Cambridge & Pearson Edexcel Past Paper Questions

The conquest of Persia was one of ‘Umar's great achievements. Write an account of any two battles fought with the Persians during his caliphate.

Outline the main teachings in the Qur'an and Prophetic Hadiths about prayer (salat) as the foundation of Islam.

Muslims believe that God alone is Lord, that He alone should be worshipped and that His names and attributes are unique to Him. Outline Muslim beli...

Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) بَعَثَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَبَا مُوسَى وَمُعَادُ بْنَ جَبَلٍ إِلَى ا...

Write a detailed account of the parts of a Hadith and say how these parts help in determining the different categories of Hadiths, namely; sahih; h...

Write a detailed account of the battle of Yamama, and of the compilation of the Qur'an during the caliphate of Abu Bakr.

'And complete the hajj or umra in the service of God' (al-Baqara 2:196). What observances does a pilgrim complete in the performance of umra and ho...

Write an account of the events that resulted from the opposition of Talha and Zubayr to 'Ali.

Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur'an, and: (1) اللهُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لاَ تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلا نَوْ...

Choose two from the following passages and write in detail about the various ways in which the passages describe God and how He is unique: 6.101–10...

The Battle of Uhud was fought in the year 625. Describe the main events of this battle.

Write about events from the Prophet's life that show his qualities of generosity, honesty and simplicity in action.

Write about the lives of Fatima and any one other of the Prophet's daughters.

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...

From the Qur'an passages set for special study in the syllabus, describe the ways in which God gave knowledge of Himself to His Messengers.

The Pledges of Aqaba were made in the Prophet's last years in Makka. Outline the reasons for these pledges and write about the details in them.

The Muslims in Makka faced a lot of hostility after the Prophet began preaching openly. Describe the persecutions against the followers of the Prop...

Outline the tasks performed by the Prophet's scribes during his lifetime.

Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) الدِّينُ النَّصِيحَة. قُلْنَا: لِمَنْ؟ قَالَ: لِلهِ وَلِكِتَابِهِ، وَلرَسُولِهِ، وَلأَئِمَّةِ الْ...

Write a descriptive account of the terms isnad and matn of a Hadith and the role they play in establishing the genuineness of a Hadith.

Belief in the oneness of God (tawhid) is a fundamental aspect of faith. State how tawhid benefits Muslims in their everyday life.

Write about the following events that took place during the caliphate of 'Ali: • the battle of Siffin; • the emergence of Kharijites; and • the arb...

Alms-giving (zakat) is an act of worship which benefits the community of Muslims. Write in detail about its benefits to the giver, the receiver and...

Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) الْمُؤْمِنُونَ كَرَجُلٍ وَاحِدٍ، إِن اشْتَكَى عَيْنُهُ اشْتَكَى كُلُّهُ، وَإِن اشْتَكَى رَأْسُهُ...

'My community will never agree upon an error.' The Prophet's Hadith encourages the use of consensus of opinion (ijma'). Outline: what consensus of ...

'Umar made several administrative reforms during his ten year caliphate. Write an account of at least five of them and say how these reforms helped...

Associating partners (shirk) is opposed to believing in the oneness of God (tawhid) and can be divided into three main categories. Write about each...

Write about the preparations made for the two 'Id prayers and say how they are performed.

Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur'an, and: (1) بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ أَنَّى يَكُونُ لَهُ وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ تَكُن لَهُ صَ...

The Qur'an teaches Muslims about their relationship with God. Write about this relationship using the passages you have studied.

How did Islam grow in the years between the Prophet's first revelation and his first public preaching in Makka?

Write an account of the main events in the life of Abu Bakr during the life of the Prophet.

Describe in detail the roles of Halima and Abu Talib in the early years of the Prophet's life.

Write an account of the events of the first revelation and the Prophet's reaction afterwards.

Write about the main events of the battles of Khaybar and Tabuk.

The Prophet's relationship with the Quraysh changed after he began to receive revelations. Describe the differences in the way the Quraysh treated ...

'Uthman and Ja'far were among the companions who migrated to Abyssinia. Write an account of this migration and the events in it.

Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) بَعَثَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَبَا مُوسَى وَمُعَادَ بْنَ جَبَلٍ إِلى الي...

Outline the relationship between the Hadith and the Qur'an as sources of Islamic law. Give examples to support your answer.

Write a detailed account of Abu Bakr's achievements as Caliph.

List the Six Articles of Faith and give an account of what any two of them teach.

Write about the moral, social and economic benefits of a Muslim fasting.

Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) رَحِمَ اللهُ رَجُلاً سَمْحًا إِذا بَاعَ ، وَإِذَا اشْتَرَى، وَإِذَا اقْتَضَى. May God show mercy ...

Why did it become important to compile the prophetic Hadiths after the time of the Rightly Guided Caliphs?

Write a detailed account of two battles under the caliphate of ‘Umar.

Write in detail about Muslim belief in Life after Death and the Day of Judgement.

'There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.' Write about the significance of the shahada to a Muslim.

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 slum...

Write about the way in which the Qur'an was compiled after the Prophet's death.

Describe the events of the Prophet's night journey and ascension (al-isra wal miraj).