Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur'an, and: (i) قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ اللهُ الصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ 1. Say: He is Allah, the one and only; 2. Allah, the eternal, absolute; 3. He does not beget, nor is He begotten; 4. And there is none like Him. (Sura 112) (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 رِزْقًا لَكُمْ فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا لِلَّهِ 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) (iii) وَإِدْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الأرْض خَلِيفَة قالوا أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَاءِ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ قَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ وَعَلَّمَ آدَمَ الأَسْمَاءِ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَلَائِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنبِئُونِي بِأَسْمَاء هَؤُلَاءِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ قَالُوا سُبْحَانَكَ لا عِلْمَ لَنَا إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ قَالَ يَا آدَمُ أَنبِئْهُم بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ فَلمَّا أنبأهُمْ بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ قالَ ألم أقل لكمْ إِنِّي أعْلَمُ غَيْبَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَأَعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُونَ وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْتُمُونَ وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلا إِبْلِيسَ أَبَى وَاسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّة وكلا مِنْهَا رَغَداً حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ فَأَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ وَقُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إلى حين فَتَلَقَّى آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ 30. Behold, your Lord said to the angels: ‘I will create a vicegerent on earth.' They said: 'Will You place there one who will make mischief there and shed blood?- whilst we celebrate your praises and glorify your holy (name)?' He said: 'I know what you do not know.' 31. And He taught Adam the names of all things; then He placed them before the angels, and said: 'Tell me the names of these if you are right.' 32. They said: 'Glory to You, of knowledge we have none, save what You have taught us: In truth it is You who are perfect in knowledge and wisdom.' 33. He said: 'Adam! Tell them their names.' When he had told them, Allah said: 'Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of heaven and earth, and I know what you reveal and what you conceal?' 34. And behold, We said to the angels: 'Bow down to Adam'. And they bowed down. Not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: he was of those who reject faith. 35. We said: 'Adam! You and your wife dwell in the Garden; and eat of the bountiful things in it as You wish. But do not approach this tree, or you will run into harm and transgression.' 36. Then Satan made them slip from there, and got them out of what they had been in. We said: 'Go down, with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood, for a time.' 37. Then Adam learnt from his Lord words of inspiration, and his Lord turned towards him; for He is often-returning, most merciful. (Sura 2.30–37)
- (a)briefly describe the main theme(s) in each passage[4]
- (b)briefly explain the importance of these themes in a Muslim's life today.[4]
Mark scheme
Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.
- [4] (a) Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur'an, and: briefly describe the main theme(s) in each passage;
- (1) Sura 112: The main themes are: God as one: tawhid; God being eternal; God being unique.
- Candidates will develop these themes in their own way, e.g., by saying this is the main sura specifically revealed to describe tawhid; it describes how God is the only one diety and that He does not have a beginning nor end; God is unlike anyone or anything in creation. He has no partners or family, does not have anyone to share His authority nor any children; it forms one of the suras of protection.
- (2) Sura 2.21-22: The main themes are: God as one: tawhid; God as Creator and Sustainer; being grateful to God.
- Candidates will develop these themes in their own way, e.g., saying 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), so they should be grateful to God, and use the environment with respect. It also suggests that humankind should not commit the greatest sin of associating partners / rivals with God, for He is the only Creator and Sustainer.
- (3) Sura 2.30-37: The main themes are: God as Creator; his relationship and care of His prophets; God giving knowledge and status to whom He wishes.
- Candidates will develop these themes in their own way, e.g., saying God created Adam, as well as everything else (angels, etc), and granted him a high position – there is a stature of humans in relation to God; God gives knowledge to who he wants and he gives the special status of prophethood to whom he wishes. When Satan misled Adam, God did not leave him or allow any obstacle to prevent him from making Adam his representative on earth, in other words God looks after His prophets.
- These are examples candidates can write about, they should be credited for other, relevant answers. Candidates should show how the theme(s) they choose is distinctive in that passage. The best answers will have a few themes with development.
- [4] (b) briefly explain the importance of these themes in a Muslim's life today.
- (1) Sura 112: The importance of stressing the Oneness of God is so that people do not take other people or created things as their Lord, so they should not replace God with things like famous people/saints, or place anyone or anything alongside Him.
- It ensures they know that God does not have family, so they will avoid making the mistake of believing in God having children or a partner, or anyone to share in His authority. Gives them clarity and allows them to develop a relationship with God.
- (2) Sura 2.21-22: This passage represents the themes of God and His creation, and His oneness, through the natural world. Candidates could talk about the words used to show how the natural world is a comfort for mankind, and so they should look after it.
- 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.
- (3) Sura 2.30-37: The importance is that Adam was the first prophet of God, who was made his representative on earth. This gives Muslims a sense of their connection to God as Adam is called the father of humankind and everyone is descended from him. God showed Adam's importance by making the angels bow to him, and forgiving him when he disobeyed. This should make humankind understand their status, they should seek forgiveness from God and worship Him. It also shows God's care and direct relationship with every individual.
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