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QUESTIONS ABOUT SET
PASSAGES OF QURAN
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O Level Islamiyat 2058
___________________________________ Prepared by Memona Noreen ____________________________________
Islamiyat Teacher in Senior Section at g{x V|àç fv{ÉÉÄ
THEME:
Allah In Himself
2 (a) Using the set passages of Quran, write about how God describes Himself?
Ans. God describes Himself in various passages in the Qur’an so that humans can know Him.
Many of the passages have similar themes, especially about God’s Oneness, but often they will
describe the themes in a particular way. The verses mentioned about Allah in Himself talk about
Allah’s attributes of His Oneness, magnificence, glory and mercy.
Sura 2.255: Ayat al–Kursi is considered to symbolise the authority, power, and Oneness of God
(tawhid) – the first statement says there is no God but Him. He is self-subsisting, so He depends
on no one, but everyone depends on Him. He is eternal so He was always there and will exist
forever. He does not get tired, nor does he sleep – God is using examples that humans can relate
to, to show how He can never be unaware nor become negligent in His duties. Everything is
owned by Him showing His control and power. No one can appeal to God, or intercede, without
His permission. His knowledge is all encompassing, knowing everything before and after them.
No one will gain knowledge unless He allows it. The Kursi is His Throne and encompasses many
meanings, including His power, His dominion and His Knowledge. And in all this there is no
fatigue, with His attributes being beyond human understanding.
Hence The verse of the Throne talks about His Majestic powers. It highlights the aspect of
Tauhid, the Oneness of his Lordship, He is the only source of life and is eternal; and above all
needs. Unlike human needs of food, sustenance, rest and sleep. He alone by His will grants place
and position to His beings. His knowledge is not limited to time and space and His power extends
over the entire universe.
Sura 114: Ikhlas (sincerity) is also referred to as Sura Tawhid as it encompasses the message of
monotheism in it. Ahad in used in the Qur’an only for God, to describe His Oneness. Samad is
considered one of God’s perfect attributes, which encompasses many different qualities in one
word – The Eternal Refuge, The Self-Sufficient, The Absolute, and the One on Whom all depend
on and to Whom all creation turns to for their needs. So, while everyone needs Him, He is in need
of no-one. He was not born, nor did He give birth, again this is a way of showing how God is
unlike creation using attributes they can relate to. He is beyond comparison, so there is nothing in
the heavens or earth like Him. This Sura gives a summarised description of the Oneness of God
and the perfection of His attributes.
Hence Surah Ikhlas emphasises on Tauhid as apposed to other beliefs of the time. It talks about
Allah’s uniqueness and Oneness that He always was and will be. He is Eternal and Absolute in
His authority. He is above the need for another source for His presence, nor does He need a
family, and, Nor is there any equal to Him . The message of Tawheed is very clearly stated, and it
forbids inclusion of anyone or anything with the worship of Allah.
Sura Al-An’am, 6.101–103 – through this passage God emphasises His Oneness, first by saying
that He has no partner/spouse and then questioning how He can then have a son, and then in the
next verse stating that there is no God but Him. God is stressing that He knows everything and
that He is your Lord and not anyone else. In this passage God also describes Himself as the
___________________________________ Prepared by Memona Noreen ____________________________________
Islamiyat Teacher in Senior Section at g{x V|àç fv{ÉÉÄ
Creator/Originator, saying He created everything from nothing. He is also the only one deserving
of worship. He also has all power, in this case to determine/decide the affairs of everyone.
He reminds humans that whilst no one can see Him nor comprehend Him, he sees everyone and
everything and He is aware of everything that happens.
Hence Surah Al Anam also stresses on Tawheed, that He has no offsprings as He has no family,
which Surah Ikhlas also confirms, He begets not, nor is He begotten. He alone is the Creator and
caretaker of the entire universe; thus, He knows the need of all His creation. He has complete
knowledge of all that was, is and will be, as all powers belong to him alone. He is the prime cause
for all that exists, but no human vision can comprehend his magnitude, though His vision can
grasp the entire universe. Thus, He is only worthy of worship. Thus, we acknowledge Him in our
prayers, and we supplicate to him by saying, “You do we worship and Your aid we seek”, in
our five daily prayers.
Sura Fussilat, 41.37 – through this passage God tells humankind that He is the creator of
everything, in this case He mentions the sun and the moon which follow an order and cycle due to
His power. It’s a strong message of tawhid, that no one should be worshipped other than Him, and
particularly not the sun and the moon, even though humans can be in awe of them. They are
reflective of His ultimate power. God describes himself as the creator and controller of the
universe, hence commands humans to prostrate before Him.
Hence the verses from Surah Fussilat describe the signs of Allah’s creation such as the celestial
bodies and the cycle of nature on earth. The Quran instructs mankind to worship the creator but
not his creation. We are being told that He alone deserves our worship.
Sura Shura, 42.4–5 – through this passage God tells humans that He is the one who has the
control of everything because everything belongs to Him. He also emphasises His greatness/His
glory, and this greatness is what almost causes the heavens to burst apart. The angels, a creation of
God, are in praise of Him and they also pray for the forgiveness of those on Earth. God is telling
everyone that although He is the highest, forgiveness and mercy lie with Him and He is the most
forgiving and the most merciful. The verses of Al – Shura state Allah’s authority and exalted
position, He is the most high and greatest. To Him belongs all that He has created. He is the Sole
Lord and Master of all. These verses highlight Allah’s attribute of forgiveness grace and mercy
and are a message of hope for mankind. It also strengthens our love for Allah as He being
merciful has created Angels who seek forgiveness for us. Such is our Lord the Most Merciful.
___________________________________ Prepared by Memona Noreen ____________________________________
Islamiyat Teacher in Senior Section at g{x V|àç fv{ÉÉÄ
(b) In your opinion, how can the knowledge God give about Himself help Muslims in times
of hardship?
• Ans. There are different ways the passages can help Muslims in times of hardship.
• When Muslims are going through hardships related to their sustenance, they can feel
reassured by these passages that God has provided for them. Whatever He has created is for
the benefit of humans, whether for their sustenance and survival or for their education and
knowledge.
• If anyone feels doubt about God, then these passages could help them understand that God
exists, and He has created everything in order and He maintains it.
• If people have been hurt or let down by others, these passages can help them understand
that they do not have to look up to people who may disappoint them, but God will not
disappoint as He tells humans He is the all-knowing and the most merciful.
• Sometimes people make mistakes that worry them. These passages tell Muslims He
forgives when mistakes are made and God often emphasises, He is the most forgiving so
humans should turn to Him.
THEME:
Allah’s Relation with the Created World
2 (a) Using the set passages you have studied, write about God’s relationship with the
created world.
Ans. The verses related to this theme describe and elaborate Allah ‘s endless love for us as our
Creator, Benefactor, Well Wisher and Guide. The passages allow humankind to see the link
between them and God. It is not just about God giving human beings things for their sustenance,
but humans need to give thanks in return and live their life remembering Him and doing what He
has asked, which can be done in different ways.
Sura 1, talks about humankind being created to worship God and that can be done in many ways:
praying, following the Sunna, making dua etc. It emphasises that He is the creator and controller
of all that is in the heavens and the earth, and that He will judge over humankind. They should
keep this in mind when they do anything. In return they should ask Him for help to remain guided.
Hence in Surah Fateha, The Almighty shows His Love for us by teaching us the ethics of
addressing Him through His attributes, Rahman and Raheem, the lord of the Worlds and reminds
us about the Day of Accountability as the Master of the Day of Judgement. After addressing Him,
we seek His Divine Guidance to show us the Right Path which would lead us to gain His pleasure
and not His Wrath. As he being our Creator can only cater to our needs, thus we should refrain
from all those entities who have been created by Him and not our Creator. He has answered to our
supplication by bestowing us with the Quran which is a complete code of guidance.
___________________________________ Prepared by Memona Noreen ____________________________________
Islamiyat Teacher in Senior Section at g{x V|àç fv{ÉÉÄ
Sura 2.21–22, this passage shows that God provides sustenance for His creation. He gives so that
they can have shelter, food and drink. They should therefore look after their environment and
protect the things that God has provided for them. God wants humans to acknowledge that He is
the one who provides them with this, and not anyone else, and so they should not seek to praise
others for what they have been given by God.
Hence the verses of Surah Baqarah, Allah shows us His attribute as our Creator. He reminds us
about His endless bounties and favours by providing us the Earth with all the comforts, the
heavens as our canopy otherwise we would not be able to bear the rays of the Sun .Then for our
sustenance He sends rain which turns the barren earth fertile to produce crops and fruits .Then
again ,He wants us to show our gratitude towards Him by acknowledging His favours for our life
on Earth and not join partners to Him as what He has done no entity has the power to do so.
Sura 96.1–5, this shows the link between humankind and God by emphasising the creation of
humans, that He is their creator and no one else. He then gave knowledge to humans, the tool for
their learning. They in return should seek knowledge whenever they can as well as teaching it.
Hence the verses of Surah Alaq remind us about our total dependence on Allah. To acknowledge
the most important gift blessed on us by Him,” the gift of Knowledge’, which takes us out from
ignorance to light, and then elevates our position as the best of the humans. We realise our worth
of creation and existence as it further reminds us about our biological creation in our mother’s
womb from a mere clot of blood to a complete immaculate human. Thus, all praise and worship
are only due for Allah.
Sura 99, this shows that the earth is created for humankind’s benefit and that they will be judged
at the end of time according to how they lived their lives on it. It also shows how God can destroy
what He created. That humans will also be judged if they followed God and His Messenger
(pbuh), fulfilled their obligations, or looked after the earth which was created for their benefit.
They have a responsibility for their actions, so although God provides for humans, they have to do
good to show God that they are grateful.
Hence Surah Zilzaal explains and describes the scenario of the Day of Judgement. It reinforces
the reality that as Allah has created us, we must return to him. As the Quran says, every soul has
to taste death’. Thus, we all are accountable for our deeds to Him alone. It reminds us about
Allah’s wrath, Mercy and Justice, as He will judge us all on the Final Day. Our smallest good or
bad deed will be weighed with full justice. We in our daily prayers seek His guidance in Surah
Fatiha, with His attribute as the master of the Day of Judgement.
Sura 114, this passage warns humans that there are those looking to lead them astray by trying to
influence their actions. God wants humans to know that only He is the Lord, King and God over
all humankind and so everyone should turn to Him for help in difficult times, and that protection
comes from Him.
Finally in the concluding passage of the Quran Surah Naas, we are reminded of Allah’s complete
control over everything around and within us. We acknowledge Him as the King of the kings.
___________________________________ Prepared by Memona Noreen ____________________________________
Islamiyat Teacher in Senior Section at g{x V|àç fv{ÉÉÄ
Thus, we should seek refuge from Satan by not becoming his fan follower as he is our greatest
enemy and has vowed to misguide us. If we act upon his call, we will surely be misguided.
The beauty of these passages is that in Surah Fateha we seek Allah’s guidance, and He showers
His mercy by blessing us with the complete Quran and then concludes with Surah Naas. Thus, we
should always seek refuge and protection in Allah and never underestimate the power of “Dua”.
(b) What do these passages teach Muslims about responsibility towards their environment?
• Ans. Some of the passages describe how God has made various things for the benefit of
humans – the earth, the rain/water, food and drink, resources and they have been given rules
and regulations for how they live their lives. They will give an account of their deeds, and
the earth will testify as to what humans have done. This will be their good deeds and bad
deeds, but also how they have looked after all these provisions.
• Humans are therefore not just encouraged to pray and fast and worship God, but also to do
good actions, including those relating to looking after the soil from which their crops grow,
the water which helps them grow, the animals that they rear etc.
• Candidates can give other points but should make reference to what is mentioned in some
of the suras that suggests humans should care for the environment.
(b) How might teachings from these passages encourage people to take care of their
environment?
• Ans. Some of the passages describe how God has made various things for the benefit of
humans – the earth, the rain/water, food and drink, and that the earth will have a voice to
say what humans have done whilst living on it. This will be their good deeds and bad deeds,
but also how they have looked after all these provisions.
• Humans are therefore not just encouraged to pray and fast and worship God, but also to do
good actions, including those relating to looking after the soil from which their crops grow,
the water which helps them grow, etc.
• Candidates can give other points but should make reference to what is mentioned in some
of the suras that suggests humans should care for the environment.
___________________________________ Prepared by Memona Noreen ____________________________________
Islamiyat Teacher in Senior Section at g{x V|àç fv{ÉÉÄ
THEME:
Allah’s relationship with his messengers
2 (a) Using passages from the syllabus write about what God says about His relationship
with two of His Messengers.
Ans. God chose His Messengers mainly to make Himself known and to guide human beings. All
of them were tested and all of them were given blessings and guidance to draw them closer to
God. They were also asked to submit to God completely.
Allah’s relationship with his messengers is of love, mercy, care, compassion and affection. He
chooses them on the criteria of piety, sacrifice and passion for serving humanity. He then grooms,
nurtures and mentors them for the task to be accomplished, given to them by Him.
Adam AS was the first human to be created by God and was given special status by God. When
God spoke to Adam, he taught Him and gave him knowledge of things that the angels did not
know. This shows the superiority of humans over angels due to what they know. God gave Adam
instructions not to touch a specific tree, without explaining why – so God tested Adam from the
beginning. Part of this test was when Satan came to tempt Adam and his wife into eating from the
tree. God sent Adam and his wife to live on earth. Adam realised his mistake and through this
event turned to God for forgiveness. And God, because He is the most merciful, turned towards
Adam, meaning He forgave Him. It is the nature of humans to sin and God wants them to turn to
Him for forgiveness.
Hence Allah’s relationship with Hz Adam is of a guide and a teacher. Allah created him as the
first complete human being and then elevated his position by blowing his own spirit and asking
the angels to bow before him. He taught him the names of everything and provided him with the
freedom of choice to distinguish between the right and the wrong. This enabled Adam to protect
himself from evil temptations and whispers of Satan. He not only provided Adam with worldly
but also the Divine knowledge. This ensures that man is Allah’s best creation as his vice regent,
the Quran verily says, “You are the best of the creation enjoining what is good and
forbidding what is wrong”.
This gift of knowledge is a gift and tool for Adam for the lasting generations to identify their real
enemy Satan and protect themselves against him. Allah’s plan is not appreciated by the angels
specially Iblis as he thinks his creation with fire holds a higher position that of Adam who is
created out of clay which is very inferior as compared to fire. It is here that on this grand
coronation ceremony the battle between Iblis and Adam starts.
Allah calls Adam His ambassador on earth thus. Declaring a special affiliation with him. He
blesses him with a partner a companion Hz Huwa to share his physical and emotional needs.
When they both transgressed their limits, on Satan’s instigation and ate the fruit from the
forbidden tree, they felt ashamed of the consequence and soon wanted to repent, Allah then shows
his special favour by teaching them words of repentance as they are humble and do not want to
earn Allah’s displeasure. As a Hadith Qudsi says, “My mercy overcomes my wrath”, Allah
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Islamiyat Teacher in Senior Section at g{x V|àç fv{ÉÉÄ
forgives them. This shows that man will err however if he seeks sincere repentance Allah does
forgive him. This is the greatest favour on Adam.
Ibrahim/Abraham was given knowledge of God through the law and order of the heavens and
the earth. God inspired him through His signs, and Ibrahim turned towards Him. Through these
events he turned himself to believe in God and did not associate partners with Him. Ibrahim used
his intellect and reasoning to decide that none of them can be the Supreme Being. Their
relationship is shown through the creation of God, with Ibrahim waiting to be guided by God, and
in return God inspired Him through the blessings of the sun and the moon to see His order, His
Unity and His control over creation. God does not change unlike the things He has created.
Hence with Ibrahim AS Allah shares his relationship as a best friend calling him Khalilullah.
Allah in the Quran mentions, “man only gets what he strives for”, which was truly true for Hz
Ibrahim. Right from childhood he had the quest for the truth. He was born in a family where his
father earned his living by making idols and saw people worshipping them. He from the beginning
could not reconcile with the thought of believing in them as he thought that those idols which
could not take care of their own selves how could they take care of their worshippers. Besides
idols the people believed in celestial bodies too. Hz Ibrahim from childhood was a keen observer
and was not convinced to take the stars, moon and the sun as their lords. He comes to a decision
that the creator of these celestial bodies is his lord and then he remains steadfast on this belief. He
then pledges that he will not associate partners to his lord. He remained steadfast all his life along
with his wives Hz Hijra AS and Hz Sarah AS and his sons Hz Ismael AS and Ishaaq AS.
He was even helped and supported by Allah when he was thrown in a huge fire, but Allah turned
the fire into a garden and ordered the fire to be cool and bestow peace on him. This shows his love
for the chosen ones.
He surrendered totally to the one and only Allah thus earned Allah’s pleasure which was not only
for that time but is everlasting. This is evident from the rituals of umrah and haj when the
believers follow the sunnah set by him and his family. Not only the Muslims show reverence for
Hz Ibrahim and his family, but the Jews and the Christians show the same respect to him, which is
Allah’s greatest Favor on him.
Jesus/Isa was given special guidance and miracles to realise God’s status as Creator and his status
as a prophet. God gave Jesus these miracles, relevant to his time, as a sign of His power over all
things: the holy spirit which allowed him to speak to the people as a child and when he was older,
the Law and the Gospel to teach the people how to live their lives in accordance to God’s laws,
giving life to the dead and healing the sick. God helps his prophets and those close to Him, and
these favours were given to help Jesus call people to God. God saved Jesus from execution, which
showed God’s love and protection for him.
Hence Allah showed His special favour on Hz Isa AS and his virgin and pious mother Hz
Maryam. Hz Isa was the last messenger from the Bani Israel and lived in the time when the harsh
and cruel Romans ruled. The people believed in miracles and would not agree to the messenger,
___________________________________ Prepared by Memona Noreen ____________________________________
Islamiyat Teacher in Senior Section at g{x V|àç fv{ÉÉÄ
Allah provided Hz Isa with a lot of miracles. He was born to a virgin mother according to Allah ‘s
will thus Allah gave him the power of speech in his cradle to speak about his mother’s chastity.
He was given the power to heal the blind, and the lepers. He could breathe life into a clay bird for
a certain time. He was bestowed with the Divine book Injeel. Allah ‘s favour was proved when he
blew his own spirit in him. His birth, his death? And he been raised on the fourth heaven and his
appearance in this world before the day of judgement to fight against the anti Christ are ways of
Allah ‘s special favour on Hz Isa. However, Allah reminds him that he has been able to earn these
through ‘Allah ‘s Will’ and not on his own. This makes it clear that Allah showers his mercy and
facilitates his affairs on his messengers and Allah ‘s knowledge is above and beyond our
comprehension.
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) faced hardships like the other prophets, but God reminds him
that he gave him blessings in this life and the next, which relieved the Prophet and gave him
reassurance that God was looking after him. God gave him shelter, guidance and independence,
and also gave him blessings in the form of Kawthar, a river in paradise. The Prophet (pbuh) is
told to believe in God and tell his people about Him so they can also turn to Him when in need.
The Prophet (pbuh) is asked to pray, do good and look after the poor and needy.
(Students are supposed to write about any two of the above Prophets in such kind of
questions)
(b) How might Muslims use the Qur’an to have a closer connection with God?
• Ans. Qur’an is the word of God, so it gives Muslims a connection to God.
• It contains guidance from God, so it lets them know what God wants and expects from
them.
• There is a communication with God through the Qur’an, whether it is through reciting it or
using certain passages as supplications.
• Reading it, memorising it, teaching it to others all have benefits and may allow Muslims to
increase their connection to God.
(b) God’s Messengers experienced trials. How can their responses help Muslims face
difficulties in their own lives?
• Ans. God sends trials to everyone, including prophets who are closest to Him. So Muslims
should realise that going through hardships does not mean that they are far from God, but
that being tested means they have an opportunity to become closer to Him.
• Trials are also sent to teach people, so Muslims should try to reflect upon what God is
trying to teach them.
• Candidates can give examples such as being steadfast in difficulty, not turning away from
God, showing patience and having hope of something good coming from their hardship.
___________________________________ Prepared by Memona Noreen ____________________________________
Islamiyat Teacher in Senior Section at g{x V|àç fv{ÉÉÄ
