Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur'an, and: (i) Allah. There is no god but He, the living, the self-subsisting, eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permits? He knows what is before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass any of His knowledge except as He wills. His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme. (Sura 2.255) (ii) 37. Among His signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Adore not the sun and the moon, but adore Allah, who created them, if it is Him you wish to serve. (Sura 41.37) (iii) 75. So also did We show Abraham the power and the laws of the heavens and the earth, so that he might have certainty. 76. When the night covered him over, he saw a star: He said: 'This is my Lord.' But when it set, he said: 'I do not love things that set.' 77. When he saw the moon rising in splendour, he said: 'This is my Lord.' But when the moon set, he said: 'Unless my Lord guides me, I will surely be among those who go astray.' 78. When he saw the sun rising in splendour, he said: 'This is my Lord; this is the greatest.' But when the sun set, he said: 'O my people! I am indeed free from your giving partners to Allah.' 79. 'For me, I have set my face firmly and truly towards Him who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah.' (Sura 6.75–79)

Mark scheme

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

1. [4] (a) Read two (a) parts together and give a mark out of 4 for the whole answer. A reference to the background of the sura can help distinguish one sura from another. Answers must be qualified to get higher marks - candidates have to expand on the themes.
2. [Content] Sura 2.255 themes: God in Himself and Tawhid, One God; that He is unlike creation; that His knowledge is infinite; that the Throne represents His power. Candidates will develop these themes in their own way, e.g. saying that He looks after all the Heavens and earth and no-one is needed to look after Him; He doesn't sleep nor get tired in what He does; humans only know what He allows them; His throne is understood as His majesty, uniqueness, knowledge and having total power. It emphasises how He is the only one who can make decisions about His creation, yet He is transcendent – completely independent from His creation.
3. [Content] Sura 41.37 themes: God in Himself; God as Creator; God's signs; Tawhid/Lord of mankind. Candidates will develop these themes in their own way, e.g., saying God creates and controls everything, in this verse specifically the sun and the moon; the order and cycle of the sun and the moon are God's signs for humankind; they are signs of His power so only He should be worshipped; no-one is equal to Him; It is a negation of paganism – the sun and moon are not to be worshipped.
4. [Content] Sura 6.75-79 themes: God's messengers, His signs in creation; guidance given to prophets and His relationship with them. Candidates will develop these themes in their own way, e.g., saying that God created the sun and the moon and other natural phenomenon, and He invites humanity to ponder over them, as did His prophets; the passage also shows His relationship with His prophets, as Ibrahim was searching for God, and that He uses these signs to guide them; God provides guidance to His prophets and through the prophets to Muslims; The main message given to all the prophets is Tawhid and all prophets share this with their people.
5. [4] (b) Read two (b) parts together and give a mark out of 4 for the whole answer. Candidates must make it relevant to Muslim lives to get the higher marks.
6. [Content] Sura 2.255 importance: these verses allow Muslims to learn and understand something about God in a way relevant to them. The theme of God's self-subsistence shows how certain attributes that affect humans do not affect Him, e.g. sleep which shows Muslims how superior He is. He has the knowledge and power over all things hence Muslims do not disobey Him or sin even when alone. It was said by the Prophet (pbuh) to be one of the best passages of the Qur'an, so Muslims might recite it daily for protection.
7. [Content] Sura 41.37 importance: strengthen belief by showing that created things are not permanent. The prophets have asked God for guidance and so Muslims should take this guidance too. They should realise they need to look to one God for their answers, rather than looking to created things for guidance. The humans are encouraged to ponder on and study His signs.
8. [Content] Sura 6.75-79 importance: creates a strong link with God so Muslims do not look up to anything/anyone else, famous people, money, etc., and they worship only Him. It stops them from committing shirk. It shows Muslims how God guided His messengers, in this case Ibrahim and they also seek God's guidance in their lives. Humans should use their minds to ponder upon God. God's signs invite Muslims to observe their environment. It creates awe and wonder to help get closer to Him. It reminds humankind that He is the creator of all things, and this realization helps them turn to Him in times of need.