Shahadah 2014

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Explain with examples the significance of Shirk in Islam (35)

Explain the theological significance of Shahadah (25)

Explain the beliefs about Allah expressed in the shahadah and in Surah 1. (25)

Explain the implications for Muslims of the teachings in Surah 1 of Allah as Creator, Judge and Guide. [25]

‘Show us the straight way…’ (Surah 1:6). Explain what Muslims mean by ‘the straight way’. [25]

Question Paragraph 1 For AgainstThe teaching of Shirk is particularly relevant to Muslims living in non Muslim countries

Explain what Shirk Is and why it is important

Yes – culture of celebrityLess people worshippingNeed to focus

No – submission to Islam should happen wherever

Your Views

‘Kalam is not a sufficient basis forbelief in Allah.’ Discuss. [10]

What do Muslims believe about Allah? What is the Kalam Argument?

No you need more than logic and clever arguments – Qur’an, experience of Allah, revelation

Yes – Allah most important aspect and Islam means submission sp anything that encourages this belief key

Your Views

“Following the “straight way” is not a realistic goal for a Muslim.’ Discuss. [10

Summarise what Islam means and what Muslims believe about the Straight Path

No – many challenges. Explain challenges you think Muslim face

Yes – because it helps someone’s life – God will guide and Islam straightforward

Your views

‘The shahadah is the most important of the five pillars of Islam.’ Discuss. [10]Most responses arecannot exist alone odeclaration of faith.

Importance of Shahadah and why some think important .

Yes – foundation for Five Pillars explain why you think Shahadah most important Pillar

No – argue for other Pillars

Your views

‘Surah 1 contains all that is needed to be a Muslim.’ Discuss. [10]

What is in Surah 1

Why do people think t contains everything? Explain

Why do people think more things needed?

Yours views

‘Surah 1 is more concerned with religious beliefs than with religious practices.’ Discuss. [10)

Explain Surah 1 Back up question by arguing what Surah 1 about practices

No – explain how hat believers d integral to Surah 1

Your views

Explain how Kalam is used in Islam to prove the existence of Allah. [25]

Responses might begin with some sort of definition of Kalam. Kalam literally means speech (in the sense of utterance) in Arabic. Therefore it has come to mean either the Qur’an (Allah speaking the content of the Qur’an) or theological argument.

Candidates might explain that the Kalam Cosmological argument is similar to arguments from the existence of the universe to the existence of God in other related faiths. In Islam it dates back to mediaeval Muslim philosophers such and al-Ghazali (1058-1111CE) who justified the use of reasoned argument but were still conservative in its use to ‘prove’ matters of faith.

The logical structure of the Kalam cosmological argument might be outlined by candidates, starting with the statement that everything that has a beginning has a cause of its existence. It is the second premise, ie the universe has a beginning, which is crucial and some candidates might diverge to consider whether or not the universe might always have existed before continuing to explain the steps leading to the first cause.