Religious practices of Islam

    WJEC
    GCSE

    Examination of the orthopraxy of Islam, focusing on the manifestation of faith (Iman) through action (Ibadah). The study necessitates a comparative analysis of the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam and the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi'a Islam. Candidates must evaluate the significance of these practices in demonstrating submission to Allah, fostering the concept of Ummah (community), and cultivating personal spiritual discipline. Analysis extends to the divergence in practice regarding Salah, Zakah/Khums, and the commemoration of Ashura.

    5
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Shahadah: 'There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his Messenger' (plus 'and Ali is the friend of God' for Shi'a).
    • Zakah (2.5% wealth tax) vs Khums (20% tax on excess income for Shi'a).
    • Hajj locations: Arafat (for forgiveness), Mina (stoning pillars), Ka'aba (Tawaf).
    • Jihad: Distinction between Greater (internal) and Lesser (defense of faith).
    • Ashura: Day of Atonement (Sunni) vs Commemoration of Husayn at Karbala (Shi'a).

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You have described the practice well; now explain its impact on the believer's relationship with Allah."
    • "Include a specific Source of Wisdom (Qur'an or Hadith) to validate your point about Zakah."
    • "Differentiate clearly between Sunni and Shi'a interpretations of this festival to access higher mark bands."
    • "Your evaluation is one-sided; you must provide a valid religious counter-argument to demonstrate critical analysis."

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Credit accurate distinction between Sunni Five Pillars and Shi'a Ten Obligatory Acts (e.g., Khums, Tabarra).
    • Award marks for explicit links between the physical actions of Salah (sujud) and the spiritual submission to Allah.
    • Candidates must reference specific Sources of Wisdom, such as Qur'an 2:183 for Sawm or the Hadith of Gabriel.
    • Evaluation must weigh the relevance of ancient practices (e.g., Hajj) in the modern world, offering valid religious counter-arguments.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡For 'Explain' questions, use the 'Statement - Explanation - Source' structure to maximize AO1 marks.
    • 💡In 15-mark evaluation questions, ensure the conclusion is justified by the preceding analysis, not just a summary.
    • 💡Memorize short, versatile quotes (e.g., 'Prayer prohibits immorality' - Qur'an 29:45) to apply across multiple practices.
    • 💡Always identify whether a practice is obligatory (Fard) or voluntary (Nafl) to demonstrate depth of understanding.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Conflating Id-ul-Fitr (end of Ramadan) with Id-ul-Adha (sacrifice/Hajj).
    • Defining Jihad exclusively as 'Holy War' without reference to Greater Jihad (internal struggle).
    • Failing to identify Ashura's specific significance for Shi'a Muslims (martyrdom of Husayn) versus Sunni observance.

    Study Guide Available

    Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss
    Evaluate
    To what extent
    Compare

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