Islamiyat · May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Question 1

0493

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Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur’an.

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1(a)[4]
Briefly describe the main theme(s) in each passage.
Use the AO1 Levels of Response.
Sura 2.255
The main theme is God in Himself.
Candidates will develop these themes in their own way, e.g.
Creator: God is the Creator of everything in the heavens and earth.
Omnipotent: He looks after all the Heavens and earth and no-one is needed to look after Him. He needs no help in looking after what He’s created.
Unique: He does not have human qualities and so doesn’t sleep or get tired in what He does.
Knowledge: His knowledge is limitless and humans only know what He allows them.
His throne: it is understood as His majesty, uniqueness, knowledge and having total power. It emphasises how He is the only one who can make decisions about His creation yet is transcendent – completely independent from His creation.
Sura 114
The main theme is Allah’s relationship with the created world. Candidates will develop these themes in their own way, e.g.
Sovereignty: God establishes Himself as Master (Rabb), King (Malik) and true God (Ilah).
Divine Protection: God instructs to seek divine protection against all evils and harms. He is a protector from jinn and humankind.
God’s Help: Only He can help in times of need, in this case from jinn and humans.
Control: He created everything so controls everything, even mischief makers.
Warning: It’s a warning about those who whisper evil/bad ideas to humans, and then disappear and leave them on their own. It could also be a warning against one’s own internal temptations.
Sura 2.30–37
The main theme is Allah’s Messengers.
Candidates will develop these themes in their own way, e.g.
Creator: God created Adam, as well as everything else (angels, etc.), and made him a vicegerent on earth (khalifa), which suggests God values humans above angels.
Knowledge: God gives knowledge to who He wants, and He gives the special status of prophethood to whom He wishes.
Guidance: When Satan misled Adam, God did not leave him or allow any obstacle to prevent him from making Adam his representative on earth, in other words God looks after His prophets.
Forgiveness: God shows His mercy to His prophets and humankind.
1(b)[4]
Briefly explain the importance of these themes in a Muslim’s life today. Use the AO2 Levels of Response.
Sura 2.255
The importance of these themes is that these verses allow Muslims to learn and understand something about God in a way relevant to them.
The theme of God’s self-subsistence shows how certain attributes that affect humans do not affect Him, e.g. sleep, so they can rely entirely on Him.
He has the knowledge and power over all things and this could make Muslims more cautious of their practice.
It is considered to be one of the best passages of the Qur’an, and Muslims often recite it daily for protection. Candidates could say how they use ayat al-kursi in their lives.
Sura 114
Through these verses Muslims get to know the kind of evils/mischief they have to be wary of, e.g. jinn, humans or internal whisperings such as jealousy.
This means they should be aware of what’s happening to them so they can recognise the signs of mischief and temptations.
Praying and doing good deeds strengthens reliance on God. Reciting this sura with the other ‘qul’s’ is a source of protection.
God is the King so it is Him who people should seek refuge with. Sura 2.30–37
The importance is that Adam was the first prophet of God, who was made his representative on earth. This gives Muslims a sense of their connection to God as Adam is called the father of humankind and everyone is descended from him.
God showed Adam’s importance by making the angels bow to him and forgiving him when he disobeyed. This should make humankind understand their status, they should seek forgiveness from God and worship Him.
It also shows God’s care and direct relationship with every individual.
It also gives a message of hope when humans make mistakes and repent.

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