Using passages from the syllabus write about what God says about His relationship with two of His Messengers.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] The passages in the syllabus relating to God and His Messengers are: 2.30-37, 6.75–79, 5.110, 93 and 108. Candidates can use any number of passages to write about, but they should write with some detail about the relationship and not merely give general comments/themes about them. God chose His Messengers mainly to make Himself known and to guide human beings. All of them were tested and all of them were given blessings and guidance to draw them closer to God. They were also asked to submit to God completely.
2. [10] Adam was the first human to be created by God and was given special status by God. When God spoke to Adam, he taught Him and gave him knowledge of things that the angels did not know. This shows the superiority of humans over angels due to what they know.
3. [10] God gave Adam instructions not to touch a specific tree, without explaining why - so God tested Adam from the beginning. Part of this test was when Satan came to tempt Adam and his wife into eating from the tree.
4. [10] God sent Adam and his wife to live on earth. Adam realised his mistake and through this event turned to God for forgiveness. And God, because He is the most merciful, turned towards Adam, meaning He forgave Him. It is the nature of humans to sin and God wants them to turn to Him for forgiveness.
5. [10] Ibrahim/Abraham was given knowledge of God through the law and order of the heavens and the earth. God inspired him through His signs, and Ibrahim turned towards Him.
6. [10] Through these events he turned himself to believe in God and did not associate partners with Him. Ibrahim used his intellect and reasoning to decide that none of them can be the Supreme Being.
7. [10] Their relationship is shown through the creation of God, with Ibrahim waiting to be guided by God, and in return God inspired Him through the blessings of the sun and the moon to see His order, His Unity and His control over creation. God does not change unlike the things He has created.
8. [10] Jesus/Isa was given special guidance and miracles to realise God's status as Creator and his status as a prophet.
9. [10] God gave Jesus these miracles, relevant to his time, as a sign of His power over all things: the holy spirit which allowed him to speak to the people as a child and when he was older, the Law and the Gospel to teach the people how to live their lives in accordance to God's laws, giving life to the dead and healing the sick.
10. [10] God helps his prophets and those close to Him, and these favours were given to help Jesus call people to God.
11. [10] God saved Jesus from execution, which showed God's love and protection for him.
12. [10] The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) faced hardships like the other prophets, but God reminds him that he gave him blessings in this life and the next, which relieved the Prophet and gave him reassurance that God was looking after him.
13. [10] God gave him shelter, guidance and independence, and also gave him blessings in the form of Kawthar, a river in paradise. The Prophet (pbuh) is told to believe in God and tell his people about Him so they can also turn to Him when in need.
14. [10] The Prophet (pbuh) is asked to pray, do good and look after the poor and needy.
15. [4] Candidates could say that the Qur'an is the word of God, so it gives Muslims a connection to God.
16. [4] It contains guidance from God, so it lets them know what God wants and expects from them.
17. [4] There is a communication with God through the Qur'an, whether it is through reciting it or using certain passages as supplications.
18. [4] Reading it, memorising it, teaching it to others all have benefits and may allow Muslims to increase their connection to God.
19. [4] Other valid responses should be credited.