Islamiyat Paper 1: 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: Islamiyat Paper 1 revision notes

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Paper format. Cambridge IGCSE Islamiyat 0493, Paper 1: 1 hour 30 minutes, 50 marks. The paper has five questions. Answer Question 1, Question 2 and two other questions. Every question has a knowledge part (a) and an understanding part (b): Question 1 is marked 4 + 4, and Questions 2–5 are marked 10 + 4 (8 + 14 + 14 + 14 = 50). Question 1 is always set on the Qur’an passages in the syllabus appendix, printed in Arabic and English; Question 2 is on the history and importance of the Qur’an; Questions 3–5 are on the life and importance of the Prophet (pbuh) and the first Islamic community, with one or two questions on each.

You must answer Question 1, Question 2 and two other questions.

Question 1

1 Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur’an.

(a) Briefly explain the main theme(s) in each passage. [4]

(b) Briefly explain the importance of these themes in a Muslim’s life today. [4]

(i)

قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ

اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ

لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ

وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

Sura 112

1. Say: He is Allah, the one and only; 2. Allah, the eternal, absolute; 3. He does not beget, nor is He begotten; 4. And there is none like Him.

(ii)

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ

صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ

Sura 1

1. In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful. 2. Praise be to Allah, the cherisher and sustainer of the worlds; 3. Most gracious, most merciful; 4. Master of the day of judgement. 5. You we worship, and your aid we seek. 6. Show us the straight way, 7. The way of those to whom You have given your grace, not those who earn your anger, nor those who go astray.

(iii)

إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ

فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ

إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ

Sura 108

1. To you have We granted abundance. 2. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice. 3. For he who hates you, he will be cut off.

The English translations are those printed in the syllabus appendix. The Arabic text is from the Tanzil Project (tanzil.net) and has been checked word for word against the passages as printed in the syllabus appendix.

Question 2

2 (a) Describe how the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet (pbuh) between 610 and 632. [10]

(b) Why is it important for Muslims that the Qur’an was revealed gradually rather than all at once? [4]

Question 3

3 (a) Write about the life of the Prophet (pbuh) from his birth until his call to prophethood. [10]

(b) Before his prophethood the Prophet (pbuh) was known as al-Amin, the trustworthy. What can Muslims today learn from this? [4]

Question 4

4 (a) Give an account of the Treaty of Hudaybiyya. [10]

(b) Many Muslims were disappointed by the terms of the treaty. What does the Prophet’s (pbuh) acceptance of it teach Muslims about settling disputes today? [4]

Question 5

5 (a) Write about the lives of Khadija and Hafsa, wives of the Prophet (pbuh). [10]

(b) In your opinion, what example does Khadija’s support for the Prophet (pbuh) give to Muslims today? Give reasons for your answer. [4]

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Answers and mark guidance

How this paper is marked. Cambridge marks each part by levels of response (syllabus section 4.2). Part (a) tests knowledge (AO1): in Question 1, Level 4 = 4, Level 3 = 3, Level 2 = 2, Level 1 = 1; in Questions 2–5, Level 4 = 8–10, Level 3 = 5–7, Level 2 = 3–4, Level 1 = 1–2. Part (b) tests understanding (AO2): Level 2 = 3–4, Level 1 = 1–2. In Question 1, the two passages chosen are read together and given one mark for (a) and one mark for (b).

The credit guides below turn this into points you can check your own answer against. Each bracketed figure is one accurate, relevant point developed to the stated depth, and every guide is capped at the tariff of its part. Where a guide lists more points than are needed, every listed point carries the same credit, so it does not matter which ones you choose; other valid points of the same quality earn the same credit.

Question 1

(a) [4] — for each of the two chosen passages: the main theme correctly identified [1], and explained with reference to the wording of the passage [1]. Two passages × 2 = 4.

• Sura 112 — theme: God in Himself, His absolute oneness (tawhid) [1]. The passage says He is “the one and only” and “eternal, absolute”, that He neither begets nor is begotten, and that “there is none like Him”, so He has no partner, child, parent or equal [1].
• Sura 1 — theme: God’s relationship with the created world [1]. He is “cherisher and sustainer of the worlds”, “most gracious, most merciful” and “Master of the day of judgement”; people worship Him alone, ask Him for help and ask to be guided on the straight way [1].
• Sura 108 — theme: God’s Messengers, His support for the Prophet (pbuh) [1]. God has granted the Prophet “abundance” (al-Kawthar), tells him to respond with prayer and sacrifice, and assures him that the one who hates him, not the Prophet, will be “cut off” [1].

(b) [4] — for each of the two chosen passages, one reasoned point about its importance in a Muslim’s life today, linked to the theme [2]. Two passages × 2 = 4. For example:

• Sura 112 — because God has no equal, Muslims avoid shirk: they do not rely on charms, fortune-tellers or people as if they had God’s power, and they direct worship to God alone; many recite the sura often, knowing the Prophet (pbuh) described it as equal to a third of the Qur’an [2].
• Sura 1 — Muslims recite it in every unit (rak’a) of every prayer, so it reminds them many times a day that all help comes from God, that they will be accountable on the Day of Judgement, and that they need guidance in everyday choices [2].
• Sura 108 — when Muslims are mocked or face loss, the sura reassures them that God rewards those who stay faithful; it also teaches gratitude for blessings shown through prayer and through sacrifice, for example the sacrifice at Eid al-Adha and sharing its meat with the poor [2].

Question 2

(a) [10] — each accurate, developed point [2]; credit the best five (maximum 10). Five developed points reach Level 4.

• The first revelation came in 610, in the month of Ramadan, while the Prophet (pbuh) was meditating in the cave of Hira; the angel Jibril commanded him to “Read!” and the first verses, Sura 96.1–5, were revealed [2].
• The Prophet (pbuh) returned home shaken; Khadija comforted him and took him to her cousin Waraqa ibn Nawfal, who said that the same angel who had come to Musa had come to him [2].
• After the first revelation there was a pause; revelation then resumed, with verses commanding him to begin warning the people (Sura 74), and continued for the rest of his life [2].
• Revelation came in different ways: through Jibril, sometimes in the form of a man; sometimes like the ringing of a bell, which the Prophet (pbuh) said was the hardest on him; and through true dreams [2].
• The Qur’an was revealed gradually over about 23 years, in Makka and in Madina, often in response to questions and events the community faced; Makkan passages mostly concern belief, and Madinan passages include laws for the community [2].
• The Prophet (pbuh) recited each revelation to his Companions, who memorised it and recited it in prayer, and scribes such as Zayd ibn Thabit wrote it on palm leaves, leather and flat bones [2].
• Jibril reviewed the whole Qur’an with the Prophet (pbuh) every Ramadan, and twice in his final year, and the Prophet (pbuh) told the Companions where each passage belonged [2].

(b) [4] — each reasoned point [2]; credit the best two (maximum 4).

• It was easier to memorise, understand and act on a few verses at a time, so the Companions lived by each teaching before receiving the next; Muslims today can learn the Qur’an step by step in the same way [2].
• Many passages came in response to real situations, which shows Muslims that the Qur’an speaks to the circumstances of their own lives [2].
• Some rulings were introduced in stages, such as the prohibition of alcohol, which shows the wisdom of gradual change and encourages Muslims to reform habits patiently [2].
• Regular revelation strengthened the Prophet (pbuh) and the believers through persecution; the Qur’an itself gives this reason (Sura 25.32), and Muslims turn to it for strength in their own difficulties [2].

Question 3

(a) [10] — each accurate, developed point [2]; credit the best five (maximum 10).

• He was born in Makka around 570, the Year of the Elephant, into the Banu Hashim clan of Quraysh; his father Abdullah died before he was born [2].
• As a baby he was nursed by Halima Sa’diya among the Banu Sa’d in the desert, and her family saw blessings while he lived with them [2].
• His mother Amina died when he was six; he was cared for by his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib, and after his death, when the boy was eight, by his uncle Abu Talib [2].
• At about twelve he travelled with Abu Talib’s trading caravan to Syria, where the Christian monk Bahira recognised signs of prophethood in him and advised Abu Talib to protect him [2].
• As a young man he worked as a shepherd and later as a trader, and he joined the Hilf al-Fudul, a pact among clans to protect anyone who was wronged in Makka; he became known as al-Sadiq and al-Amin [2].
• He traded on behalf of Khadija, a respected merchant, who was impressed by his honesty and proposed marriage; they married when he was 25 [2].
• When the Ka’ba was rebuilt he settled the clans’ dispute over who should replace the Black Stone by placing it on a cloak that every clan leader lifted together [2].
• As he approached forty he spent periods in retreat in the cave of Hira, reflecting and worshipping, where the first revelation later came to him [2].

(b) [4] — each reasoned point [2]; credit the best two (maximum 4).

• Honesty in work and trade builds trust that lasts; Muslims should keep their word and deal fairly even when cheating would be easy [2].
• His good character came before his message, and people who knew him were readier to listen; Muslims show Islam best through their conduct [2].
• He kept trusts even for his opponents: on the night of the Hijra he left Ali behind to return goods the Makkans had deposited with him, so Muslims must be honest with everyone, not only with fellow Muslims [2].

Question 4

(a) [10] — each accurate, developed point [2]; credit the best five (maximum 10).

• In 6 AH (628) the Prophet (pbuh) set out from Madina with about 1,400 Muslims to perform the lesser pilgrimage (umra), in ihram, with animals for sacrifice and carrying no weapons except travellers’ swords [2].
• The Quraysh refused them entry, and the Muslims camped at Hudaybiyya, near Makka; Uthman was sent to negotiate, and when a rumour spread that he had been killed the Muslims took the Pledge of Ridwan under a tree, which the Qur’an praises (Sura 48.18) [2].
• The Quraysh sent Suhayl ibn Amr to agree terms; when the treaty was written by Ali, Suhayl objected to “In the name of God, most gracious, most merciful” and to “Messenger of God”, and the Prophet (pbuh) agreed to “In Your name, O God” and “Muhammad son of Abdullah” [2].
• Terms: a ten-year truce; the Muslims would return to Madina that year and come back the next year for three days of pilgrimage; tribes were free to ally with either side [2].
• A Makkan who went to Madina without his guardian’s permission would be returned, but a Muslim who went to Makka would not be; when Abu Jandal arrived in chains asking for refuge, he had to be sent back [2].
• Many Muslims, including Umar, were distressed; on the advice of Umm Salama the Prophet (pbuh) sacrificed his animal and shaved his head, and the Companions followed [2].
• On the way home Sura 48 (al-Fath) was revealed, calling the treaty a clear victory; the truce allowed many to accept Islam, and when the Quraysh’s allies broke it, the Muslims entered Makka in 8 AH [2].

(b) [4] — each reasoned point [2]; credit the best two (maximum 4).

• He gave up wording and short-term advantage to secure peace, so Muslims should be willing to compromise on details when a settlement serves a greater good [2].
• He kept his word even when it was painful, as with Abu Jandal, so agreements Muslims make must be honoured [2].
• Patience brought a better result than fighting would have, so Muslims should prefer negotiation and trust that God’s plan may be wiser than their first reaction [2].

Question 5

(a) [10] — each accurate, developed point [2]; credit the best five (maximum 10).

• Khadija was a respected and wealthy widow of Quraysh who traded through agents; impressed by the Prophet’s (pbuh) honesty on a trading journey to Syria, she proposed marriage, and they married when he was 25 [2].
• Their marriage lasted about 25 years and he took no other wife in her lifetime; all his children except Ibrahim were born to her, including Fatima [2].
• She was the first person to accept Islam; after the first revelation she comforted him, assured him that God would not disgrace a man of his character, and took him to Waraqa ibn Nawfal [2].
• She spent her wealth supporting the Muslims and shared the hardship of the boycott of Banu Hashim; she died in the Year of Sorrow, about three years before the Hijra, and the Prophet (pbuh) always spoke of her with love [2].
• Hafsa was the daughter of Umar; her first husband Khunays died of wounds from the Muslims’ early battles, and she married the Prophet (pbuh) in Madina in 3 AH [2].
• Hafsa could read and write, was devoted to fasting and prayer, and narrated Hadiths [2].
• The written copy of the Qur’an compiled under Abu Bakr passed to Umar and then to Hafsa’s keeping; Uthman borrowed it to make the standard copies and returned it to her [2].

(b) [4] — each reasoned point [2]; credit the best two (maximum 4).

• Spouses should support each other in hardship: Khadija believed in the Prophet (pbuh) when he was afraid, which shows the value of trust and reassurance in a marriage [2].
• She used her wealth for the cause of faith, so Muslims should see their possessions as a means of helping others [2].
• As a successful trader she shows that women may take part in lawful business, and her faith shows that being first to accept the truth needs courage [2].

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Where marks are usually lost

• Explaining only one passage in Question 1, or writing about three: the rubric asks for two, and each is worth half of each part.
• In Question 1(a), naming a theme without pointing to words in the passage; in 1(b), repeating the theme instead of saying how it shapes a Muslim’s life today.
• Answering a part (b) question with more narrative instead of reasons and your own view.
• In Question 2, confusing the revelation of the Qur’an (in the Prophet’s lifetime) with its compilation (under the Rightly Guided Caliphs).
• Writing a list of short facts for a 10-mark part: Level 4 needs detailed, well-developed points, supported by quotations where they fit.