations of their faith regardless of others knowing or not knowing about one's actions, thereby strengthening the connection between God and the believer, making it more sincere.
3. During the fast a person even abstains from the things that are permissible in Islam like eating, drinking, marital relations between spouses. By this action they learn to say no to forbidden things more easily in their daily life. This abstinence heightens awareness and teaches a believer self-control while strengthening the moral character of Muslims. Fasting helps train Muslims to refrain from, lying, cheating and using foul language.
4. Fasting creates an awareness amongst believers about the plight of the needy who struggle to feed their families and this feeling of empathy improves social relations as people give more generously to those in need and a feeling of brotherhood and goodwill is established in the community. Muslims give generously from the bounties of God and their awareness of His blessings are heightened and they feel closer to Him spiritually.
5. When Muslims fast in Ramadan a feeling of brotherhood develops amongst them, and they are more conscious of the fact that they are all equal in the eyes of God. Charity and zakat are given generously which improves the economic prosperity of the community at large and with that act of giving the moral fibre of the community also improves.
6. Fasting builds the character of God consciousness (taqwa) in a believer by which a Muslim is spiritually uplifted and learns self-control and discipline. By teaching Muslims how to control their primal needs, fasting morally and spiritually strengthens them and makes for a more God-fearing and righteous society.
7. [4] (General Guidance for part (b)) Mark according to the marking grid for AO2 – Understanding, given on page 5. Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be credited.
8. Candidates need to choose any one of the benefits of fasting in Ramadan and say why, in their opinion, it is the most important.
9. For example, if they choose the economic benefit as being the most important, they could say that in the month of Ramadan most Muslims give zakat to those it is due and increase their giving of charity to the needy which in turn brings about economic prosperity to the community and helps them fulfil a fundamental Pillar of Islam for which they will be questioned on the Day of Judgment.
10. Other benefits candidates might talk about may include: health, social, moral and spiritual. Any choice made needs to be backed by sound reasoning.