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GCSE · Islam

RS.IP7 Festivals: Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha and Ashura

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 40 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

This question checks key vocabulary used in Muslim teaching about festivals.

(a)State what is meant by Id-ul-Fitr.(1)

(b)State what is meant by Id-ul-Adha.(1)

(c)State what is meant by Ashura.(1)

(d)Give one thing Sunni Muslims typically do on Ashura.(1)

(e)Give one thing Shi'a Muslims typically do on Ashura.(1)

(Total for Question 1 is 5 marks)

Explain two reasons why Id-ul-Fitr is important for Muslims. Refer to the Qur'an in your answer.

(Total for Question 2 is 4 marks)

Give three things Muslims typically do to celebrate Id-ul-Fitr.

(Total for Question 3 is 3 marks)

Explain two contrasting ways Sunni and Shi'a Muslims mark Ashura. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.

(Total for Question 4 is 5 marks)

Explain two reasons why Id-ul-Adha is important for Muslims. Refer to the Qur'an in your answer.

(Total for Question 5 is 4 marks)

Explain the importance of Muslim festivals for Muslims today.

(Total for Question 6 is 6 marks)

Give three things Muslims may do to mark Id-ul-Adha.

(Total for Question 7 is 3 marks)

Explain two ways commemorating Ashura might affect the life of a Shi'a Muslim believer.

(Total for Question 8 is 4 marks)

Mark scheme · RS.IP7 Festivals: Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha and Ashura

Question 1

(a) B1 the festival marking the end of the Ramadan fast, celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, oe
(a) Answer: The festival marking the end of the Ramadan fast.
(b) B1 the 'festival of sacrifice', commemorating Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah, celebrated at the end of Hajj, oe
(b) Answer: The 'festival of sacrifice', commemorating Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son, celebrated at the end of Hajj.
(c) B1 the tenth day of the month of Muharram, marked differently by Sunni and Shi'a Muslims, oe
(c) Answer: The tenth day of Muharram, marked differently by Sunni and Shi'a Muslims.
(d) B1 fast (recalling Musa/Moses being saved from Pharaoh), oe
(d) Answer: Fast, recalling Musa being saved from Pharaoh.
(e) B1 mourn/commemorate the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali at the Battle of Karbala, oe
(e) Answer: Mourn the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali at the Battle of Karbala.

Question 2

B1 point 1: it celebrates the completion of the obligatory fast of Ramadan, an act of gratitude to Allah, oe
B1 development: Qur'an 2:185 instructs Muslims, having completed the fast, to 'glorify Allah for that to which He has guided you' and to 'be grateful', directly linking the festival to thankfulness for completing Ramadan, oe
B1 point 2: it brings family and the wider Muslim community together for special prayers and celebration, strengthening bonds of community and generosity, oe
B1 development: giving Zakat al-Fitr (charity) before the Id prayer ensures that poorer members of the community can also join fully in the celebration, oe
Answer: E.g. celebrates completing Ramadan with gratitude (Qur'an 2:185); brings family and community together, including through Zakat al-Fitr.

Question 3

B1 attend special congregational Id prayers, oe
B1 give Zakat al-Fitr (charity) before the Id prayer, oe
B1 wear new/best clothes and share festive meals with family and friends, oe
Answer: Any three: attend special Id prayers; give Zakat al-Fitr; wear new/best clothes; share festive meals; exchange gifts.

Question 4

B1 belief/practice 1: for Sunni Muslims, Ashura is primarily marked by voluntary fasting, oe
B1 development: a tradition recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Fasting) reports that the Prophet found the Jewish community of Madinah fasting on this day in thanks for Musa and the Israelites being saved from Pharaoh, and said Muslims have a greater right to Musa, so he fasted and encouraged Muslims to fast too, oe
B1 belief/practice 2: for Shi'a Muslims, Ashura is primarily a solemn day of mourning, commemorating the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the Prophet's grandson, at the Battle of Karbala; some communities hold processions and recite the story of Karbala (majalis), oe
B1 development: this reflects the distinct significance of Husayn's martyrdom within Shi'a Islam, connected to Shi'a beliefs about the rightful leadership (imamate) of the Prophet's family, oe
B1 reference to a source of wisdom and authority made accurately, oe
Answer: Contrast: Sunni fasting on Ashura recalling Musa's deliverance (hadith, Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting) vs Shi'a mourning of Husayn's martyrdom at Karbala.

Question 5

B1 point 1: it commemorates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah, and Allah's mercy in providing a ram to sacrifice instead, oe
B1 development: Qur'an 37:102-107 describes Ibrahim's vision, his son's willing submission, and Allah ransoming the son 'with a great sacrifice', oe
B1 point 2: it marks the end of Hajj and is celebrated by Muslims worldwide, including those not on pilgrimage, who perform their own sacrifice (qurbani) and share the meat with family, neighbours and the poor, oe
B1 development: sharing the sacrificed meat, especially with those in need, reflects the value of generosity connected to the festival, oe
Answer: E.g. commemorates Ibrahim's obedience and Allah's mercy (Qur'an 37:102-107); marks the end of Hajj and is celebrated worldwide through qurbani and sharing meat with those in need.

Question 6

Level 3 (5-6): A detailed, well-organised answer that explains several reasons for the importance of Muslim festivals, supported by accurate reference to Islamic teaching and/or the Qur'an or hadith, with clear links made between the reasons given.
Level 2 (3-4): An answer that explains some reasons for the importance of Muslim festivals, 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 Muslim festivals, with little supporting detail or explanation.
Level 0 (0): No relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Id-ul-Fitr provides a joyful, communal conclusion to the discipline of Ramadan, reinforcing gratitude to Allah.
- Id-ul-Adha connects Muslims to the story of Ibrahim's obedience and, through qurbani, to values of generosity and sharing with the poor.
- Ashura connects Sunni Muslims to the story of Musa's deliverance through voluntary fasting, and connects Shi'a Muslims to the memory and moral example of Husayn's martyrdom at Karbala.
- Festivals bring families and communities together, strengthening bonds and helping pass on faith to the next generation.
- Shared celebration across the worldwide ummah, e.g. common Id prayers and greetings, reinforces belonging to a global Muslim community.
- Some Muslims today balance traditional festival observance with the practical pressures of living as a minority in a non-Muslim-majority country, e.g. negotiating time off work or school.
- For many Muslims, festivals are an opportunity for renewed reflection on the values (obedience, gratitude, sacrifice, remembrance) the festival commemorates, not simply a holiday.

Question 7

B1 perform or arrange an animal sacrifice (qurbani), oe
B1 share the meat between family, neighbours and the poor, oe
B1 attend special congregational Id prayers, oe (accept wearing best clothes, giving gifts)
Answer: Any three: perform/arrange qurbani; share the meat with family, neighbours and the poor; attend special Id prayers.

Question 8

B1 point 1: it can deepen a sense of connection to the moral example of Husayn, whom Shi'a Muslims see as standing for justice against tyranny even at great personal cost, oe
B1 development: this can inspire a Shi'a Muslim to value standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult, in their own life, oe
B1 point 2: taking part in communal mourning practices, such as majalis gatherings or processions, can strengthen bonds within the local Shi'a community and reinforce shared identity and history, oe
B1 development: this shared, public commemoration can help pass the story and significance of Karbala on to younger generations, oe
Answer: E.g. deepens connection to Husayn's moral example of standing against injustice; strengthens community bonds and shared identity through communal mourning practices.

Festivals: Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha and Ashura - Worksheets, Questions and Revision