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A Level Islam A02 Notes (All 48 questions answered)
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All 48 A02 questions answered for WJEC/EDUQAS A Level Islam
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Theme 1 – Religious Figures & Sacred Texts1) The extent of influence of the pre-Islamic Arabian context upon the life and teaching
of Muhammad
Point Counter
o In support of the argument that Muhammad was influenced by pre- o However in response, one would argue that Muhammad was influenced
Islamic Arabia by accepting various aspects of it, one would put by pre-Islamic Arabia by rejecting many aspect of it such as the
forwards that Muhammad accepted and inherited the rich Arab polytheistic nature of Makkah, this was a direct result of Muhammad
heritage of monotheistic values. Pre-Islamic Arabia was composed preaching uncompromising monotheism. Religion was varied, unfocuse
of Jews, Christians and Hanifs who were religious people that lived a idolatrous and full of human influences. Muhammad had changed the
very strict lifestyle of moral purity and were also strictly monotheistic. diverse and complex religious ideas of pre-Islamic Arabia to just one
Allah, the name of God was also maintained as well as Hajj and the religion. As Ramadan confirms, ‘the theme of one-ness seemed to exte
idea of the Kaaba being the centre of Hajj was already in place, it was from theology to practicality under Muhammad’s guidance’ Also
just the focus that shifted and thus in this sense one would strongly Muhammad’s attitudes towards gambling and alcohol were in strong
argue that Muhammad was influenced by pre-Islamic Arabia by contrast to those that existed in pre-Islamic Arabia in which he strongly
adopting aspects of it. dismissed therefore one would confidently argue that Muhammad was
influenced by pre-Islamic Arabia in the sense he was rejecting
polytheism and immorality.
o Moreover in line with the argument that Muhammad was influenced o On the other hand, one would respond that Muhammad was influenced b
by pre-Islamic Arabia by accepting various aspects of it, one would pre-Islamic Arabia in the sense he challenged economic and social
argue that Muhammad adopted traditional Arab ideas and inequalities of women and the poor. Women like slaves were not
social values in ordering the ummah. There was a rich heritage of treated well and had no specific rights, female infanticide was also the
codes of conduct between tribes and good qualities of tribal society normal means of population control, Muhammad strongly dismissed this
such as honour and generosity in which Muhammad emphasised as and gave women a high status. Muhammad also rejected cruelty and
well as loyalty and protection to unite the ummah. They never neglection of the poor, in pre-Islamic Arabia, only the strong could surviv
committed breach of trust and regarded a violation of promise to be a and the weak were exploited and oppressed, as Esposito states there wa
unpardonable sin. Therefore one would contend that Muhammad was ‘growing division between rich & poor’ hence protection of the poor was
influenced by pre-Islamic Arabia by accepting social values that key theme for Muhammad. Therefore one would strongly argue that
existed within it. Muhammad was influenced by pre-Islamic Arabia by rejecting the cruelty
and inequality that existed then.
Conclusion: o In response, one would put forward that Muhammad was influenced by
One would conclude that Muhammad cleverly put together a pre-Islamic Arabia by changing the tribal identity into a more
combination of existing best practice with political motives; the focus universal religious identity. Muhammad moved away from family ties
was not there but many aspects of later Islam were such as the ummah to a religious one by uniting all tribes under the ummah as one giving the
with the tribes, monotheism with Jews, Christians and Hanifs and people an identity. One would also argue that the persecution Muhamma
ancient moral codes such as honour and loyalty. faced in Makkah makes it clear how far he was rejecting Arabic culture an
tradition and thus one would undoubtedly argue that Muhammad was
influenced by changing aspects of pre-Islamic Arabia to fit in with the
revelations he received.
,Theme 1 – Religious Figures & Sacred Texts 1) ‘Their power was challenged’ Tariq R
2) The possibility of the failure of Islam in Makkah 2) ‘Number of converts slowly grew’ Tar
Point Counter
o In support of the argument that there was a possibility of failure of Islam in o However in response to the argument that there was a possi
Makkah, one would put forward that the leaders of Makkah were threatened Islam in Makkah, one would argue that as Allah willed Isla
by Muhammad’s message as they stood to lose out on a major source of Muhammad would have been successful anywhere, Mu
income, this presented a challenge on economic grounds as the call to serve was always doomed to fail in Makkah, it was needed so that
one God and reject all idols threatened the Makkans business of pilgrimage. As organize themselves and become clear on what the Islamic u
Tariq Ramadan confirms ‘their power was challenged’ due to the direct nature of religion would look like. It also gave Muhammad the opportu
Muhammad’s message, thus in this sense one would argue that there was a his abilities as a military, political and religious leader. One w
possibility of Islam failing in Makkah as the environment was not conductive to that Muhammad was well liked and respected in Makkah and
the growth of it. the Quraysh, Muhammad had protection under the clan syst
persecutors would have given up eventually. Therefore there
possibility of Islam failing in Makkah as Muhammad had enou
support to survive.
o Moreover in line with the argument that there was a possibility of failure of the o On the other hand in response to the argument that there was
Islamic religion in Makkah, one would argue that the polytheistic nature of failure of Islam in Makkah, one would contend that it was not
religion in Makkah was in sharp conflict with Muhammad’s monotheistic Muhammad would have failed in Makkah but more so t
view given in his direct message as he demanded uncompromising monotheism; a better location both politically and geographically to
the people of Makkah had to worship Allah and Allah only, discarding all other ummah as Muhammad was free to preach and reveal Allah’s m
religious idols and practices. This in turn led to the persecution of Muhammad also required a political and religious leader hence why Madin
and his followers. As Tariq Ramadan states ‘number of converts slowly grew’ and Muhammad and Muhammad was perfect for Madinah. One wo
in 13 years there was only still few Muslims in Makkah demonstrating the limited the Hijra enabled Islam to succeed, by moving from Makkah to
success Muhammad had and therefore one would strongly put forward that due Muhammad was able to establish the basic tenets of Islam and
to the nature of Muhammad’s message, there was the possibility of Islam failing Islam did succeed. Thus one would confidently argue that alth
in Makkah. term , there was the possibility of Islam in Makkah, in the long
led to its success.
o Furthermore in agreement with the argument that there was possibility of Islam Conclusion:
failing in Makkah, one would contest that the hostility and persecution One would conclude by stating that although there was the threa
Muhammad faced shows that Islam would have failed if Muhammad Makkah due to the persecution Muhammad faced, the Hijra in fa
stayed, Muhammad criticised the customs and ancestors of the Makkans as succeed, Muhammad was always doomed to fail in Makkah so th
well as their way of life, creating a direct challenge on social and religious take place which in turn allowed Islam to expand worldwide as h
grounds in Makkah which resulted in the Makkans torturing and mocking
Muhammad and the early Muslims. One would also argue that after the year of
sorrow when Abu Talib and Khadijah passed away, the chance of success in
Makkah became very slim therefore the possibility of Islam failing in Makkah was
very high as Muhammad had lost his source of protection and guidance as well
as the reaction of the Makkans proving to be far too challenging.
, 1) ‘A new kind of society’ Turner
Theme 1 – Religious Figures & Sacred Texts
2) ‘Reworking of society along Islamic precepts’ Turner
3) Whether Madinah is the ideal model for the 3) ‘The Medinan community formed a total framework fo
establishment of Islam culture’ Esposito
Point Counter
o In support of the argument that Madinah was an ideal model for the o However in response to the argument that Madinah is the id
establishment of Islam, one would put forward that Muslims refer to Madinah establishment of Islam, one would argue that the many in M
as the golden era of Islam. This is due to Muhammad’s religious, social and loyal to Muhammad rather than Islam and when he died
economic reforms which created a ‘new kind of society’ as Turner states. He goes allegiance. They only embraced Islam in a nominal way whils
on to confirm that Madinah under Muhammad as a ‘reworking of society along attached to pagan practices. Therefore in this sense, one wo
Islamic precepts. This is true in that Muhammad developed the ‘constitution of contest that Madinah was not specifically suited to a whole-h
Madinah’ which created the early Muslim ummah as a stronghold of unity, peace Islam, rather only that which suited its environment.
and social justice. Muhammad also established the pillars in Madinah as well as
the model on how to pray and give Zakat. Many Muslims see Madinah as the
archetype of Islamic democracy and thus in this sense one would strongly argue
that Madinah was an ideal model for the establishment of Islam.
o Moreover in line with the argument that Madinah was an ideal model for the o On the other hand, one would respond to the argument that M
establishment of Islam, one would contend that Madinah offered a neutral model for the establishment of Islam that this attitude of m
ground for Muhammad in which to establish Islam, Muhammad was invited support and building a community was a typical Arab a
to Madinah as a leader with a high rank which allowed him to establish Islam as a than it being specific to Muhammad or Islamic ideas. Muhamm
complete way of life, Madinah gave Muhammad the ability to preach freely and was still an Arab institution based on Arab notions of tribal soc
was offered protection unlike in Makkah which gave him an environment to was still strongly influenced by Arabic culture, it was still very
establish formal practises of Islam including the first mosque, this in turn allowed Muhammad as the ‘shaykh’. There was no alternative model o
Islam to grow. One would also argue that it was the will of Allah that Hjrah was to organisation hence some would suggest that the Madinah mod
occur. Thus one would strongly argue Madinah was the ideal model for ideal Islamic model.
establishing Islam.
o Furthermore in agreement with the argument that Madinah was ideal for Islam to Conclusion:
establish itself, one would argue that Madinah gave Muhammad the o One would conclude that Madinah was ideal for Islam to estab
opportunity to demonstrate his political and military skills, Muhammad variety of reasons, it offered a neutral ground for Muhammad
was able to unite those of different faiths such as the Jewish tribes into one formal practices of Islam today such as how to pray, fasting an
community, strengthening society. Muhammad was also democratic in that he giving Muhammad the opportunity to showcase his political an
held consultations, shuras with his followers before proceeding to battle. As which can be used today as a model for Islamic states across
Esposito confirms ‘the Medinan community formed a total framework for state, the debate remains about whether this is ideal for Islam in gen
society and culture’ One would go on further to argue that Muhammad was 21stcentury and in non-tribal, non-Arab societies, Madinah wa
successful in projecting the Arab precept of loyalty to the tribe into a more model for the Islamic community but not necessarily an ideal
Islamic loyalty to Allah and thus one would strongly contest that Madinah was
ideal for the establishment of Islam.
, 1) ‘Consummate political skills’ Brown
Theme 1 – Religious Figures & Sacred Texts
2) ‘Coherent formula for living’ Ruthven
4) The merits of Muhammad as a complete leader 3) ‘Who dare compare any great man in history with Muhamm
Lamartine
Point Counter
o In support of the argument that Muhammad was a complete leader, one would o However in response to the argument that Muhammad was a
put forward that he established himself as the political, spiritual and one would argue that he was first and foremost a religio
religious leader of Madinah and Islam. Politically, Muhammad was seen as a unique and inspirational as he gave Allah’s final word to hum
great arbitrator and his establishment of peace and treaties between conflicting regarded as the Seal of the Prophets. He successfully establi
parties throughout his life is a credit to his leadership abilities. As Brown confirms the development of religious teachings and a guide for religi
Muhammad demonstrated ‘consummate political skills’ in changing the ummah through the revelation of the Quran. He excelled as a religiou
from an unpolitical religious group to a complete community that embraced all leader, establishing the first mosque in Madinah, the pillars a
differences. The constitution of Madinah allowed those of different faiths systematic procedure for the Islamic religious in daily life thr
including Jews and Muslims to be recognised one, strengthening society under fasting and theological teachings. His character and actions
the framework of Islam in which Ruthven states that it is a ‘coherent formula for path morally and religiously for Muslims to follow thus in this
living’. Therefore due to the several roles Muhammad had, one would strongly argue that Muhammad’s prophethood was the most importa
argue that he was a complete leader. leadership.
o Furthermore, one would argue in line with the argument that Muhammad was a o On the other hand one would respond to the argument that Mu
complete leader that he did not just found a religion but completely reformed complete leader that he couldn’t have done it alone, he n
the socio-economic and moral customs of the time. Muhammad tried to of his companions (sahaba) including Ali and Abu Bakr. Ther
improve rights of women at the time, allowing the to divorce, inherit and keep Abu Bakr taking control of the situation at the battle of Badr w
their dowries as well and showing care for the weak and vulnerable in society, was not doing anything and instead waiting for a sign from Go
introducing zakat to redistribute wealth from the rich to the poor. Muhammad Bakr urged him to advance. One would also argue that if Muha
had also brought in new economic laws and outlawed riba (charging interest on complete leader then surely the situation at his death wouldn’
money loaned) seeking to bring social justice hence one would confidently argue with hypocrites, detractors and the issue of who was to be Mu
that Muhammad can be described as a very well balanced and complete leader. successor which led to the big divide thus one would argue th
not a complete leader as evident in the issues that aroused af
o Moreover in agreement with the argument that Muhammad was a complete Conclusion
leader, one would argue that Muhammad was the most successful prophet, o One would conclude that Muhammad had several, all equally i
and this was the result of the several roles he successfully performed as a a leader in which he fulfilled successfully. Muhammad had suc
religious, political and military leader. He is seen as an inspirational leader as he established religious practises, brought out social reforms and
fought for his beliefs against polytheism in 3 famous battles. Muhammad held inspirational military leader. As Lamaratine once said, ‘who da
consultations (shura) with his followers before proceeding into battle and use great man in history with Muhammad?’
tactics never seen before at the time, namely at the battle of Al-Khandaq where
Muhammad dug a trench. Therefore one would confidently argue that
Muhammad was a complete leader.
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