Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) رَحِمَ اللَّهُ رَجُلا سَمْحًا إذا بَاعَ ، وَإِذا اشْتَرَى، وَإِذَا اقْتَضَى. May God show mercy to a man who is kindly when he sells, when he buys, and when he demands his money back. (ii) لا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لَأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ. None of you believes until he wants for his brother what he wants for himself. (iii) لا يَدْخُلُ النَّارَ أَحَدٌ فِي قلبهِ مِثْقَالُ حَبَّةٍ مِن خَرْدَلٍ مِن إِيمَانِ، وَلاَ يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةِ أَحَدٌ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالُ حَبَّةٍ مِن خَرْدَلٍ مِن كِبْرِ. 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. (iv) أَنَّ رَجُلًا سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقالَ: أرأيتَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتُ الْمَكْتُوبَاتِ، وَصُمْتُ رَمَضَانَ، وَأحْلاتُ الحَلالَ ، وَحَرَّمْتُ الحَرَامَ، وَلَمْ أَزِدْ عَلى ذَلِكَ شَيْئًا، أَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّة؟ قالَ: نَعَمْ. A man asked the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace): Do you think that if I perform the obligatory prayers, fast in Ramadan, treat as lawful that which is lawful and treat as forbidden that which is forbidden, and do nothing further, I shall enter paradise? He said: Yes.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2016). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [4] (a)(i) The teaching of this hadith is that a Muslim must be honest and fair in all aspects of his trade dealings. God looks favourably on those who deal with others with fairness and kindness. Other hadiths of the Prophet (pbuh) could be given to develop the answer e.g. 'You should be kind to those on earth and He who is in the Heavens will be kind to you.' Some responses in developing their answer could give examples of how some companions of the Prophet (pbuh) like 'Uthman used to give more measures and weights while selling commodities and when buying commodities would pay more than the price of the commodity.
2. [4] (a)(ii) An important aspect of Islam is the well-being of others in the community. Care for others is a sign of sincere belief as both God and His Prophet (pbuh) have instructed Muslims to do and promote good for the welfare of others. The true evidence of an Islamic brotherhood was the society established in Madina, the ansars with free will were ready to share everything with the muhajireen.
3. [4] (a)(iii) Embracing Islam means submitting to the will of God. When a Muslim submits to God there is no room for pride in him as he accepts God as his creator and sustainer. The teaching of this hadith clearly highlights that pride and faith cannot co-exist. Faith makes a person mindful of his accountability before his Lord whereas pride leads to arrogance and leads man away from God.
4. [4] (a)(iv) The teaching of this Hadith is that Islam is a very simple religion to follow. By following the pillars and keeping away from what is forbidden in Islam a Muslim may achieve paradise. The pillars of zakat and hajj are incumbent only on those who have the means to fulfil them whereas salat and sawm are compulsory for all Muslims. God wants to reward Muslims for following the path prescribed by Him and having given Muslims ease in fulfilling them expects obedience.
5. [4] (b)(i) Candidates could say that Muslims can apply the teachings of this hadith by always being honest. For example increasing the prices of a commodity if there happens to be a shortage of that commodity in the market. When buying or selling, advantage of the buyers or sellers situation must not be taken; sub-standard goods must not be sold without the buyer being made aware of it. These and other similar points could be made to highlight how the teaching of this hadith can be put into action. Examples from the Prophet's (pbuh) time could also be cited.
6. [4] (b)(ii) Wanting the best for others, wishing well for everyone and being happy for others in their joyous times and genuinely sorry for them when something bad befalls them is how the teaching of this hadith can be applied practically. The application of this hadith is not confined to choosing the same material things that one chooses for oneself but rather genuinely responding to the needs of others. Belief it could be said is complete only with the right action.
7. [4] (b)(iii) Muslims must always be wary of harbouring pride in their hearts and must actively try to follow the Prophet's (pbuh) example and adopt humility in their dress, manner and behaviour. All relevant answers should be credited.
8. [4] (b)(iv) A Muslim can put into practice the teaching of this Hadith by becoming regular and punctual in saying his five daily prayers, in fasting in the month of Ramadan and if he has the means, by fulfilling his other pillars. Candidates can give examples of how to stay away from haram things and can cite other hadiths to support their answer.