Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 11 · Question 2

Adam (2.30–37): Adam was the first human to be created by God. God had told the angels He would place a representative on earth, and the angels asked why, if he will only make mischief unlike the angels who only glorify God. When God spoke to Adam, he taught Him and gave him knowledge of things that the angels did not know. God gives knowledge to whom He wills. It shows the superiority of humans over angels due to what they know, and so it stresses the importance of gaining knowledge. God also told Adam that he and his wife should live in the Garden but they were not to touch a specific tree. Satan, who was jealous of Adam and had refused to bow to him, came to tempt Adam and his wife into eating from the tree. He is from the mischief makers who whisper evil into the minds/hearts of humans. God sent Adam and his wife to live on earth. Adam realised his mistake and through this event turned to God for forgiveness. And God, because He is the most merciful, turned towards Adam, meaning He forgave Him. This passage tells Muslims about the favours God gives his prophets. He gives them knowledge for guidance, and He forgives when people turn to Him in repentance. Jesus (5.110): Jesus/Isa was given special miracles which helped him understand the power of God. God asked Jesus to recount the blessings that God had given him and his mother (Maryam), showing that God gives his prophets favours to help them in their lives. God then gives a list of the things He has given Jesus, and the benefits of those favours: He was given the holy spirit which allowed him to speak to the people as a child and when he was older. He was also taught the Law and the Gospel to teach the people how to live their lives in accordance to God’s laws. He was also able to give life to the dead and heal the sick, by the will of God. He also protected Jesus from the unbelievers who accused Jesus of magic and did not believe His powers were a sign of God’s majesty. This all showed Jesus the favours he was given by God which allowed him to believe in Him and follow Him.

Muslims can serve God on earth by understanding and fulfilling their obligation to Him, primarily through praying and fulfilling the five pillars, and by not disobeying His commands. They should be grateful to Him for what He has given them, food, shelter, clothing, and thank Him. This can be done by praying, reciting Qur’an, being generous to others, helping those in need, e.g. by feeding the poor, giving gifts and charity. They should also look after the provisions God has given them, whether it be the food and the environment it grows in, the knowledge He gives for guidance or the people who are in a person’s life for their help and wellbeing, e.g. by not wasting food or eating too much, by learning something and teaching others, by respecting teachers and colleagues. These are just some examples, candidates can use their own.