9488 - Islamic Studies Book

Cambridge International Examinations

(9488) A Level
ISLAMIC STUDIES
Syllabus 2024 - 2026

First Edition
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 9488 - Islamic Studies Book

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Written for the Cambridge A Level 9488 Islamic Studies Syllabus but
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9488 - Islamic Studies Book

Section A: The Qur’an and Sunnah 10

1.1 The Life of Prophet Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬ 10
A. His early years and first proclamation to 622 CE 10
B. His challenges to Meccan beliefs 10
C. The Hijrah and its significance 10
D. His administration and leadership roles (religious, political, and military) 10
E. His morals, manners, and character as an example to Muslims 10
1.2 Study of Set Texts from the Qurʾan 10
A. 3:144 – The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬as a Messenger 10
B. 4:12 – Laws of Inheritance 11
C. 5:89–90 – Prohibition of Intoxicants 11
D. 10:99–100 – Freedom of Belief 12
E. 13:3–4 – Signs of God in Creation 12
F. 17:31–34 – Treatment of Orphans 12
G. 17:35 – Fairness in Dealings 13
H. 25:68–70 – Punishment for Major Sins 13
I. 31:17–19 – Prayer and Avoiding Arrogance 14
1.3 Study of Set Hadith Texts 14
A. 1 – Sincerity (Ikhlas) 14
B. 18 – Repentance (Tawbah) 15
C. 27 – Perseverance (Sabr) 15
D. 54 – Truthfulness (Sidq) 15
E. 73 – Piety (Taqwa) 15
F. 75 – Firm Belief (Yaqeen) 15
G. 85 – Steadfastness (Istiqamah) 16
H. 199 – Hypocrites (Munafiqun) 16
I. 309 – Neighbours (Huquq al-Jar) 16
J. 316 – Parents (Birr al-Walidayn) 16

Past Paper Questions 17

2021 17
2022 17
2023 17
2024 18

Section B: Islamic Beliefs, Practices, and Ceremonies 20

1.4 Main Beliefs 20
A. Tawhid (Oneness of God) 20
B. Risalah (Prophethood) 20
C. Malaikah (Angels) 20
D. Wahy (Divine Revelation) 20
E. Akhirah (Afterlife) 20
F. Qadar (Predestination) 20

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9488 - Islamic Studies Book

1.5 Purification and Intention 20

A. Ritual purification for prayer and Hajj 20
B. Niyyah (Intention) and Shahadah (Declaration of Faith) 21
C. Sawm (Fasting) as spiritual renewal 21
D. Zakat (Almsgiving) as purification of wealth 21
1.6 Acts of Devotion and Commitment 21
A. Five daily prayers and Eid prayers 21
B. Ibadah (Worship) and Taqwa (God-consciousness) 22
C. Nikah (Marriage) as a commitment 22
D. Ashura and personal Du'a (Supplications) 22
1.7 Putting Faith into Action 22
A. Zakat and charity for the poor 22
B. Hajj and equality in the Ummah 22
C. Eid festivals and community sacrifice 23
D. Connection between intentions, actions, and the afterlife 23

Past Paper Questions 24

2021 24
2022 24
2023 24
2024 25

Section A: Schools of Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh) 27

2.1 Worship 27
A. Opinions regarding purification (wudu) before prayer. 27
B. Timing and conditions for daily prayer services. 27
C. Conditions for combination of prayers. 27
D. Conditions for Friday prayers (Jumu’ah). 27
2.2 Family Life 28
A. Opinions regarding marriage (nikah) to relatives and those of other faiths. 28
B. Freedom of choice of marital partners. 28
C. Conditions for divorce (talaq). 28
D. Questions of inheritance, particularly shares for female family members. 28
2.3 Finance and Employment 28
A. Principles of trade and business transactions. 28
B. Issues of handling debt, usury and interest (riba); mortgages. 28
C. Employment in different local contexts according to Islamic principles. 29
2.4 Application of Islamic Law (Shariah) 29
A. Section 2.1 29
B. Section 2.2 29
C. Section 2.3 29
D. Key Points 30
2.5 Sources of Islamic Law (Shariah) 30
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9488 - Islamic Studies Book

A. Primary sources: Qur'an and Sunnah. 30

B. Progressive revelations from Mecca to Medina. 30
C. Issues of strong (sahih) and weak (da'if) 31
D. Secondary sources: Consensus (ijma'), analogy (qiyas), reasoning (‘aql). 31
E. Variation in opinion about their use. 31
F. Habits of people of Medina, local cultural practices (‘urf). 32
G. Practices of companions (sahaba) and their followers. 32

Past Paper Questions 34

2021 34
2022 34
2023 34
2024 35

Section B: Diversity of Schools of Thought 37

2.6 The Oneness of God (Tawhid) 37
A. Interpretation of anthropomorphic references to God. 37
B. Statement of faith and position of 'Ali for Shi'i Muslims. 37
C. Opinions regarding celebration of Prophet's birthday. 37
D. Spiritual relationship with God in mystical poetry. 38
E. Controversy regarding claims of Mansur al-Hallaj. 38
2.7 The Role of Religious Leaders 38
A. Sunni Caliph as religious/political leader. 38
B. Sunni Imams appointed by education and piety. 38
C. Shi'i Imam's infallible interpretations. 38
D. Sufi master (murshid) guiding practices of remembrance (dhikr). 39
E. Individual interpretation (ijtihad) for the modern world. 39
2.8 Judgement and the Afterlife (Akhirah) 39
A. Interpretations of the Mahdi (Shi’i). 39
B. Sufi spiritual stations towards union with God. 39
C. Mu'tazilah rationalism for afterlife justice. 39
D. Free will vs. predestination (qadar). 40
2.9 Distinctive Positions of Islamic Schools 40
A. Sunni Islam: 40
B. Shi’i (Party of ‘Ali): 41
C. Mu’tazilah (Divine Unity) in comparison to the views of al-Ashʿari. 41
D. Sufism (mystical approach) with examples from Sufi orders (tariqa). 41
E. Modern Salafi/reformist positions. 41

Past Paper Questions 42

2021 42
2022 42
2023 42
2024 43
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9488 - Islamic Studies Book

Section A: The Umayyads and Abbasids 45

3.1 The Heritage of the Umayyads 45
A. Leadership of the Umayyad caliphs 45
B. Religious, educational and trade policies 45
C. Critical assessment of their rule according to Qur'an and Sunnah 45
D. Transformation of art and culture from pre-Islamic Arabia 45
E. Development of minarets and Islamic architecture 45
F. Architectural achievements: 46
• Grand Mosque of Damascus 46
G. Legacy of interfaith relations in Muslim Spain 46
3.2 The Heritage of the Abbasids 46
A. Leadership under the Abbasid caliphs 46
B. Religious, educational and trade policies 46
C. Critical assessment of their rule according to Qur'an and Sunnah 46
D. Openness to translation movement 47
E. Development of scientific methodology 47
F. Scientific achievements: 47
• Al-Khwarizmi's algebra 47
• Ibn Sina's Canon of Medicine 47
• Ibn al-Haytham's optics 47
G. Legacy in preserving and advancing knowledge 48
Umayyads vs Abbasids 48
A. Leadership and Policies 48
B. Qurʾan and Sunnah 48
C. Development 48
D. Influence on Muslims today. 49

Past Paper Questions 50

2021 50
2022 50
2023 50
2024 51

Section B: Islamic World Heritage 53

3.3 Literature and Philosophy 53
A. Islamic philosophy (falsafah) and natural world observations 53
B. Comparison with ancient Greek philosophy 53
C. Study of two significant works: 53
• Al-Ghazali's Incoherence of the Philosophers 53
• Ibn Khaldun's Muqaddimah 54
D. Different approaches to deriving beliefs 54
E. Observation of the created world; philosophical reasoning and mystical meditation 54
F. Methods of explaining Islamic beliefs (da'wah) today 55

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9488 - Islamic Studies Book

3.4 Architecture and Design 55

A. Expression of Islamic beliefs through: 55
• Geometric patterns (reflecting Divine creation) 55
• Garden designs (representing Paradise) 56
B. Evolution from pre-Islamic art 56
C. Comparative study of mosques: 56
• Great Ming Mosque, Xi'an 56
• Great Mosque, Djenne 57
D. Cultural diversity in Islamic art 57
E. Environmental stewardship of heritage sites 57

Past Paper Questions 60

2021 60
2022 60
2023 60
2024 61

4.1 Women in Islam 63

A. Analysis of Muslim women's position in modern society 63
B. Equality challenges compared to men 63
C. Different opinions about women's roles and rights in shariah 63
D. Women's rights in marriage & family life 64
E. Religion vs. culture issues: 64
- Dress codes and social relations 64
- Professional careers 64
- Prejudice and discrimination 65
F. Evaluation of modern practices vs. Qur'an/Sunnah teachings 65
G. Historical improvements in women's rights with Islam 65
H. Role Models: Khadija, Aisha, and Fatima 66
I. Historical contributions by: 66
- Lubna of Córdoba (librarian) 66
- Ruqayyah bint Ali (missionary) 67
J. Study one contemporary influential Muslim woman: 67
4.2 Islam and Pluralism 68
A. Analysis of minority positions 68
B. Opinions & Rights of other faiths under Islamic law 68
C. Freedom of thought/belief/expression 69
D. Practical challenges: 69
E. Evaluation vs. Medina community model 69
F. Historical improvements for non-Muslims 70
G. Caliph Umar (R) & the Dhimmi contract 70
H. Historical approaches: 70
- Mughal Emperors Akbar vs. Aurangzeb 70
I. Muslims in Mauritius (minority) 71

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9488 - Islamic Studies Book

J. Muslims in France (secular) 72

4.3 Leadership of Muslims 73
A. Analysis of modern Muslim leadership: majority and minority contexts 73
B. Qualities for leadership eligibility 73
C. Human rights and responsibilities 74
D. Key issues: 74
- Just rule 74
- Welfare provision 74
- Anti-corruption 75
E. Evaluation vs. Medina leadership model 75
F. Improvements from pre-Islamic leadership 76
G. Democratic principles in Islam: Four Rightly-Guided Caliphs' examples 76
H. Historical reformers: 77
I. Muhammad Abduh (1849 - 1905) 77
J. Hasan al-Banna (1906 - 1949) 78
K. A contemporary leader based on Islamic Principles of Leadership: Imran Khan 78
Comparative Evaluations 79
A. Compare Farhat Hashmi vs. Imran Khan 79
B. Muslim leaders' approaches to interfaith relations 80
C. Women's issues vs. minority faith challenges 81

Past Paper Questions 83

2021 83
2022 83
2023 83
2024 83

Page 8
9488 - Paper 1

PAPER 1
Section A:
The Qur’an and Sunnah
Page 9
9488 - Paper 1

E. His morals, manners, and character as an

Section A: The Qur’an and Sunnah example to Muslims
1.1 The Life of Prophet Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬ • Compassion and Forgiveness: Demonstrated
kindness even to enemies; notably forgave the
A. His early years and first proclamation to people of Mecca upon its conquest.
622 CE • Humility: Lived modestly, performed household
• Birth and Early Years: Born around 570 CE in chores, and was approachable to all.
Mecca, Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬was orphaned early and • Integrity: Upheld truthfulness and
raised by his grandfather and uncle. He earned a trustworthiness in all dealings.
reputation for honesty and was nicknamed "Al- • Patience and Perseverance: Endured
Amin" (the trustworthy). hardships and remained steadfast in his mission.
• First Revelation: At 40, during meditation in the • Justice and Fairness: Ensured rights were
Cave of Hira, he received his first revelation from given to all, regardless of status or religion.
Allah through Angel Jibreel (Gabriel), marking
the beginning of his prophethood. Wikipedia
•
“Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) life serves as a
• Public Preaching: Initially preached privately, comprehensive example for Muslims, embodying
then publicly, emphasizing monotheism and the principles of faith, leadership, and exemplary
social justice, challenging the prevalent idol character.”
worship and societal inequalities in Mecca.
1.2 Study of Set Texts from the Qurʾan
B. His challenges to Meccan beliefs
• Opposition from Quraysh: His message Learning Objectives
threatened the Quraysh tribe's economic and
social dominance, leading to persecution of 1. Explain the teachings in relation to the Sunnah
Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬and his followers. of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
• Social Boycott: The Quraysh imposed a boycott 2. Show how the teachings might be applied in
on Muhammad's ‫ ﷺ‬clan, aiming to suppress his the lives of Muslims today.
teachings. 3. Discuss how the teachings show that the
Prophet (pbuh) is a perfect example for
• Migration to Abyssinia: To escape persecution,
Muslims to follow.
some followers migrated to Abyssinia (modern-
day Ethiopia) seeking refuge under a Christian
king.
A. 3:144 – The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬as a Messenger
C. The Hijrah and its significance Family of Imran (3:144)
• Migration to Medina (622 CE): Facing ُ ‫خ َلتْ ِمن َقبْلِ ِه ٱل <ر‬
‫اتَ أ َ ْو ُق ِت َل ٱن َق َلبْتُ ْم‬3‫س ُل ۚ أ َ َف ِإي۟ن م‬ َ ‫ول َق ْد‬
ٌۭ ‫س‬ُ ‫ َر‬H3 ِ‫ ٌد إ‬3‫َومَا مُحَ م‬
escalating threats, Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬and his ُ3L‫َسيَجْ زِى ٱ‬ َ َ3L‫ر ٱ‬3 ‫َض‬
َ ‫شيْـًۭٔا ۗ و‬ ُ ‫ع َلىٰ ع َِقبَي ِْه فَ َلن ي‬
َ ْ‫ع َقـٰ ِب ُك ْم ۚ َومَن يَن َقلِب‬
ْ َ ‫ع َلىٰٓ أ‬
َ
‫ٱلشـ ِٰكرِي َن‬
3
followers migrated to Yathrib (later named
Medina). This event, known as the Hijrah, marks Muhammad is no more than a messenger: many Were
the beginning of the Islamic calendar. the messenger that passed away before him. If he died
or were slain, will ye then Turn back on your heels? If any
• Establishment of a Muslim Community: In
did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do
Medina, he established a unified Muslim to Allah; but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward
community (Ummah), fostering brotherhood those who (serve Him) with gratitude.
between the emigrants (Muhajirun) and the
helpers (Ansar). Objective 1:
Mortality of the Prophet: The verse highlights that
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a mortal
D. His administration and leadership roles messenger like those before him, emphasizing that
(religious, political, and military) the core of Islam lies in its teachings rather than the
• Religious Leader: As a prophet, he conveyed individuals who convey them.
Allah's revelations, led prayers, and provided Authority of the Sunnah: Recognizing the
spiritual guidance. Prophet as a messenger underscores the
• Political Leader: Negotiated treaties, resolved importance of his Sunnah (teachings and practices)
disputes, and established laws based on justice as a vital source of guidance for Muslims.
and equality. Objective 2:
• Military Leader: Led and strategized in battles Steadfastness in Faith: The verse serves as a
to defend the Muslim community, such as the reminder for Muslims to remain steadfast in faith,
Battles of Badr and Uhud. regardless of challenges or changes in leadership.

Page 10
 Key Notes

Past Paper Questions 1. This is Question 1 of Paper 1.

From 2021 - 2024 2. All questions are required to be answered.
[ALL PREVIOUS SITTINGS] 3. This section consists of a total of 25 marks.
4. The weightage is 12.5% of the total A Level
Grade & 25% of the AS Level Grade.
5. Relevant Quran/Hadith from the syllabus
will be provided in the question paper.
2021
November
(a) Describe the main teachings from Qur’an 31.14 –15. [5]

(b) Explain Islamic teachings on treatment of mothers. You must refer to Hadith 316 and at least
one other Hadith or verse from the Qur’an that you have studied. [10]

(c) ‘Muslims should obey their parents in everything.’ Discuss this statement with reference to
different points of view. [10]

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