Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) Hadith 18 He who has in his heart as much faith as a grain of mustard seed will not enter hell, and he who has in his heart as much pride as a grain of mustard seed will not enter paradise. (ii) Hadith 16 The believers are like a single man; if his eye is affected he is affected; and if his head is affected he is all affected. (iii) Hadith 9 No one eats better food than that which he eats out of the work of his hand. (iv) Hadith 7 It was said: O Messenger of Allah, who is the most excellent of men? The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said: 'The believer who strives hard in the way of Allah with his person and property.'

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2015). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [4] Explanation of Hadith 18: The basic teaching of this Hadith is that there is no place for pride in Islam and that faith and pride cannot co-exist. Answers could say that the merest amount of faith can secure heaven and avoid condemnation to hell, whereas the merest amount of pride will ensure condemnation to hell. Accepting Islam as one's faith means submitting to the will of God and accepting that all one has/achieves is from Him which does not leave any room for pride. This belief makes a Muslim mindful of God and stops them from wrongdoings and helps lead a Muslim to paradise whereas pride, even a little of it can make a person arrogant and unmindful of God and hence take him/her away from God.
2. [4] Explanation of Hadith 16: Muslims are joined together in brotherhood by their common faith and all are affected by what affects any one individual and so should always be ready to help fellow Muslims whenever and wherever they are, is the simple teaching of this Hadith. Care for others in the umma is strongly encouraged and rewarded.
3. [4] Explanation of Hadith 9: Earning honestly and lawfully is the teaching of this simple Hadith. A person's rizq is fixed by God. Therefore, reliance on any one else other than Him, or beggary, is disliked by God and strongly discouraged in Islam.
4. [4] Explanation of Hadith 7: A Muslim must always endeavour to seek the pleasure of God and one who spends his life striving to achieve this by following the tenets of Islam and spending from what God has given him in His cause, is considered as the best of Muslims.
5. [4] Application of Hadith 18: Muslims should always check themselves from harbouring pride in their hearts and mind. Following the Prophet's (pbuh) example they can practice humility in all aspects of life. Examples and supporting Hadiths could be cited and all valid responses must be credited.
6. [4] Application of Hadith 16: As brotherhood is recommended strongly in Islam it becomes incumbent on Muslims to help alleviate the suffering of fellow Muslims be it in their family, community or around the world. Examples of how this can and is done can be given by the candidates.
7. [4] Application of Hadith 9: Candidates could write about how the Prophet (pbuh) and his companions earned their living simply and honestly or give examples from present times about how the teachings of this Hadith could be put into action.
8. [4] Application of Hadith 7: A Muslim must firstly fulfil the pillars of Islam sincerely. A true believer will strive to seek God's pleasure and so after completing his fard obligations may well strive in the way of God by going on to offer tahajud prayers or tarawih prayers, or finance the Hajj of those less fortunate than himself to perform Hajj after fulfilling his own obligation. Candidates may well give some other responses to answer this part of the question effectively and all valid responses must be credited.