'Pilgrimage to the House is a duty people owe to Allah, those who can afford the journey.' (Al 'Imran 3:97) (i) For who is the annual pilgrimage (hajj) compulsory, and which Muslims are exempt from it? (ii) What things are forbidden to pilgrims while in the state of ihram?

Mark scheme

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

1. [10] (a) Candidates could well begin their answer by saying that the pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime is the religious duty of every Muslim. It is obligatory on every adult, sane, free Muslim who can afford to bear the expenses of this journey. Candidates could develop their answer by saying that hajj is compulsory for all those Muslims who can meet the travel expenses and their expenses whilst at hajj and also have enough funds to leave behind for their dependents and household till the pilgrims return. One also needs to be physically fit to undertake this journey; danger to life owing to war in certain areas in or around the Holy land or in one's own country may free a person from the obligation of performing hajj. Also a woman is not allowed to proceed to pilgrimage without a mahram male and if she can't find a mahram it is not obligatory for her to perform pilgrimage. For the second part candidates need to say what things are forbidden in ihram and these could include amongst others: • To shave, trim hair or nails • To use abusive or foul language • To indulge in marital relations • To hunt or kill an animal; however, harmful or dangerous animals can be killed • To wear sewn clothes, but women are exempted from this • To use perfumes or oils • To cover the face • To cut a plant or tree.
2. [4] (b) Here candidates could give their own personal views, from God being Rahman and Raheem, to Him not wanting to burden his creation with what is out of their scope of fulfilling, to Him being all knowing and all wise. They can even say that for those who have the resources but are physically unable to perform hajj there is the option of Hajj e Badl i.e. you pay for someone's hajj and both get the reward for it. This shows God's compassion, etc. All valid answers are to be credited.