Paper 1

1) Major themes of the Qur’an

Passages for Special Study

Three groups of passages are set for close study. These relate to the themes of:

1. God in himself
2. God’s relationship with the created world
3. God’s Messengers.

Candidates should explore:

• The major theme or themes of the Qur’an that appear in each passage, and
• The importance of these themes in the lives of Muslims today.

Candidates should study the passages in a recognised English translation, but with reference to the original Arabic text. In the examination, passages will be set in both Arabic and English. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of the original as well as the translation.

2) The history and importance of the Qur'an

Candidates should study:

• The revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet (pbuh) between the years 610 and 632

  Revelation of The Qur'an

• The account of the compilation of the Qur’an under the Rightly Guided Caliphs

  Compilation of Qur'an

• The major themes of the Qur’an as contained both in the passages set for special study and in other similar passages

  Qur'an

• The use of the Qur’an in legal thinking, and its relationship with the Hadiths, consensus (ijma‘) and analogy (qiyas)

  Qur'an

• Its significance as the basis of all thought and action in Islam.

3) The life and importance of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)