EDUQAS Religious Studies 9-1 PRS Mock Revision (2024)

Nature of Allah

  • Oneness of Allah (Tawhid)

  • Fundamental concept in Islam; emphasizes the singularity and uniqueness of God.

  • Reference: Qur'an 3:18.

  • Attributes of Allah

  • Immanence: God’s presence in the world.

  • Transcendence: God’s nature beyond human experience.

  • Omnipotence: All-powerful nature of God.

  • Beneficence: God's acts of kindness and generosity.

  • Mercy: God's compassion towards creation.

  • Fairness & Justice: God’s impartiality in judgment.

  • Reference: Qur'an 46:33.

  • Adalat in Shi'a Islam

  • Emphasizes justice as a key attribute of God, influencing beliefs and practices.

Prophethood (Risalah)

  • Nature of Prophethood

  • Role of prophets as messengers of God, conveying His message to humanity.

  • Key Prophets

  • Adam: The first prophet who laid the foundation of human faith.

  • Ibrahim (Abraham): Significant for his sons Isaac and Ishma'il; pivotal in Islamic tradition.

  • Isa (Jesus): A revered prophet, part of the broader narrative of prophethood.

  • Muhammad: Known as the Seal of the Prophets; last and final messenger, conveying the last revelation of God.

Angels (Malaikah)

  • Significance of Angels

  • Act as messengers and servants of God, conveying divine messages to prophets.

  • References: Qur'an 2:97-98, 2:285.

  • Diversity in Belief

  • Differences between Sunni and Shi'a perspectives on angels and free will.

  • Key Angels

  • Mika'il (Michael): Associated with sustenance, brings rain and provision.

  • Israfil: Herald of the Day of Resurrection, blows the trumpet signaling the end of the world.

Akhirah (Afterlife)

  • Concept of Al-Qadr (Predestination)

  • The belief that God has knowledge and control over all that happens.

  • Human Responsibility

  • Significant in understanding accountability for actions in the afterlife.

  • Day of Judgement

  • Key event for assessing human deeds; results in Heaven or Hell.

  • Heaven

  • Nature, Stages, Purpose: A place of reward, joy, and closeness to God.

  • Hell

  • Nature & Purpose: A place of punishment, designed for those who reject faith and commit evil.

Foundations of Faith

  • Six Articles of Faith (Sunni Islam)

  • Belief in Allah, Angels, Books, Prophets, Day of Judgement, and Divine Decree.

  • Five Roots of Religion (Usul ad-Din, Shi'a Islam)

  • Emphasizes Tawhid, Adalah (Justice), Nubuwwah (Prophethood), Imamate, and Ma'ad (Day of Resurrection).

  • Attitudes towards Sacred Texts

  • Kutub (Books): Includes Qur'an, Injil (Gospel), Tawrat (Torah), Zabur (Psalms).

The Five Pillars of Sunni Islam

  • Shahadah (Faith)

  • Profession of Faith: Declaration of faith in the oneness of Allah and Muhammad as His messenger.

  • Reference: Qur'an 3:18.

  • Zakah (Charity)

  • Obligatory almsgiving to assist the needy; emphasizes social responsibility.

  • Sawm (Fasting)

  • Observed during the month of Ramadan; promotes self-discipline and empathy for the less fortunate.

  • Issues Related: Adaptations for Muslims in Britain during fasting.

  • Reference: Qur'an 2:184.

  • Hajj (Pilgrimage)

  • Annual pilgrimage to Mecca; mandatory for Muslims who are physically and financially able.

  • Issues Related: Experiences of British Muslims undertaking Hajj.

  • Reference: Qur'an 2:125.

  • Salah (Prayer)

  • Practice of performing prayers five times a day; includes Jummah prayer on Fridays.

  • References: Qur'an 15:98-99, 29:45.

Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam

  • Salat

  • Importance of specific prayers and rituals in Shi'a practice.

  • Zakah & Khums

  • Payment of religious taxes and savings tax to support the community.

  • Sawm

  • Fasting observed similar to Sunni practices.

  • Hajj

  • Pilgrimage to Mecca, along with visits to Shi’a shrines.

  • Reference: Qur'an 2:125.

  • Jihad

  • Emphasis on both inner struggles (greater Jihad) and struggles for justice (lesser Jihad).

  • Amr-bil-Maroof

  • Commanding goodness; promoting positive actions within the community.

  • Nahil Anril Munkar

  • Discouraging wrongdoing and bad actions.

  • Tawalia & Tabarra

  • Expressing love for the friends of Allah and disapproval of evil-doers.

Jihad

  • Greater Jihad

  • Daily personal struggles to live according to Islamic principles and maintain a good Muslim lifestyle, particularly in a non-Muslim environment (e.g., Britain).

  • Lesser Jihad

  • Involves defense of the faith, can be seen in historical texts such as the Qur'an 2:190 and 22:39.

Festivals and Commemorations

  • Id-ul-Adha

  • Celebrates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son; involves the ritual sacrifice of animals.

  • Id-ul-Fitr

  • Marks the end of Ramadan and breaking the fast, celebrated with communal prayers and feasting.

  • Ashura

  • Significant for Shi’a community as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn, grandson of Muhammad.

  • Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr)

  • Celebrates the night when the Qur'an was first revealed to Muhammad, highlighting its significance in the Islamic tradition.