Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) الدِّينُ النَّصِيحَةُ قُلْنَا: لِمَنْ؟ قَالَ: لِلهِ وَلَكِتَابِهِ، وَلرَسُولِهِ، وَلأَئِمَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَعَامَّتِهِمْ. (i) 'Religion is sincerity'. We said: ‘To whom?' The Prophet said: ‘To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims and to their common people.' (ii) الدُّنْيَا سِجْنُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَجَنَّهُ الكَافِرِ. (ii) The world is the believer's prison and the unbeliever's paradise. (iii) Modesty produces nothing but good. (iii) الحَيَاءُ لَا يُأْتِي إِلَّا بِخَيرٍ. (iv) بَعَثَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَبَا مُوسَى وَمُعَادُ بْنَ جَبَلٍ إِلَى الْيَمَنِ، وَبَعَثَ كُلَّ وَاحِدٍ مِّنْهُمَا عَلى مِخْلافٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ: يَسِّرًا وَلاَ تُعَسّرًا وَبَشِّرًا وَلَا تُنَفَّرًا. (iv) The Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and give him peace) sent Abu Musa and Mu'adh Ibn Jabal to Yaman, and he sent each of them to govern a part. Then he said: ‘Be gentle and do not be hard, and cause rejoicing and do not alienate.'

Mark scheme

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

1. [4] (a)(i) The main teaching of this Hadith to Muslims is that they should follow the teachings of Islam by strongly believing in the oneness and supremacy of God and the finality of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and also by following the Qur'an and sincerely practising the pillars of Islam. Another important teaching of this Hadith is that Muslims must also be sensitive to the needs of others and be loyal members of their community and work towards its betterment as a whole.
2. [4] (b)(i) By following the teachings of Islam Muslims can put into practice the teachings of this Hadith. Answers could say that true Muslims will not only follow the Qur'an and the Prophet but will go on to maintain the good of society. Sincerity in all aspects of life needs to be practiced and is an important aspect of a Muslim's conduct.
3. [4] (a)(ii) This Hadith is related to individual conduct and candidates could well say that a Muslim needs to be God-conscious at all times and remember his/her accountability to God on the day of resurrection. If he does do this he will endeavour to follow the path of righteousness and resist the temptations of the modern world and lead a life of piety. Those who do not believe in the hereafter may choose to live only for the moment and commit acts that displease God.
4. [4] (b)(ii) By following the path prescribed by God, remembering the hereafter and their personal accountability to God as well as being mindful of the distractions this world has to offer, Muslims can put this Hadith into practice by living righteously. Personal examples could be given in this part of the answer to show how candidates resisted temptations in order to please the almighty.
5. [4] (a)(iii) The primary teaching of this Hadith is that modesty leads to good conduct as it embraces the virtues of simplicity, humbleness and charity. Answers may reflect on how modesty develops a person's character and that a modest person will be one who has good values and will always act in accordance to their true capabilities.
6. [4] (b)(iii) By practicing modesty in all of their actions the teaching of this hadith can be put into practice. This includes thinking of others before themselves, for when a Muslims conduct springs from consideration for others it eliminates social problems and evils. Examples of lowering ones gaze when in the company of the opposite sex is an example that is often cited and could be used amongst other examples to expand on the answer.
7. [4] (a)(iv) The broader teaching of this Hadith is that ultimate authority lies with God, and is given to people in their various capacities as a trust from God. Muslims must therefore be gentle to others. The Hadith focuses on Muslim leadership being helpful to those who are being led and that it should never be by force. Some answers could go a bit further to add that Muslims must act fairly when they govern.
8. [4] (b)(iv) There is firstly a clear message to all Muslim governments to practice this Hadith be governing with consent and fairness. Everybody in a position of responsibility, be they parents, teachers, the police, etc. can practice this Hadith by exercising their authority honestly and with kindness. Examples can be given to develop the answer and should be taken into account when awarding marks.