O-LevelIslamiyatThe history and importance of the Quran2058/21 · May/June 2018 · Q214 Marks

Outline the relationship between the Hadith and the Qur'an as sources of Islamic law. Give examples to support your answer.

(a)Outline the relationship between the Hadith and the Qur'an as sources of Islamic law. Give examples to support your answer.[10]
(b)Why have Muslims, right from the earliest years of Islam, attached so much importance to the Prophet's Hadiths?[4]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[10] 2(a) The use of Hadith is indispensable in the practice of Islam. The Qur'an itself in its various verses stresses the need to follow the guidance of the Prophet (pbuh). 'So take what the messenger gives you, and refrain from what he prohibits you' (Al Hashr, 59:7). The Hadith and Sunna of the Prophet (pbuh) not only provide a framework to Muslims on which to build institutions of faith, but also serve as a valid source to legislate in matters where the Qur'an is silent, or where a verse needs explaining or when it comes to restricting the meaning of a verse. As an example we can take Sura 5:38 from the Qur'an which says, 'As for the thief both male and female cut off their hands...' How much of the hand needs to be cut off? Which hand, the left or the right is to be cut off? The Prophet (pbuh) explained the verse on theft saying the right hand up to the wrist is to be cut off. Likewise laws of inheritance are also determined by the Prophet's Hadith which says, ‘A Muslim may not inherit from a non-Muslim and a non-Muslim may not inherit from a Muslim'. Payment of zakat is also calculated from the guidance given in the Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh). These and other examples can be given in support of the answer. Candidates could also say in their answer that Hadiths never contradict the Qur'an and that, after the Qur'an, they are the primary source of law.
[4] 2(b) The Prophet (pbuh) not only conveyed the message of God to humanity but was the best interpreter of the guidance given by God to humanity. Candidates could say that people from very early on realised the path to salvation was in following his guidance. We are looking for the candidates’ personal views on the importance of Hadiths and all relevant answers should be marked according to the level of understanding and evaluation offered.