From the teachings given in the set Hadiths, write an account of the guidance given to Muslims in their everyday life.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] 2(a) Mark according to the marking grid for AO1 – Knowledge, given on page 4. Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be credited. Credit the quality of the work not the amount of Hadiths used.
2. [10] 2(a) The Hadiths given below are only a selection. The candidates can use other Hadiths set in the syllabus related to how the Prophet's teachings offer guidance to Muslims in their everyday life. Candidates may also use examples to illustrate their answers.
3. [10] 2(a) The Prophet's Hadiths are a source of guidance to Muslims in their everyday life. They give Muslims important teachings about how to live their lives and have a positive impact on the whole community.
4. [10] 2(a) Hadith 7 gives an important teaching to all Muslims stating that to achieve a distinctive position or to be ranked amongst the best of believers they must always be engaged in God's service with their person, property or wealth. The purpose of the engagement should always be to help make the community and the wider society pious and in its establishment, one must abide by the laws of God as taught to believers by the Prophet (pbuh).
5. [10] 2(a) The teaching given in Hadith 19 is that this world is a place of temporary abode for all humanity and that Muslims have to live lives in this world based on the sharia of God and follow the limitations imposed by Islam on the way they live. The core teaching of the Hadith tells believers that just as a prisoner does not make prison his home a believer should not consider this duniya to be their permanent home and strive, while in it, to gain the eternal reward of paradise by living their lives according to the laws and requirements of their faith. This Hadith specifically teaches Muslims how to conduct themselves in their personal lives and makes a peaceful pious society.
6. [10] 2(a) Another teaching with regards to a Muslims personal life is given in Hadith 13 of the Prophet (pbuh). That it is of utmost importance for a Muslim to read, understand and follow the teachings given in the Qur'an as it is a book of guidance for all times and stops a believer from going astray. The link to tethered camels in the Hadith shows the importance of establishing a strong relationship with the Qur'an in their everyday lives.
7. [10] 2(a) The teachings given in Hadith 9 teach a believer about earning from the labour of one's hard work. This, in turn, helps create an honest community and one in which every member is respected for the job they do. Furthermore, it will develop a community that is free from greed and the pursuit of money and wrongdoing and one which is God-fearing.
8. [10] 2(a) Hadith 14 is teaching Muslims to be merciful and kind and honest in all trade dealings in their everyday life. This gains them the blessings and mercy of God and helps the economy of the community.
9. [10] 2(a) The teaching given in Hadith 6 is that Islam encourages action not complacency. A Muslim must always remove, or at the very least try to remove, evil from society. By following the teachings of the Hadith, Muslims can acknowledge the presence of evil and use lawful and peaceful measures to remove it or correct the issue. This in turn will benefit the community by ridding it of evil and helping victims of injustice and by stopping those who are being unjust to others.
10. [10] 2(a) By following the teachings given in Hadith 15 Muslims should develop the traits of kindness and mercy in their personalities. They will show compassion to all living things on this Earth and forgive the mistakes of others if they are indeed true believers who seek God's mercy in this world and the hereafter. With forgiveness and compassion towards each other, feelings of brotherhood and good will develop and grow in the community. Just as the Prophet (pbuh) prayed for the people of Ta'if when they rejected him and forgave the Makkans at the time of the conquest of Makka, Muslims must forgive those who wrong them and in general be merciful towards all of God's creation. Thus, establishing brotherhood in the umma and strengthening bonds between Muslims.
11. [4] 2(b) Mark according to the marking grid for AO2 – Understanding, given on page 5. Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be credited.
12. [4] 2(b) Candidates in response to this question could say that Hadiths are easy to follow as they explain the teachings of Islam and the message of the Qur'an to Muslims.
13. [4] 2(b) The Prophet (pbuh) was the perfect role model so following in his footsteps is made easy as Hadiths tell Muslims how he behaved and in knowledge of his actions how they should act to live righteous lives.
14. [4] 2(b) An example can be given here to develop the answer e.g., the Prophet (pbuh) prayed tarawih in Ramadan, so the Muslims also perform tarawih.
15. [4] 2(b) On the other hand, some candidates could say that though the Hadiths are extremely useful to follow and give Muslims knowledge and guidance, they are not always easy to follow. The temptations of the modern world are hard for modern-day Muslims to resist, even though they know from the teachings of their faith and the prophetic Hadiths that they should be resisted. An example could be given to develop the answer further.