OxfordAQA IGCSE Islamiat: Living the Muslim Life — Practice Questions

These are original questions written for Marlbridge, for revision and practice on this content. They follow the paper’s published structure and mark tariffs, but they are not reproduced past-paper questions — examination boards hold copyright in their own papers. Use these alongside the official past papers available free from your board.

Related: Living the Muslim Life revision notes

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Paper format. OxfordAQA International GCSE Islamiat 9237, Paper 1 (Living the Muslim life): 1 hour 30 minutes, 50 marks, answer all questions. The paper has two sections of 25 marks each: Section A, Islam: Beliefs and teachings, and Section B, Islam: Practices. Each section is one question in five parts worth 1, 2, 4, 6 and 12 marks. The 12-mark part prints one of the prescribed passages from Section 6 of the specification and asks you to examine a statement using that passage.

Section A — Islam: Beliefs and teachings

Answer all questions in this section.

01.1 Name one holy book, other than the Qur’an, that Muslims believe was revealed by Allah. [1 mark]

01.2 Give two Muslim beliefs about Barzakh. [2 marks]

01.3 Explain two types of Tawhid. [4 marks]

01.4 Explain two ways in which belief in predestination (Al-Qadr) influences Muslims today. Apply one teaching from a source of authority in your answer. [6 marks]

01.5

Qur’an 35:1

[All] praise is [due] to Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, [who] made the angels messengers having wings, two or three or four. He increases in creation what He wills. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.

‘Belief in angels is essential to a Muslim’s faith.’

Examine why this statement is significant for Muslims.

In your answer you should:

• use the given passage
• provide supporting evidence and reasoning. [12 marks]

Section B — Islam: Practices

Answer all questions in this section.

02.1 Name one action that breaks (invalidates) a fast during Ramadhan. [1 mark]

02.2 Give two conditions that must be met before Salah can be performed. [2 marks]

02.3 Explain two ways Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Adha. [4 marks]

02.4 Explain two reasons why the Five Pillars are important in a Muslim’s life. Apply one teaching from a source of authority in your answer. [6 marks]

02.5

Qur’an 2:183-185

O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous – [Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] – then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] – a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess – it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew. The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.

‘Fasting in Ramadhan is about much more than going without food and drink.’

Examine why this statement is significant for Muslims.

In your answer you should:

• use the given passage
• provide supporting evidence and reasoning. [12 marks]

Both passages are printed as they appear in Section 6 of the specification (Saheeh International translation).

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Answers and mark guidance

How the parts are marked. The 1- and 2-mark parts give one mark for each correct answer. The 4-mark part gives one mark for each way or reason identified and one more for explaining it, up to two marks for each of the two. The 6-mark part awards those same four AO1 marks, plus up to two AO2 marks for applying a source of authority: one mark for a general, relevant and accurate use of a source, two marks for a specific, accurate use applied directly to the question. The 12-mark part is all AO2 and is marked by levels:

Level	Marks	What the answer does
4	10–12	Thorough, accurate examination of a range of points of significance and their implications for belief, practice or teachings; logical reasoning supported by detailed evidence; excellent use of the passage, applied directly
3	7–9	Generally clear examination of more than one point of significance; reasoning supported by some detail; good use of the passage, applied directly
2	4–6	Some accurate examination of one or more points; reasoning not always supported; some general use of the passage. Maximum Level 2 if only one point of significance is made
1	1–3	Limited examination with little reasoning or evidence. Maximum Level 1 if the passage is not referred to
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit

Every list below offers alternatives of equal value; other correct answers of the same quality receive the same credit.

Section A

01.1 [1] — any one [1]: the Tawrat (Torah, given to Musa); the Zabur (Psalms, given to Dawud); the Injil (Gospel, given to Isa); the Suhuf (scrolls) of Ibraheem.

01.2 [2] — any two, [1] each:

• Barzakh is the barrier or stage between death and the Day of Resurrection (Qur’an 23:100).
• The soul remains in Barzakh until the Resurrection and cannot return to earth to do more good deeds.
• In the grave each person is questioned by the angels Munkar and Nakir about their Lord, religion and prophet.
• The grave can be a place of comfort for the righteous and of punishment for the wicked, a foretaste of what follows.
• Some deeds continue to benefit a person after death, such as ongoing charity, useful knowledge and a righteous child who prays for them.

01.3 [4] — for each of two types: the type identified [1] and explained [1]; maximum two marks per type.

• Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah, the oneness of Allah’s lordship [1]: Allah alone creates, owns, sustains and controls everything [1].
• Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (or al-Ibadah), the oneness of worship [1]: all worship, such as prayer, du’a and sacrifice, is for Allah alone, and giving it to anyone else is shirk [1].
• Tawhid al-Asma was-Sifat, the oneness of Allah’s names and attributes [1]: Allah’s names and qualities, such as Ar-Rehman and Al-Aleem, belong to Him perfectly and nothing created shares them in the same way (Qur’an 112:4) [1].
• Answers using another recognised classification, for example the oneness of Allah’s essence, attributes, actions and worship, receive the same credit when each type is correctly identified and explained.

01.4 [6] — AO1 [4]: for each of two influences, the influence identified [1] and explained [1]. AO2 [2]: one source of authority used generally [1] or specifically and applied to the question [2].

Influences (AO1):

• Muslims face hardship with patience [1], because they accept that illness or loss happens within Allah’s plan and is a test, so they do not despair [1].
• Muslims are grateful rather than proud in success [1], because they know their abilities and blessings were given by Allah [1].
• Muslims still make every effort and then trust in Allah (tawakkul) [1], because they do not know what is written for them and are responsible for their choices [1].
• Muslims turn to du’a in difficult decisions [1], asking Allah for what is best, which gives them peace whatever the outcome [1].

Applications of a source of authority (AO2), for example (each is a specific use applied to the question [2]; a general reference to the same teaching that is not applied earns [1]):

• In the Hadith of Jibril, the Prophet (pbuh) taught that faith includes belief in the divine decree, good and bad, so Muslims accept both easy and hard times as coming from Allah [2].
• When a Companion asked whether people should simply rely on what is written, the Prophet (pbuh) replied that good deeds are made easy for the blessed (Sahih al-Bukhari 1362), which teaches Muslims to keep doing good deeds rather than giving up effort [2].
• “No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We bring it into being” (Qur’an 57:22), and the next verse says this is so that people do not despair or boast, which is why Muslims respond to loss with patience [2].

01.5 [12] — marked by the levels above. Possible content:

Points of significance

• Belief in angels is one of the key beliefs (Malaikah): the Qur’an lists it with belief in Allah, His books and His messengers (Qur’an 2:285), and the Hadith of Jibril names it as part of faith, so a person who rejects angels rejects part of Islam itself.
• Angels are the means of revelation: Jibril brought the Qur’an to Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), so trust in the Qur’an and in prophethood depends on belief in the angel who delivered it.
• Belief in the Kiraman Katibeen, who record deeds, and in Malak-al-Mowth and the angels who question the dead, makes Muslims conscious that they are accountable, shaping their behaviour even in private.
• Angels are a model of complete obedience and constant worship; Muslims are encouraged to follow their example in prayer and remembrance of Allah.
• Belief that angels such as Isra’fil have roles on the Day of Judgement links belief in angels to belief in the afterlife.

Use of the passage

• “Creator of the heavens and the earth … made the angels” shows that angels are created beings, not partners of Allah, so belief in them strengthens Tawhid rather than competing with it.
• “Made the angels messengers” links directly to their role in carrying Allah’s revelation to the prophets.
• “Having wings, two or three or four. He increases in creation what He wills” reminds Muslims that there is an unseen creation beyond human sight, and belief in the unseen is part of faith.
• “Allah is over all things competent” shows that angels act only by Allah’s command, so Muslims rely on Allah and not on the angels themselves.

An answer that explains a range of these points, reasons about what they mean for Muslim belief and practice, and quotes the passage directly reaches Level 4.

Section B

02.1 [1] — any one [1]: deliberately eating; deliberately drinking; sexual relations during the hours of fasting; deliberately making oneself vomit; the start of menstruation or bleeding after childbirth. (Eating or drinking by genuine mistake does not break the fast.)

02.2 [2] — any two, [1] each: being in a state of purity through Wudu (or Ghusl where required); clean body, clothes and place of prayer; facing the Qiblah towards the Ka’aba; praying within the correct time; covering the body appropriately; making the intention (niyyah) to pray.

02.3 [4] — for each of two ways: the way identified [1] and explained [1]; maximum two marks per way.

• Attending the Eid prayer in congregation on the morning of 10 Dhul Hijjah [1], followed by a sermon, which brings the whole community together in thanks to Allah [1].
• Sacrificing an animal (Qurbani) such as a sheep, goat or cow [1], to remember Ibraheem’s (AS) willingness to sacrifice his son when Allah commanded it, and Allah’s replacing his son with a ram (Qur’an 37:102-107) [1].
• Sharing the meat [1], often in three parts for the family, for relatives and friends, and for the poor, so that everyone can celebrate [1].
• Saying the Takbir (Allahu Akbar) aloud after prayers during the days of Eid [1], to glorify Allah for His guidance [1].
• Wearing their best clothes, visiting family and giving gifts [1], which strengthens family ties and shares the joy of the day [1].

02.4 [6] — AO1 [4]: for each of two reasons, the reason identified [1] and explained [1]. AO2 [2]: one source of authority used generally [1] or specifically and applied to the question [2].

Reasons (AO1):

• They are the foundation of Islam [1]; every Muslim is required to carry them out, so they show submission to Allah in practice, not only in belief [1].
• They give structure to a Muslim’s life [1]: Salah five times a day, Sawm every year, Zakah each year and Hajj once in a lifetime keep Allah in mind at every stage [1].
• They build the Ummah [1]: congregational prayer, sharing wealth through Zakah and Muslims from every country gathering for Hajj unite Muslims as one community [1].
• They purify and discipline the believer [1]: prayer keeps a person from wrongdoing, fasting builds self-control and Zakah removes greed [1].

Applications of a source of authority (AO2), for example (each is a specific use applied to the question [2]; a general reference to the same teaching that is not applied earns [1]):

• Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) taught that Islam is built on five things, the Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj (Sahih al-Bukhari); because he described them as the building on which Islam stands, a Muslim who neglects them weakens the foundation of their faith [2].
• In the Hadith of Jibril (Sahih al-Bukhari 50), the Prophet (pbuh) defined Islam as worshipping Allah alone, offering prayers perfectly, paying Zakah and fasting in Ramadhan, showing that these practices are what Islam means [2].
• “Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing” (Qur’an 29:45), showing that Salah shapes a Muslim’s behaviour as well as their worship [2].

02.5 [12] — marked by the levels above. Possible content:

Points of significance

• Sawm is an act of worship and one of the Five Pillars, done for Allah alone; its purpose is spiritual, not only physical.
• It has a moral aim: Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) taught that whoever does not give up false speech and acting on it, Allah has no need of his giving up food and drink (Sahih al-Bukhari), so Muslims must also avoid lying, backbiting and anger.
• It has a spiritual focus on the Qur’an: Muslims recite more of it, pray Taraweeh, seek Laylat ul-Qadr in the last ten nights and some make I’tikaf.
• It has social benefits: hunger builds empathy with the poor, charity increases, families and communities break the fast together, and Zakat ul-Fitr is given before Eid.
• The rulings on exemptions show that the fast is about obedience and sincerity, not causing harm.

Use of the passage

• “That you may become righteous” states the purpose of the fast directly: taqwa, awareness of Allah, which goes far beyond hunger.
• “The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people” explains why Muslims spend the month reading and reflecting on the Qur’an.
• “Whoever among you is ill or on a journey … an equal number of days” and “a ransom … of feeding a poor person” show that fasting is adapted to people’s circumstances and links fasting to caring for the poor.
• “Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship” shows the aim is not suffering but obedience.
• “To glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful” links the end of the month to thanks and celebration at Eid ul-Fitr.

An answer that explains a range of these points, reasons about their implications for how Muslims fast, and quotes the passage directly reaches Level 4.

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Where marks are usually lost

• Giving one answer where the question asks for two, or explaining one reason twice in different words.
• In the 4- and 6-mark parts, naming a reason without explaining it: each reason is worth two marks only when it is developed.
• In the 6-mark parts, giving a vague reference (“the Qur’an says to pray”) instead of a specific teaching applied to the question, which limits the AO2 credit to one mark.
• In the 12-mark parts, making only one point of significance (maximum Level 2) or not using the passage at all (maximum Level 1).
• Describing a practice without examining why it matters for Muslims, which is what the command word examine asks for.