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GCSE · Islam

RS.IP3 Sawm and Zakah: Fasting and Almsgiving

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 40 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

This question checks key vocabulary used in Muslim teaching about fasting and almsgiving.

(a)State what is meant by sawm.(1)

(b)State what is meant by zakah.(1)

(c)State which month of the Islamic calendar Ramadan is.(1)

(d)State what is meant by nisab.(1)

(e)State what Eid al-Fitr celebrates.(1)

(Total for Question 1 is 5 marks)

Explain two reasons why fasting during Ramadan is important for Muslims. Refer to the Qur'an in your answer.

(Total for Question 2 is 4 marks)

Give three groups of people who may be excused from fasting during Ramadan.

(Total for Question 3 is 3 marks)

Explain two contrasting Muslim beliefs and practices around obligatory charitable giving. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.

(Total for Question 4 is 5 marks)

Explain two purposes of zakah for Muslims and for society. Refer to the Qur'an in your answer.

(Total for Question 5 is 4 marks)

Explain the importance of Ramadan for Muslims today.

(Total for Question 6 is 6 marks)

Give three things a Muslim who is fasting during Ramadan should avoid between dawn and sunset.

(Total for Question 7 is 3 marks)

Explain two ways giving zakah might affect the life of a Muslim believer.

(Total for Question 8 is 4 marks)

Mark scheme · RS.IP3 Sawm and Zakah: Fasting and Almsgiving

Question 1

(a) B1 fasting, especially during the month of Ramadan, oe
(a) Answer: Fasting, especially during Ramadan.
(b) B1 obligatory almsgiving/charity, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, oe
(b) Answer: Obligatory almsgiving, one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
(c) B1 the ninth month, oe
(c) Answer: The ninth month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar.
(d) B1 the minimum amount of wealth/savings a Muslim must have before zakah becomes due, oe
(d) Answer: The minimum level of wealth before zakah becomes due.
(e) B1 the end of the fast of Ramadan, oe
(e) Answer: The end of the Ramadan fast.

Question 2

B1 point 1: fasting is a direct command from Allah, an act of obedience and worship, oe
B1 development: Qur'an 2:183 teaches that fasting was prescribed for believers so that they may attain taqwa (God-consciousness/righteousness), oe
B1 point 2: fasting builds empathy with those who are poor and go hungry, oe
B1 development: by experiencing hunger and thirst themselves, Muslims are encouraged to be more generous and grateful, and to give more charity during Ramadan, oe
Answer: E.g. obedience to Allah's command (Qur'an 2:183, developing taqwa); building empathy with the poor, encouraging generosity.

Question 3

B1 the sick, oe
B1 the elderly, oe
B1 pregnant or breastfeeding women, oe (accept also: travellers, pre-pubescent children, menstruating women)
Answer: Any three: the sick; the elderly; pregnant or breastfeeding women; travellers; pre-pubescent children; menstruating women.

Question 4

B1 belief/practice 1: Sunni Muslims give zakah, traditionally calculated as 2.5 per cent of savings/wealth above the nisab threshold each year, as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, oe
B1 development: this is based on repeated Qur'anic instruction to establish prayer and give zakah together, showing its importance alongside salah, oe
B1 belief/practice 2: Shi'a Muslims also give zakah, but additionally pay khums, a separate obligatory payment of one-fifth of certain surplus income, as one of their Ten Obligatory Acts, oe
B1 development: khums is traditionally shared between charitable and religious purposes, including support for scholars and descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, oe
B1 reference to a source of wisdom and authority made accurately, oe
Answer: Contrast: Sunni zakah (2.5 per cent of wealth above nisab, one of Five Pillars) vs Shi'a zakah plus khums (one-fifth of surplus income, one of Ten Obligatory Acts).

Question 5

B1 point 1: zakah purifies a Muslim's remaining wealth, oe
B1 development: by giving away a set portion of wealth, a Muslim shows that their wealth is not held selfishly and remains obedient to Allah, oe
B1 point 2: zakah supports those in need in society, oe
B1 development: Qur'an 9:60 sets out categories of people zakah should support, including the poor and the needy, showing its role in social justice, oe
Answer: E.g. purifies wealth (obedience, not held selfishly); supports the poor and needy in society (Qur'an 9:60).

Question 6

Level 3 (5-6): A detailed, well-organised answer that explains several reasons for Ramadan's importance, supported by accurate reference to Islamic teaching and/or the Qur'an, with clear links made between the reasons given.
Level 2 (3-4): An answer that explains some reasons for Ramadan's importance, with some relevant supporting detail, though links between points may be limited.
Level 1 (1-2): One or two isolated relevant points are made about Ramadan, with little supporting detail or explanation.
Level 0 (0): No relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Ramadan builds spiritual discipline and self-control through fasting from dawn to sunset.
- It builds empathy for those who are less fortunate and go hungry, encouraging generosity and charity.
- Muslims often gather to break the fast together at iftar, strengthening family and community bonds.
- Increased prayer, including night prayers (tarawih), and increased Qur'an recitation deepen a believer's relationship with Allah.
- Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power), commemorating the first revelation of the Qur'an, is considered especially significant during Ramadan.
- The shared experience of fasting across the global Muslim community (the ummah) can strengthen a sense of belonging and identity.

Question 7

B1 food, oe
B1 drink, oe
B1 sinful or bad behaviour (e.g. arguing, gossiping), oe (accept also smoking)
Answer: Any three: food; drink; sinful or bad behaviour (e.g. arguing, gossiping); smoking.

Question 8

B1 point 1: it can develop a sense of generosity and responsibility towards others, oe
B1 development: regularly setting aside money for zakah encourages a Muslim to think carefully about their wealth and their duty to help those in need, oe
B1 point 2: it can strengthen a Muslim's connection to the wider Muslim community (the ummah), oe
B1 development: knowing that their contribution supports others in the community can increase a believer's sense of belonging and shared responsibility, oe
Answer: E.g. develops generosity/responsibility towards others; strengthens connection to the ummah.

Sawm and Zakah: Fasting and Almsgiving - Worksheets, Questions and Revision