O Level Islamiyat 2058 Paper 11, Oct/Nov 2024

Briefly explain the main theme(s) in each passage. Use the AO1 Levels of Response. Sura 41.37 The main theme is God in Himself. Candidates will develop these themes in their own way, e.g. - Creator: God creates and controls everything, in this verse specifically the sun and the moon. - Signs: The order and cycle of the sun and the moon are God’s signs for humankind of His power. - Tawhid: As the Creator, only He should be worshipped. - Other deities: It is a negation of paganism – the sun and moon are not to be worshipped. Sura 2.21–22 The main theme is Allah’s relationship with the created world. Candidates will develop these themes in their own way, e.g. - Tawhid: He is the only Creator and Sustainer. - Creator: God is the Creator of humankind so they should only worship Him. - Sustenance: God also provides sustenance to His creatures. He has made permanent arrangements and set up systems for that. - Creation: He also created what is for the benefit of humankind (guidance, fertile earth, shade and water from sky). - Gratitude: People should be grateful to God for what He has created and provided. - Shirk: Humankind should not commit the greatest sin of associating partners/rivals with God. - Piety: God’s worship creates piety. Sura 96.1–5 The main theme is Allah’s relationship with the created world. Candidates will develop these themes in their own way, e.g. - Creator: God is the Creator which is shown in this sura through the way humans were created from a clot. - Provider: He gives creation what they need, in this case, knowledge of God. - Generous: This shows His generosity. - Knowledge: There is an emphasis on the importance of knowledge and the knowledge that God gives to humankind.

Briefly explain the importance of these themes in a Muslim's life today. Use the AO2 Levels of Response. Sura 41.37 - The importance of these verses is that believers should acknowledge and reflect on the fact that created things are not permanent. - They should realise they need to look to one God for their answers, rather than looking to created things for guidance. - They should ponder on His signs, the perfection of His creations and nature in order to strengthen their faith. Sura 2.21–22 - The themes of these verses invite people to ponder about God and nature. - Humans must worship their Creator. - The natural world is a comfort for humankind, and so they should look after it. - God provides the world for humankind so humans should be responsible for looking after their environment and not be wasteful. - Gratefulness to God should also be displayed. - Humans should acknowledge who their sustenance has come from and rely on God for everything. - They should also abstain from setting rivals with God. Sura 96.1–5 - The importance of this sura is that it allows humans to understand how God created them from nothing. - Seeking knowledge is encouraged and so humankind should try their best to learn throughout their lives, especially religious knowledge so they can get to know their Lord. Each subject - RE, science, etc.- has a value to it and can help humans get closer to God. - It also helps Muslims understand how prophethood and Islam started and they should reflect upon what God has sent down for them to help them live their lives. So they should be grateful to God.

Give an account of the different ways that revelation came to the Prophet (pbuh). Use the AO1 Levels of Response. Candidates should include some of the following points. All other relevant points must be credited. The Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet (pbuh) over a period of 23 years. After the first revelation, in Cave Hira, revelation stopped for a period which caused the Prophet (pbuh) to worry. Once they started again, they came strongly and frequently. There were different ways in which the verses were revealed to the Prophet (pbuh). A few times the Prophet (pbuh) saw the Angel in his original form, e.g., on the night journey (Sura Najm), and at the time of the first revelation, when the first five verses of Sura Alaq were revealed. Sometimes the Angel Jibril would come in the form of a man, and he resembled the Companion Dihya al Kalbi. The revelations also came in the form of dreams, and he would wake up and remember them. The most difficult was when they came as the ringing of a bell. The revelations would weigh down on him, so much so that his camel could not withstand the weight, and e.g., it also put pressure on Zayd’s thigh when he was sitting next to the Prophet (pbuh) during one of the revelations. They would cause him to sweat even in the winter and shiver in the summer. (Aisha’s Hadith) They were not within his control (Sura Qiyama, 75:16–19), he had no idea when they were coming, and they were safeguarded by God. The Prophet (pbuh) also had direct revelation when he went on the night journey and ascension. As elaboration, candidates could give details of verses that were revealed to the Prophet (pbuh), or narrate stories related to these revelations.

The Qur’an has remained the same since it was revealed. How does this benefit Muslims? Use the AO2 Levels of Response. Candidates can give other examples and all relevant answers should be credited. As the Qur’an has remained the same, the teachings in it have remained the same too, so Muslims can use these teachings to know what it is that God wants them to know and how to live their lives. The revelations helped Muslims then because they were able to get answers to specific questions when they needed them as revelation often came in response to certain issues, and this also helps Muslims now as it helps them to understand the reasons why certain rules or teachings were revealed which can help make it more relevant for them to practise. In this way Muslims can use previous scholarship to continue answering their questions. As the teachings have remained the same it may be easier for children to learn as they emulate their parents and grandparents who also learned the same teachings from the Qur’an. It can give Muslims assurance that they are following what was originally revealed and connects them to the early Muslims of Islam.

Describe the ways that the Prophet’s family in Makka both supported and opposed him. Use the AO1 Levels of Response. Candidates should include some of the following points. All other relevant points must be credited. After the Prophet (pbuh) received revelation, he received support from some of his family members and opposition from others. His wife Khadija was his first and main support, consoling him, offering him advice and believing in him. His children also supported him by becoming Muslim, even though this meant that they were divorced by their husbands (Ruqayya and Umm Kulthum). Fatima helped clean filth off the Prophet’s back which the Quraysh had put on him when he was praying. His uncle, Abu Talib, who had raised him, asked him about the new religion and said he would support the Prophet (pbuh) as much as he could. It was because of Abu Talib’s support that the Prophet (pbuh) escaped more severe persecution and when the Prophet (pbuh) was boycotted, they went to live in a valley owned by Abu Talib. Hamza supported and protected him. ‘Ali and Ja’far, the Prophet’s cousins, also supported him by becoming Muslim. Some of his family members opposed the Prophet (pbuh), most notably Abu Lahab. He was the Prophet’s paternal uncle and, on the occasion, when the Prophet (pbuh) publicly proclaimed the message of Islam on Mount Safa, Abu Lahab said, ‘Destruction to you! Is it for this you have gathered us?’ After this Sura Lahab was revealed. When Abu Talib died, Abu Lahab became the head of the clan of Hashim, and he withdrew the protection on the Prophet (pbuh). Utba and Utayba were the sons of Abu Lahab married to the daughters of the Prophet (pbuh). They were told to divorce their wives by Abu Lahab. Abu Lahab’s wife used to throw thorns in the path of the Prophet (pbuh) to hurt him. When the Quraysh felt that they were losing control of the increasing number of Muslims Abu Lahab joined them in the imposition of a social and economic boycott on Banu Hashim and exiled them to Shib-i-Abi Talib.

The Prophet (pbuh) remained steadfast in the face of all difficulties. What can Muslims learn from his example and put into practice? Use the AO2 Levels of Response. Candidates can give other examples and all relevant answers should be credited. The Prophet (pbuh) faced a lot of opposition in Makka, and his example helps Muslims to understand that even in the face of adversity and hardship it is better to try and remain calm and not get angry. The Prophet (pbuh) had strong reliance on God and so Muslims can learn that they too should put their trust in God and allow themselves to understand that He will eventually help them. The Prophet (pbuh) was also surrounded by supportive family members so staying calm is easier when you have supportive friends or family that you can talk to and who will help you when in need.

Write about the way the Prophet (pbuh) demonstrated the qualities of honesty and simplicity. Use the AO1 Levels of Response. Candidates should include some of the following points. All other relevant points must be credited. Honesty is being truthful in all circumstances even when it is not to your benefit: examples of the Prophet’s honesty are that even before prophethood he was known for being honest and trustworthy. He always engaged in honest dealings as a trader. Khadija married him due to his honesty in trade. The people of Makka testified to his honesty when questioned at Mount Safa. The Quryash would keep their belongings with him, even after they rejected his message. When the Prophet (pbuh) was leaving Makka to migrate to Madina, he left the belongings entrusted to him with ‘Ali to return to the people, to ensure that they did not feel cheated, and to fulfil his promise to them. When Abu Sufyan met the Byzantine Emperor, he spoke highly of the Prophet (pbuh) saying he never lies or betrays others. Also, at the Treaty of Hudaibiyya, Abu Jandal was sent back to Makka because the new terms of the treaty had already been signed and the Prophet (pbuh) did not want to go back on his word. Simplicity is living with few things and not being extravagant even when you have the chance: examples are that the Prophet (pbuh) lived his life with very little worldly comforts. He would do things with his own hands, rather than asking others to do it for him, such as milking his goats, patching his clothes, or mending his shoes. He worked on the construction of the mosque and digging the trench at battle. He did not like the companions to stand up for him when he entered. He would eat as others ate and sit on the floor as others sat. He would take his meals with slaves and people from any class of society. He would eat very little. He would sleep on a simple mattress on the floor without home comforts or decorations. Once Omar saw marks on his body from sleeping on jute mat and commented that he was living in such simplicity, the Prophet (pbuh) reminded him of better reward in the Hereafter. Every day, before he went to sleep, he would give away any surplus that he had.

To what extent can Muslims live their lives as simply as the Prophet (pbuh). Use the AO2 Levels of Response. Candidates can give other examples and all relevant answers should be credited. Some may say that it is easy to live in a simple way as the Prophet (pbuh) did, as his example is the way for everyone. Muslims can get rid of their excess clothing and wealth, not hoard anything and give more to charity. They can also live more simply by eating and buying less, which is important now as the world suffers environmental damage due to humankind’s excesses. Others may say that it is not easy to live like the Prophet (pbuh) as people now have access to more wealth and disposable income. They may also say that the needs of people are different now and it is not easy to go back to living with less, when people have become dependent on furnishing their homes, having cars and entertainment, and feel like they would have a low quality of life without them. Alternatively, some may say that many people around the world still live simple lives the way the Prophet (pbuh) did, in basic accommodation with little food and they are able to survive. However, this may not be the way that is comfortable for people to live on a daily basis, and so would not be comparable to the way the Prophet (pbuh) lived.

Write about the lives of the following Companions during the lifetime of the Prophet: - Ja’far ibn Abi Talib - Zayd ibn Thabit. Use AO1 Levels of Response. Candidates should include some of the following points. All other relevant points must be credited. Ja’far ibn Abi Talib: he was the son of Abu Talib and so the cousin of the Prophet (pbuh) and was raised in the household of his uncle Abbas. He was an early convert to Islam and went in the second delegation that migrated to Abyssinia, with his wife Asma bint Umays. There he was chosen as a spokesperson for the Muslims and spoke to the Negus when the Quraysh accused the Muslims of abandoning their people and asked the Negus to return them to Makka. The Negus asked the Muslims about the religion they had entered into. Ja’far replied saying that before Islam they were ignorant and immoral and Islam called them to One God, to speak the truth and to refrain from bloodshed. Ja’far then recited a portion of Sura Maryam. He lived with his family in Abyssinia for 10–12 years and then migrated to Madina when the Prophet (pbuh) was at the battle of Khaybar. He was generous and considerate of the welfare of others and became known as ‘the father of the poor’. The following year he was sent to fight at the Battle of Mut’a and was martyred there. It is said his arms were cut off and in martyrdom, God replaced his arms with wings. Zayd ibn Thabit: He was around eleven years old when he became Muslim and was one of the Ansar. When the Prophet (pbuh) migrated to Madina, Zayd had already memorised all the suras that had been revealed by that time. He had a desire to be close to the Prophet (pbuh) and to fight in the battles, but at the battle of Badr he was sent away by the Prophet (pbuh) for being too young to participate. The Prophet (pbuh) asked Zayd to learn Hebrew and Coptic so he could respond on the Prophet’s behalf to the Jews and the Christians who wrote to him. Zayd became the Prophet’s interpreter and was one of the most prominent scribes of the revelation, writing the revelation while the Prophet (pbuh) was alive. He himself had most of the Qur’an in written form. Zayd ibn Thabit reported, ‘We used to record the Qur’an from parchments in the presence of the Messenger of God.’ Due to the time he spent with the Prophet (pbuh) and his understanding of the Qur’an, he became one of the leading scholars from the Companions. He had the honour to witness the Prophet (pbuh) recite the whole Qur’an in Ramadan before he passed away. Zayd was the prominent scribe who oversaw the compilation of the Qur’an in the time of the Caliphs.

How important is it today for Muslims to seek out scholars to learn about Islam? Use the AO2 Levels of Response. Candidates can give other examples and all relevant answers should be credited. It could be said it is very important as scholars are considered to be the ‘heirs of the prophets’ due to their knowledge of God and the faith. Also, as they have dedicated a great deal of time to learning the details of the faith, it is important to learn from them, so you know you are getting accurate knowledge. It is important though, to know who you are learning from and where they have studied – traditionally those with a chain (ijaza) of transmission in their learning are the ones with the most authentic knowledge. However, some may say that there is so much information available online and in books that it is easy to learn about Islam without having to go to scholars. This is especially useful for those who live in places where there is no access to Islamic scholars or teachers. It may be said that this can come with drawbacks as there is not always a way of knowing if the books or information you are finding online are authentic.