Outline the main teachings in the Qur'an and Prophetic Hadiths about prayer (salat) as the foundation of Islam.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2016). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] In answering the first part of the question, candidates could give a host of reasons as to what makes salat the foundation of Islam. They could say that it is the second most important Pillar of Islam, that it has to be performed by all Muslims five times a day and that it is the first act of worship that was made obligatory by God. In many verses of the Qur'an God follows up prayer with remembrance of God, ‘Lo! Worship preserves (one) from lewdness and iniquity, but verily, remembrance of Allah is more important' (Al-Ankabut 29:45). Again, in An Nisa 4:103 God says, 'prayer at fixed hours has been enjoined upon the believers'. Such is its importance that the Prophet (pbuh) has said that the dividing line between belief and disbelief is salat. It gives structure to a day enabling Muslims to remember God and marks the whole day with a spiritual stamp. It strengthens belief in God and gives spiritual strength to a Muslim to better themselves. It purifies the heart, gives a Muslim a chance to thank their Creator for all the blessings granted to them, provides inner peace and is said to be the key to paradise. In answering the second part of this question, it could be said that the place of prayer should be clean, clothes need to be clean, sattar needs to be observed, wudu/tayyamum needs to be done, qibla needs to be faced, wait for azan, declare the niyyah, etc. Once again, the mark is not divided but the answer needs to be read as a whole.
2. [4] The Prophet (pbuh) has said: 'Prayer in congregation is better than the prayer of a man by himself by twenty seven times' (Agreed). Candidates could go on to say that it is in the sunna of the Prophet (pbuh) to pray in congregation, that it promotes brotherhood, equality and unity amongst Muslims. It gives Muslims a chance to meet other Muslims and perhaps be able to help those who are in need, etc. and hence has a lot of social importance. On a more personal level it could be said that it requires more effort to leave what one is doing to get to the mosque in time for the salat. All valid answers must be credited and it is the degree of evaluation in them that will take the mark to the higher level.