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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. In answering this question candidates have to give a descriptive account of both the Musannaf and Musnad collections of Hadith. The period in which they were produced could be written about.
2. Speaking of the Musannaf collection they could say that it was the first organised work of Hadith collection and was made topic-wise. That the Musannafs were mainly legal documents that developed during the first two centuries of Islam. The Muwatta by Imam Malik is an early example of a Musannaf collection.
3. Well-developed answers could discuss how the Musannaf collection served an important function in law and Hadith literature. Later scholars referred to Musannaf collections to know legal opinions of the Companions and Successors and Hadith critics used them as evidence when establishing the authenticity of a Hadith.
4. The late second/early third century AH saw a shift towards Musnad collections which were arranged according to isnads. In these collections it could be said Hadiths were compiled under the name of the narrator. Candidates may well say that collections were organised by their compilers along isnad lines. Examples of Musnad collections e.g. Musnad of Imam Hanbal and others could be given. The shortcomings of the Musnad collection could be given as well. A comprehensive answer is being looked for.
5. Candidates could give the benefits of both and then say which in their opinion they thought was more beneficial and why. They could also simply select one of the two collections and say why in their opinion it was the more useful one. Whatever the approach or choice it has to be backed by reasons.