Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 22 · Question 5

Give an account of the First Article of Faith (tawhid), referring to the:

Mark according to the marking grid for AO1 – Knowledge, given on page 5.

Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be credited.

Candidates could begin their answer by stating that belief in the Oneness of God is the fundamental teaching of Islam. Without believing in the Oneness of God, one cannot be a Muslim.

Candidates need to describe the three aspects of tawhid, which are Oneness of the Lordship of God; Oneness in worship of God; and Oneness of the names and attributes of God.

Belief in the supremacy of God’s Lordship means that Muslims believe that the universe, heaven and earth all belong exclusively to God as He created them. They are dependent upon Him for their conservation and continuation, and He alone has the power to bring all that He has created to an end, just as He has the power to sustain everything He has created.

Belief in Him as the supreme Lord also means acknowledging Him as the supreme law giver and judge. God alone has the power to make laws, determine acts of worship, decide morals, and set standards of human behaviour.

No one should be worshipped other than Him and no one can be worshipped along with Him. He has no partners and no associates in His worship, and this has been the message of all prophets sent by God to humanity: surrender to His will and worship only Him.

The names of God indicate His majesty and perfection. Candidates can give some of the 99 names of God and say what they mean and how they help Muslims to understand His qualities and love Him. As only God is perfect, no one should be named or identified with His names or attributes.

How does Muslim belief in the Oneness of God influence their daily lives? Give reasons to support your answer.

Mark according to the marking grid for AO2 – Understanding, given on page 5.

Answers may include some of the following ideas, but all valid material must be credited.

It is integral for Muslims to believe in God’s Oneness to be called a Muslim. Without this belief a person is not a Muslim. This core belief brings knowledge and gives Muslims strength and confidence in their identity as a Muslim and has a positive impact on their daily life.

Muslims look to God for guidance, to give help and answers to their daily problems. This gives Muslims the emotional and mental support to deal with challenges daily.

Muslims do not commit shirk and turn to shrines and saints for outcomes which are only in God’s control.

Muslims realise that other faiths believe in the Oneness of God and this common belief is shared with other faiths bringing about religious tolerance. Candidates might give examples to develop the points they make.