Flashcards · 0493 · Topic 2

Paper 2 flashcards

30 cards on Topic 2, subtopics 2.1 to 2.4. Pick a subtopic or study them all.

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2.1 Major Teachings in the Hadiths of the Prophet

Into which two groups are the Hadith passages set for study divided?: Passages relating to individual conduct and passages relating to life in the community.
How is the Hadith passages question set in Paper 2?: Four passages are set and you choose any two to write on, explaining what each teaches Muslims to believe and how it teaches them to act. The passages are given in Arabic and English.
What does the Hadith “Actions are judged by intentions” teach?: That God judges deeds by the intention behind them, so Muslims should act sincerely for God’s sake rather than for show. It is narrated by Bukhari and Muslim.
What does the Hadith “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself” teach?: That true faith includes wanting good for others as much as for oneself, which shapes kindness, fairness and generosity in the community.
What does the Hadith about the strong man teach?: That the strong person is not the one who overpowers others in wrestling, but the one who controls himself when angry.
How should you answer on a set Hadith passage?: State its teaching clearly, then explain how a Muslim would put it into practice today with a specific example, rather than retelling the passage.

2.2 The History and Importance of the Hadiths

What is the difference between isnad and matn?: The isnad is the chain of people who transmitted a Hadith. The matn is its text (wording). Scholars tested both to judge a Hadith’s reliability.
What are the three main grades of Hadith?: Sahih (sound), hasan (good) and da’if (weak).
What is the difference between a musnad and a musannaf collection?: A musnad arranges Hadiths by the Companion who narrated them, such as the Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal. A musannaf arranges them by subject, such as the Muwatta of Imam Malik.
Name the six major Sunni Hadith collections: Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and the Sunan of Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasa’i and Ibn Majah.
Name the four major Shi’a Hadith collections: Al-Kafi (al-Kulayni), Man la yahduruhu al-faqih (Ibn Babawayh, al-Saduq), and Tahdhib al-ahkam and al-Istibsar (both by al-Tusi).
How are Hadiths used in Islamic law?: They are the second source of law after the Qur’an, explaining and adding detail to it, and are used alongside consensus (ijma’) and analogy (qiyas).
Which Umayyad caliph ordered Hadiths to be collected in writing?: Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz (ruled 717–720), concerned that knowledge would be lost as scholars died.

2.3 The Period of Rule of the Rightly Guided Caliphs and Their Importance as Leaders

Name the four Rightly Guided Caliphs and the dates of their rule: Abu Bakr (632–634), Umar ibn al-Khattab (634–644), Uthman ibn Affan (644–656), Ali ibn Abi Talib (656–661).
What were the Ridda wars?: Abu Bakr’s campaigns against tribes that withheld zakat or followed false prophets after the Prophet’s death. They brought Arabia back under Madinah’s authority and held the community together.
Name three military achievements of Umar’s rule: Victory over the Byzantines at Yarmuk (636), over the Persians at Qadisiyyah, and the surrender of Jerusalem.
What administrative changes did Umar make?: He set up the diwan (registers for pay and records), organised provinces and taxation, founded garrison towns such as Kufa and Basra, and introduced the Hijri calendar.
What were the main achievement and the main difficulty of Uthman’s rule?: Achievement: the standardised written Qur’an sent to the main centres; also the first Muslim navy. Difficulty: growing unrest, including accusations of favouring his relatives, which ended with his assassination in Madinah in 656.
What difficulties did Ali face as Caliph?: Civil war (the First Fitna): the Battle of the Camel (656), the Battle of Siffin (657) against Mu’awiya and the arbitration that followed, and the revolt of the Kharijites, one of whom assassinated him in Kufa in 661.
Why are the Rightly Guided Caliphs seen as models of leadership?: They are looked back to for just government, consultation (shura), simple living and the ruler’s accountability to the community, and as examples for relations with other states.

2.4 The Articles of Faith and the Pillars of Islam

What are the six Articles of Faith?: Belief in God, the angels, the revealed Books, the prophets, God’s predestination and decree, and the Resurrection and the Last Day.
Name four angels and their roles: Jibril brought revelation to the prophets; Mika’il brings provision such as rain; Israfil will blow the trumpet on the Last Day; Izra’il is the Angel of Death.
Which Books do Muslims believe were revealed, and to whom?: The Tawrat to Musa, the Zabur to Dawud, the Injil to Isa, and the Qur’an to Muhammad (pbuh), as well as the Scrolls of Ibrahim.
What are the three meanings of jihad in the syllabus?: Physical, mental and spiritual struggle in the way of God: including struggling against one’s own wrongdoing, striving to learn and spread knowledge, and defending the community.
What are the five Pillars of Islam?: Shahada (declaration of faith), salat (prayer), zakat (alms-giving), sawm (fasting in Ramadan) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah).
Name the five daily prayers: Fajr (dawn), Zuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset) and Isha (night).
How is zakat calculated, and who receives it?: Usually 2.5% of savings held for a full lunar year above a minimum amount (nisab). It goes to those in need, such as the poor and the destitute, as listed in the Qur’an.
Who is exempt from fasting in Ramadan?: Among others: children, the sick, travellers, the elderly who cannot fast, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and women who are menstruating. Missed fasts are made up later where possible, or fidya is given.
What are the main rites of Hajj?: Entering ihram, tawaf around the Ka’ba, sa’i between Safa and Marwa, standing at Arafat on 9 Dhu al-Hijjah, the night at Muzdalifah, stoning the pillars at Mina, the sacrifice, and a final tawaf.
Exam trap: what do answers on the Articles and Pillars most often lack?: Their significance. Describing a belief or practice is not enough; explain what it means for a Muslim’s life.