Candidates should study the whole of the syllabus.
4.1 Paper 1
1. Major themes of the Qur’an
Three groups of passages are set for close study. These relate to the themes of:
God in himself
God’s relationship with the created world
God’s Messengers.
Candidates should explore:
• the major theme or themes of the Qur’an that appear in each passage, and
• the way each passage presents its theme(s) in its own particular way.
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.
Appendix 1 lists the passages for examination in 2013. These are reviewed each year and may change.
2. The history and importance of the Qur’an
Candidates should study:
• the revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet between the years 610 and 632
• the account of the compilation of the Qur’an under the Rightly Guided Caliphs
• the major themes of the Qur’an as contained both in the passages set for special study and in other similar passages
• the use of the Qur’an in legal thinking, and its relationship with the Hadiths, consensus (ijma‘ ) and analogy (qiyas)
• its significance as the basis of all thought and action in Islam.
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Cambridge O Level Islamiyat 2058. Examination in June and November 2013.
4. Syllabus content
3. The life and importance of the Prophet Muhammad
Candidates should study:
• the main events of the Prophet’s life from his birth to his call to prophethood
• the main events of his activities in Makka and his experiences with his opponents
• the main events of his activities in Madina, his leadership of the community there and his conflicts with the Makkans and others
• his actions and character
• the importance of his actions as