Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) لا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ. None of you believes until he wants for his brother what he wants for himself. (ii) قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَليهِ وسَلَّمَ: مَا تَعُدُّهْنَ الشَّهيدَ فِيكُمْ ؟ قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَنْ قُتِلَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ. قَالَ: إِنَّ شُهَدَاءَ أُمَّتِي إِذا لَقَلِيلٌ مَنْ قُتِلَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ، وَمَنْ مَاتَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ، وَمَنْ مَاتَ فِي الطَّاعُوْن فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ، وَمَنْ مَاتَ في الْبَطْنِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ. The Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and give him peace) said: 'Whom do you count to be a martyr among you?' They said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, whoever is killed in the way of Allah is a martyr.' He said: 'In that case the martyrs of my community will be very few! He who is killed in the way of Allah is a martyr, he who dies a natural death in the way of Allah is a martyr, he who dies in the plague in the way of Allah is a martyr, he who dies of cholera in the way of Allah is a martyr.' (iii) السَّاعِي عَلَى الْأَرْمَلَةِ وَالْمِسْكِيْنِ كَالْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ ، أو القَائِمِ اللَّيْلَ الصَّائِمِ النَّهَارَ. One who manages the affairs of the widow and the poor man is like the one who exerts himself in the way of Allah, or the one who stands for prayer in the night or fasts in the day. (iv) رَحِمَ اللَّهُ رَجُلًا سَمْحًا إِذا بَاعَ ، وَإِذَا اشْتَرَى، وَإِذَا أَقْتَضَى. May God show mercy to a man who is kindly when he sells, when he buys, and when he demands his money back.

Mark scheme

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

1. (a) (i) Concern for the well being of others is an important aspect of faith and the core teaching of this Hadith. Islam is a religion of social justice and asks its followers to practice their faith by putting the values of social justice it teaches them into action. Belief can only be sincere when put into action and this Hadith is asking all Muslims to show sincere faith by wanting the best for others.
2. (ii) This Hadith of the Prophet gives the important teaching that all those who live righteous lives and spend their lives in the way of God will be regarded as martyrs. Martyrdom is not just the prerogative of those who fight in the way of God on the battle field but all practicing Muslims engaged in mental or spiritual jihad are regarded as martyrs according to the teaching of this Hadith and will be thus rewarded.
3. (iii) Islam strongly encourages its followers to care for the needs of others especially the vulnerable in society. Candidates could go on to develop their answer by discussing the broader meaning of ibadah which includes the care of others, and say that the teachings of this Hadith promotes the concepts of social and economic welfare in society.
4. (iv) The basic teaching of this Hadith is that a Muslim must act kindly towards his fellows at all times. God is the most merciful and He wants His creation to be gentle with others. To get God's mercy one has to be merciful towards others.
5. (b) (i) Muslims should always respond to the need of others. Here the candidates can give examples from the Prophet's life or from their own lives to show how the teaching of this Hadith can be put into action.
6. (ii) A Muslim who wants to attain the status of a martyr must always be busy in doing things that will please God. Examples of leading a righteous life could be given. Some answers may well write about the different forms of jihad or say that a Muslim must always strive in the way of God so that whenever death occurs the Muslim will get the status of a martyr.
7. (iii) Helping others in need is as meritorious as fighting a jihad or practicing a pillar of Islam. Providing resources to those in need and looking after the vulnerable are worthy acts which are rewarded by God and must be practiced by Muslims. Candidates could give examples to substantiate their answers.
8. (iv) Candidates can give examples from the Prophet's life or everyday life highlighting how mercy can be practiced in the community and the joys it brings to everyone including the person who practices it.