(a) Write about the following terms and the relationship between them: • isnad • matn • musnad • musannaf. (b) How do compilations of genuine Hadiths benefit Muslims today?

Mark scheme

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

1. [10] (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. Candidates may answer the question in two parts and write about the terms and then write about the relationship between any of them. However, they may not. When they write about the terms the following could be included. Isnad and matn are the two components of a Hadith, while musnad and musannaf are classifications of Hadith compilations and literature.
2. It could be said that the structure of every Hadith consists of two parts: isnad and matn. These two components are significant for muhadiths who examine the Hadith when compiling them.
3. Isnad refers to the chain of narrators of the Hadith, while matn refers to the content of the Hadith. Several rules are established to study the isnad and matn of a Hadith which determine its authenticity, and these could be given to develop the answer.
4. The term musnad means 'supported'. These compilations are listed under the names of the narrators, for example, Musnad of Imam Hanbal. While compilations of Hadiths according to their themes are termed as musannaf, which means divided up. As quite simply Hadiths in these compilations are divided up according to their themes e.g., zakat, hajj etc.
5. Candidates may interpret the 'relationship' part of the question in a number of ways – all of which are acceptable and should be credited. If candidates link isnad and musnad they might say that as isnad refers to the chain of narrators, it is linked to musnad which are compilations along isnad lines. That is, Hadiths are listed under the names of the various Companions leading back to the Prophet (pbuh) to guarantee the authenticity of a Hadith. On the other hand, matn is linked to musannaf compilations as both are based upon, and deal with the content of the Hadith. Musannaf compilations are categorised keeping the matn (content) of the Hadith in mind. Candidates may choose to link three or four of the terms together or may continue to link in pairs. Any combination should be credited on its merit.
6. [4] (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. It could be said here that compilations of genuine Hadiths benefit Muslims greatly. It gives them assurance that the Hadith they are using is not forged and can be used for making laws and getting guidance on matters of beliefs and practices of Islam without a hint of doubt.
7. Another very important point could be that if the early compilers had not endeavoured to sift the weak or fabricated Hadiths from authentic Hadiths it would have caused chaos and division in the Muslim community. Unity amongst Muslims today would have suffered.
8. Muslim scholars today can access genuine compilations easily and reach decisions in the light of Islamic knowledge on account of these compilations.