Answer EITHER Question 3 OR Question 4.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. There are different approaches to answer this question which are equally valid. Candidates may refer to Qur'anic verses and general scholarly opinion, without necessarily naming individual scholars, or they may refer to scholars or schools of thought.
2. The Qur'an states: 'Allah is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars that ye can see; is firmly established on the throne (of authority); He has subjected the sun and the moon (to his Law)! Each one runs (its course) for a term appointed. He doth regulate all affairs, explaining the signs in detail, that ye may believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord.' (Qur'an 13.2)
3. This suggests that signs can be seen in the natural world which scholars can make use of. Some even refer to it as the Qur'an in natural form. Scholars such as al-Ghazali mentions that the natural world is a symbol of the divine one. The written down holy book is called the Qur'an al-tadwini and the natural laws of the universe seen in the world as the Qur'an al-takwini.
4. Some scholars, e.g. Ibn Tufayl, used logical deduction of signs in the natural world to show that there is unity in the universe, and so there must be one creator God. He used observation and logical deduction through the character of Hayy Ibn Yaqzan in his novel.
5. Other scholars use signs in the natural world with caution. Most interpret them in the framework of traditional Islamic law (shariah), using the Qur'an and Hadith as primary sources. Logical deduction and interpretation can only be made within the context of these written sources and never in contradiction to them.
6. Some scholars looked at the world to explain creation. Ibn Sina concluded that there must have been a single, creator God based on unity which can be observed in natural signs in the universe. Al-Biruni saw the freshness in nature as evidence that God was continuing to work in the world around.
7. Natural disasters and events may be interpreted by scholars as signs with meaning. Instead of being disheartened, scholars interpret signs as part of God's pre-planned design for the world. Muslims even say thanks to God (alhamdulilah) for all events because this means God's will for them is always good.
8. Sometimes natural signs can be interpreted as a test, to show that Muslims can respond by being compassionate and helping those in need and therefore achieve a reward in the afterlife as a result. Some signs can be seen as punishments for a society which has gone astray.
9. The main teachings of Islam could be defined as beliefs and practices, such as the belief in the oneness of God (tawhid) and the practices of the Five Pillars of Islam, and other details associated with these.
10. The world around as shown through nature and the directly revealed word of God both originate with the creator and therefore both can be seen as evidence which testifies to the same teachings.
11. The most important belief is the oneness of God (tawhid), attested through the unity in the universe. Scholar Ibn Tufayl showed that this could be derived from logical observation of nature, together with other main beliefs.
12. People who have never heard of Islam are still considered Muslims until they have rejected it, because they are born in a natural state and have some exposure to the faith through natural signs in the world around them.
13. The main beliefs include the articles of faith and Pillars of Islam, and these were defined quite specifically by Muhammad (pbuh). Someone who has not read his teachings is unlikely to have much idea about faith.
14. Different interpretations are possible by looking at nature, and it is a risk that someone might go off at a tangent and develop heretical beliefs if relying only on their own, logical interpretation of nature around them.
15. Interpretation of nature is complex and has engaged some of the best scholarly minds over the generations. But the average observer needs guidance for their day-to-day observance of religious practice.
16. Conclusions are likely to focus on what is 'main' and how far signs can point to this. Some may conclude that many signs do point to these teachings but how far they clearly show all of them is open to question.