4 markers

Explain two contrasting Muslim beliefs about giving alms.

Some believe Zakah (2.5%) is paid as it is a direct command of God and is included in the five pillars / it is not payable for those that do not meet the Zakah threshold.

Zakah helps one appreciate the things that we have / makes one value money and spend it appropriately.

It brings people closer to God: ‘None of you can be a true believer until you love for your brother what you love for yourself’ (Hadith).

Others may argue that it is paid to help the poor and the primary aim is to relieve poverty.

It is the right thing to do in itself / the Golden Rule.

Some give sadaqah (voluntary charity) and others may see alms as an important part of the faith.

Some believe alms should be given privately to avoid arrogance, whereas others believe charity should be given openly to encourage others

Khums is be given by Shi’a Muslims, where a fifth of the gain should go to Allah, His Messenger, relatives, orphans, etc.

Some may offer their time to charitable causes. e.g food banks and charity shops.

Where candidates refer to voluntary alms and contrast this with non-voluntary alms this is creditworthy.

Explain two contrasting ways in which Muslims celebrate Ashura.

Sunni Muslims will fast on 9th/10th/11th Muharram / to remember the favour of God on Moses/ the deliverance from Pharaoh / the day Noah left the ark.

Some Muslims will give voluntary charity / show kindness to the family and to the poor by cooking/ distributing food.

Some Muslims will recite the Qur’an / attend the mosque and pray, etc.

Shia Muslims consider Ashura to be a solemn occasion / and a time to remember the martyrdom of Husayn Ibn Ali / they will wear black clothes.

In many countries it is considered a public holiday / in the UK some Shi’a Muslims will take a day off from work as religious observance.

Shi’a Muslims take part in public marches to express their grief and mourning / some may beat themselves on the back with chains / pound their head or cut themselves / this is done to connect with Husayn’s suffering / some Shi’a Muslims will not beat themselves as it is now considered wrong and harmful to health / some donate blood rather than cut themselves.

There are re-enactments / and plays are performed to retell the story of Husayn’s death.

They listen to speeches.

Some Shi’a Muslims will attend the Mashhad al-Husayn in Karbala where the tomb of Husayn is, etc.

Explain two contrasting ways in which Muslims may perform Salah.

Some Muslims will perform wudu and cleanse themselves both physically and spiritually, those that cannot find water may perform tayyammum (using the earth in place of water).

Some Muslims may pray at home whereas others may pray at the mosque or in congregation. In a hadith the prophet Muhammad said ‘Salah in congregation is 25 times more superior than salah performed alone.’

Some women may decide to pray at home as this is in keeping with some prophetic traditions whereas others would attend the mosque – especially for the Jummah prayer (Hadith).

Sunni Muslims will pray on any clean place regardless of the material. ‘The prophet Muhammad said ‘the earth was created pure so pray on it’. (Hadith).

Shi’a Muslims will pray on any natural material eg clay and stone. Some may put a stone down to prostrate upon. They will avoid any artificial material especially when prostrating.

Shi’a Muslims will combine the evening prayers and pray at three different times. Sunni Muslims will pray at 5 distinct times.

Some Muslims will fold their arms during salah and others will not. This difference is apparent both within Sunni and Shi’a schools of thought / other difference may include the slight variations of actions / the saying of Amen audibly or silently, etc.

Explain two contrasting ways Muslim celebrate the Night of Power.

Some will sit in solitary confinement (itikaaf) in the last days of Ramadan in search of this night /

‘what will explain to you what the night of glory is? The night of glory is better than a thousand

months.’ (97:2-3).

Some may stay awake on the odd nights in the last ten nights and focus on worship.

They may read the Qur’an / and reflect on its meaning.

Offer voluntary prayers / pray for forgiveness of sins.

They may pray for the less fortunate / for good fortune in the coming year.

Salutations may be sent to the Prophet Muhammad.

People may gather in the mosque / to listen to talks from scholars.

Food may be distributed / to friends, family and the poor, etc.

Explain two contrasting religious practices Muslims perform during Hajj.

Washing (ablution) / bathing, making intention, wearing of white clothing (Ihram).

Visiting Makkah / praying to Allah.

Circling the Ka’aba (Tawaf) / kissing the Black Stone / fast walking (Ramal).

Running between the two mountains (Sa’ee) / drinking of Zam Zam water / commemorates the miracle given by God to Ibrahim and his family.

Asking for forgiveness / Climbing/standing at Arafat / this reminds Muslims about the last sermon.

Staying at Mina (camping) / staying at Muzdalifa / collecting pebbles to throw at the pillars or walls (Jamarat).

Throwing of stones (Ramee) / the story of temptation / Ibrahim and Iblis.

Sacrificing an animal / to commemorate the story of Ibrahim.

Fasting / this is for those who may not be able to offer the sacrifice.

Shaving of the hair (men) lock of hair (women) / signifies being reborn.

Muslims will avoid certain actions e.g. not cutting hair or nails / those that do will give charity to compensate, etc.

Explain two contrasting ways in which Muslims celebrate Id-ul-Adha.

Muslims will rise early and bathe (ghusl).

Some Muslims may sacrifice an animal to remember the sacrifice of Ibrahim / meat is distributed to friends, family, and the poor. Those that cannot afford to do so may give charity to the poor.

They may wear new clothes and attend the mosque for morning prayers / pray outside / listen to the sermon.

For some Muslims the festival forms part of Hajj / they may congratulate each other for completing this important ritual.

Attend the hospital / graveyard to remember those that are ill / have passed away.

Sharing gifts, money and sweets with family and friends.

Homes are decorated and special food is prepared.

They will forgive others and make amends for the wrong that they have done to others, etc.

Explain two contrasting ways in which Muslims celebrate Id-ul-Fitr.

Muslims will rise early / bathe / wear new clothes / apply perfume.

Men and women will attend the Eid prayer / they will listen to the sermon / give thanks to Allah and show gratitude.

Some Muslims may pray inside a mosque / with large gatherings it can be difficult to pray in the open / poor weather may mean that praying outdoors is not feasible.

Other Muslims may pray outdoors / this follows in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad who encouraged his followers to pray outdoors.

Some Muslims will travel by foot to the Id prayers / this revives the Sunnah of the prophet and is considered rewarding.

Other Muslims may travel by car / especially if they live far from the mosque or due to bad weather they will find an alternative route home / as the angels record their attendance at the mosque.

It is a time of forgiveness / they will forgive those that have wronged them / and ask for forgiveness concerning those they may have wronged / it is the festival that is celebrated after great self-restraint (fasting).

Those that can afford to will give Zakat-ul-Fitr (fitrana) / this helps to support the poor.

It is a joyous occasion / Muslims may congratulate each other / they may use the term ‘Id Mubarak’ / gifts and money are shared / family gather to celebrate together / food is cooked and distributed / this allows all to share in the festivities.

Muslims may visit friends and family / they may visit the graveyard / to remember those that are not present on this joyous occasion, etc.

Explain two contrasting reasons why Muslims give alms (charity).

They have been instructed by God in the Qur’an / ‘For those who give in charity, men and women, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan.’ (57:18).

Follows in the footsteps of the prophet Muhammad / ‘Spend of that which We have bestowed upon you before death comes to one of you.’ (hadith).

Giving charity (zakah) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam / those that have the means to do so must give charity to the poor / purifies your wealth / it is part of the Ten Obligatory Acts.

For Shi’a Muslims giving khums is considered a duty / this is paid to the imams, the prophets and those in need / ‘Know that whatever of a thing you acquire, a fifth of it is for Allah, for the Messenger, for the near relative, and the orphans, the needy, and the wayfarer.’ (Qur’an 8:41).

Giving charity helps to remove sin / ‘Charity stops calamity’ (hadith) / removes materialism (greed for wealth).

Helping others is key part of Islam / giving sadaqah (voluntary charity) to those in need brings immense reward.

It allows the poor to partake in religious festivals, e.g. giving Zakat-ul-Fitr before Id prayer to allow the poor to partake in this festival, etc.