Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) لا يَدْخُلُ النَّارَ أَحَدٌ فِي قلبهِ مِثْقَالُ حَبَّةٍ مِن خَرْدَلٍ مِن إِيمَانِ، وَلا 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. (ii) إِنما مَثَلُ صَاحِبِ القرآن كَمَثَلِ صَاحِبِ الإبل المُعَقَّلَةِ : إِنْ عَاهَدَ عَلَيها أَمْسَكَهَا، وَإِنْ أَطلَقَهَا ذهَبَت. He who studies the Qur'an is like the owner of tethered camels. If he attends to them he will keep hold of them, but if he lets them loose they will go away. (iii) السَّاعِي عَلَى الْأَرْمَلَةِ وَالْمِسْكِينِ كَالْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ، أو القائمِ 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) الدُّنْيَا سِجْنُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَجَنَّهُ الكَافِرِ. The world is the believer's prison and the unbeliever's paradise.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [Guidance: Candidates choose two Hadiths for a total of 4 marks for part (a) and 4 marks for part (b). The following are potential points for each Hadith.]
2. [4] (Hadith #18, part a) The main teaching of this Hadith is that all those who affirm the Oneness of God will enter paradise. The obedient believer, who is free from sin will be amongst the first group to enter paradise and those with sins will enter paradise after gaining God's forgiveness. Pride on the other hand, the Hadith teaches Muslims, is a great sin. It is linked with shaytan who disobeyed God on account of his arrogance and was expelled from heaven. The teaching given in this Hadith is to remain humble and grateful for all that one has as everything we possess is simply a blessing from God.
3. [4] (Hadith #13, part a) The importance of reading the Qur'an and understanding its message is given in this Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh). The Qur'an is the primary source of Islamic teaching and hence should never be neglected and a strong relationship should be established between the Qur'an and the believer as it will see a believer through good times and every hardship and be a source of comfort. The link with tethered camels has been made in this Hadith to show the importance of the Qur'an in a believer's life and this could be elaborated upon.
4. [4] (Hadith #10, part a) Rights of people are stressed upon in this Hadith and the primary teaching given is that believers should fulfil the needs of the vulnerable in society. The example of widows and poor has been given specifically but the teaching can be seen to refer to all those who may struggle without help. Helping others has been compared to worship in this Hadith emphasising that huquq al 'ibad (rights of the people) are just as important as fulfilling huquq al-Allah (the rights of God).
5. [4] (Hadith #19, part a) The Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) instructs Muslims to live their lives according to God's laws and refrain from what He has forbidden. The world has been compared to a prison and just as a prisoner has to abide by the rules of the prison the believer has to follow God's rules to attain true freedom in the afterlife by earning paradise. The teaching says that God may grant everything to a disbeliever that he/she may desire in this world whereas a believer may not get all that he aspires for and may have to face hardship but their reward is in the hereafter. And even the lowest level of paradise is enough to fulfil anyone's heart's desires.
6. [4] (Hadith #18, part b) Muslims can put the teachings of this Hadith into practice by never allowing pride to take root in their heart, by remaining humble and grateful to God. The example of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) could be given who despite being the beloved Prophet of God remained humble. Even upon becoming the leader of Madina and after the conquest of Makka he led a life of simplicity.
7. [4] (Hadith #13, part b) By reading the Qur'an daily, even a few ayats a day, by trying to understand the meaning of the Qur'an and implementing its teachings in one's life Muslims can put the teachings given in the Hadith into action. Teaching the Qur'an to others is another way of acting upon the teachings given here.
8. [4] (Hadith #10, part b) The way to act upon the teachings given in this Hadith is to always be conscious of the need of others and to try and help them in whatever way possible. God wants His believers to worship Him but he also wants them to create a caring society. This can be done by providing resources for the poor, helping at NGOs, etc. Examples from the life of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions can also be given to show the practice of this Hadiths teaching.
9. [4] (Hadith #19, part b) Muslims can implement the teachings given here by being mindful of the attractions of this world. The Quraysh tried to dissuade the Prophet (pbuh) from preaching Islam by offering him great wealth and beautiful women to marry but he refused the temptations of this world. Muslims need to follow the prescribed path of God and live in this world as the Prophet (pbuh) said: 'Live in this world as if you were a stranger or a wayfarer' (Bukhari).