Q20

Criteria	Marks
Provides a comprehensive analysis of how the ethical teachings of Islam guide adherents to navigate the world today<br>Integrates the stimulus effectively throughout the response<br>Supports a cohesive and well-structured response with detailed, relevant and accurate information<br>Integrates relevant and accurate terminology	17–20
Provides a thorough analysis of how the ethical teachings of Islam guide adherents to navigate the world today<br>Integrates the stimulus within the response<br>Supports a structured response with relevant and accurate information<br>Uses relevant and accurate terminology	13–16
Provides an analysis of how the ethical teachings of Islam guide adherents to navigate the world today<br>Refers to the stimulus within the response<br>Supports the response with relevant information<br>Uses accurate terminology	9–12
Provides a description of the ethical teachings of Islam<br>May refer to the stimulus within the response<br>Uses some information and/or terminology	5–8
Makes general statements about Islam<br>May use some terminology	1–4

Answers could include:

Islam provides a comprehensive ethical framework that guides adherents in their daily lives and in navigating the complexities of the world today.

• The ethical teachings of Islam derived from the Quran, Hadith, Ijma and Qiyas provide a framework for adherents navigating bioethical issues in the modern world.
• Key ethical teachings are connected to principal beliefs guide decision making and responses to ethical issues.
• Adherents face the challenge of applying traditional teachings with modern medical practices and technological advancements.
• Islam permits assisted reproductive technology such as invitro fertilisation within strict ethical parameters, meaning sperm or egg donation is not permitted as it can introduce issues of unknown parentage and lineage which is not permissible.
• Muslims believe in the sanctity of human life and that life begins at conception, as the Hadith states ‘The creation of each of you is brought together in the womb of his mother … his provision, his age and whether he will be wretched or blessed’ therefore abortion is generally regarded as morally impermissible particularly after the first trimester once ensoulment has occurred – as Muslims are instructed to not take life, which Allah has made sacred (Quran 6:15).
• Diverse views exist on abortion, Sunni and Shiite consider abortion to be permissible both for the mother and public interest of the community if the foetus is diagnosed with foetal abnormalities which will compromise the quality of life or welfare of the family.
• If the pregnancy endangers the mother’s life, their necessity overrides prohibition and abortion is considered morally permissible.
• Sacred texts ultimately inform Islamic teachings that guide adherents to embrace their personal struggles and complexities faced in the world today.