Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) الدِّينُ النَّصِيحَة. قُلْنَا: لِمَنْ؟ قَالَ: لِلهِ وَلِكِتَابِهِ، وَلرَسُولِهِ، وَلأَئِمَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَعَامَّتِهِمْ. 'Religion is sincerity.' We said: 'To whom?' The Prophet said: 'To Allah, his Book, his Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims and to their common people.' (ii) إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَنْظُرُ إِلى صُوركُم وَلاَ أَمْوَالِكُم، وَلكِنْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى قُلُوبِكُمُ وَأَعْمَالِكُم. God does not look at your forms and your possessions, but he looks at your hearts and your deeds. (iii) لا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ. None of you believes until he wants for his brother what he wants for himself. (iv) مَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمْ مُنكَرا فَلْيُغَيِّرْهُ بِيَدِهِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَيلِسَانِهِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِقَلْبِهِ، وَذَلِكَ أَضْعَفُ الإيمان. Whosoever of you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand, and if he is not able to do so then with his tongue, and if he is not able to do so then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [4] 1(a)(i) The central teaching of this prophetic Hadith focusses on being sincere to Islam and its teachings by whole heartedly believing in the supremacy and oneness of God and the finality of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It goes on to emphasise how Muslims should follow the teachings of Islam by understanding the Qur'an and sincerely practising the Pillars of Islam. It also stresses that Muslims should be sensitive to the needs of others and should always work to better the society by being loyal members of the community.
2. [4] 1(a)(ii) Sincerity in one's intentions and actions is what is rewarded by God. Muslims must at all times endeavour to be sincere, be it in the performance of a Pillar of Islam or helping another human being. All that one has, wealth, fame, position even good looks are God given so He is not impressed by them, God in fact rewards Muslims for the sincerity of their actions, it is not even the success of an action but the intention behind it which is rewarded by Him.
3. [4] 1(a)(iii) Islam is a religion of social justice and the core teaching of this Hadith is striving for or desiring the wellbeing of others. This Hadith asks the believers to show sincerity to their faith by desiring the best for others as belief can only be sincere when put into action.
4. [4] 1(a)(iv) Muslims are urged by the teaching of this Hadith to do all that is in their power to prevent evil from taking place. They are asked to reject it in whichever form it appears by whatever legal means that are available to them. If they cannot prevent a wrong doing from taking place they should speak out against it and if even that is not possible they must at the very least condemn it and deem it wrong in their hearts.
5. [4] 1(b)(i) Muslims can practise the teachings laid out in this Hadith by sincerely following the teachings of Islam. Sincerity to God can be shown by recognising that real help only comes from Him, by believing in the finality of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), sincerely practising the Pillars of Islam and by living one's life according to the guidance given in the Qur'an. Helping the leaders of one's country to establish a just society and caring for fellow beings are different ways in which this Hadith could be acted upon.
6. [4] 1(b)(ii) Every action of a Muslim must be sincere. Good intention should be the back bone of every endeavour. If advice is given to someone it should be honest and for the betterment of the one it is given to. If charity is given it should be to help the needy not to feel good about oneself or gain recognition as a philanthropist. What should be brought out in answers perhaps with the help of examples is that Muslims must strive to do their best with sincere intentions i.e. the intention must always be to please God and do the right thing.
7. [4] 1(b)(iii) Wishing and wanting the best for others, responding to their needs to the best of one's ability is how this Hadith can be put into action. Reference in this Hadith about wanting for others what you want for yourself should not be restricted to material things only. Answers could give examples of say sharing notes by students so that all can do well in exams etc.
8. [4] 1(b)(iv) Every Muslim must take part in the fight against evil in whichever way they can. If they can they should fight against it, if not they can voice their thoughts against it and if that is not possible they should condemn it in their hearts. Fighting evil is a form of jihad that every Muslim should be engaged in. For example fighting against bonded labour, raising awareness of the plight of these poor labourers, condemning it are all various ways of abolishing this one evil. Candidates can give any example to show how the teaching of this Hadith can be implemented.