Cambridge O Level Islamiyat: Major Teachings in the Hadiths — Revision Notes (2058)

These notes support Paper 2 Question 1 of Cambridge O Level Islamiyat 2058, Major Teachings in the Hadiths of the Prophet. Each of the twenty set Hadiths is listed with a keyword cue (the phrase that helps you recognise it in the exam), its teaching, and a modern example of putting it into practice. Cover the right-hand columns and test yourself.

Syllabus coverage

2058 Paper 2, Topic 1 (2026–2027 syllabus): twenty Hadiths from al-Bukhari and Muslim on individual conduct and life in the community; candidates answer on two of four set passages, explaining teaching and practice (8 marks).

Individual conduct

Keyword cue	Teaching	Modern example
“sincerity … to Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders … common people”	Faith is sincere loyalty in every relationship	Praying with pure intention; giving honest advice to a friend
“obligatory prayers … Ramadan … lawful … forbidden … paradise? Yes”	Keeping the basic duties faithfully leads to paradise	Never missing salat; avoiding haram earnings
“every joint … a charity every day”	Everyday kindness is charity	Helping a stranger with bags; a kind word to a sibling
“work of his hand”	Honest work is honourable	Earning pocket money by halal work
“tethered camels”	Qur’an knowledge needs constant revision	Daily recitation after Fajr
“Modesty produces nothing but good”	Haya protects from sin	Modest speech and dress online and offline
“grain of mustard seed … faith … pride”	Little faith saves; little pride condemns	Staying humble after exam success
“believer’s prison”	Restraint now; reward later	Patience during illness or poverty
“not at your forms … but your hearts and deeds”	Intention and action matter to Allah	Not judging people by clothes or wealth

Life in the community

Keyword cue	Teaching	Modern example
“wants for his brother”	Care for others as for oneself	Sharing revision notes; fair trade
“speak good or keep silent … neighbour … guest”	Faith shown in speech and hospitality	No gossip; checking on elderly neighbours
“change it with his hand … tongue … heart”	Oppose wrong according to ability	Reporting cyber-bullying
“strives … with his person and property”	Give effort and wealth for good	Volunteering; donating zakat and sadaqa
“martyrs … natural death … plague … cholera”	Martyrdom is broad; Allah is generous	Comfort for families after epidemics
“widow and the poor”	Caring for the needy equals devoted worship	Food bank volunteering
“brings up an orphan … like this”	Reward of closeness to the Prophet (pbuh)	Sponsoring an orphan
“Be gentle … cause rejoicing … do not alienate”	Leaders and teachers should be gentle	Encouraging new Muslims kindly
“kindly when he sells … buys … demands”	Fairness in trade and debt	Giving a debtor more time
“will not show mercy to him who does not show mercy”	Mercy earns mercy	Kindness to animals
“like a single man … eye … head”	The Ummah is one body	Raising funds after floods or earthquakes

Answer formula

Teaching (about 4 marks): state the main message, explain key words, and say what belief lies behind it. Application (about 4 marks): give one or two specific actions a Muslim might take today, with a supporting verse or Hadith if possible.

Worked example

Hadith: “God will not show mercy to him who does not show mercy to others.”

Teaching: The Hadith teaches that showing mercy is a condition of receiving Allah’s mercy. Allah is al-Rahman and al-Rahim, and He wants His servants to reflect this quality. A person who is harsh, cruel or unforgiving cannot expect forgiveness on the Day of Judgement.

Application: Muslims should be patient with family members, forgive people who wrong them and help those who suffer. Mercy includes animals; the Prophet (pbuh) taught kindness even to a thirsty dog. Teachers and parents should correct gently rather than harshly. This links to the Hadith “Be gentle and do not be hard.”

Linking Hadiths to the Qur’an

• Brotherhood and unity: Qur’an 49.10, “The believers are but a single brotherhood.”
• Speech: Qur’an 49.11–12 forbids mockery and backbiting.
• Giving: Qur’an 2.177 includes spending on orphans, the needy and travellers in righteousness.
• Commanding good: Qur’an 3.104 calls for a group inviting to good and forbidding wrong.

Common mistakes and exam traps

• Choosing a Hadith you only half-remember. Pick the two you can explain and apply most fully.
• Repeating the teaching in the application. The application must describe action.
• Very general examples. “Be kind” is weak; “visit a sick neighbour and offer to shop for them” is strong.
• Over-long answers. This question is worth 8 marks; keep time for the 14-mark essays.

How is this topic examined?

In Cambridge O Level 2058 Paper 2 (1 hour 30 minutes, 50 marks), the set Hadiths is examined by Question 1, which is compulsory: you choose two of the Hadiths printed and answer part (a) on their teaching (4 marks) and part (b) on their application (4 marks). Each answer has a knowledge part and a shorter part asking for understanding or significance, so revise every point with a reason why it matters to Muslims, not just the facts.

Frequently asked questions

What does haya mean? Modesty or a healthy sense of shame that keeps a person from doing wrong.

Why is caring for orphans so emphasised? The Qur’an repeatedly commands kindness to orphans, the Prophet (pbuh) grew up an orphan, and this Hadith promises a special place near him in paradise.

Related pages

• Major Teachings in the Hadiths study guide
• Paper 2 revision notes
• Paper 2 practice questions

Source: Cambridge International, Cambridge O Level Islamiyat 2058 syllabus for examination in 2026 and 2027, Paper 2 Topic 1 and Appendix 2.