2013:

2 (a) Write about the experiences of two prophets you have studied in the Qur’an (not

including the Prophet Muhammad). [10]

(b) What lessons can Muslims learn from these stories? [4]

Part (a) tests AO1, and part (b) tests AO2.

(a) The suras which are in this section of the syllabus are Sura 2.30-37, Sura 6.75-79, Sura

5.110, Sura 93, Sura 108. Candidates do not have to use these suras, there are other

passages that talk about the lives of the prophets.

Candidates should choose at least two prescribed passages from the syllabus, or other

passages, to write about. They can reference other passages to support their answer, but it is

not necessary to be able to gain high levels.

Candidates could write about the prophets Adam, Jesus or Abraham, from the syllabus, or other

prophets they may have studied from the Qur’an. They should give a detailed narrative about

what difficulties they faced, their relationship with God, and how they were helped by Him.

Better answers will give specific and accurate details as well as some quotations.

(b) Good answers here will give a thoughtful insight as to how these experiences can provide

examples for Muslims.

Saying that Muslims, e.g., depend on God and should be patient, is not enough, candidates

should expand on these ideas and say why or how they could be patient, giving concrete

examples. Any relevant answers should be credited as long as they provide evaluation.

3 (a) Write about the Prophet’s night journey and ascension [al-‘isra wa-mi’raj]. [10]

(b) How did this journey help the Prophet in his mission? [4]

(a) Candidates should talk about the events of the night journey as they happened.

They could talk about the Prophet being woken from his sleep and taken on al-Buraq from

Makka to Jerusalem by the angel Jibril. They could mention all the things that he saw on his
way, the prophets that he met, the questions that he asked Jibril, and the fact that he led the

prophets in prayer. They should also go on to mention that he was taken through the heavens

and was finally in the presence of his Lord. He was given the five daily prayers.

Answers should also mention that this all took place in one night, and what the people of Makka

said when he told them about his journey.

(b) Candidates should give thoughtful answers as to how this event could have been beneficial

for the Prophet.

They could mention that it gave him comfort after a period of difficulty in Makka, and he

realised God had not left him.

It gave him the encouragement he needed to carry on preaching in the face of continued

opposition.

It allowed him to see what he, and all Muslims, should be striving for which gave him

renewed strength.

He realised his status amongst prophets (as seal of the prophets, he led them in prayer), and

realised the blessings God had given his community (by giving the five prayers). It confirmed

his prophethood as he met with God, going further than anyone else had been.

Candidates do not have to mention all of the above, but should have some depth to any

answers they give.

2014:

2 (a) Write about how the Qur’an is used with the other three sources in Islamic law. [10]

(b) How important is the use of ijma’ or qiyas in Islamic law in present day situations?

Give reasons for your answers. [4]

Part (a) tests AO1, and part (b) tests AO2.

(a) Candidates should write about the primary sources, Qur’an and hadith, and secondary

sources, ijma’ and qiyas, and how they are used together.
The Qur’an is an authority in Islamic law; it is the word of God; it is not questioned or

contradicted by the other sources; the sunna is the Prophet’s example and is recorded in the

hadith; these emphasise and expand on verses in the Qur’an; e.g. zakat; they are used when

the Qur’an is silent on a matter; e.g. inheritance given to grandmother, or eating animals with

canine teeth; Hadith are important because the Prophet was the final and perfect messenger

to follow; hadith of Mu’adh ibn Jabal; they are interlinked so are the two main (primary)

sources.

When neither of the primary sources offer answers, then ijma’ and qiyas can be used. These

are used mainly for issues that did not arise at the time of the Prophet; ijma’ is the consensus

of opinion of scholars; some issues they have to deal with have been, at the time of the

caliphs, the compiling of the Qur’an and more recently, the permissibility of IVF. Qiyas is

analogy, when one Islamic ruling is compared with another to derive a new ruling for a new

issue. Examples of this could be the use of cocaine being prohibited on the basis that

intoxicants are prohibited. Candidates could mention the elements of qiyas, asl, far’, ‘illa and

hukm. The secondary sources do not contradict the primary sources but rather use the

primary sources as a basis for their answers.

(b) Candidates should be careful not to give statements, but try to qualify their answers with
some

reasoning. The primary sources contain everything that is the basis for Islamic law, but as time

passes new issues arise which are specific to this time, which need an answer. Those who are

learned in Islamic law can make new rulings, based on Qur’an and sunna, but using ‘ijma or

qiyas.

Candidates should choose one of these sources and not only say why it is important but give an

example using a new issue that has arisen, such as smoking, using the internet, drugs, etc. It is

important otherwise Muslims would not know how to react to these new issues.

3 (a) Describe the events of the Prophet’s visit to Ta’if. [10]

(b) How can Muslims apply in practice the lessons learnt from the Prophet’s behaviour in

this situation? [4]

(a) The Prophet had been preaching to the people of Makka for ten years and they had faced

many hardships; the number of Muslims was relatively small; his greatest supporters Khadija

and Abu Talib had passed away; he looked out of Makka to preach his message and went to

Ta’if with Zaid bin Haritha; he thought people would be favourable to his message but they

were hostile towards him; he stayed ten days there delivering the message to the people, but

he was abused and jeered; they were chased out by being pelted with stones til blood flowed

down the Prophet’s legs; Zaid was injured too; they took refuge in an orchard a few miles

away; seeing his condition, Rabi’a’s two sons sent their servant with a tray of grapes; Jibril

later appeared with another angel and asked the Prophet for permission to bury the city; the

Prophet refused and instead prayed for believers to be born from their progeny.

The best answers will be able to expand and give depth to these events, and whilst not all of

the above needs to be mentioned, highest level answers will describe and elaborate on most

of these details.

(b) Candidates can present any lesson that’s relevant to the events of Ta’if, but thoughtful

answers will present the lesson within the context of a situation.

Examples could be, that the Prophet did not give up his faith in times of difficulty, despite few

conversions and losing his wife and uncle, but rather he persevered. Muslims should learn to

persevere in times of difficulty, when they have lost family members or they are living in

difficult circumstances in their community; the Prophet did not curse or wish the worst for

those people who had treated him so badly, but rather prayed for them. So Muslims now

should not get angry and wish bad things towards those who insult Islam or the Prophet, but

should try to do or say good things for them.

2015:
2 (a) Using Qur’an passages you have studied from the syllabus, describe how God guided

His messengers to increase their belief in Him. Refer to at least two messengers in

your answer. [10]

(b) God sends humankind messengers from amongst their own communities. Explain

why this is significant. [4]

Part (a) tests AO1, and part (b) tests AO2.

(a) The relevant passages from the Qur’an are 2.30–37, 6.75–79, 5.110, 93 and 108.

These passages mention the prophets Adam, Ibrahim, Isa and Muhammad.

Candidates could say that Adam was guided by God through the knowledge he was given,

which even the angels were not given. He was taught the names of all the things in creation,

and because of his status near God, the angels were asked to bow to him. Iblis refused, and

was banished. He vowed to lead Adam and his future generations astray. He did this by making

Adam approach the tree he had been forbidden from. Adam realised his mistake and through

this event turned to God for forgiveness.

Ibrahim was guided to the truth through the law and order of the heavens and the earth. He
was

searching for his Lord, and looked to the stars and the moon and the sun, which other people

worshipped. God inspired him to realise that the things in creation that do not last cannot be the

things to be worshipped as God does not change. Through these events he turned himself to

believe in God and did not associate partners with Him.

Jesus/Isa was given special miracles which helped him understand the power of God. He

was given the holy spirit which allowed him to speak to the people as a child and when he

was older. He was also taught the Law and the Gospel to teach to the people. He was also

able to give life to the dead and heal the sick, by the will of God. This all showed Isa the

favours he was given by God which allowed him to believe in Him and follow Him.

The Prophet Muhammad faced hardships like the other prophets, but God reminds him that
he gave him blessings in this life and the next, which relieved the Prophet and gave him

reassurance that God was looking after him. God gave him shelter, guidance and

independence, and also gave him blessings in the form of Kawthar, a river in paradise. So he

is told to believe in God and tell his people about Him so they can too turn to Him when in

need.

Candidates should expand on the above points and should write about at least two of the

prophets mentioned, giving quotes and examples.

(b) Candidates could say that prophets sent from amongst a community will be able to
understand

the needs and condition of the people which will make it easier for him to teach the message to

them in a way that suits them.

Also, if he is from the community the people are more likely to be able to relate to him as they

can see that he is the same as them and he is also able to practise and benefit from the

teachings he is giving.

If angels were sent as opposed to humans, then people may not have been able to see that

they can practise the message in their everyday lives, or they may have started to worship the

angels instead.

3 (a) Describe the events of the Battle of Uhud. [10]

(b) ‘Success for Muslims depends on their obedience to the Prophet.’ Discuss this

statement in relation to Muslims today. [4]

(a) Candidates should give a clear and detailed narrative of the events of the battle, including

names of the key figures involved.

The battle took place in 3AH (625) in revenge for the Makkan defeat at Badr; the Makkan army

numbered 3000 led by Abu Sufyan, whilst the Muslims were around 1000; shortly before the

battle started Abdullah ibn Ubayy deserted the army with 300 of his people; the Muslims

decided to meet the Makkan army at Uhud; the Prophet posted 50 archers on a hill to protect
them from being attacked from behind; in the battle Hamza was killed by Wahshi, who earned

his freedom through this act; Khalid bin Walid tried to break the Muslims from behind three

times but the archers held him off; the Muslims were successful in driving back the Makkans,

and started to collect the spoils of war; on seeing this some of the archers left their post on the

hill to join those collecting the spoils; Khalid bin Walid noticed this and used the opportunity to

attack the Muslims from the rear; the Quraysh army on seeing this turned back and renewed the

battle; many Muslims fled; the Prophet was surrounded by nine Madinans, and only Talha bin

Ubaidullah and Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas survived; the Prophet was badly injured; remaining

Muslims were disheartened on hearing the Prophet had been killed; the Prophet and Muslims

retreated to the Uhud mountain; the Makkans mutilated the dead bodies of the Muslims,

including Hind who chewed on the liver of Hamza; the Muslims buried their martyrs and

returned to Madina; around 70 Muslims were killed and 22/37 of the Makkans.

(b) Candidates could say that the defeat at Uhud occurred due to the fact that the archers did

not obey the Prophet’s command. They can mention this but should not focus on this point

alone, rather should go on to discuss how Muslims should obey the Prophet now.

Candidates could say that the rules and guidance of Islam is based on the Qur’an and also

the sunna and so to truly practise Islam the way of the Prophet has to be followed. In battle,

Muslims should stick to the rules that the Prophet gave, like not harming the environment or

women and children, and this can give Muslims success as they are following the commands

of God, which they will be rewarded for.

In their everyday lives Muslims can obey the Prophet’s commands as to how to live their

lives, in terms of prayer, being good to people, etc., and this will make them successful in

their lives as the guidance given is all for their betterment.

Candidates could also say that following the Prophet does not make one successful

nowadays because e.g. success comes from individual’s work or their own thoughts and
actions.

Whatever the candidates decide they should give reasons for their answer.