Write an account of: • the reasons given by scholars for compiling Hadith collections, and; • the checks made to confirm their authenticity.

Mark scheme

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

1. [1] Candidates need to begin the answer by giving an account of the reasons for compiling Hadith collections.
2. [2] After the passing away of the Prophet (pbuh), the Muslim community passed through a series of unrest and wars. Hadiths were forged to manipulate the authority of the Sunna, so in order to distinguish original Hadith from the fake Hadith, compilations were made.
3. [2] To resolve all matters, secular and spiritual in the light of the teachings of the Prophet (pbuh), it was essential to have authentic Hadiths. The new generations of Muslims needed guidance on the true Islamic way of life based on the life of the Prophet (pbuh).
4. [1] The Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) were passing away and the Hadiths they remembered had to be preserved.
5. [1] Overzealous teachers and heretics made up Hadiths to advance religious teachings in the name of Islam and to undermine Islam respectively. Authentic Hadiths were essential to keep the teachings of Islam uncorrupted.
6. [1] Also, the Qur'an instructs Muslims to follow the practice of the Prophet (pbuh) and for that reason Hadiths needed to be compiled so Muslims of all times can use the knowledge they provided.
7. [1] For the next part of the answer, candidates can write about the checks made to confirm the authenticity of Hadiths by writing an account of the isnad and matn.
8. [1] It could be said that checks were made to see that the isnad line was complete and that narrators were subject to severe tests and were graded according to various degrees of reliability depending on their character, reputation, knowledge, etc.
9. [1] Matn of Hadiths was also scrutinised to see that it was in line with the teachings of the Qur'an, that it did not contradict an established Hadith or the Qur'an, etc.
10. [1] All valid points will be credited.
11. [1] Candidates need to give their personal view as to why it was essential to include false (mawdu) Hadiths in Hadith collections.
12. [1] It could be said that they were included to ensure that the possibility of them being categorised in the other categories, e.g. sahih, hasan, etc. did not occur.
13. [1] Another reason could be to let Muslims know that these were false Hadiths so if they came across them they could disregard them.
14. [1] All valid responses to be credited on their own merit.