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GCSE · Islam

RS.IB7 Holy Books

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 55 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

This question checks key vocabulary used in Muslim teaching about the holy books.

(a)State what is meant by the Suhuf.(1)

(b)Give the name of the holy book believed to have been given to Musa (Moses).(1)

(c)Give the name of the holy book believed to have been given to Dawud (David).(1)

(d)Give the name of the holy book believed to have been given to Isa (Jesus).(1)

(e)State what is meant by Hifz.(1)

(Total for Question 1 is 5 marks)

Give three holy books Muslims believe were revealed by Allah before the Qur'an.

(Total for Question 2 is 3 marks)

Explain two Muslim beliefs about the Qur'an. Refer to the Qur'an in your answer.

(Total for Question 3 is 4 marks)

Explain two contrasting Muslim beliefs about the earlier holy books (Tawrat, Zabur, Injil) compared with the Qur'an. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.

(Total for Question 4 is 5 marks)

This question is about the holy books in Islam. It is the AQA-style 24-mark, five-part question: parts (a) to (d) are worth 12 marks; part (e) is the 12-mark evaluation.

(a)State what is meant by the Injil.(1)

(b)Give two features Muslims believe make the Qur'an different from the earlier holy books.(2)

(c)Explain two ways the Qur'an has been preserved since it was first revealed. Refer to the Qur'an in your answer.(4)

(d)Explain two contrasting Muslim views on whether translations of the Qur'an can be used in worship. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.(5)

(e)Evaluate this statement: 'Muslims do not need to know about the earlier holy books, only the Qur'an.' In your answer you should: refer to Muslim teaching, refer to different points of view, reach a justified conclusion.(12)

(Total for Question 5 is 24 marks)

Explain two ways belief in the holy books might influence the daily life of a Muslim believer today.

(Total for Question 6 is 4 marks)

Give three ways Muslims show respect for the Qur'an.

(Total for Question 7 is 3 marks)

Mark scheme · RS.IB7 Holy Books

Question 1

(a) B1 the scrolls believed to have been revealed to the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), oe
(a) Answer: The scrolls revealed to the prophet Ibrahim.
(b) B1 the Tawrat (Torah), oe
(b) Answer: The Tawrat (Torah).
(c) B1 the Zabur (Psalms), oe
(c) Answer: The Zabur (Psalms).
(d) B1 the Injil (Gospel), oe
(d) Answer: The Injil (Gospel).
(e) B1 the memorisation of the entire Qur'an by heart, oe
(e) Answer: The memorisation of the entire Qur'an by heart.

Question 2

B1 the Suhuf of Ibrahim, oe
B1 the Tawrat (given to Musa), oe
B1 the Zabur (given to Dawud) / the Injil (given to Isa), any not already credited, oe
Answer: Any three: the Suhuf; the Tawrat; the Zabur; the Injil.

Question 3

B1 point 1: Muslims believe the Qur'an is the literal, unaltered word of Allah, revealed to Muhammad through the angel Jibril over about twenty-three years, oe
B1 development: Qur'an 2:2 describes it as 'the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah', oe
B1 point 2: Muslims believe Allah has promised to preserve the Qur'an from any change or corruption, oe
B1 development: Qur'an 15:9 teaches, 'Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian', oe
Answer: E.g. the Qur'an as the literal word of Allah (Qur'an 2:2); Allah's promise to preserve it (Qur'an 15:9).

Question 4

B1 belief 1: many Muslims believe the earlier scriptures were originally true revelations from Allah, given to earlier prophets, oe
B1 development: Qur'an 5:44 teaches that Allah 'sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light', showing it was authentic revelation when it was given, oe
B1 belief 2: at the same time, Muslims commonly believe the texts of these earlier scriptures were changed, added to or lost over time, so the versions available today are not identical to the original revelation, oe
B1 development: this belief in alteration (tahrif) means the Qur'an is regarded as confirming and completing, rather than simply repeating, the earlier message, oe
B1 reference to a source of wisdom and authority made accurately, oe
Answer: Contrast: earlier scriptures as authentic when revealed (Qur'an 5:44) vs believed to have been altered over time, unlike the preserved Qur'an.

Question 5

(a) B1 the holy book Muslims believe was revealed to the prophet Isa (Jesus), oe
(a) Answer: The holy book revealed to the prophet Isa (Jesus).
(b) B1 the Qur'an is believed to have been preserved exactly as revealed, unlike the earlier books, oe
(b) B1 the Qur'an is regarded as the final revelation, completing and confirming the earlier messages, oe
(b) Answer: The Qur'an is preserved exactly, and is regarded as the final, completing revelation.
(c) B1 point 1: many Muslims have memorised the entire Qur'an by heart (Hifz), passing its exact wording down across generations, oe
(c) B1 development: alongside written manuscripts, this oral tradition is often cited by Muslims as evidence of Qur'an 15:9's promise that Allah would guard the text, oe
(c) B1 point 2: the Qur'an was compiled into a single standard written text during the time of the early caliphs, helping ensure one authoritative version was used, oe
(c) B1 development: this historical compilation is seen by Muslims as part of how Allah's promise of preservation (Qur'an 15:9) was fulfilled in practice, oe
(c) Answer: E.g. memorisation (Hifz) preserving exact wording; compilation into a single standard text (linked to Qur'an 15:9).
(d) B1 belief 1: many Muslims believe the Qur'an recited in formal worship, such as Salah, must be in its original Arabic, since a translation is an interpretation of meaning rather than the literal, revealed word of Allah, oe
(d) B1 development: this connects to Qur'an 12:2, which describes it as 'an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand', linking the Qur'an's specific Arabic wording, not only its meaning, to the revelation itself, oe
(d) B1 belief 2: at the same time, most Muslims accept that translations are valuable and necessary for study, teaching and personal understanding outside formal ritual prayer, oe
(d) B1 development: this reflects the practical importance of translated study Qur'ans and commentary (tafsir) in the everyday religious education of Muslims worldwide who are not native Arabic speakers, oe
(d) B1 reference to a source of wisdom and authority made accurately, oe
(d) Answer: Contrast: Arabic required in formal worship (Qur'an 12:2) vs translations valued for study and understanding.
(e) L4 (10-12): A well-argued, balanced answer that considers more than one point of view in a developed way, using accurate and detailed references to Muslim teaching and/or the Qur'an to support each point, and reaches a clear, justified conclusion.
(e) L3 (7-9): A clear and reasoned answer that considers more than one point of view, supported by relevant references to Muslim teaching and/or the Qur'an, though the justification of the conclusion may be less developed.
(e) L2 (4-6): A reasoned answer that considers at least one point of view, with some relevant supporting evidence, but with limited or no consideration of an alternative view.
(e) L1 (1-3): One or more relevant points are made, but with little or no supporting evidence and no reasoned conclusion.
(e) L0 (0): No relevant content.
(e) Indicative content:
- Agree: Qur'an 5:3 describes Allah as having 'perfected' the religion of Islam through the final revelation, which some argue means the Qur'an alone is sufficient guidance for a Muslim's belief and practice.
- Agree: because Muslims believe the earlier scriptures were altered over time (tahrif), some might argue there is limited practical value in studying versions no longer considered reliable.
- Agree: daily worship, law and ethics in Islam are drawn directly from the Qur'an and the Sunnah, not from the earlier books, which could suggest detailed knowledge of them is not essential.
- Disagree: belief in the earlier holy books is itself part of the Sunni Six Beliefs and the Shi'a Five Roots, based on verses such as Qur'an 2:285, so believing in them, even without detailed study, is a required article of faith.
- Disagree: the Qur'an itself refers to, and assumes some knowledge of, the earlier prophets and their scriptures, so understanding this background can help Muslims understand the Qur'an's own references more fully.
- Disagree: knowing about the earlier holy books can support interfaith understanding and respect for Jewish and Christian communities, which the Qur'an also encourages.
- A balanced answer might conclude that the Qur'an is sufficient as a complete and final source of guidance for practice, but that believing in, and having some knowledge of, the earlier books remains a genuine part of Muslim faith rather than something that can simply be set aside.

Question 6

B1 point 1: a Muslim might recite and try to memorise sections of the Qur'an regularly, oe
B1 development: e.g. reading a portion daily or attending Qur'an classes to improve recitation and memorisation, oe
B1 point 2: a Muslim might treat a physical copy of the Qur'an with great respect, oe
B1 development: e.g. performing wudu before reading it and storing it in a clean, elevated place, oe
Answer: E.g. regular recitation/memorisation of the Qur'an; treating a physical copy with great respect.

Question 7

B1 performing wudu (ritual washing) before reading it, oe
B1 not placing other objects on top of it, oe
B1 storing it in a clean, elevated place, oe
Answer: Any three: performing wudu before reading it; not placing objects on top of it; storing it in a clean, elevated place.

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