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Mark scheme

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

1. [10] The Prophet laid down a set of rules about conduct during armed warfare (jihad). In answering the first part of the question candidates need to show sound knowledge of what these rules are e.g. Muslims shall not be the first to initiate fighting; women, children, old people are not to be harmed; fruit bearing trees are not to be cut down; places of worship of any faith are not to be destroyed; captives should be treated kindly; corpses of the enemy should not be mutilated; treaties should be respected and ambassadors should not be mistreated or killed etc. For the second part of the question the candidates have to write about the conditions under which jihad becomes compulsory like it is obligatory when not only the beliefs of Muslims are threatened but their lives, homes and property etc. are at stake; whenever a Muslim state is attacked it becomes the religious duty of every Muslim of that state to fight against the invaders. These and other points that are relevant to the answer could be made. Good answers may well give quotes from the Qur'an to support their answer. It should be remembered that the marks are not divided 5x5 between the two parts but the answer has to be read as a whole and the mark should be given accordingly.
2. [4] Answers could agree or disagree with the statement. However, whatever their response the candidates need to back up their point of view with valid reasons. For example some might agree with the statement saying that modern weapons of war like bombs don't discriminate between the men, women or children they kill or the damage they do to the environment. Some on the other hand could disagree with the statement and say the teachings of the Prophet regarding armed warfare are just as relevant today as they were in the Prophet's time and that we must have respect for life and the environment and use jihad as a last resort and when engaged in it make sure that the code of conduct set by the Prophet is followed. All valid answers must be credited.