Cambridge O Level Islamiyat: Articles of Faith and Pillars of Islam — Revision Notes (2058)

These notes condense Paper 2 Topic 4 of Cambridge O Level Islamiyat 2058, The Articles of Faith and the Pillars of Islam. Each belief and practice is set out as a mini mind map: what it is, the key details, a supporting reference and why it matters. Use the references to strengthen part (b) answers on significance.

Syllabus coverage

2058 Paper 2, Topic 4 (2026–2027 syllabus): the six Articles of Faith; jihad in its physical, mental and spiritual meanings; the Five Pillars, their performance and their significance for individuals and communities.

Articles of Faith

1. Allah (tawhid)

• One, eternal, Creator, Sustainer, all-knowing, all-powerful, merciful.
• No partner, parent or child.
• Reference: Sura 112; Ayat al-Kursi (2.255).
• Matters because: all worship is for Allah alone; shirk is the gravest sin (4.48).

2. Angels (malaika)

• Made of light; obedient; no free will.
• Jibril, Mika’il, Israfil, Angel of Death, Kiraman Katibin, Munkar and Nakir.
• Reference: Qur’an 50.17–18 on the two recorders.
• Matters because: deeds are recorded, so Muslims act well in private and public.

3. Books (kutub)

• Suhuf (Ibrahim), Tawrat (Musa), Zabur (Dawud), Injil (Isa), Qur’an (Muhammad, pbuh).
• Reference: Qur’an 2.285 on believing in all the books and messengers.
• Matters because: the Qur’an is the final, preserved guide.

4. Prophets (risala)

• Chosen humans; truthful, trustworthy, exemplary.
• 25 named in the Qur’an; Muhammad (pbuh) the last.
• Reference: Qur’an 33.40.
• Matters because: prophets show how to live by Allah’s guidance.

5. Predestination (al-qadr)

• Allah knows, records, wills and creates all things; humans choose and are accountable.
• Matters because: patience, gratitude, tawakkul with effort.

6. Last Day (akhira)

• Trumpet, resurrection, gathering, book of deeds, scales, sirat, paradise and hell.
• Reference: Sura 99.
• Matters because: accountability gives purpose and motivates good deeds.

Jihad

Type	Meaning	Example
Spiritual (greater)	Struggle against one’s ego and desires	Controlling anger; resisting temptation
Mental / through knowledge and speech	Striving to learn, teach and speak truth	Studying Islam; speaking against injustice
Through wealth	Spending for Allah’s cause	Supporting the poor and good projects
Physical	Defence under strict rules	No harm to civilians, crops or places of worship

Five Pillars

Shahada

• “No god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
• Entry to Islam; said in prayer, at birth (adhan in the baby’s ear) and near death.

Salat

• Five daily: Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha.
• Niyya, wudu (or ghusl), clean place and clothes, qibla.
• Rak’at: standing, al-Fatiha, ruku’, sujud, sitting, salam.
• Jumu’a on Friday with khutba; Eid prayers; private du’a any time.
• Missed prayers made up (qada); travellers may shorten (qasr).
• Reference: 29.45 — prayer restrains from shameful and evil deeds.

Zakat

• 2.5 per cent of savings above nisab for a lunar year; rates on crops and livestock.
• Eight categories of recipient (9.60).
• Matters because: purifies wealth; reduces inequality; builds unity.

Sawm

• Ramadan, dawn to sunset; suhur and iftar.
• Avoid food, drink, marital relations and bad conduct.
• Exempt: the sick, travellers, elderly, children, pregnant or nursing women, menstruating women; qada or fidya.
• Reference: 2.183 — fasting prescribed so that you may gain taqwa (God-consciousness).

Hajj

• Once in a lifetime if able; 8–13 Dhu al-Hijja.
• Ihram at miqat → tawaf → sa’y → Mina → Arafat (9th) → Muzdalifa → stoning → sacrifice → hair cut → tawaf al-ifada → farewell tawaf.
• Matters because: equality, unity of the Ummah, remembrance of Ibrahim’s family, forgiveness.

Individual and community significance

Pillar	For the individual	For the community
Shahada	Commitment and identity	Shared statement uniting all Muslims
Salat	Discipline, peace, remembrance	Congregation, equality in rows, Jumu’a
Zakat	Purifies wealth and the heart from greed	Reduces poverty; redistributes wealth
Sawm	Self-control and taqwa	Shared iftar; empathy with the poor
Hajj	Forgiveness and spiritual renewal	Global unity and equality of the Ummah

Worked example

Question: Explain the significance of fasting for the Muslim community. [4]

Model answer: Fasting together in Ramadan unites Muslims everywhere, who begin and end their fast at the same times locally. Sharing iftar with family, neighbours and the poor strengthens bonds. Experiencing hunger builds empathy with those who lack food, which encourages giving, including zakat al-fitr before Eid prayer. Mosques fill for tarawih, renewing the community’s shared worship.

Common mistakes and exam traps

• Listing angels without their duties. Each name should come with its role.
• Hajj steps out of order. Learn the sequence of days and places.
• Zakat rates. 2.5 per cent applies to savings; other rates apply to crops and animals.
• Treating jihad as war only. Give its range of meanings.

How is this topic examined?

In Cambridge O Level 2058 Paper 2 (1 hour 30 minutes, 50 marks), the Articles of Faith and the Pillars of Islam is examined by the optional Questions 3 to 5, of which you answer two; each is worth 14 marks, 10 for part (a) and 4 for part (b). Each answer has a knowledge part and a shorter part asking for understanding or significance, so revise every point with a reason why it matters to Muslims, not just the facts.

Frequently asked questions

What is the nisab? The minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must hold for a full lunar year before zakat becomes due.

What is zakat al-fitr? A small charitable payment made before the Eid al-Fitr prayer so that the poor can also celebrate.

Related pages

• Articles of Faith and Pillars of Islam study guide
• Paper 2 revision notes
• Paper 2 practice questions

Source: Cambridge International, Cambridge O Level Islamiyat 2058 syllabus for examination in 2026 and 2027, Paper 2 Topic 4.