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GCSE · Islam

RS.IB13 The Prophets Adam and Ibrahim: Their Significance in Islamic Belief

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 60 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

This question checks basic factual knowledge about the prophet Adam in Islamic teaching, using the Quranic account.

(a)Which one of the following describes Adam in Islamic belief?(1)

A Adam is regarded as the first human and first prophet
B Adam was the final prophet sent to all nations
C Adam is mainly remembered as a king with no prophetic role
D Adam is a title for a group of divine messengers

(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)

Give two ways the Quran describes what Adam was taught by Allah, using the account in Surah 2:31 as context.

(Total for Question 2 is 2 marks)

Explain two reasons why Adam's repentance is important for Muslim understanding of Allah's mercy. Refer to the story of Adam's sin and forgiveness in the Quran (for example Surah 2:36-37).

(Total for Question 3 is 4 marks)

Explain two ways the story of Adam is used to teach about human responsibility in Islam. Context: Adam is given stewardship and knowledge in the Quranic account.

(Total for Question 4 is 4 marks)

Explain two contrasting Muslim views about how literally the Quranic detail that Adam was taught the 'names' should be understood. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer, for example Surah 2:31.

(Total for Question 5 is 5 marks)

Give three actions or events from the life of Ibrahim that show his rejection of idolatry and faith in one God, as taught in Islamic tradition.

(Total for Question 6 is 3 marks)

Explain two ways Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son is significant for Muslims, using the story found in the Quranic account (for example Surah 37:100-111) as context.

(Total for Question 7 is 4 marks)

Explain two contrasting Muslim beliefs about the story of Ibrahim's near-sacrifice of his son. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer, for example Surah 37:100-111.

(Total for Question 8 is 5 marks)

Give three reasons why Ibrahim is often used as a model of tawhid and submission in Islamic teaching.

(Total for Question 9 is 3 marks)

Explain the importance of Ibrahim for Muslims today.

(Total for Question 10 is 6 marks)

Explain two ways Adam and Ibrahim provide different models for Muslims today.

(Total for Question 11 is 4 marks)

'Ebrahim is more important than Adam for Muslims today.' Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, refer to religious arguments, and reach a justified conclusion. Include up to 3 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar.

(Total for Question 12 is 15 marks)

Mark scheme · RS.IB13 The Prophets Adam and Ibrahim: Their Significance in Islamic Belief

Question 1

(a) B1 choice A, Adam is the first human and first prophet, cao
(a) Answer: A

Question 2

B1 teaching 1: he was taught the names of things, oe
B1 teaching 2: he was given special knowledge to distinguish or describe creation, oe
Answer: He was taught the names of things; he was given special knowledge to distinguish creation.

Question 3

B1 point 1: it shows that humans can repent after sin and be forgiven by Allah, oe
B1 development: this demonstrates divine mercy and gives hope to believers rather than despair, oe
B1 point 2: Adam's repentance provides a model for sincere repentance, including admission of fault and asking pardon, oe
B1 development: this supports the practice of tawba, encouraging Muslims to turn back to Allah and trust his forgiveness, oe
Answer: E.g. Adam's repentance shows humans can be forgiven and gives a pattern for sincere repentance involving regret and asking Allah, supporting belief in divine mercy.

Question 4

B1 point 1: Adam being taught the names and appointed as khalifah shows humans have a special role as stewards on Earth, oe
B1 development: this implies an ethical duty to care for creation and use knowledge responsibly, oe
B1 point 2: Adam's accountability after disobedience shows humans are responsible for choices and will be judged, oe
B1 development: this encourages moral behaviour because believers know their actions have consequences before Allah, oe
Answer: E.g. Adam as steward implies care for creation; his accountability after sin implies moral responsibility and awareness of judgement.

Question 5

B1 belief 1: some Muslims take 'names' literally as specific knowledge given by Allah, indicating Adam had special intellectual gifts, oe
B1 development: supporters may cite Surah 2:31 as a direct statement that Allah taught Adam the names, used to show human dignity, oe
B1 belief 2: other Muslims see 'names' more figuratively, as symbolic of understanding or role rather than literal vocabulary, oe
B1 development: this view can be supported by interpreting the Quranic language as teaching a role or status, oe
B1 for: explicit reference to a source of wisdom and authority made accurately, for example naming Surah 2:31, oe
Answer: E.g. literal reading: Adam given specific knowledge (Surah 2:31); figurative reading: 'names' indicates understanding or status rather than literal words.

Question 6

B1 action 1: he smashed idols to challenge idol worship, oe
B1 action 2: he destroyed altars to false gods and argued against his people, oe
B1 action 3: he called people to worship Allah alone, showing belief in tawhid, oe
Answer: Any three: smashing idols; destroying altars and arguing with his people; calling people to worship Allah alone.

Question 7

B1 point 1: it shows supreme obedience and submission to Allah's will, exemplifying islam as submission, oe
B1 development: this obedience is celebrated in rituals such as Eid al-Adha, which commemorates Ibrahim's readiness to obey, oe
B1 point 2: it demonstrates trust that Allah provides and tests faith rather than desiring harm, oe
B1 development: the story ends with Allah providing a ram, teaching that Allah accepts sincere faith and provides mercy, oe
Answer: E.g. shows supreme obedience to Allah, commemorated in Eid al-Adha; shows trust in Allah's provision and mercy, as Allah provides a ram.

Question 8

B1 belief 1: some Muslims emphasise it as a literal historical test in which Ibrahim was prepared to sacrifice his son, oe
B1 development: this view highlights Ibrahim's complete submission and is supported by reading Surah 37:100-111 literally, oe
B1 belief 2: other Muslims stress the moral and symbolic lessons, focusing on obedience and trust rather than chronological details, oe
B1 development: this approach may interpret the event as teaching principles about faith that apply generally, oe
B1 for: accurate reference to a source of wisdom and authority, for example naming Surah 37:100-111, oe
Answer: E.g. literal historical test emphasises Ibrahim's obedience (Surah 37:100-111) vs symbolic/moral reading that focuses on lessons about faith and trust.

Question 9

B1 reason 1: he refused to worship idols and insisted on worshipping one God, oe
B1 reason 2: his willingness to sacrifice his son showed submission to Allah's will, oe
B1 reason 3: he helped rebuild the Kaaba as a focal point for monotheistic worship, oe
Answer: Any three: refusal of idolatry; willingness to sacrifice his son; rebuilding the Kaaba to promote monotheism.

Question 10

Level 3 (5-6): A detailed, well-organised answer that explains several reasons why Ibrahim is important for Muslims today, supported by accurate reference to Islamic teaching and/or the Quran, with clear links made between the reasons given.
Level 2 (3-4): An answer that explains some reasons why Ibrahim is important, with some relevant supporting detail, though links between points may be limited.
Level 1 (1-2): One or two isolated relevant points are made about Ibrahim, with little supporting detail or explanation.
Level 0 (0): No relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Ibrahim is a model of tawhid because he rejected idolatry and called people to worship Allah alone.
- His willingness to obey Allah even when tested is commemorated in Eid al-Adha and influences Muslim attitudes to obedience and sacrifice.
- He is associated with the Kaaba, which he and his son Ishmael rebuilt according to Islamic tradition, making him central to pilgrimage rituals such as Hajj.
- Stories of Ibrahim show submission to Allah and trust, qualities valued in Muslim daily life and worship.
- He is considered an example across Sunni and Shia traditions, so his significance is widespread in Islam.

Question 11

B1 point 1: Adam models human fallibility and repentance, showing how to seek Allah's forgiveness, oe
B1 development: this encourages humility and reliance on Allah's mercy in daily life, oe
B1 point 2: Ibrahim models firm commitment to tawhid and active rejection of idolatry, oe
B1 development: this encourages courage in upholding monotheism and readiness to act to promote Allah's worship, oe
Answer: E.g. Adam as model of repentance and seeking forgiveness; Ibrahim as model of active commitment to tawhid and courageous action against idolatry.

Question 12

Level 4 (10-12): A well-structured and coherent evaluation that offers reasoned arguments for and against the statement, refers to appropriate religious teaching and sources, and reaches a justified conclusion.
Level 3 (7-9): A balanced answer that offers several relevant arguments for and against the statement, with some reference to religious teaching and a conclusion that is attempted but may lack full justification.
Level 2 (4-6): An answer that offers some argument for and against the statement, with limited reference to religious teaching and a simple or undeveloped conclusion.
Level 1 (1-3): Simple, brief points or assertions for or against the statement with little or no development or reference to religious teaching.
Level 0 (0): No relevant material.
Indicative content:
- Arguments that Ibrahim is more important: his life models tawhid clearly; he is connected to the Kaaba and Hajj, central rituals practiced by all Muslims; Eid al-Adha commemorates his obedience and is widely observed.
- Arguments that Adam is equally or more important: Adam is the first human and first prophet, the origin of human life and the prophetic tradition; his repentance shows Allah's mercy, a central theological theme; he provides the model for tawba which is essential to daily Muslim life.
- Religious arguments and sources: references to Quranic passages about Ibrahim (for example Surah 37:100-111 and Surah 2:124-129 for Kaaba associations) and Adam (for example Surah 2:30-39) to support points about their roles; discussion of how central rituals and doctrines relate to each prophet.
- Consideration of denominational or cultural differences: some communities may emphasise Ibrahim because of pilgrimage practices, others may stress Adam's role in human beginnings and theology.
- A justified conclusion that weighs ritual centrality against theological primacy and reaches a supported judgement, for example concluding that importance can depend on context so neither can be said to be universally more important, or arguing one is more influential in practice while the other is foundational in belief.

The Prophets Adam and Ibrahim: Their Significance in Islamic Belief - Worksheets, Questions and Revision