Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur'an, and: (1) 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 رِزْقًا لَكُمْ فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا لِلهِ أَندَادًا وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ 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) (ii) بسم اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ الحَمْدُ للهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ اهدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَليهِمْ غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ 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) (iii) قُلْ أَعُودُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ، مَلِكِ النَّاسِ، إِلَهِ النَّاسِ، مِن شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ الَّذِي يُوَسْوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَ النَّاسِ 1. Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind, 2. The King of mankind, 3. The God of Mankind, 4. From the mischief of the whisperer who withdraws, 5. Who whispers into the hearts of mankind, 6. Among jinns and among mankind. (Sura 114)

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2014). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [AO1: 4 marks overall for two chosen passages] Main teachings for Sura 2.21-22: Tawhid: emphasises that God is the Creator of everything. Partners/rivals should not be set up with God, for He is the only Creator and Sustainer. Benefits for mankind: these include guidance, fertile earth, shade and water from sky, which are given to mankind to live off and to remain humble and close to God.
2. Main teachings for Sura 1: Lord of creation: It is God who presides over judgement and controls the worlds. Guidance: God gives guidance to those who ask. This is used as a prayer. Mercy: He is the one to ask for forgiveness, and it is He who grants forgiveness to His humble servants. Tawhid: God as one, Master of all creation. Only He is deserving of worship.
3. Main teachings for Sura 114: God as refuge: Only He can help in times of need, in this case from jinn and men. Seek help only from Him. God as Lord: He created everything so controls everything, even mischief makers. It's a warning of those who whisper evil/bad ideas to humans, and then disappear and leave them on their own. Protector: God is a protector from these things; it is one of the suras of protection.
4. The above answers are not the only answers that could be presented. Candidates should be allowed to develop/show other relevant themes of the passage. The highest level should be kept for well written answers offering a variety of themes.
5. [AO2: 4 marks overall for two chosen passages] Importance of these themes for Sura 2.21-22: The importance of these teachings show the relationship between God and His creation. The passage reflects upon the natural world and the benefits it holds for Muslims. They can also see this from the guidance that came before them from prophets. Humans should acknowledge who their sustenance has come from as He is the only creator of everything.
6. Importance of these themes for Sura 1: This is recited in every prayer. 'No prayer is accepted without Fatiha'. It is a conversation with God and he is the Creator, and God is replying to each verse. Through it humans communicate with God. Muslims use this to ask for guidance (given in the Qur'an and sunna), 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.
7. Importance of these themes for Sura 114: Through these verses Muslims get to know the kind of evils/mischief they have to be wary of. This means they should be aware of what's happening to them so they can recognise the signs of mischief. Praying and doing good deeds strengthens reliance on God. Reciting this sura with the other ‘qul's' is a source of protection. God is the King so it is Him who people should seek refuge with.
8. These are not the only points candidates can mention, and personalising the passages to their own or Muslims' lives, or giving thoughtful answers with examples, could take them higher up the levels.