Cambridge & Pearson Edexcel Past Paper Questions

Write a detailed account of the lives of the Prophet Muhammad's daughters, Zaynab and Fatima.

What measures were taken in early Islamic times to check the reliability of Hadiths?

How did the arbitration following the Battle of Siffin lead to the emergence of the Kharijites?

According to Muslim belief what part do angels play in the everyday lives of human beings?

In what circumstances are Muslims obliged to engage in; • armed fighting (jihad bis-saif) and; • what rules and limitations apply to this jihad?

Hadiths are broadly classified as sound (sahih), good (hasan) and weak (da'if). Write a detailed account of these three categories of Hadiths.

Choose any two caliphs from the three given below and say how and why they were martyred: • 'Umar; • 'Uthman; and • 'Ali.

Write an account of the campaign led by Abu Bakr against the tribes refusing to pay zakat.

Write a detailed account of the following: • ihram; • tawaf; and • sa'i

The Prophet (pbuh) was generous and forgiving. Write about events from his life that demonstrate these qualities in action.

By referring to the Treaty of Madina, describe the relationship between the Muslims and the non-Muslims when the Prophet (pbuh) first arrived.

Some Muslims travelled to Abyssinia. Describe what happened to the groups that migrated.

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

Write about the Prophet Muhammad's first experience of revelation.

Write about the events related to the signing of the Treaty of Hudaybiyya and the main terms in it.

Describe the events of the first battle in Islam, the Battle of Badr.

Write about the lives of 'Uthman and 'Ali during the lifetime of the Prophet (pbuh).

Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) The world is the believer's prison and the unbeliever's paradise. الدُّنْيَا سِجْنُ الْمُؤْمِنِ ...

From the set Hadiths you have studied outline the Prophet's teachings on the individual conduct of Muslims.

Write an account of the achievements of Abu Bakr as the first caliph of Islam.

Describe any three of the following elements of pilgrimage (hajj): • ihram (garment worn) • sa'i (running between the hills of Safa and Marwa) • ra...

Give a detailed account of the following events: • the opposition faced by ‘Ali when he became Caliph and • the Battle of Camel

Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (a) describe their teachings about what Muslims believe (b) explain how Muslims can put these teach...

2 Write a detailed account of the musannaf and musnad collections of Hadith.

3 Write a detailed account of the election of Abu Bakr as the first caliph and the action he took against any two of the false prophets.

4 Write about the following: • the conditions that should be met before Muslims start prayer (salat), and • the importance of prayer (salat) in the...

5 Write an account of alms-giving (zakat) and say who is liable to pay it and who it can be paid to.

Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur'an, and: (1) اللهُ لا إلهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لاَ تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلاَ نَوْ...

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

The Prophet (pbuh) conquered Makka in 630. Write an account of the main events of the conquest.

Choose three events from the Prophet's life that demonstrate his moral character, and write in detail about them.

Describe the main difficulties faced by the early followers of Islam.

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

Describe the different ways that the Prophet (pbuh) received revelation from God.

The Prophet (pbuh) was mistreated by the Makkans after preaching the message of Islam. Write an account of the difficulties he faced.

Describe the events of the migration (hijra) from Makka to Madina.

Write about the brotherhood in Madina that developed between the Helpers (Ansar) and the Emigrants (Muhajirun).

Describe the method used to make a judgement by analogy (qiyas) using the Qur'an and Hadith. Give examples to support your answer.

Give an account of the administration of the caliphate under 'Uthman.

Write a descriptive account of the Battle of Siffin and the arbitration that followed it.

Write about the rituals that take place on the first three days of the annual pilgrimage (hajj).

Choose any two of the following Hadiths, and: (i) لا يَدْخُلُ النَّارَ أَحَدٌ فِي قلبهِ مِثْقَالُ حَبَّةٍ مِن خَرْدَلٍ مِن إِيمَانِ، وَلا يَدْخُلُ ...

Write an account of: • the reasons given by scholars for compiling Hadith collections, and; • the checks made to confirm their authenticity.

Write an account of how Abu Bakr led the Islamic empire when he became the first caliph.

Write a detailed account of belief in: • God as the Supreme Lord and Master of all creation; • God alone is entitled to worship; and • God is known...

Describe how the fast in the month of Ramadan should be observed by Muslims.

Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur'an, and: (i) Sura 112 قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ اللهُ الصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَ...

Using passages from the syllabus, write about the duties of humankind towards God and the created world.

Describe the main events of the Pledges of Aqaba and the details in the Pledges.

Write about the main events of the Battle of Badr.