FHShumanities

In this section you will find out information about the second half of the GCSE - this is also worth 50% of your final mark. You will be tested on the FOUR topics below.

You need to know Muslim attitudes.

 

Section 1: Muslim Beliefs

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 You should have an understanding of:

• The six Beliefs of Islam: their nature, history and purpose, including Kitab al-iman

• The five roots of ‘Usul ad-Din in Shi’a Islam (Tawhid (oneness of Allah); 'Adl (Divine Justice); Nubuwwah (Prophethood); Imamah (Successors to Muhammad) and Mi'ad (The Day of Judgment and the Resurrection): the nature, history and purpose of the five roots with reference to their Qur’anic basis.

• The nature of Allah: how the characteristics of Allah are shown in the Qur’an and why they are important: Tawhid (oneness).

• RiSalah: the nature and importance of prophethood for Muslims, including Surah 2: 136; what the roles of prophets teach Muslims, exemplified in the lives of Adam, Ibrahim, Isma’il, Musa, Dawud, Isa, Muhammad.

• Muslim holy books (kutub): the nature, history, significance and purpose of Muslim holy books with reference to the Qur’an, Tawrat, Zabur (Psalms),  Injil (Gospel) and Sahifah (Scrolls

• Malaikah: the nature and importance of angels for Muslims; how angels Jibril, Izra’il and Mika’il are shown in the Qur’an, and their significance for Muslims today.

• Al-Qadr: the nature and importance of Predestination for Muslims; how al-Qadr and human freedom relates to the Day of Judgement.

• Akhirah: Muslim teachings about life after death; the nature of judgement, paradise and hell; how they are shown in the Qur’an.

 

 

Section 2: Crime and Punishment

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 You should have an understanding of:

• Muslim attitudes towards justice: Muslim teachings about the nature of justice and why justice is important for Muslims, including Surah 4: 135; Muslim responses to why justice is important for victims; non-religious attitudes (including atheist and Humanist) about why justice is important.

• Muslim attitudes towards crime; Muslim teachings and responses to the nature, causes and problem of crime.

• Muslim teachings about good, evil and suffering. Non-religious attitudes (including atheist and Humanist) about why people suffer.

• Muslim attitudes towards punishment: divergent Muslim teachings and attitudes towards the nature and use of punishment.

• Muslim attitudes towards the aims of punishment: divergent Muslim attitudes towards each of the aims of punishment (protection, retribution, deterrence and reformation).

• Muslim teachings about forgiveness: Muslim teachings and responses about the nature and importance of forgiveness, including Surah 64: 14, how offenders are forgiven by the community and why this is needed.

• Muslim teachings about the treatment of criminals: Muslim teachings about the treatment of criminals.

• Muslim attitudes towards the death penalty: the nature and purpose of capital Punishment.

 

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Section 3: Living the Muslim Life

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 You should have an understanding of:

• Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam: their nature, history and purpose of the Ten Obligatory Acts; the diversity of practice and importance of Ten Obligatory Acts for Shi’a Muslims today.

• Shahadah as one of the Five Pillars: the nature, role and significance of Shahadah for Sunni and Shi’a Muslims, including reference to Surah 3: 17–21; why reciting Shahadah is important for Muslims, and its place in Muslim practice today.

• Salah as one of the Five Pillars, the nature, history, significance and purpose of Salah for Sunni and Shi’a Muslims, including different ways of understanding them; how Salah is performed, including ablution, times, directions, movements and recitations, in the home and mosque and Jummah prayer.

• Sawm as one of the Five Pillars: the nature, role, significance and purpose of fasting during Ramadan,  those who are excused from fasting and why.

• Zakah as one of the Five Pillars and Khums: the nature, role, significance and purpose of Zakah and why Zakah is important for Sunni Muslims; why Khums is important for Shi’a Muslims.

• Hajj as one of the Five Pillars: the nature, role, origins and significance of Hajj, including how Hajj is performed and why Hajj is important for Muslims; benefits and challenges from attending Hajj for Muslims.

• Jihad: the origins, meaning and significance of jihad in Islam; divergent understandings of jihad within Islam, including the difference between lesser and greater jihad; the conditions for declaration of lesser jihad.

• The nature, origins, activities, meaning and significance of the celebration/ commemoration of Id-ul-Adha.

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Section 4: Peace and Conflict

 

  You should have an understanding of:

• Muslim attitudes towards peace: Muslim teachings about the nature and importance of peace.

• The role of Muslims in peacemaking: Muslim teachings about peacemaking; the importance for Muslims of justice, forgiveness and reconciliation in peacemaking.

• Muslim attitudes to conflict: Muslim teachings and responses to the nature and causes of conflict; Muslim responses to the problems conflict causes within society.

• Pacifism: divergent Muslim teachings and responses to the nature and history of pacifism.

• Just War theory: divergent Muslim teachings and responses to the nature and importance of the Just War theory, including reference to Sunni and Shi’a Islam; the conditions of a just war within Islam, with specific reference to the lesser jihad.

• Holy War: the nature of a holy war (Harb al-Maqadis) within Islam; Muslim teachings about war and peace as shown in the Qur’an; divergent Muslim teachings about war, with specific reference to the lesser jihad.

• Weapons of mass destruction (WMD): Muslim teaching and responses to the problems and benefits of WMD; Muslim attitudes towards the use of such weapons, non-religious attitudes (including atheist and Humanist) and the application of ethical theories.

• Issues surrounding conflict: divergent Muslim teachings and responses to the nature of problems involved in conflict – violence, war, and terrorism; how Muslims have worked to overcome these issues.