Cambridge IGCSE Islamiyat: Major Teachings in the Hadiths, Subtopic 2.1 (0493)

Major Teachings in the Hadiths of the Prophet is Paper 2 Question 1 of Cambridge IGCSE Islamiyat 0493. The syllabus sets twenty Hadiths, all recorded by al-Bukhari or Muslim, about individual conduct and life in the community. Four are printed in the exam in Arabic and English and you write about two, explaining what each teaches Muslims to believe and how to act, and how Muslims can put that teaching into practice today.

Syllabus coverage

0493 Paper 2, Topic 1: Major teachings in the Hadiths of the Prophet (2026–2027 syllabus)

• Two groups of passages for close study: individual conduct and life in the community
• The teachings each passage contains about what Muslims should believe and how they should act
• Study with reference to the original Arabic as well as the English translation
• Exam: four passages set, candidates choose two (8 marks for the question)

How should you answer a Hadith question?

For each Hadith chosen, write two paragraphs:

1. Teaching. Explain what the Hadith means in your own words, with reference to its key phrase.
2. Application. Show how a Muslim today can act on it, with a concrete example, and support it with a related verse of the Qur’an or another Hadith if you can.

Examiners reward answers that go beyond paraphrase. A good test: could your example of putting the Hadith into practice only apply to this Hadith? If so, it is specific enough.

What do the Hadiths teach about individual conduct?

“Religion is sincerity” (to Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders and the common people). Faith is not only ritual but sincere loyalty in every relationship. Sincerity to Allah means worshipping Him alone with pure intention; to His Book, reading and following the Qur’an; to the Messenger, following the Sunnah; to leaders, giving honest advice and support; to ordinary people, wishing them well and treating them honestly.

The man who asks whether obligatory prayer, fasting in Ramadan and observing the lawful and forbidden are enough for paradise, and is told “Yes”. Islam is achievable: faithfully carrying out the obligations and keeping within the limits of halal and haram is the foundation of salvation. Muslims should not neglect the basics, and should not make religion harder than Allah has made it.

“Every joint must perform a charity every day.” Charity (sadaqa) is not only money: judging fairly between two people, helping someone onto a mount or with luggage, a kind word, each step to prayer and removing something harmful from the road are all charity. Muslims can give thanks for their health through small daily acts, such as helping a neighbour carry shopping.

“No one eats better food than that which he eats from the work of his hand.” Honest work is dignified and earning a lawful living is praised. Muslims should avoid begging when able to work, and should earn by halal means.

“He who studies the Qur’an is like the owner of tethered camels.” Knowledge of the Qur’an must be maintained by regular recitation and revision or it will be lost, just as untied camels wander off.

“Modesty produces nothing but good.” Modesty (haya) in speech, dress and behaviour protects a person from wrongdoing and earns respect.

“Faith as small as a mustard seed … pride as small as a mustard seed.” Even a little faith saves from hell, while even a little arrogance blocks paradise. Muslims should be humble and never look down on others.

“The world is the believer’s prison and the unbeliever’s paradise.” A believer accepts limits on desires in this life and looks to the hereafter, so worldly hardship is temporary.

“God does not look at your forms and possessions but at your hearts and deeds.” Appearance, wealth and status do not matter to Allah; intention and action do. Muslims should judge others by character, not by looks or riches.

What do the Hadiths teach about life in the community?

“None of you believes until he wants for his brother what he wants for himself.” True faith includes empathy and wishing others well. It rules out envy and selfishness and encourages fair dealing in business, school and family life.

“Speak good or keep silent … be generous to your neighbour … be generous to your guest.” Belief in Allah and the Last Day shows itself in controlled speech and in hospitality. Muslims should avoid gossip and hurtful words and look after neighbours and guests.

“Whoever sees an evil, let him change it with his hand … tongue … heart.” Muslims are responsible for the moral health of society: act if able, speak out if not, and at least hate the wrong inwardly, though this is the weakest level of faith.

“The most excellent of men is the believer who strives in the way of Allah with his person and his property.” Striving (jihad in its wide sense) includes using one’s time, effort and wealth for good causes.

The many kinds of martyr. Martyrdom is wider than death in battle: dying naturally, or of plague or cholera, while striving in the way of Allah also counts. This consoles the bereaved and shows Allah’s generosity.

“One who manages the affairs of the widow and the poor is like one who strives in the way of Allah.” Caring for vulnerable people is as valuable as worship such as night prayer and voluntary fasting.

“I and the one who brings up an orphan will be in paradise like this.” Caring for orphans earns closeness to the Prophet (pbuh) in paradise; the Prophet was himself an orphan.

“Be gentle and do not be hard; cause rejoicing and do not alienate.” Said when sending Abu Musa and Mu’adh ibn Jabal to govern parts of Yemen: leaders and teachers should make religion easy and attractive, not harsh.

“May God show mercy to a man who is kindly when he sells, buys and demands repayment.” Islam values fairness and gentleness in trade and debt.

“God will not show mercy to him who does not show mercy to others.” Mercy to people and animals is a condition of receiving Allah’s mercy.

“The believers are like a single man.” The Muslim community is one body: the suffering of one part is felt by all, so Muslims should support those in need, at home and abroad.

Frequently asked questions

Which collections are these Hadiths from? The syllabus states that all of them are recorded by al-Bukhari or by Muslim in their Sahih collections, many by both.

Do I need to know which group a Hadith belongs to? The syllabus organises them under individual conduct and life in the community; knowing the theme helps you explain the teaching, but the marks come from explaining meaning and application.

How long should each answer be? Two well-developed paragraphs per Hadith, one on the teaching and one on its application today.

Related pages

• Major Teachings in the Hadiths revision notes
• History and Importance of the Hadiths study guide
• Paper 2 study guide

Source: Cambridge International, Cambridge IGCSE Islamiyat 0493 syllabus for examination in 2026 and 2027, Paper 2 Topic 1 and Appendix 2.