In what circumstances are Muslims obliged to engage in; • armed fighting (jihad bis-saif) and; • what rules and limitations apply to this jihad?

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] Sometimes armed jihad or jihad by the sword (Jihad bi-l- sayf) becomes necessary. Jihad by the sword is use of arms to engage in combat, it is not misuse of arms to create violence. Permission for armed jihad is given in the following circumstances in Islam; for self defence of the Muslim community, fighting against evil and injustice and when treaties are broken. Candidates could develop these points before giving the rules and limitations of engaging in combat under the name of jihad which are as follows: ∞ Civilians namely women and children and the old as well those not participating in the war should not be harmed in any way; ∞ fruit bearing trees should not be cut down; ∞ animals whose meat can be eaten should not be killed; ∞ places of worship should not be demolished; ∞ asylum should be granted to surrendering troops; ∞ prisoners of war should be treated well; ∞ corpses of the fallen should not be mutilated; ∞ treaties should be respected; ambassadors should not be killed or mistreated no unjustifiable aggression on weaker nations should be made. A detailed response is needed here.
2. [4] Understanding of the term jihad is often misunderstood and taken to mean armed warfare whereas the term jihad simply means 'struggle' or 'strife'. It could be said that jihad has many meanings and can refer to a believer's internal or external efforts to be a good Muslim or to spread the word of God; in military terms it could mean protecting the faith against others and can take on many forms from military to diplomatic to economic and political. The candidate's response needs to show understanding and be evaluative.