FoxChild@Learn
Paper 2X Perspectives on faith (Islam)
June 2023
Q1.1: Which one of the following words refers to the all-powerful nature of God?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Beneficence B Fairness C Mercy D Omnipotence
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Answer: D Omnipotence
Q1.2: Give two ways in which Ibrahim (Abraham) is important for Muslims.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority He believed in one God / stopped idol worship / destroyed statues in a temple / was willing to sacrific everything (his son) for God / absolute obedience to God / (re)built the Ka’aba / threw stones at the devil (rejected temptation) / wrote down the Scrolls of Abraham / a prophet / ‘a friend of God’ / father the Arab people / role model, etc.
Q1.3: Explain two contrasting beliefs about Jesus (Isa) held by Islam and the main religious
tradition of Great Britain. You should name the main religious tradition of Great Britain in your answer.
Question 1 continues on the next page
Answer:
similarities and differences within and/or between religions and beliefs First contrasting belief Second contrasting belief Contrast may mean opposing or mean different views. In Islam, Isa is a prophet / a messenger / chosen by God / sent to all nations, etc. He is a role model for Muslims / brings people back to God / not divine, etc. He is not the most important figure in Islam / he did not die (for humanity), etc. In Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God / fully divine and fully human / the second Person of the Trini the Word of God, etc. Jesus is the most important figure in Christianity / he was crucified (died) / died for humanity / Savio NB Maximum of two marks for answers that do not name Christianity as the main religious tradition o
Q1.4: Explain two Muslim beliefs about life after death.
Refer to scripture or another source of Muslim belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Relevant and accurate reference to sacred writing or another source of Muslim belief and teaching – 1 mark Muslims believe they will be brought back to life in Barzakh / this is a period of waiting / questioned b two angels / answering questions will mean they see the rewards to come / failure to answer means they see future punishments / resurrection on the Day of Judgement / given new bodies / fair judgement by Allah / Israfil (a angel) blows a trumpet / they walk across the Sirat Bridge / are given a scroll / in the right hand means they go to heaven / in the left hand means they go to hell / the righteo will go to heaven / nature of heaven, e.g. a garden, food and drink / the wicked will be punished in h /nature of hell, e.g. burning fire, boiling water, a tree of deadly fruit / no second chances, etc.
Sources of authority:
‘It is God who created you ... then he will cause you to die, then he will give life back to you.’ (Qur'an ‘As for him who will be given his reward in his right hand, he surely will receive an easy reckoning.’ ‘They will dwell amid scorching wind...’ (Qur'an 56:42) ‘Allah will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow.’ Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the beliefs given.
Q1.5: ‘For Muslims, the most important thing in Muhammad’s life was his teaching about the
oneness of God (Tawhid).’ Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • refer to Muslim teaching • reach a justified conclusion.
[SPaG 3 marks]
Extra space
Q2 Islam: Practices
Answer:
In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view [Plus SPaG 3 mar and understanding of relevant evidence and information. References to religion applied to the issue. relevant evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. relevant evidence and information.
Arguments in support:
Belief in the oneness of God (Tawhid) is the central belief of Islam / ‘He is God the One, God the eternal. He begot no one nor was He begotten...’ (Surah 112) / Muslims acknowledge this by recitin the Shahadah daily and at key moments in life / by keeping it in the forefront of their minds, Muslims avoid the sin of shirk / the only sin that Allah will not forgive / so no images of Allah in the mosque, home or in books / no putting possessions, family etc before Allah / belief in the oneness of God me that he is the sole creator and this shows Muslims that he is in control of everything / encourages tru importance of caring for Allah's world (khalifah) / inspires response of praise and adoration of Allah alone / reference to the polytheism of his day / Muhammad reinforced the importance of this belief b ridding the Ka'aba of idols / by circling the Ka'aba during hajj, Muslims show understanding of the importance of this belief and of Muhammad's action, etc.
Arguments in support of other views:
Receiving and teaching the Qur'an was the most important / Muhammad was passing on the inerran word of Allah / it contains absolute truth / gives guidance on belief / and lifestyle /other teachings on nature of God equally important, eg about God's justice, omnipotence, beneficence / the sayings an practices of Muhammad (the Sunnah) are the most important / the Sunnah is a second source of authority / it gives sayings from Allah that are not in the Qur'an / Muhammad is a role model for Muslims / he showed the meaning of absolute surrender to God / he showed the importance of hum / the Night Journey was the most or equally important thing that he did / Muhammad met the earlier prophets / he was brought into the presence of Allah / he received and passed on the duty to recite salah five times a day / which is a key feature of Muslim daily life / founding and organising the Musl community (the Ummah) was the most important thing he did / it gives Muslims a feeling of belongi / a sense of unity / of the equality of all humans / as brothers and sisters / this is seen on hajj / when wear the ihram / it sets an example to non-Muslims of how they should treat one another / his flight t Madinah marks the start of the Muslim calendar / a sign of distinctiveness, etc. Q2 Islam: Practices
Q2.1: Which one of the following is not one of the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Jihad B Khums C Shahadah D Zakah
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Answer: C Shahadah
Q2.2: Name two Muslim festivals.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Id-ul-Adha / Id-ul-Fitr / Ashura / Night of Power (Laylat-ul-Qadr) / Islamic New Year (Muharram) / Muhammad's birthday (Id mawlid al-nabi) / Muhammad's ascension to heaven (Lailat-al-Miraj), etc.
Q2.3: Explain two ways in which going on hajj might influence the lives of Muslims.
Question 2 continues on the next page
Answer:
influence on individuals, communities and societies To be a ‘detailed’ explanation, the influence of the way must be included. It is one of the Five Pillars and one of the Ten Obligatory Acts / so Sunni and Shi'a Muslims are showing obedience to the requirements of their faith, etc. It deepens faith / encourages humility / through wearing the ihram / leads to greater self-discipline / e through standing in the heat at Arafat / leads to forgiveness / gives strength to resist temptation, etc. It brings the pilgrims closer to God / through their challenging experience, etc. It helps the poor / through the Qurbani meat given at Id-ul-Adha, etc. It inspires faith and commitment / by remembering the search for water for her son by Hajira (Hagar) by remembering the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son, etc. It strengthens the sense of being part of the Ummah / gives a sense of identity, etc.
Q2.4: Explain two Muslim beliefs about greater jihad.
Refer to scripture or another source of Muslim belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Relevant and accurate reference to sacred writing or another source of Muslim belief and teaching – 1 mark God sets high standards which are difficult to meet / the personal inward struggle / fight with one’s ow selfish desires / to purify the heart / to practise the teachings and rules of Islam / to observe the Five Pillars / to live the Muslim faith as well as possible / to avoid temptations and distractions / eg drugs, materialism / Muslims might learn the Qur'an / to deepen piety / and develop patience / they might he those in need / by giving to charity / and getting involved in serving others / they are motivated by the desire to please God, etc.
Sources of authority:
‘This is my path, leading straight, so follow it ...’ (Qur'an 6:153) ‘Those who have striven for God's course, it is they who can look forward to God's mercy ...’ (Qur'an ‘Encourage what is right and forbid what is wrong.’ (Qur'an 3:104) ‘Whoever among you sees an evil, he must change it with his hand...’ (Hadith) Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the beliefs given.
Q2.5: ‘The rak’ahs (ritual prayer movements) help Muslims to focus on God.’
Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • refer to Muslim teaching • reach a justified conclusion.
[SPaG 3 marks]
Extra space
Question . number .
Question . number . Copyright information For confidentiality purposes, all acknowledgements of third-party copyright material are published in a separate booklet. This booklet is published after each live examination series and is available for free download from www.aqa.org.uk. been unsuccessful and AQA will be happy to rectify any omissions of acknowledgements. If you have any queries please contact the Copyright Team. Copyright © 2023 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
236G8063/2X
Answer:
In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view [Plus SPaG 3 mar and understanding of relevant evidence and information. References to religion applied to the issue. relevant evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. relevant evidence and information.
Arguments in support:
The movements help them remember the set words for each position / bowing reminds Muslims of God's greatness / of the need to respect God / brings dignity to the worship, reminding Muslims that they are entering the presence of a holy God / ‘Woe to those who pray but are heedless of their pray (Qur'an) / prostration is a sign of absolute submission to God / God is in control of their lives / it is th duty to do God's will / turning the head to right and left is a reminder of the recording angels / and reminds Muslims that they must obey God, etc.
Arguments in support of other views:
The movements are a distraction / as Muslims are worrying about getting the movements right / and getting the prayers in the right order / the movements can become more important than the focus on God / they are distracted by the movements of others praying with them / discomfort for some leads focus on the pain rather than on God, etc. Accept other practices that better help Muslims to focus on God.