Islamiyat Paper 1: Practice Questions

These are original questions written for Marlbridge, in the style and at the standard of the examination. 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: Islamiyat Paper 1 revision notes

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Section A

1. Describe the main themes of the Qur’an, giving four themes. [8]

2. Explain the difference between Makkan and Madinan surahs, giving two features of each. [4]

Section B

3. Describe the events of the Hijrah and explain its significance for the Muslim community. [10]

4. Describe the main events of the Battle of Badr and explain two lessons Muslims draw from it. [10]

5. Outline the achievements of Abu Bakr as the first Caliph, and explain why the Ridda wars were significant. [10]

6. Explain the significance of the compilation of the Qur’an under Uthman. [8]

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Answers

1. Any four, 2 marks each: Tawhid — the absolute oneness of God, which is the central message of the Qur’an and the basis of all its other teachings [1] [1]. Prophethood — the succession of prophets sent to every people with the same essential message, culminating in Muhammad [1] [1]. The Day of Judgement and the afterlife — every person is accountable for their deeds and will be rewarded or punished [1] [1]. Guidance for individual and social conduct — worship, family law, trade, justice and the treatment of the poor [1] [1]. Stories of earlier prophets and communities, presented as lessons and warnings for the present [1] [1].

2. Makkan surahs are generally shorter, with a rhythmic and forceful style, and focus on belief — tawhid, prophethood and the Day of Judgement [1] [1]. Madinan surahs are generally longer and more detailed, and deal with legislation and the organisation of the community — worship, inheritance, marriage, treaties and warfare [1] [1].

3. The Prophet and his followers faced increasing persecution in Makkah, particularly after the deaths of Abu Talib and Khadijah [1]. Delegations from Yathrib pledged their support at the two pledges of Aqabah [1]. Muslims migrated in small groups, and the Quraysh plotted to kill the Prophet; Ali slept in his bed while the Prophet left with Abu Bakr [1] [1]. They sheltered in the cave of Thawr for three days before completing the journey to Yathrib, which became Madinah [1]. Significance: it marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar, showing its importance [1]. It transformed the Muslims from a persecuted minority into a community with its own territory and authority [1]. It allowed the establishment of the first mosque and the Constitution of Madinah, which organised relations between the Muhajirun, Ansar and the Jewish tribes [1] [1]. It demonstrated the principle that Muslims may migrate to preserve their faith, and the brotherhood established between Muhajirun and Ansar became a model of social solidarity [1].

4. The Muslims set out to intercept a Quraysh caravan returning from Syria led by Abu Sufyan, who took a different route and sent for help [1]. A Quraysh army of about 1000 met roughly 313 Muslims at Badr in 2 AH [1]. The Prophet secured the wells, denying the enemy water [1]. The battle opened with single combat, in which the Muslims prevailed, followed by a general engagement [1]. The Quraysh were defeated, losing around seventy men including Abu Jahl, with a similar number taken prisoner; prisoners were treated humanely and some ransomed themselves by teaching Muslims to read and write [1]. Lessons, any two: faith and trust in God matter more than numbers — a far smaller force prevailed, which the Qur’an itself presents as a sign [1] [1]. Planning and consultation are still required — the Prophet took advice on positioning and secured the water supply, showing that reliance on God does not replace preparation [1] [1]. Mercy towards prisoners — the humane treatment of captives set a standard for the conduct of war [1] [1].

5. Abu Bakr was chosen at Saqifah and immediately faced crises that threatened the survival of the community [1]. He despatched the expedition of Usama as the Prophet had ordered, despite advice to keep the army at home, showing his determination to fulfil the Prophet’s instructions [1]. He suppressed the false prophets, including Musaylimah at Yamama [1], and compelled the tribes who refused zakat to return to obedience [1]. He also initiated the collection of the Qur’an after many huffaz were killed at Yamama, entrusting it to Zayd ibn Thabit [1]. Significance of the Ridda wars: they established that allegiance was to Islam and the Muslim state, not personally to the Prophet, so the community could survive his death [1] [1]. They preserved the unity of Arabia at the moment it might have fragmented [1], and confirmed that zakat is an obligation of faith, not a voluntary tribute [1]. The heavy losses of Qur’an memorisers at Yamama also directly prompted the compilation of the text [1].

6. As Islam spread, Muslims in different regions were reciting the Qur’an in different dialects, and disputes arose during the campaigns in Armenia and Azerbaijan, with Hudhayfah warning Uthman of the danger [1] [1]. Uthman had the sheets held by Hafsah copied by a committee under Zayd ibn Thabit, using the dialect of the Quraysh where there was disagreement [1] [1]. Standard copies were sent to the main centres of the Muslim world and other versions were destroyed [1]. Its significance is that it preserved a single, uniform text, preventing the division and doctrinal dispute that variant texts would have produced [1] [1]; the text in use today is the one established then, which Muslims regard as evidence of the Qur’an’s preservation [1].

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Where marks are usually lost

• Narrating events without explaining their significance when the question asks for it.
• Confusing the features of Makkan and Madinan surahs.
• Omitting the Ridda wars from Abu Bakr’s achievements.
• Not linking the losses at Yamama to the compilation of the Qur’an.