Notes on Hadith Test:

These are some general points to keep in mind for future tests InshaAllah..
Writing a lot for an answer is not usually key to high scores. It depends on how we
present it. Please keep in mind that we are attempting a test, so we need to try and
put forth our best work.
Question 1: Translating the hadith.
The Question was very simple. Students were expected to just translate.
1 It is better to translate all words to english and not leave some words
transliterated in Arabic.
Example: Iman = faith
Hayah = modesty
Zina = fornication
For the word - Quran it is does not apply, but some students choose to translate
even Miswak to toothstick and left the essential words as is.
2 To translate the hadith as is and not change the order.
Example: The Quran will either be an evidence for you or against you.
And not The Quran will either be an evidence against you or for you.
3 - If you add anything extra to the translation of a hadith to give the hadith a
complete meaning, it is better to add them in parenthesis or brackets since this part is
not part of the hadith.
Example: The Quran will either be an evidence for you or against you (on the
day of judgement)

4 VERY Important Read and understand the question properly.

Question 1 was to just translate the hadith. A few students made commentaries on
each of the ahadith and ending up short of time to even answer the compulsory
questions in the end. There by not completing that part of the test that was essential.
The commentaries however were not part of the question and were not scored at all.
Question on signs of hypocrites question clearly states briefly explain each of the
traits.
Many students only mention the traits.
5 Many students skipped the sentence analysis question completely or either wrote
commentaries instead of doing sentence analysis.
6 When doing sentence analysis, just labeling them is all that is required.
Description of the word and its state is not needed. Remember to write every part of
the sentence analysis. Skipping a part or partial analysis leads to deduction.
7 Pay attention to the score each question carries. If a question carries a weight of
5 points, writing 2 pages worth is not worth it VS a question that carries a weight of
20 marks, 3 lines does not do justice at all.
8 Try to present all aspects related to the topic in question. This will make your
answers unique.
Example : Question on Miswak and Dua
Points included could have been :

Miswak: Starting with the use of Miswak of Prophets, their choices, Commentary
- Spiritual and Physical benefits ( 20 or more discussed in class) and relating
ahadith .
Dua: Commentary, etiquettes( more than 10 discussed in class), time of making
dua, place of making dua and how the dua can possibly be answered. Then
following up with relevant ahadith.
Another example: Question on hadith regarding tongue mentioned before hands.
Commentary on sins of the tongues(topics range from backbiting, to slander, to
raising voice, yelling, cursing etc), Reason for precedence over hands in the hadith,
about 5 -6 relevant hadith that goes with this topic were studied, a little light on
having good character and dangers of using them in the wrong way.
9 When asked for commentaries open with a little background to the topic in
question, then its commentary and follow up with other supporting ahadith and
lessons. Many students have just mentioned there are so many ahadith relating to
so and so but did not mention them. They could have carried some weight to a
higher score.
10 Explaining the topic in question and not deviating to something else. A few
students made commentary on a supporting hadith which had less relevance to
question than of the topic itself.
11 Not repeating or breaking down a single sentence to form many points of the
same meaning.

Example: Signs of hypocrite: when he speaks he lies, whenever he makes a promise

never keeps his promise and whenever he is entrusted he breaks the trust.
Description given for it was nothing more than what is already mentioned
whenever a hypocrite speaks he lies, and the same with the rest. So nothing more
was added or mentioned.
Another example:
Asking dua for ourselves then our family members and relative and friends. All this
is still considered the same bit even if it broken into chunks.
12 Some questions require specific mention of words, without which answer is
incomplete.
Example: Yameen Al Ghamoos:
This answer required 3 very specific words 1 Taking Oath and 2 for a false
testimony 3- that happened in the past..
Some have also just mentioned an oath that is immersing.
13 Question on Music was covered in vast detail by ustadah,
Aspects to cover:
Introduction -Music and its impermissibility
Basic of the history of Music and its advent.
Evil effects of Music( more than 10 - 14 discussed)
Supporting evidence from Quran and its commentary
Supporting evidence form ahadith and its commentary
BriefStance of the Ulema and eachMadhab
Deriving lessons from the verses regarding possible punishment.
How to stay away from music
Tricks and tips to keep in check.

14 If you unsure of the words of the Hadith or verse mention that - the gist of the
ayah or hadith is..
15 - It is also better to skip a hadith you are unsure of than to offer it as supporting
evidence. It is also better to not mention which was not discussed unless you are sure
of its authenticity and which could possibly be incorrect.
Example : we need to say Ameen 3 times after dua.
Hopefully InshaAllah this is beneficial.