WAEC SSCE - Islamic Studies - 2021 (Essay)

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In Islam, the custody of children is known as Al-Hadanah and is an important matter that is addressed in the Quran and Sunnah. The concept of custody is based on the principle of caring for and protecting the child's best interests. According to Islamic teachings, the custody of a child is given to the mother by default, unless she is deemed unfit to care for the child. This is based on the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) where he said, "A woman is the custodian of her husband's house and children" (Bukhari). However, if the mother is deemed unfit due to factors such as neglect, abuse, or immorality, custody can be given to the father or another suitable guardian. In cases of divorce, custody is often a contentious issue. In Islamic law, the mother is entitled to custody of the child during his or her early years (up to age 7 for boys and age of puberty for girls). After this period, custody can be transferred to the father or another suitable guardian, depending on the best interests of the child. The Quran encourages parents to settle custody disputes amicably and with mutual agreement. It states, "And if you fear that a dispute may occur between the parents, then appoint an arbitrator from his family and an arbitrator from her family. If they desire reconciliation, Allah will put reconciliation between them" (Quran 4:35). In conclusion, the custody of children (Al-Hadanah) in Islam is based on the principle of caring for and protecting the best interests of the child. The mother is given custody by default, but if she is deemed unfit, custody can be transferred to the father or another suitable guardian. Custody disputes are encouraged to be settled amicably and with mutual agreement.

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The pillars of Islam are the five basic acts of worship that form the foundation of Muslim life. They are the declaration of faith (Shahada), prayer (Salah), giving to charity (Zakat), fasting during the month of Ramadan (Sawm), and pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca (Hajj).

The first pillar is the declaration of faith (Shahada), which is the affirmation of the belief in one God and the acceptance of Muhammad as his prophet. This declaration is the cornerstone of Islam and is recited by Muslims daily.

The second pillar is prayer (Salah), which is performed five times a day at specific times. The prayer is a way for Muslims to show their devotion to Allah and to seek his guidance and forgiveness. It involves specific movements and recitation of prayers in Arabic.

The third pillar is giving to charity (Zakat), which is the obligation of Muslims to donate a portion of their wealth to those in need. This act of charity helps to alleviate poverty and establish a sense of community among Muslims.

The fourth pillar is fasting during the month of Ramadan (Sawm), which involves abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn to dusk. This act of self-discipline and devotion is a way for Muslims to purify their souls and show their gratitude to Allah.

The fifth pillar is pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca (Hajj), which is required of all able-bodied and financially capable Muslims at least once in their lifetime. During this pilgrimage, Muslims perform a series of rituals to commemorate the life of Prophet Abraham and demonstrate their unity and devotion to Allah.

In conclusion, the pillars of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life, providing a framework for spiritual and moral growth. They emphasize the importance of faith, prayer, charity, self-discipline, and community, and serve as a reminder of the ultimate purpose of life – to worship Allah and seek His pleasure.

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Hadith and Sunnah are two important concepts in Islam, but they have distinct meanings and functions.

Hadith refers to the sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad. It consists of the recorded narrations and teachings of the Prophet, as conveyed by his companions and later compiled into collections. Hadith provides guidance and serves as a source of religious knowledge and legal rulings for Muslims. It covers a wide range of topics, including matters of faith, worship, ethics, social interactions, and jurisprudence.

Sunnah, on the other hand, refers to the way of life or the example set by the Prophet Muhammad. It encompasses not only his words and actions but also his habits, manners, and character. Sunnah is the practical application of the teachings of Islam as exemplified by the Prophet. It serves as a model for Muslims to follow in their daily lives, both in terms of religious rituals and ethical conduct. Following the Sunnah is considered virtuous and helps Muslims embody the ideal way of life prescribed by Islam.

In summary, Hadith refers specifically to the recorded sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad, while Sunnah encompasses the broader concept of following his example and emulating his way of life. Hadith provides the textual documentation of the Prophet's teachings, while Sunnah guides Muslims in embodying those teachings through their actions and behavior.

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Five of the Hadith terminologies are explained below.

1. Muttafaq 'Alayhi: A Hadith that is agreed upon, meaning it is reported by both Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim in their authentic collections. Such a Hadith carries the highest degree of authority and reliability.
2. Sahih (sound): A Hadith with an unbroken chain of narration, transmitted throughout by upright and precise narrators, and free from any hidden defect or irregularity. It is the most reliable and authoritative category.
3. Hasan (good): A Hadith that meets the conditions of a Sahih except that one of its narrators is of slightly lesser precision. It is acceptable and may be used as evidence, though it ranks below the Sahih.
4. Da'if (weak): A Hadith that fails to meet the conditions of Sahih or Hasan because of a break in its chain or a fault in one of its narrators. It is not relied upon in establishing law or belief.
5. Gharib (rare/strange): A Hadith that is narrated through a single narrator at some point in its chain, so that it is reported by only one authority rather than being widely transmitted.

(Mashhur is a Hadith reported by three or more narrators yet short of mass transmission; Munqati' is one whose chain is broken at a single point; Mawdu' is a fabricated report falsely attributed to the Prophet.)

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The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was an agreement made between the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the leaders of Mecca in 628 CE. It had several terms, including:

1. A 10-year truce: Both parties agreed not to fight each other for the next 10 years.
2. Freedom of movement: Muslims were allowed to travel to Mecca without fear of persecution, and Meccans were allowed to travel to Medina to trade.
3. Return of refugees: Any person who left Mecca to join the Muslim community in Medina had to be returned to Mecca.
4. No alliances: The Muslims were not allowed to form an alliance with any tribe allied to the Meccans, and vice versa.
5. Peaceful relations: The two sides agreed to maintain peaceful relations and to work towards resolving any disputes peacefully.

The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was a significant turning point in the history of Islam as it paved the way for the eventual conquest of Mecca two years later. The terms of the treaty helped to ease tensions between the Muslims and the Meccans and allowed for peaceful coexistence for a period of time.

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The complete verse in transliteration: "Waqada Rabbuka alla budu illa iyyahu wal-walidayni ihsana..."

Translation: "Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents..."

Lessons:

1. The verse emphasizes the oneness of God, and the importance of worshipping Him alone.
2. The verse highlights the importance of being kind to parents and treating them with respect and dignity.
3. The verse shows that obeying God and being kind to parents are both decreed by Allah and are therefore essential aspects of Islam.
4. The verse teaches that fulfilling the rights of parents is an obligation that comes after fulfilling the rights of God.