Islamic Beliefs and Practices — AS & A Level Islamic Studies (9488) questions by topic
This set of 15 questions spans describing the teachings of specific Qur'anic verses to contrasting Eid worship with daily salah and explaining how ritual practice builds God-consciousness (taqwa), each worth up to 25 marks.
Describe and explain are the workhorse command words, while to what extent asks you to weigh competing views rather than restate facts. Drawing on 2023 to 2025 papers, this page lets you check quickly whether your answer stayed on the exact focus of the question, since examiners repeatedly mark down general accounts of fasting or prayer that drift from what was actually asked.
What examiners look for
- A recurring criticism is general answers about fasting or Ramadan that do not address the specific focus, such as whether an act is private.
- Examiners note candidates confusing personal prayer (du'a) with the five daily prayers (salah), and including Prophetic life examples when only Qur'anic teachings were required.
- Reports flag lengthy answers to five-mark questions as a time-management error that leaves less time for longer responses.
- Strong answers quoted the Hadith on intentions and explained specific ways an act was private, such as developing taqwa or performing night prayers.
May–June 2025, Paper 12
Describe the main teachings from Hadith 1.
Answer this question and get it marked →Explain how Muslims can increase God-consciousness (taqwa) through their worship.
Answer this question and get it marked →Explain how Eid prayer differs from the five daily prayers.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
Describe the main teachings of Qur'an 13.3.
Answer this question and get it marked →Explain the conditions for paying almsgiving (zakat).
Answer this question and get it marked →Explain the Muslim belief in the Day of Judgement and the afterlife ('akhirah).
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
Describe the main teachings of Qur'an 25.68–70.
Answer this question and get it marked →Explain the role of prophets as a connection between God and humans.
Answer this question and get it marked →Examine different rituals of daily prayer in Islam.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
Read the text passages Qur'an 17.35 and Hadith 199 (Hypocrites). Describe the main teachings from Qur'an 17.35.
Answer this question and get it marked →Explain the importance of Ramadan for Muslims.
Answer this question and get it marked →Examine the importance of the birth rituals for Muslim families.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
Read the text passages Hadith 75 and Qur'an 3.144. Describe the main teachings of Hadith 75.
Answer this question and get it marked →Explain the importance of making the right intention (niyyah) in Islam.
Answer this question and get it marked →Explain how the revealed word of God acts as guidance to Muslims.
Answer this question and get it marked →Other AS & A Level Islamic Studies topics
- Islamic Law (20)
- Heritage of Islam (20)
- Islam in the Modern World (15)