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Past Papers(Paper 02)

Day 02
M/J 2017 (22)
2(a) ‘My community will never agree upon an error’. The Prophet’s Hadith
encourages the use of consensus of opinion (ijma’). Outline: [10]
▪ what consensus of opinion (ijma’) is, and how many kinds of ijma’ there are;
▪ who is qualified to practise it;
▪ give examples of how the Prophet and the Rightly Guided Caliphs practised
ijma’
Answer (Learn and write):
• According to the principles of Islamic law, ijma is the third source. The word ijma means “consensus”
or “unanimous agreement”. It is related to the same verb as jum’a, Friday, and jami, mosque. It
should be referred to only when there is no clear teaching in the Quran or Sunna.
The use of ijma in legal thinking is based on a number of verses in the Quran, for example
➢ “Thus have We made of you a community justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over
the nation, and the Messenger a witness over yourselves.” [2:143]
➢ “You are the best of people evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right forbidding what is
wrong and believing in Allah.” [3:110]
These and other verses like them indicate that the community has been given authority because it is
upright and follows the guidance of Allah and the example of the Prophet (pbuh). The Holy Prophet
(pbuh) also referred to the importance of following the community, when he said, “My community will
never agree upon an error.” The Holy Prophet to have said, “Gather together the righteous from among
my community and decide the matter by their counsel and do not decide it by any man’s opinion.”
Therefore, from very early times it has been accepted that the agreed view of the community is binding
upon Muslims in legal and more general matters.

There are two broad kinds of Ijma. The first is the general agreement of all Muslims in matters of
belief, for example, that the Quran is a revealed book and that the Prophet (pbuh) was the seal of
prophets. This kind of Ijma is the acknowledgment of the beliefs that characterize Islam and are shared
by all believers. The second particularly concerns legal matters and can be defined as the agreement of
a group of Muslims about an issue on which the Quran and Holy Prophet’s Sunnah have not spoken the
final word.
• There is a difference of opinion amongst legal experts about who makes up this second group
of Muslims. According to some it is agreement amongst the residents of Madina, others think
it is the Prophet’s (pbuh) Companions whose ijma’ is valid as they were the most
knowledgeable after the Prophet (pbuh) in matters of Islamic law. Yet others believe it should
be the Rightly Guided Caliphs. According to Shi’a Muslims ijma’ of jurists of the same period
as the Prophet (pbuh) or the Shi’a Imams is binding, another opinion is that ijma’ should be
done by jurists who are experts on legal matters whilst yet another view is that the agreement
of the Muslim community at large constitutes ijma’.
• Examples (Prophet pbuh)
➢ The Prophet (P.B.U.H) always practised consensus of opinion (ijma) by consulting his
companions on important matters. For example, in the battle of Uhad he consulted his
companions and accepted their suggestion of fighting outside Madina although he himself had
a different opinion.
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➢ Similarly, he practised ijma before the battle of Trench and accepted the suggestion of Salman
Farsi.
Caliphs
Compilation of the Qur’an.
The Qur’an was revealed in a span of 23 years. It was not compiled in a book form during the life of
Prophet (p.b.u.h.). After his death, on suggestion of Umar (R.A) and by Ijm’a of the Companions, it was
compiled in a book form when many Companions of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) were killed in the battle of
Yamamah.
The Adhan of Jumu’ah.
During the time of Prophet (p.b.u.h.) there was only one Adhan for Jumu’ah prayers but during the reign
of the Caliph Uthman, Madinah expanded considerably and the Adhan could not be heard because of
noise in the markets, therefore, it was decided after Ijm’a of the companions that another call should be
given.
Tarawih Prayers
The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) prayed tarawih only three or four times in congregation in his lifetime. It was
later during the reign of the Caliph Umar (R.A) that the system of congregation of Tarawih was added
after’ Isha prayers.
2(b) Why are some Muslims not in favour of the use of analogy (qiyas) in solving present day issues?
[4]
• Some Muslims especially Shia may feel reluctant with the use of qiyas in solving present day
issues because it involves a lot of individual opinion.
• it depends very much on the ability of a legal expert to find comparisons between two
principles and Its decision may differ from one person to another and therefore, cause
unease for some Muslims
• e.g in the Quranic command about polygamy the qiyas of one person will be different from
other due to which same number of wives cannot be decided for everyone istead it
depends on the individual opinion which may be right or wrong.
• Qiyas does not have the same broad support of the community through communal
agreement as other three sources have.

3(a) ‘Umar made several administrative reforms during his ten year caliphate. Write
an account of at least five of them and say how these reforms helped make his rule so
admirable. [10]
M/J 2011
3 (a) Write a detailed account of the administrative measures put in place by ‘Umar during his
caliphate. [10]
M/J 2015
3 (a) ‘‘Umar’s caliphate is regarded as a golden era in Islamic history.’ Write an account of how
‘Umar ruled during his ten year caliphate. [10]

Answer (Learn and write):

Hazrat Umar not only conquered a vast empire during the ten year of his Khilafat but also consolidated
it by an effective system of administration. As an administrator, he remained a model for all rulers who
followed him and his administrative reforms make his caliphate a golden period of early Islamic history.
Despite being the ruler of a mighty empire he lived a very simple life. Once he said about his salary from
Bait ul Maal, “Nothing in Halal for me and for my family from Allah’s money except a dress for summer
and a dress for winter and a salary equal to the income of an average citizen. I am no more than an
ordinary Muslim amongst you.”
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• Hazrat Umar made the constitution of the state based on democracy. He established the
Majlis e Shura consisting of prominent companions of the holy Prophet from both Muhajirin
and Ansars. Hazrat Umar consulted this body in all matters. He also constituted a larger body
called the Majlis –e- Aam, consisting of Muhajirin and Ansar and representatives of various
tribes. This was called into session on special occasions.
• Judiciary was established under the Qazi. The judiciary was made completely independent
and impartial. Even the caliph could be called to the court. Once he was called to the court,
but when the judge stood up as he entered to show respect , he was displeased.
• He took steps to give the Islamic State a clean and efficient administration. The State was
divided into Provinces and each province was placed under an efficient Governor called the
Wali or Ameer. The wali was not only the ruler of the province but also the military and
religious head. The provinces were furthers divided onto districts and placed under Amils
(administrators).
• The bait ul maal (Public treasury) was under Amils. After meeting the expenditure of the
State, the additional wealth was distributed among the Muslims based on three principles:
relationship with the holy Prophet; priority of conversion to Islam and military services to
Islam. In this way, all Muslims had share in the bait- ul- Maal or the public treasury.
• He made the government finances safe from misuse and kept corruption out of government.
All appointments were made in consultations with the Majlis e Shura. The appointee
required to give a written undertaking to lead a simple Islamic life. He had to submit
particulars of his property and assets, so that on his retirement, it may be seen whether he
had amassed wealth by illegal means. Hazrat Umar used to receive secret reports from
officers specially appointed for this purpose.
• Hazrat Umar set up a department of finance with the name of Diwan,. The function of the
Diwan was to regulate the receipt and expenditure of the caliphate’s revenues It is said that
there was so much economic prosperity during the caliphate of Hazrat Umar that there was
hardly any citizen in need of zakat
• Umar established new towns like Basra, Musal and Kufa and Fustat. He made new highways,
roads and out posts on the roads. The conquered lands were surveyed.
• Umar made special effort for construction of Mosques and schools. Teachers were sent to
the villages to teach the Holy Quran to the villagers. He introduced the Muslim Hijri Calendar,
the system of old age pension and census of the population of the Muslims State. Thus, he
laid the foundation for the development of modern cities by introducing the departments of
Police and Jails. He also made a canal system for the well-being of farmers.
• Hazrat Umar maintained a well-disciplined army which was divided into cavalry and infantry.
He was particularly concerned about welfare of his soldiers. He ordered them to live in
cantonments.
• Umar paid special attention to the well-bieng of Dhimmis(minorities), and settled their
matters in consultation with their representative.
Hazrat Umar stands unparalleled in every aspects of administration in the History of Islam.
3(b) Which in your opinion was ‘Umar’s greatest quality as caliph? Give reasons for your choice. [4]
Hazrat Umar’s greatest quality as caliph was his sense of equality and justice. He laid the foundation of
an impartial and unbiased judicial system. He was the first Muslim ruler to make judges independent of
excective i.e the caliph himself as well as the governors. It was to the extent that the caliph could be
called to the court by the Judge. Everyone was considered equal in the eyes of law.He was so firm in
the implementation of Islamic law that he did not discriminate between the high and the low. For
example, when one of his sons was found guilty of drinking wine, he punished himwith 80 lashes.
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4(a) Associating partners (shirk) is opposed to believing in the oneness of God (tawhid) and can be
divided into three main categories. Write about each category. [10]
Answer (Learn and write):
There is no issue upon which Islam is so strict as the one of tawheed (monotheism). Therefore, shirk is
considered the greatest violation with which the Lord of the heavens and the earth is defied.
1. Shirk in the existence of God would constitute assigning partners to God or saying that there is more
than one Creator or that there are more gods than one. It could also be committed by declaring God to be the
father or son of someone. An example is Christians who believe that Allah is God the Father, God the Son, and
God the Holy Spirit, all at the same time. Quran rejects it by saying,
‘He does not beget, nor is He begotten.’
This is the most unforgivable sin and should never be committed as God has said in several places in
the Qur’an e.g. ‘Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him, but He forgives anything
else to whom He pleases.’ (AlNisa 4:48)
This category also includes Atheism (the belief that human beings have no Lord).
Pharaoh denied the existence of Allah and claimed his own self to be the Lord over Moses and the people of
Egypt. He announced to people: “I am your Lord, Most High.” (Quran 79:24). Also, the idea that nature itself is
God, or that God dwells within His creation is also shirk.
2. Shirk in the worship of God can be committed by praying invoking or asking for help from any other
than God and by offering sacrifice or slaughtering in the name of any other than God. Muslims should
therefore only ask God for the fulfilment of their wishes or needs as that power lies only with him. Only
He should be invoked. “You alone we worship and your aid we seek.”
Example of this shirk is held by people who pray to the dead. They believe the souls of the saints and
other people can meddle in the affairs of mortal men, that somehow the departed souls can cause
change in the life of men and women by answering their prayers or in other ways. The truth is that the
dead have no power over the lives of the living; they cannot answer anyone’s prayers, nor protect
them, nor grant their wishes.
3. Shirk in God’s attributes means to ascribe qualities which are unique to God to some other being. It
means to believe that some being other than God has the power to create, or make something perish or has the
same knowledge as God or the same divine power. It can be further classified into two types:
(i) Humanizing Allah by giving Him attributes similar to humans is shirk. Depictions of God in paintings and
sculpture are of this type. Christianity, the major religion of the West, views God in human terms, as Jesus
is considered God incarnate by them. On the contrary, the Muslim tradition has been clear on this point
because of the Quran’s clear teachings,
“There is nothing like Him, and He sees and hears all things.” (Quran 42:11)
(ii) Another form of this type of shirk is when human beings are deified by giving them divine names or
qualities. For example, the Christians raise Mary, the mother of Jesus, to a divine status by giving her some
of Allah’s attributes, such as the Merciful. They also call Mary the mother of God, ‘God’ being a reference
to her son Jesus.
4(b) Does belief in angels make a Muslim’s faith stronger? Give reasons for your answer. [4]
• belief in angels does make a Muslim’s faith stronger.
• By believing in them, even though they cannot be seen, a Muslim is confirming his/her firm belief in all
that the Qur’an says about them and what the Prophet (pbuh) has said about them.
• the revealed faiths prior to Islam also believe in angels and this belief confirms the Muslim belief that
Islam is a continuation and culmination of the previous faiths revealed by God hence making their faith
even stronger.
• by believing in angels e.g. Jibra’il being the angel who brought revelations to the Prophet (pbuh)
Muslims are convinced of the Qur’an being sent by God which in turn makes their faith stronger.
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5(a) Write about the preparations made for the two ‘Id prayers and say how the
prayers are performed. [10]
M/J 2013
4 (a) Describe how and why Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. [10]
O/N 2021
5(a)Describe how and when the two Eids are celebrated and give an account of the Eid prayer.[10]
Answer (Learn and write):
Eid Prayers
▪ The two main festivals in Islam are Eid-ul Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha. Eid means recurring happiness or
festivals. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated on the 1st of Shawwal which follows Ramazan or the month of
Fasting. Eid-ul-Azha falls on the tenth day of Zil Hajj and follows the completion of Hajj.
▪ The prayers of two Eids were prescribed in the first year after migration. It is a sunnah Mu’kakkadah
as the Prophet (P.B.U.H) performed these prayers and he ordered the men and women to go out to
attend them. These are congregational prayers and cannot be said individually. Eid prayers are not
a substitute for the obligatory Fajr prayer and there is no Qaza for Eid prayer.
▪ It is preferred to take a bath, perfume oneself and put on one’s best clothes on the occasion for
both ‘Id’s. It is sunna to eat an odd number of dates before going for salah on ‘id ul fitr whilst for ‘Id
ul adha eating is delayed till after the ‘Id prayers and then the believer may eat of his sacrifice, if he
has sacrificed an animal. ‘Id prayers can be performed in the mosque but it is preferred to perform
it in a place outside the city or in an open ground. The Prophet (pbuh) would pray the two ‘Id prayers
on the outskirts of Madina, in fact he only offered I’d prayers once in his mosque when it was raining.
▪ The time for Eid prayer is anytime after sunrise but before noon. Usually, Eid-ul-Azha prayers are
held a little earlier than the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers. No Azaan or Iqamat is required
▪ Eid is a day of thanksgiving during which Muslims assemble in a brotherly and joyful atmosphere to
offer their thanks to Allah for helping them to fulfill their spiritual obligations.
▪ Both Eids are the days of rejoicing and celebration. The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said, The days of Tashriq
(the days in which the Eid is celebrated) are days of eating and drinking and of remembering Allah,
the Exalted”
▪ Eid ul Adha is celebrated in the memory of great sacrifice of the Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail. The
Prophet Ibrahim had a dream in which Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son.
▪ It is desirable to congratulate each other on Eid, Jabir ibn Abdullah reported, “When the
companions of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) met each other on the day of Eid they would say to each
other, ‘taqqabbal minna wa minka’ (may Allah) accept it from us and you”
▪ The Eid day starts with congregational prayer in the morning. During the prayer, the Muslims
remember and glorify Allah’s name, and ask for His forgiveness and for strength of faith.

The method of prayer for Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha is the same. The prayer consists of two Raka’at
with the Imam reciting in each, Surah Fatihah and another passage from the Quran in an audible
voice.
• The intention for prayer is in these words:
“I intend to offer two Raka’at Wajib of Eid-ul-Fitr/Eid-ul-Azha (as the case may be) with six additional
Takbirs, behind this Imam and I am facting Holy Ka’abah.”
When the Imam recites Takbir-e-Tahrima, Allahu-Akbar in a loud voice, the Muqtadis (followers) should
also say the Takbir in a low voice, and fold their hands as in other prayers. After reciting Sana, the
Imam raises both hands upto the ears and says, the Takbir i.e., Allahu Akbar in a loud voice. The
Muqtadis also raise their hands upto the ears and say the Takbir in a low voice. The Imam and the
Muqtadis should then lower their hands and keep them hanging by their sides. They should repeat
this twice. After the third Takbir, the hands to be folded in the usual manner. They shall now recite
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Tasmiyah, Surah Fatihah and some other Surah. After this, the first Rakat should be completed in
the usual manner.
In the second Rakat, the Imam recite Tasmiyah, Surah Fatihah and some other Surah. After this, the
Imam raises his hands and recites the Takbir in a loud voice. The Muqtadis also raise their hands
and say the Takbir in low voice. They should now bring their hands down and keep them hanging
by their sides. The hands should be raised and lowered and the Takbir said more two times. Both
the Imam and the Muqtadis now say one more Takbir without raising their hands and bow down
for Ruku. The second Rakat should be completed in the usual manner.
After the two Raka’at of prayer are over, the Imam delivers the Khutba in two parts, with a short break
in between. The Khutba is Sunnat and should be heard attentively.
In the sermon of Eid-ul-Fitr, the Imam must draw the attention of the audience to Sadaqah-ul-Fitr. This
is a charity, which is obligatory on every Muslim who can afford it. This charity is more rewarding
and preferable if it is distributed before the prayers, so that the poor may also be able to celebrate
the day in a festive and cheerful spirit.
In the sermon of Eid-ul-Azha, the Imam should draw attention to the duty of sacrifice, which is to be observed
by every Muslim with means. It is preferable to Slaughter the animal of sacrifice on Eid day after prayers. The
sacrifice of an animal on second on third day of Eid is also acceptable.

5(b) What in your opinion is the importance of celebrating the two ‘Ids? [4]
▪ Every religion has its own days of festival and that the two ‘Ids are Muslim festivals, which are days of rejoicing
and celebration and remembrance of God for them.
▪ They mark two important events in the Islamic calendar i.e the completion of fasting during the month of
Ramadan and the completion of hajj for the pilgrims. For the rest of the Muslim world it is a reminder of
Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his beloved son in the way of God and as a symbolic gesture Muslims sacrifice
an animal for the sake of God thus reminding themselves that no sacrifice is too great in the way of God.
▪ both ‘Ids are practical examples of brotherhood in which all Muslims irrespective of creed or colour participate
and thus it brings the community together.
▪ The two ‘Ids give the Muslim community an opportunity to join in celebration, I’d fairs and parties strengthen
ties of unity and eradicate differences, the rich give zakat and the meat of the animal they sacrifice on the two
‘Ids respectively thus the poor in the community are helped and able to enjoy the two festivals.

1 Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and:

• (a) Describe their teachings about what Muslims believe; [4]
• (b) Explain how Muslims can put these teachings into action. [4]

a) Main teachings: [2] Marks

• The teachings of this Hadith focus on the manners of social conduct being a part of Muslim
community. Actions of controlling one’s speech, being kindly to neighbours and showing
hospitality to guests.
• The emphasis is on the words ‘let him who believes in Allah and the Last day’ before every
action signifying that noble and good actions are an outcome of one’s belief.
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• one should try and maintain peace, harmony and goodwill in the community and the wider world
and be a source of benefit to others by showing kindness generosity and mercy to others at all
times.
• One’s speech can do much good as well as much harm. Prophet links faith directly with speech
by saying “ Muslim is he, from whose tongue and hands other Muslims are safe.”
(b)Action: [2] marks
• The hadith above emphasizes that Muslims should use their speech responsibly.They must not
use it to backbite or slander anyone or to curse any individual. Muslims today can follow his
examples and remain calm when in a difficult situation and use their speech to resolve issues
and conflicts for example mediating between class fellows or people at work place to resolve a
dispute.
• Rights of neighbours may be looked after by sharing food and not causing discomfort for them.
• It is a sunnah of the Prophet to accompany the guest to the door when he leaves. The Prophet’s
companion Abu Talha and his wife welcomed a hungry immigrant into their home and even
though they had barely enough food for their children. They offered him whatever they had. In
recognition of the act of theirs, the following verse was revealed, “They give preference to
other first. Whoever is saved from the greed of his own soul will be successful.” (59:9)

(a) Main Teachings : [2] marks

• This hadith teaches that Islam is a very simple religion and to gain Allah’s pleasure and reach
paradise one has to simply follow the basic principles of Islam.
• Allah has laid down clear rules about what is lawful and unlawful. By following these rules,
Muslims can gain Allah’s pleasure and thus paradise. Prophet said, “Avoid What I have forbidden
you to do, and do your utmost what I have ordered you to do.”
• Zakat and Hajj are two pillars that are compulsory only on those Muslims who have the means of
fulfilling them, hence have not been mentioned in the hadith.
(b)Action: [2] marks
• Muslims can act upon the teachings of this hadith by obeying Allah and by practicing the pillars
of Islam e.g by performing 5 daily prayers in congregation within the prescribed time.
• Fasting in the month of Ramzan makes us conscious of the hardships of the poor and develops
sympathy.
• Muslims should be fair in trading, not take interest (riba) etc. Similarly, Cheating, smuggling,
adulteration, drinking wine etc should be avooided.
• waking up to say tahajud prayers and fasting in addition to Ramzan on Mondays and Thursdays
etc, bring Muslims closer to Allah .
• During Prophet’s life time when azaan was announced all worldly activities were suspended.