Fasting
Part ‘a’ (10 Marks Question)
Past Paper Questions and Examiner Report
(a) Give Description of the way in which fasting is carried out among Muslims.[10]
[May-June04]
(a) Describe how Muslims observe the fast of Ramadan and how this month should be spent.
[May/June 2019]
(a) Give Description of the way in which fasting is carried out among Muslims.[10]
Examiner Report
In this answer a lot of responses focused on how the month of Ramadan should be spent but not on
how it is observed. Some candidates only wrote very briefly about suhoor and niyat. The best
responses were able to respond to both parts of the question and provide a well-balanced answer.
Marking Scheme:
Some of the guidelines of how Muslims should observe the fast of Ramadan and how they should
spend this holy month are as follows:
• Intention (niyah) to observe the fast must be made after suhur has been taken before the break of dawn
and the fast must end at sunset promptly.
Candidates can quote the supplication made for the intention of the fast and can say that it is Sunna to break
the fast with dates or water; supplication recited at the time of opening the fast can also be given
• Whilst fasting Muslims are conscious of keeping their minds and body clean, staying away from gossiping,
back biting and fighting etc.
• spending more time in the recitation of the Qur’an and remembrance of God, prayer and supplication
• being charitable and generous, zakat is given by many Muslims in the month of Ramadan
• maintaining cordial relations with all, reconciling differences etc
• reflecting on their spiritual and moral conduct
Good answers will describe the sequence of observances with accurate details and may give
quotations
Importance/ Significance and Benefits of Fasting
(a) Fasting in Ramadan benefits Muslims in many ways. Write about the major benefits of
fasting in Ramadan. [10] May/June 2021
Marking Scheme
Candidates may include some of the following information. All other relevant information must be credited.
The benefits of fasting in the month of Ramadan are countless. Candidates in response to this answer
should not write an account of how fasting is observed but instead write an account of the benefits of fasting.
It could be said that fasting teaches a Muslim Taqwa which is the sum total of all Islamic values and virtues.
Taqwa is the consciousness of God, it is to do one’s best to live by His commands and to avoid His
prohibitions. Fasting builds the quality of Taqwa in a believer, who is spiritually uplifted by its observance.
Fasting enhances one’s spirituality and teaches sincerity to God. As fasting is an invisible act that is only
between a believer and God it helps a person to live by the rules and regulations of one’s faith.
It enables a person to learn self-control. During fasting even things that are permissible in Islam like eating,
drinking and marital relations are forbidden for the duration of the fast. And this self-control strengthens the
moral character of a person. The training Muslims get during fasting to say no to permissible things helps
them to say no to the forbidden things in daily life.
The fast has a positive effect on one’s health. It gives the digestive system a rest and gets rid of excess fats
and toxins. The prosperous in society become aware of the plight of the poor and needy and can empathize
with them. More charity is given in Ramadan and zakat is also often given in this month and it brings
economic prosperity in the community.
Unity, peace and harmony are also benefits of fasting. Prophet (SAW) said’ “Indeed, there is a gate of
Paradise called Ar-Rayyan, through which only those who fasted will enter on the day of Resurrection.”
When Muslims fast together it creates unity and goodwill, they not only come closer as a community but get
closer to God as well.
Muslims Exempted from fasting in Islam
Past Paper Questions and Examiner Report
(a) (a) Outline the features of the Ramadan fast, and identify which Muslims are exempted
from fasting during this month. [10] {May/June-12}
Examiner Report This was a popular question. The good answers gave ample coverage to the
features outlined in the mark scheme and also included details about the need to make up for fasts
missed for no good reason, together with fine details about those exempted from fasting. It was
important for candidates to focus on the features of Ramadan rather than its advantages.
Past Paper Question and Marking Scheme
(a) Write about the practice of fasting in Ramadan and the moral benefits that a Muslim gain
from fasting in this month. [10 May/June 2015
Mark Scheme
Candidates can launch into their answer by saying how Muslims have breakfast, sehri, before dawn, they
abstain from food, drink etc. during daylight hours and that they break their fast at sunset. Details like
Muslims make the formal intention to fast, that they refrain from smoking, marital relations, etc. could all be
given. How they endeavor to spend the day piously could be brought into the answer to develop it and
candidates could raise the point that during the fast Muslims should live their life as normal making no
concessions for lack of food or drink. For the second part of this question, they need to write about the moral
benefits that fasting in this month brings to Muslims. They could say that they become aware of the plight of
the less fortunate ones in society and strive to help them, charity is given more in this month than any other
as every Muslim wants to please their Lord as much as possible and care and concern for all in society is
heightened thus improving the moral fibre of individuals and society at large. It could also be said that
Muslims spend more time in ibada in this month and so feel closer to God. Parts of the answer may not be
equally strong, the answer should be read as a whole and a global mark should be given.
Past Paper Questions ,Examiner Report and Marking Scheme
(a) Write about the moral, social and economic benefits of a Muslim fasting. [10]
May/June 2018
Examiner Report
Here candidates were asked to write about the moral, social and economic benefits of fasting for a
Muslim. The instruction was clear yet many candidates did not write about all three areas they
were asked to cover so could not get the marks they aspired for. In order to get the higher marks
they needed to write about the moral, social and economic benefits of fasting in more or less equal
measure. A few candidates wrote a lot about the social benefits and touched upon the economic
benefits of fasting. Other wrote about the moral benefits and briefly wrote about the social benefits.
Not many were confident writing about the economic benefits of fasting.
Marking Scheme
Fasting is an obligation upon Muslims that needs to be fulfilled and, in turn, has several benefits. It
builds Taqwa in a Muslim. It does so by teaching sincerity to a Muslim and helps a person live by
the rules of his/her faith; fasting teaches individuals to control and discipline their primal desires
and morally strengthens them; it teaches self-control, enabling individuals to resist temptations,
thus strengthening the moral core of a Muslim. Fasting creates a sense of awareness to the plight
of others and takes away selfishness, and thereby improves social relations, building an
atmosphere of virtue, peace and brotherhood. Many people give zakat in the month of Ramadan
and a lot of Sadaqah is given in this month as well, which improves the economic fibre of the
community. Candidates could give other benefits than those given. All valid responses to be
credited.
Part ‘b’ (4 Marks Questions)
Past Paper Question and Marking Scheme
1. (b) Explain why the Night of Power (Layla-tul-Qadr) is so important for Muslims. [4]
May/ June -2021
Marking Scheme/ Key Points
Candidates may include some of the following information. All other relevant information must be
credited. Candidates could say that
The Night of Power is considered to be a night of immense blessings for it was on this night
that the last of God’s books, the Qur’an, was revealed to the Prophet (pbuh).
the Qur’an itself mentions the immense blessings of this night.
this is a night of reading, understanding and reflecting upon the teachings given in the Qur’an
the reward of worship on this night is more than the reward for worshipping for a thousand
months.
hence Muslims have special arrangements for extra prayers on this night.
the Prophet (pbuh) has said that those who spend Layla-tul-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in
the hope of reward, will have his previous sins forgiven.
It is believed, as stated in the Qur’an in Sura al Qadr, that the angels and the Spirit descend to
earth by God’s permission and that peace prevails until the rise of dawn.
It is for these reasons that Muslims consider the Night of Power to be the most important night
of Ramadan and indeed of the year.
For Detail Answer Refer to the Textbook Page 284.
Past Paper Question Examiner Report and Marking Scheme
2. (b) What advantages does the fast of Ramadan bring to the Muslim community? [4]
Examiner Report
It was important that candidates focused on the community. The question was not about the
personal spiritual benefits of Ramadan. One way of answering the question could have been to
move on from the individual to the community but the link was rarely made. Those who did read
and understand the question answered this part very well often getting to the top level.
Marking Scheme/ Key Points
Here once again we are looking for evaluation and marks should be given for all valid points made e.g.
it unifies the community,
makes the rich realize the hardships of those less fortunate,
zakat is normally given in this month,
the charity given in this month earns the better off the respect of the poor.
the economy flourishes as money is circulated etc.
and the community prospers.
For Detail Answer Refer to the Textbook Page 280.
Past Paper Question and Marking Scheme
3. (b) Briefly reflect upon the importance of any one of the remaining three Pillars in the life
of a Muslim. [4]
Marking Scheme/ Key Points
As the question clearly states any one Pillar besides salat and sawm has to be chosen and its
importance in the life of a Muslim has to be discussed.
if e.g., the candidate chooses to write about hajj then it could be brought out that its
performance shows obedience to God’s command.
Candidates could write about the social, economic, political and spiritual benefits of hajj.
All valid answers are to be credited.
Past Paper Question and Examiner Report and Marking Scheme
4. (b) What, in your opinion, is the greatest reward of fasting? Support your answer by
giving reasons for your choice. [4] May/ June-2018
Examiner Report:
They had to choose the greatest reward of fasting in their opinion and the question clearly asked
them to give reasons for their choice. It was not enough to say that fasting will secure an individual
paradise. This would at best be a Level 1 response. If paradise, in the candidate’s opinion, was the
greatest reward they needed to back their view by saying e.g.by fasting one is fulfilling a Pillar of
Islam, showing obedience to God etc. and as a reward can aspire to gain paradise.
Marking Scheme:
Any one reward which is the most significant in the opinion of the candidate needs to be
chosen and written about with understanding and evaluation.
an example should be given to support their answer, e.g., by fasting the general health of an
individual improves as the digestive system is given a rest.
fasting helps a person to lose weight, get rid of toxins from the body, etc.
Past Paper Question , Examiner Report and Marking Scheme
5. (b) What is the purpose of fasting during the month of Ramadan? [4] May/June 2019
Examiner Report
Most candidates were able to provide good evaluative responses to this question.
Marking Scheme/ Key Points
Candidates need to write their own reasons for why they think God has made fasting
obligatory on Muslims in Ramadan and all valid responses should be credited.
the responses need to be evaluative.
Candidates could say that fasting in Ramadan teaches Muslim’s sincerity and discipline,
creates unity and brotherhood and brings a Muslim closer to God.
Past Paper Question and Examiner Report and Marking Scheme
6. (b) Choose any one benefit of the Ramadan fast you have written about in Part (a) and
say why you think it is most useful. [4] OCT / NOV 2014
Examiner Report
A variety of responses was seen, from sins being forgiven, to empathy with the poor, to physical
fitness. All valid responses were duly credited.
Marking Scheme
The candidate needs to choose any one benefit of the Ramadan fast they gave in Part (a) and
say why in the candidate’s opinion it is most useful.
If more than one benefit is discussed than the examiner needs to choose the stronger point and mark
accordingly.
