FoxChild@Learn
Paper 2X Perspectives on faith (Islam)
June 2024
Q1.1: Which one of the following is not one of the five roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi’a Islam?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Justice B Prophethood C Holy books D The oneness of God
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Answer: C Holy books
Q1.2: Give two reasons why Muhammad is important for Muslims.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. God’s Messenger / seal of the prophets (a great prophet) / saw Jibril in a vision / received the revelations that formed the Qur’an / taken to Jerusalem in the Night Journey / ascended into heaven saw prophets / taught requirement to pray five times a day / founded the Ummah / destroyed the idol in the Ka’aba / his teachings and practices (Sunnah) as the basis of the Shari’ah, etc.
Q1.3: Explain two ways in which a belief in angels influences the lives of Muslims.
Question 1 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. • Muslims believe that angels pass on messages from God to the prophets / whose teachings Musli • Some are guardian angels / take care of people throughout their lives / Muslims have a sense of divine protection, etc. • Jibril is a messenger of God / it was Jibril who revealed the Qur’an to Muhammad so Muslims have particular respect for him, etc. • Mika’il is an angel of mercy / rewarding good people for the good they have done / this encourages Muslims to lead good lives, etc. • Some angels keep a record of people’s lives in a ‘book of deeds’ / which will be presented to God the Day of Judgement / Muslims will want to lead good lives to ensure a positive entry into this boo • Muslims believe that when they die they will be questioned in their grave by two angels / if questio are not answered correctly, the soul is tormented in the grave until the Day of Judgement / this encourages Muslims to live good lives to ensure the soul sleeps during Barzakh, etc.
Q1.4: Explain two reasons why Muslims believe that the Qur’an has authority.
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 scripture or another source of Muslim belief and teaching – 1 mark • It is the word of God / revealed to Muhammad through Jibril, etc. • It is an infallible source of authority / since it comes directly from God / and has not been altered in any way, etc. • Muhammad recited each revelation to his followers / who memorised everything / and wrote it all • To prevent change, Uthman organised the compilation of one official written version / this was to b followed by all Muslims everywhere, etc. • It is a source of guidance from Allah / to lead a good life in preparation for the Day of Judgement, e
Sources of authority might include:
‘This is the Scripture in which there is no doubt, containing guidance for those who are mindful of Go ‘This is truly a glorious Qur’an…’ (Qur’an 85:21) ‘Your Lord is the most bountiful One who taught by [means of] the pen, who taught man what he did know.’ (Qur’an 96: 3–4) The Qur’an is like a rope extended between heaven and earth. (Hadith) Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the beliefs given.
Q1.5: ‘Muslim beliefs about hell make it difficult to believe that God is merciful.’
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:
• Hell is a state of total separation from God / according to the Qur’an, a place of terrible torment / to be experienced eternally by those sentenced to it by God, etc. • It contradicts the idea of God as always prepared to forgive / as loving, etc. • Beneficence is a key aspect of God’s nature / one of the Ninety-nine Beautiful Names of God / the concept of hell portrays God as vengeful and harsh, etc. • Some believe that predestination means that God has determined everything that will happen, whi includes how individuals behave in life and their fate / this is unfair, etc.
Arguments in support of other views:
• Justice is a key attribute of God / Adalat is one of the five roots of Usul-ad-Din / God is always fair and incapable of deciding or acting unjustly, etc. • Most Muslims believe that predestination does not exclude human freedom / humans are responsi for their decisions and the way they live / God judges them accordingly, etc. • Muslims have the teachings of the Qur’an to warn them of the eternal consequences of going agai God’s will, etc. Q2 Islam: Practices
Q2.1: Which one of the following celebrates the end of Ramadan?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Ashura B Id-ul-Adha C Jummah D Id-ul-Fitr
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Answer: D Id-ul-Fitr
Q2.2: Give two religious actions that Muslims perform during hajj.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Wear ihram / walk around the Ka’aba seven times / touch the black stone or raise hand / recite the pilgrims’ prayer / walk between Safa and Marwah / pray at Mina / read the Qur’an there / pray for the whole afternoon on Arafat / throw pebbles at the stone pillars at Mina / sacrifice an animal / cut their hair / circle the Ka’aba seven more times / spend a few nights at Mina in prayer / fasting for nine day pay Zakah, etc.
Q2.3: Explain two contrasting Muslim views about the importance of prayer.
Question 2 continues on the next page
Answer:
similarities and differences within and/or between religions and beliefs. First contrasting view Second contrasting view Contrast may mean opposing or different views If similar views are given, only one of them may be credited up to 2 marks max. • Many Muslims believe that the rituals surrounding prayer are an essential part of prayer / they rem Muslims of God’s transcendence, etc. • Some Muslims are more concerned with the spiritual quality of prayer than with rituals / the inner intention and attitude are more important / the focus should be entirely on God / in prayer they are the presence of God, etc. • Sunni Muslims believe that they should pray five times a day / this is in accordance with the teachi of Muhammad / the demands this makes on Muslims show prayer’s importance / frequent prayer sustains their relationship with God, etc. • Shi’a Muslims pray three times a day / they combine the midday and afternoon prayers and those sunset and at night / the Qur’an lists three times for prayer / there is a hadith which states that Muhammad combined some prayer times / so as not to be burdensome to Muslims though its demands still reflect the importance of prayer, etc. • Some Muslims might think that it is not so important to have a set number of prayers each day / or pray so frequently / caring for others and working for justice in the world matters more, etc. • Many Muslims think prayer in the mosque is essential / it is a form of witness to the importance of • Some Muslims might prefer to pray at home / the private and personal prayers of an individual deepen the relationship with God / praying with other members of the family in the privacy of their home deepens the bond between them, etc.
Q2.4: Explain two Muslim beliefs about the benefits of fasting (sawm).
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 scripture or another source of Muslim belief and teaching – 1 mark • It purifies the soul / enabling better focus on God, etc. • It strengthens commitment to what matters / the devotion of the soul is more important than fulfilm of physical needs and desires / it strengthens Muslims’ control over their bodies / and is a sign of total submission to God, etc. • It encourages empathy with the poor / and generosity towards those in need / the long hours of fasting enable Muslims to see what it is like for those who are always hungry / to count their
Sources of authority might include:
‘It was in the month of Ramadan that the Qur’an was revealed as guidance for mankind…So any of y who is present that month should fast…’ (Qur’an 2:18) ‘O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting… that you may become righteous.’ (Qur’an ‘Fasting is a shield from the Hellfire…’ (Hadith) ‘You must fast, for there is nothing equal to it.’ (Hadith) Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the reasons given.
Q2.5: ‘Zakah (giving alms) is the best way for Muslims to show their obedience to 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 .
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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 understanding of relevant evidence and information. References to religion applied to the issue. evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. evidence and information.
Arguments in support:
• It is one of the Five Pillars / it is commanded in the Qur’an, though the amount was fixed at a later date / the Qur’an makes it clear that giving zakah is a sign of a true Muslim, etc. • It shows absolute devotion to God / and is a response to the belief that everything is a gift from Go • It helps those who receive it to acknowledge the goodness of God and to obey him, etc. • If prayer and study of the Qur’an are to mean anything, they must lead to action / giving zakah doe this / it pleases God, etc. • It strengthens the ummah by encouraging those who have more than they need to give to those wh have less than they need, etc.
Arguments in support of other views:
• Shi’a Islam teaches the giving of khums / zakah alone is not sufficient, etc. • Reciting the Shahadah is the most important / it expresses absolute submission to God / it is the foundation for all that Muslims believe and practise, etc. • Praying five times daily wherever Muslims are is the strongest sign of love of obedience to God / it requires discipline and sometimes personal sacrifice / it fosters a close relationship with God, etc. • Regular study of the Qur’an fulfils God’s will / it enables Muslims to understand what God requires them and to grow closer to God, etc. • Going on hajj is the best way of showing obedience to God / it is required in the Qur’an / it requires absolute commitment / and often considerable financial sacrifice / the performance of the various parts of hajj require discipline and total surrender of oneself to God, etc. • Practising greater jihad encourages obedience to God’s will / it leads to the fulfilment of all the Five