Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur'an, and: (1) بسم اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ الْحَمْدُ للهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ اهدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ (i) 1. In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful. 2. Praise be to Allah, the cherisher and sustainer of the worlds; 3. Most gracious, most merciful; 4. Master of the day of judgment. 5. You we worship, and your aid we seek. 6. Show us the straight way, 7. The way of those to whom You have given your grace, not those who earn your anger, nor those who go astray. (Sura 1) (ii) يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ فِرَاشًا وَالسَّمَاء بِنَاء وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاء مَاء فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ ِرزْقًا لَكُمْ فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ (ii) 21. O people! Adore your Guardian-Lord, who created you and those who came before you, so that you may have the chance to learn righteousness; 22. Who has made the earth your couch, and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain from the heavens; and by it brought forth fruits for your sustenance; then do not set up rivals to Allah, when you know. (Sura 2.21-22) (iii) إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ (iii) 1. To you have We granted abundance. 2. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice. 3. For he who hates you, he will be cut off. (Sura 108)

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [4] (a) Sura 1: The main themes are: God's relationship with the created world and that God is the Lord of creation; He gives guidance to humans; He is the Merciful; He is One. Candidates will develop these themes in their own way, e.g., God presides over judgment and controls the worlds. God gives guidance to those who ask. God is merciful towards His creation. He should be turned to for guidance and help. God is Master of all creation so only He is deserving of worship.
2. [4] (a) Sura 2.21-22: The main themes are: God's relationship with the created world and tawhid; God as Creator and Sustainer; being grateful to God. Candidates will develop these themes in their own way, e.g., This passage emphasises that God is the Creator of everything including what is for the benefit of humankind (guidance, fertile earth, shade and water from sky). God also provides sustenance to His creation. As the creator, He is the most deserving of worship. Humankind should not commit the greatest sin of associating partners/rivals with God.
3. [4] (a) Sura 108: The main themes are: God's messengers and His relationship with the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in particular. Candidates will develop these themes in their own way, e.g., God's support and consolation to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Even in times of difficulties, Prophet (pbuh) and Muslims are required to worship and show obedience to God. God remains near to His prophets. It was also revealed to give hope to the Prophet (pbuh). It foretold the destruction of his opponents as well as success of his mission.
4. [4] (b) Sura 1: This is recited in every prayer. 'No prayer is accepted without Fatiha'. Through it humans communicate with God. Muslims use this to ask for guidance (given in the Qur'an and sunna), for mercy and help, even outside the prayer. Submitting to God brings humbleness into lives, and because Muslims are accountable to God they pray to be guided on the straight path. Through the teachings of this sura, Muslims today gain confidence in God's mercy and seek His guidance.
5. [4] (b) Sura 2.21-22: Candidates could talk about the words used to show how the natural world is a comfort for humankind, and so they should look after it. God provides the world for humankind so humans should be responsible for looking after their environment, which can be done in many ways. They could reflect upon the natural world and the benefits it holds for them. Humans should acknowledge who their sustenance has come from as He is the only creator of everything. Candidates could also talk about ways in which Muslims can be grateful to God.
6. [4] (b) Sura 108: The teachings give an insight into how the relationship between God and the Prophet (pbuh) has lessons for Muslims. Muslims today are that future generation of followers that was given to the Prophet (pbuh), and so this sura gives hope to people in times of need. Future hope is also given with the promise of the Kawthar in Paradise – candidates may refer to this future hope as being Fatima. God always intervenes in times of difficulty so Muslims should always remember to look to Him for help and support, and not feel disheartened in times of difficulty, e.g. during illness or oppression. Muslims should remain steadfast despite the difficulties or mockeries that they face. Even prophets were tested and faced hardships but remained steadfast so Muslims should not despair of God's mercy when facing hardships.