How the passages are set
Paper 1, Question 1 sets three passages (one from each group below) and you answer two of them. For each you are asked about the major theme or themes in the passage and about the importance of those themes in the lives of Muslims today (8 marks in all: 4 + 4). You study the passages in an English translation with reference to the Arabic, because the passage is printed in both.
| Group | Theme | Passages (sura and verses) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | God in himself | 2:255 · 6:101–103 · 41:37 · 42:4–5 · 112 |
| 2 | God's relationship with the created world | 1 · 2:21–22 · 96:1–5 · 99 · 114 |
| 3 | God's Messengers | 2:30–37 · 6:75–79 · 5:110 · 93 · 108 |
Group 1: God in himself
Key idea: Tawhid, the oneness of God. God is one, living, eternal, all-knowing and all-powerful. He has no partner, no son and no equal, and nothing can fully comprehend him.
| Passage | What it says | Main theme |
|---|---|---|
| 2:255 (Ayat al-Kursi, "the Throne Verse") | There is no god but Allah, the Living, the Self-subsisting. Neither slumber nor sleep seizes him. All that is in the heavens and on earth belongs to him. No one can intercede without his permission. He knows what is before and behind people, and his Throne (knowledge and authority) extends over the heavens and the earth. Guarding them does not tire him. He is the Most High, the Supreme | God's oneness, life, knowledge and power; he alone can grant intercession |
| 6:101–103 | God is the originator of the heavens and the earth. He cannot have a son because he has no consort, and he created everything. He is the Lord, there is no god but him, he is Creator of all things, so he alone should be worshipped. No sight can grasp him, but he grasps all sight: he is subtle and fully aware | God as Creator, no son or partner, beyond human understanding, and the duty to worship him alone |
| 41:37 | Night and day, the sun and the moon are among God's signs. Do not bow to the sun or moon: prostrate to Allah, who created them, if it is him you worship | Creation as signs of God; worship belongs to the Creator, not to created things |
| 42:4–5 | Everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to God, who is Most High and Most Great. The heavens are almost torn apart by his majesty; the angels glorify him and ask forgiveness for those on earth. God is the Forgiving, the Merciful | God's greatness and ownership, the role of the angels, and God's forgiveness and mercy |
| 112 (al-Ikhlas, "Sincerity") | Qul huwa Allahu ahad. God is One, the Eternal, Absolute (as-Samad: he needs nothing, everyone needs him); he neither begets nor is begotten; and none is like him | The purest statement of Tawhid: unity, self-sufficiency and uniqueness |
Importance today. These passages are the basis of Muslim belief and worship. They remind Muslims that God is always aware of them (so they should be honest and conscientious), that shirk (setting up partners with God) is the greatest sin, that no person, wealth or power deserves worship, and that people can pray to God directly. Sura 112 is recited daily in prayer and is said to be equal in reward to a third of the Qur'an. Ayat al-Kursi is recited for protection and trust in God.
Group 2: God's relationship with the created world
Key idea: God is the Lord who creates, sustains, guides and will judge his creation.
| Passage | What it says | Main theme |
|---|---|---|
| Sura 1 (al-Fatiha, "the Opening") | In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. Praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds, Master of the Day of Judgement. "You alone we worship and you alone we ask for help." Guide us along the straight path, the path of those you have blessed, not of those who earned your anger or went astray | Praise, mercy, worship, judgement and guidance; the central prayer of every salat |
| 2:21–22 | People are called to worship their Lord who created them and those before them, so that they may become God-fearing (taqwa). He made the earth a resting place and the sky a canopy, and sent down rain to bring out fruits as provision. So do not set up rivals to him | God as Creator and Provider; creation as a sign; no rivals |
| 96:1–5 | The first revelation: "Read in the name of your Lord who created, created man from a clot. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous, who taught by the pen, taught man what he did not know" | Knowledge and learning; God as Creator and Teacher; the beginning of revelation |
| 99 (az-Zalzalah, "the Earthquake") | When the earth is shaken with its violent quake, it throws out its burdens, and people ask what is happening. The earth tells its news, as its Lord commanded. Then people come out in groups to be shown their deeds. Whoever has done an atom's weight of good will see it, and whoever has done an atom's weight of evil will see it | The Last Day and accountability: every deed counts, however small |
| 114 (an-Nas, "Mankind") | "I seek refuge with the Lord, King and God of mankind, from the evil of the whisperer (al-waswas) who slips away, who whispers in people's hearts, from jinn and from people" | Seeking God's protection from evil, temptation and doubt; God as Lord, King and God |
Importance today. Fatiha is recited in every unit (rak'ah) of prayer, so it shapes Muslim worship and the belief that God alone is worshipped and asked for help. Sura 96 encourages education and the pursuit of knowledge for men and women. Sura 99 teaches accountability, which affects honesty and kindness in daily life and work. Suras 114 (and 113) are recited for protection and remind Muslims to trust God against temptation and anxiety. Sura 2:21–22 teaches gratitude for creation and care for the earth God has provided.
Group 3: God's Messengers
Key idea: God has guided humanity through prophets, who are human, chosen and supported by God.
| Passage | What it says | Main theme |
|---|---|---|
| 2:30–37 (Adam) | God tells the angels he will place a khalifa (successor or steward) on earth. The angels ask whether he will cause mischief and bloodshed, but God knows what they do not. He teaches Adam the names of all things, and Adam shows knowledge the angels lack. The angels are told to bow to Adam; they do, except Iblis, who refuses out of pride. Adam and his wife live in the Garden but are told not to approach one tree. Satan makes them slip. They are sent down to earth, but Adam receives words from his Lord, repents and is forgiven | Humanity's role as God's steward, knowledge, pride and temptation, and repentance and forgiveness; Adam as the first prophet |
| 6:75–79 (Ibrahim, Abraham) | God shows Ibrahim the kingdom of the heavens and the earth so that he may have certainty. He sees a star, then the moon, then the sun, and says "this is my Lord", but when each sets he says he does not love things that set. He turns his face to the Creator and is free of shirk | Tawhid through reasoning; rejecting the worship of created things; Ibrahim as a model of seeking the truth |
| 5:110 (Isa, Jesus) | On the Day of Judgement God reminds Isa of his favours: he strengthened him with the Holy Spirit so he spoke in the cradle and as an adult; taught him the Book, Wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel; let him make a bird from clay by God's leave; and healed the blind and the leper and raised the dead by God's permission. Those who disbelieved called it magic | Isa as a prophet and servant of God, his miracles all happened by God's permission (he is not divine) |
| 93 (ad-Duha, "the Morning Light") | By the morning light and the night when it grows still: your Lord has not abandoned you or grown displeased. The future will be better than the past. God will give you until you are content. He found you an orphan and gave you shelter, found you lost and guided you, found you in need and enriched you. So do not oppress the orphan, do not turn away the beggar, and speak of your Lord's blessings | Comfort and reassurance for the Prophet (pbuh); God's care; kindness to orphans and the poor and gratitude |
| 108 (al-Kawthar, "Abundance") | God has given you al-Kawthar (abundance, a river in paradise). So pray to your Lord and sacrifice. It is the one who hates you who will be cut off | God's generosity to the Prophet (pbuh); prayer and sacrifice; the victory of the Prophet over his enemies |
Importance today. The passages teach that all prophets brought the same message of Tawhid. Muslims honour Adam, Ibrahim and Isa as prophets (but not as divine), which helps respect between Muslims, Christians and Jews. Adam's story teaches repentance: no one is beyond forgiveness. Ibrahim's story encourages thinking and questioning to reach faith. Sura 93 teaches kindness to orphans and the poor, important in Muslim charity and welfare work, and comfort in hardship. Sura 108 is the shortest sura, and it is linked to prayer and the sacrifice at Eid al-Adha.
Background and importance of each passage
Examiners expect you to say where and when a passage was revealed, its theme, and then why it matters in daily life. Revelation circumstances below follow the usual accounts.
| Passage | Revealed | Background and theme | Importance for Muslims today |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:255 | Madina | The Throne Verse: God's life, knowledge, power and authority; no one intercedes without leave | The Prophet called it a great treasure; recited for protection; removes any idea of partners with God |
| 6:101–103 | Makka | God is creator without help; he cannot have a son; nothing can see him fully but he sees all | Avoids shirk; remembering that God knows even secret deeds makes people honest |
| 41:37 | Makka | The sun and moon are signs, not gods; signs invite reflection (3:190) | Teaches worship of the Creator alone, and thought about nature |
| 42:4–5 | Makka | God owns everything; the heavens almost split at his majesty; the angels glorify him and ask forgiveness for believers | Humility before God; hope in forgiveness; forgiving others |
| 112 | Makka | Revealed when the Quraysh asked the Prophet about his Lord's lineage: God is one, eternal and unique | Recited in prayer; equal to one third of the Qur'an; guards against shirk |
| 1 | Makka | The Opening: praise, mercy, judgement, worship, help and guidance | Recited in every rak'ah; "no prayer without Fatiha"; a prayer for guidance |
| 2:21–22 | Madina | God created and provides (earth, sky, rain) and must not be given rivals | Gratitude, and care for the earth God has given |
| 96:1–5 | Makka | The first revelation: God as creator and teacher, the pen and knowledge | Value of learning for all; reading and writing as worship |
| 99 | Often listed as Madinan | The earthquake and the accounting; an atom's weight of good or evil | Accountability; small acts count; do not be distracted by this world |
| 114 | Makka (and later Madina, with Sura 113) | Refuge with the Lord, King and God of mankind from the whisperer | Recited for protection; trust in God against temptation and anxiety |
| 2:30–37 | Madina | Adam as God's successor on earth; angels bow and Iblis (a jinn) refuses out of pride; Adam repents | Humanity's role and responsibility; avoid pride; God forgives (7:23) |
| 6:75–79 | Makka | Ibrahim reasons from the stars, moon and sun to one Creator (see 6:81) | Faith is reached by thought; reject worship of created things |
| 5:110 | Madina | God recalls his favours to Isa: miracles "by my leave"; Isa as a prophet and servant | Belief in Isa as a prophet; all power belongs to God |
| 93 | Makka | Revealed after a pause in revelation when the Quraysh mocked the Prophet; God had not forsaken him: orphan sheltered, lost guided, poor enriched | Hope in hardship; kindness to orphans and the poor (76:8); gratitude |
| 108 | Makka | Revealed after the death of the Prophet's son, when Abu Lahab called him abtar ("cut off"): God gave him abundance (a river in paradise) and told him to pray and sacrifice | Trust in God when mocked; the link with Eid al-Adha; the shortest sura |
Sample reasons for the [4] questions about themes.
- Why should Muslims understand God's attributes? The better they know God, the better they understand their purpose and are protected from shirk.
- How can men and women serve God as his "representatives on earth" (2:30)? By worship, gratitude, honest work, charity, learning and teaching, and looking after the provisions and environment God has given.
- Why does the Qur'an stress knowledge? The first command was "Read", and without learning people would not know their duties and potential.
- "Hardship brings a person closer to God": agree or disagree? Agree: the prophets were tested and stayed steadfast, which strengthened faith. A reasoned disagreement is also possible: not everyone reacts the same way.
- "The Qur'an teaches responsibility towards the environment"? Agree: earth and rain are for people's benefit and on the Last Day the earth will bear witness to how people treated it (99:4).
Major themes of the Qur'an (summary)
| Theme | Where it appears in the passages |
|---|---|
| Tawhid (God's oneness) | 112, 2:255, 6:101–103, 6:75–79 |
| God as Creator and Sustainer | 2:21–22, 41:37, 96:1–5, 6:101 |
| God's mercy and forgiveness | 1, 42:5, 2:37 |
| Worship and trust in God | 1, 114, 41:37 |
| Accountability and the Last Day | 99, 1 (Master of the Day of Judgement) |
| Guidance and prophethood | 1, 2:30–37, 6:75–79, 5:110, 93 |
| Knowledge | 96, 2:31–33 |
| Care for the weak | 93 |
Outline. (a) The theme is accountability on the Last Day: the earth quakes, people are shown their deeds, and even an atom's weight of good or evil is seen. (b) It makes Muslims careful about every action, encourages honesty, charity and small acts of kindness, and reminds them that wealth or power will not help on the Last Day, only deeds done for God.
Practise this chapter
Every past-paper question on these topics, with the mark scheme.