Care for Widows

9 Grade 10 Religious Education (IRE) questions on Care for Widows, with worked marking schemes. 9 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   In some communities a widow is expected to be taken as a wife by her late husband's brother, whether she agrees or not. Which Qur'anic teaching directly forbids this practice?

   A. Men have a share of what parents and relatives leave

   B. Women may not be inherited against their will

   C. A woman's mahr must be given to her as a free gift

   D. Divorced women must wait for three menstrual periods

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   4 marks

   Outline four ways in which Islam safeguards the dignity and rights of a widow during her iddah. (4 marks)

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any four of the following, 1 mark each (4 marks): - She has the right to remain in her matrimonial home until her iddah ends; the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) told Furay'ah bint Malik to stay in her house until the term was complete (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi). This is the majority view. - The heirs may not evict her from the home during the iddah. - No one may make her an open marriage proposal; only an indirect hint is allowed (Qur'an 2:235). - No marriage contract may be concluded until the iddah ends (Qur'an 2:235). - The iddah confirms whether she is pregnant, protecting the lineage (nasab) and inheritance of the unborn child. - If she is pregnant, her iddah ends at delivery (Qur'an 65:4), so she is not kept waiting unnecessarily. - Any unpaid mahr is a debt settled from the estate, and her inheritance share is secured, before the estate is distributed. - Relatives and the community are expected to visit, comfort and support her during her grief.

3. Question 3

   6 marks

   Examine three challenges facing widows in Kenyan society today. (6 marks)

   (6 marks)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   Bakari died leaving a widow, two sons and a daughter. What fraction of his estate is the widow entitled to inherit?

   A. One-sixth

   B. One-third

   C. One-quarter

   D. One-eighth

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   4 marks

   Outline four Islamic teachings on when and how a widow may remarry. (4 marks)

   (4 marks)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   Mzee Athman of Lamu has died, and his wife is not pregnant. According to the Qur'an, how long is her waiting period (iddah)?

   A. Four months and ten days

   B. Three menstrual cycles (quru')

   C. Three full lunar months

   D. One complete lunar year

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   5 marks

   Propose five ways in which the Muslim community in Kenya can alleviate the challenges facing widows. (5 marks)

   (5 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any five of the following, 1 mark each (5 marks): - Giving zakat to widows who are poor or needy (Qur'an 9:60) and encouraging regular sadaqah. - Using waqf funds to provide housing, bursaries for their children or business capital. - Ensuring estates are shared according to faraid (Islamic inheritance), with help from the Kadhi's courts and legal aid. - Providing counselling through imams, madrasa teachers and mosque welfare committees. - Empowering widows with skills, training, Islamic (interest-free) microfinance or self-help groups. - Encouraging the remarriage of widows who wish to remarry after the iddah, without stigma. - Using khutbahs and community forums to condemn harmful practices such as property grabbing and forced inheritance of widows. - Encouraging the late husband's relatives to take responsibility for the orphans. - Regular visits and moral support from neighbours and mosque members. - Linking widows to government social protection programmes for vulnerable households.

8. Question 8

   4 marks

   Explain two reasons why Muslims should treat widows with kindness and generosity. (4 marks)

   (4 marks)

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9. Question 9

   3 marks

   State three practices a Muslim widow is expected to avoid while mourning (ihdad) her husband. (3 marks)

   (3 marks)

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