Islamiyat revision notes

One chapter for each section of the 2058 syllabus, with worked examples. Read a chapter, then practise it with real past-paper questions.

1. 1Major Themes of the Qur'anThe fifteen set passages grouped under God in himself, God's relationship with the created world and God's Messengers, with the theme of each passage and why it matters to Muslims today.18 min read
2. 2The History and Importance of the Qur'anHow the Qur'an was revealed between 610 and 632, how it was compiled under Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman, how it is used in law with the Hadiths, consensus and analogy, and why it is the basis of Muslim life.22 min read
3. 3The Prophet from Birth to ProphethoodArabia before Islam, the Prophet's birth, childhood and youth, his marriage to Khadijah, his character before the call, and the first revelation in 610.11 min read
4. 4The Prophet in Makka (610–622)The early preaching, the opposition of the Quraysh, the migration to Abyssinia, the boycott, the Year of Sorrow, Ta'if, the Night Journey, the pledges at Aqaba and the Hijrah.17 min read
5. 5The Prophet in Madina (622–632)The founding of the community in Madina, the Constitution and the mosque, the battles of Badr, Uhud and the Trench, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, the conquest of Makka, the Farewell Pilgrimage and the Prophet's death.23 min read
6. 6The Prophet's Character and ExampleThe Prophet's character, why his actions are an example for individuals (including his treatment of women and non-Muslims) and for Muslim communities and states, and his role as Seal of the Prophets.10 min read
7. 7The First Islamic CommunityThe Prophet's wives, his children and descendants including the Imams recognised by Shi'a Muslims, and his leading Companions: the Ten Blessed Companions, the scribes, the Emigrants and Helpers, and the four Rightly Guided Caliphs during his lifetime.26 min read
8. 8Major Teachings in the HadithsThe twenty Hadiths set for special study in Paper 2, grouped under individual conduct and life in the community, with the main teaching of each and its importance today.14 min read
9. 9The History and Importance of the HadithsWhat the Hadiths are, how they were collected and checked, the earliest collections, the main compilers, the six Sunni and four Shi'a collections, and their place in Islamic law alongside the Qur'an, consensus and analogy.17 min read
10. 10The Rightly Guided CaliphsThe rules of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali (632–661): how each was chosen, the main events and battles, their policies and administration, their achievements and difficulties, the examples of leadership they gave, and why their rule is a model for later times.28 min read
11. 11The Articles of FaithThe six Articles of Faith (God, angels, books, prophets, predestination and the Last Day) and the meanings of jihad, with what Muslims believe and why each matters.19 min read
12. 12The Pillars of IslamThe Five Pillars (shahada, salat, zakat, sawm and hajj): how each is performed, its meaning, who is exempted and why it matters to individuals and to the community.25 min read