O-LevelIslamiyatArticles of faith and Pillars of Islam2058/22 · May/June 2015 · Q514 Marks

Write about the practice of fasting in Ramadan and the moral benefits that a Muslim gains from fasting in this month.

(a)Write about the practice of fasting in Ramadan and the moral benefits that a Muslim gains from fasting in this month.[10]
(b)How do you think observing the Pillar of giving alms (zakat) benefits the giver?[4]

Mark scheme

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

[10] (a) Candidates can launch into their answer by saying how Muslims have breakfast, sehri, before dawn, they abstain from food, drink etc. during daylight hours and that they break their fast at sunset. Details like Muslims make the formal intention to fast, that they refrain from smoking, marital relations, etc. could all be given. How they endeavour to spend the day piously could be brought into the answer to develop it and candidates could raise the point that during the fast Muslims should live their life as normal making no concessions for lack of food or drink. For the second part of this question they need to write about the moral benefits that fasting in this month brings to Muslims. They could say that they become aware of the plight of the less fortunate ones in society and strive to help them, charity is given more in this month than any other as every Muslim wants to please their Lord as much as possible and care and concern for all in society is heightened thus improving the moral fibre of individuals and society at large. It could also be said that Muslims spend more time in ibada in this month and so feel closer to God. Both parts of the answer may not be equally strong, the answer should be read as a whole and a global mark should be given.
[4] (b) Candidates need to give their view point in response to this question and all valid answers need to be credited. An evaluative response is being looked for, candidates could give one benefit of zakah that is in their opinion the most important and develop it or they could give a few benefits and write a bit about them. Some of the things the candidates could mention in their answer are: the payment of zakah purifies the heart of the giver of love of wealth and greed; it fosters good will; zakah expiates the sins of a person etc.