Essay
Essay Plans on ALL Yr12 Islam in Religious Studies A Level
- Module
- Unit 6 - Western Religions
- Institution
- WJEC
A* essays covering all the key themes examinable in the Religion: Islam paper of Religious Studies A level.
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Theme 1 – AO11. Explain the key features of pre-Islamic Arabia (25)
Tribe/clan system.
Polytheism.
Idolatrous rituals.
2. Examine the reasons why Muhammad’s preaching was rejected in Makkah (25)
Polytheism.
Previous Prophets have been from Palestine/Israel/Syria.
Ethics; did not want to give up bad habits.
3. Explain the reasons why Muhammad had to do the Hijrah (migration) (25)
Jewish people of Medinah were waiting for a prophetic figure and agreed to protect
Muhammad. Qu’ran: “Muhammad… he is God’s Messenger and the seal of the
prophets.”
Persecution of Muslims in Makkah. E.g. Bilal.
Makkans rejected Muhammad’s message. Qur’an: “Warn your closest kindred.”
4. Explain how Muhammad established the basic tenets of Islam in Medinah (25)
Political negotiations; the Peace Treaty of Mudaybiyah (established that Muslims in
Makkah cnan freely practice Islam without being persecuted after the Battles of
Badr, Uhud, Trench (Muslims won).
Preaching (esp. in four months in which war was prohibited in pre-Islamic Arabia).
Qur’an: “Warn your closest kindred” “You who believe, obey God and the
Messenger.”
Accumulated a loyal following that underwent torture instead of renouncing their
faith and support of his message, e.g. Bilal – whipped, beaten, hot boulder placed on
his chest.
5. Explain why the Quran is used as a source of wisdom and authority in Islam (25)
Its miraculous nature. Qur’an: “The night of power is better than a thousand
months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on
every errand: Peace! This until the rise of dawn!” “Let them produce a statement
like it.”
Last revelation brought by Prophet Muhammad. Qu’ran: “Muhammad… he is God’s
Messenger and the seal of the prophets.”
Its many purposes, e.g. teaches about Allah, philosophy e.g. Judgement
Day/Akhirah, economics e.g. no interest in loans, history e.g. Tragedy of the
Karbala/Ashura.
6. Explain how the Quran was compiled (25)
View 1 – Abu Bakr ordered Zaid to compile it after 400 people who memorised it
died.
, View 2 – Uthman, third leader of Islam, compiled it in Quarysh dialect so differences
in dialect would not corrupt its message.
View 3 – Muhammad compiled it by telling companions the order. Evidence of him
telling companions “I’m leaving behind for you the book of Allah” before he died.
7. Explain how the Quran is used by Muslims (25)
Rites of passage.
Bismillah: “in the name of Allah, the Beneficient, the Merciful” e.g. before eating.
Teachings.
Theme 1 – AO2
1. “Pre-Islamic Arabia had no influence in Muhammad’s teachings.” Evaluate this view. (25)
Disagree – Direct revelation from Allah. Counter: Muhammad’s character that made
Allah’s message he conveyed more believable.
Disagree – unethical habits of pre-Islamic Arabia, idolatry, polytheism. Counter:
Some believed in one supreme God, e.g. Judaism.
Agree – Delivered final message that was complete and corrected aspects of the
past. Counter: He had to form an alliance with the Jews to survive and spread his
message.
2. “Islam would have failed if Muhammad did not migrate.” Evaluate this view. (25)
Disagree – Determination of his followers. Would not renounce their faith even in
torture. Counter: Divine help, e.g. spider web and bird’s nest covering the cave he
was hiding in after he escaped.
Disagree – Advantage of being Quarysh (cannot kill members from the same tribe).
Counter: Prosecution of Muslims.
Agree – Muhammad was lucky, if he died Islam would fail. If he did not establish the
Peace Treaty of Mudaybiyah Muslims would not be free to worship and would have
continued to be persecuted. Counter: He may not have won the Battle of Trench if
he had not migrated to Medinah where his followers could live without so much
persecution and thus be strong enough to fight.
3. “Medinah is the ideal model for the establishment of Islam.” Evaluate this view. (25)
Agree – People already did Hajj. Counter: They did it naked and with idolatry and
sacrificial rituals.
Agree – People of Medinah, e.g. Jews, sympathised with him and offered protection
because they shared the belief of one true God and he coming of a prophetic figure.
Counter: The Jews betrayed Muhammad in the Battle of Badr.
Disagree – Restrictions meant Islam had to be modelled according to existing
frameworks. Arab notions of a tribal community. Slave-owning, idol worship,
polytheism had to coexist with Islam in Medinah. Counter: Muhammad and his
followers easily assimilated into society in Medinah and Islam was allowed to
express itself without restraint.
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