Cambridge & Pearson Edexcel Past Paper Questions

Describe the events of the Battle of Uhud.

The Prophet entered Makka and took control of it in 8AH. Describe the main details of this event.

Give an account of the lives of 'Ali ibn Talib and Zayd bin Harith during the life of the Prophet.

Write about the preservation of the Qur'an in the form of the mushaf held by Hafsa.

The Qur'an says the Prophet is of 'great moral character' (68.4). Identify events from his life that show a range of his moral characteristics.

Outline the difficulties the Prophet faced between receiving his first revelation and the boycott of Banu Hashim.

Write about the lives of two of the Prophet's wives whom he married after the death of Khadija.

Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) Hadith 18 He who has in his heart as much faith as a grain of mustard seed will not enter hell, a...

Describe how the Prophet's Hadiths can be used together with the Qur'an to help Muslims understand and practise their faith.

'Ali's policy of changing the governors appointed by 'Uthman led to a lot of problems for him. Outline: (i) His reasons for making these changes; (...

Write an account of the benefits that result from the payment of charity (zakat), and state to whom it should and should not be paid.

Belief in prophets and the revealed books are essential to Islam. Write an account of these two articles of faith.

Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَومِ الآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْراً أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ، وَمَنْ كَان...

Outline the roles of the following in formulating Islamic law: (i) The Prophet's Hadiths (ii) Consensus (ijma')

Describe the particular features of congregational prayers, both daily and on Fridays (Jum'a prayers).

Outline the charges levelled against ‘Uthman by his opponents, and describe the main events of the revolt against him.

Describe the meaning of the term jihad and say how Muslims can practise jihad in their everyday lives.

Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur'an, and: (i) بسم اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ الحَمْدُ للهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ الرَّحْمَنِ ...

From Qur'an passages you have studied, write about what lessons can be learnt from God's conversations with Adam and Jesus.

Write about the way in which the Prophet interacted with non-Muslims after his move to Madina.

The Battle of Badr took place in the second year after the hijra. Describe the main events of this battle.

Give an account of the difficulties experienced by the early Muslim community in Makka.

The first revelation came to the Prophet Muhammad in 610. Describe his experience of this event.

The Prophet Muhammad was taken on a night journey and ascent to the heavens (al-'isra wa-l-mi'raj). Write an account of this journey.

With reference to the conduct of the Muslims, describe the events of the Conquest of Makka.

Give an account of the lives of ‘Uthman and ‘Ali during the lifetime of the Prophet.

Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) رَحِمَ اللَّهُ رَجُلا سَمْحًا إذا بَاعَ ، وَإِذا اشْتَرَى، وَإِذَا اقْتَضَى. May God show mercy t...

Giving references from the set Hadiths you have studied, outline the Prophet's teachings about care in the community.

Write in detail about the policy followed by 'Uthman as caliph in expanding and maintaining the state.

Belief in all the prophets is one of the articles of faith in Islam. Write about this Muslim belief in detail.

Describe the particular features of Friday congregational prayers (Jum'a) and the main features of the Friday sermon.

Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur'an, and: (i) اقرأ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ اقْرَأْ وَرَب...

2 Write about the function of the Qur'an and Sunna as the two primary sources of Islamic law.

3 The Prophet exercised a lot of self-restraint and patience when preaching Islam in Makka. Write about at least three events from this period of t...

4 Give a detailed account of the Prophet's journey from Makka to Madina in 622.

5 Write about the lives of the Companions Bilal ibn Rabah, Ja'far ibn Abi Talib and Salman al-Farsi.

The Qur'an has been preserved in writing for over 1400 years. Give an account of the way in which it was compiled in the written format.

The Prophet went to Ta'if to teach the people there about one God. Write about his experience of this event.

Write about the battle of the Trench (Khandaq) fought in 627.

Khadija bint Khuwaylid was the Prophet's first wife. Write an account of her life in the period she knew the Prophet.

Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) قِيْلَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيُّ النَّاسِ أَفضَلُ؟ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ...

Write an account of how the Hadiths of the Prophet stress upon the unity of the Islamic community. Use at least four set Hadiths from the syllabus ...

Outline the reasons why the caliphs Abu Bakr and 'Uthman thought it necessary to compile the Qur'an and describe how they went about completing thi...

Outline the various kinds of circumambulations (tawaf) around the Ka'ba required during the annual pilgrimage (hajj) and describe the conditions of...

Write an account about the relationship between belief in God's divine decree and human responsibility.

Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَومِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْراً أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ، وَمَنْ كَان...

Write about the relationship between the Qur'an and the Hadiths of the Prophet and say what the difference is between Hadith Qudsi and Hadith Nabawi.

Write a detailed account about the election and administration of Abu Bakr.

Outline the characteristics of the caliphates of all four Rightly Guided Caliphs which make them an example of leadership for Muslim rulers.

Prayers (salat), whether obligatory or voluntary, require preparation. Write an account of how a Muslim prepares for it.