RESOURCE PACK GRADE 9 (O LEVEL)

Ch.1. QURANIC PASSAGES

1 Choose any two of the following passages from the Qur’an, and
(a) Briefly describe the main theme(s) in each passage; [4]
(b) Briefly explain how each passage presents its theme(s) in a distinctive way. [4] Page
|1
Mark Scheme Passages from the Holy Quran
1: sura, 2.225 (Ayat ul Kursi)
A: Theme:
Theme of this long verse is God himself. It’s a verse of sura al-baqara, a Madni sura. It begins with the expression
of the shahada (declaration of oneness of God) and then elaborates various aspects of unity of God that make him
matchless God is fee from all weaknesses and limitations, has perfect knowledge of all times, is not dependent on
anyone for his survival and enjoys autonomy in exercising His authority. His authority and his rule encompass the
entire universe. This makes God not only unique but also elevates him to the heights, we just can’t imagine and
that is mentioned in the Quran as: “then he established himself on the throne” (10:3, 13:2)
B: Importance of the Theme:
This passage tells Muslims to believe in Tawhid in terms of God’s uniqueness, majesty and glory. The theme is
important for Muslims as it crystallizes the belief of Tawhid and trains them to condemn shirk. There is repetitive
mention of God’s authority, unlimited knowledge and powers in order to strengthen the faith of its readers. For
example, it says “He is exalted in power, Wise. He created the heavens without any pillars”31:9-10, luqman) and
“but God is the one free of all wants “(35:15,Fatir). The objective is to remind Muslims that God alone is to be
worshipped and no authority can be compared with him. Many Muslims recite this verse regularly to reiterate
God’s power and high position as compared to any worldly authority.

1: Surah: 6. 101—103 (Al-An’aam)

A: Theme:
Theme of this passage is God in Himself. It elaborates some of the fundamental aspects of unity of God (Tawhid).
It describes God as the originator of universe and rejects any kind of misconception of God having any family. It
also refers to His unbounded knowledge, power and grasp on His created world. The passage further stresses on
the sublime nature of God and inability of human imagination to encompass God’s person, though He himself can
see to the unfathomable depths, as endorsed elsewhere in the Quran: “for God is He Who understands the finest
mysteries” (22:63).
B: Importance of the theme
This passage is important for Muslims to clearly understand the doctrine of Tawhid in terms of God’s nature and
powers. Muslims need to learn that though God is too sublime to be perceived, He is everywhere and all powerful.
The Quran reminds Muslims this repeatedly: “and He is with you where ever you are” (57:04, Al-hadid), and “for
We are nearer to him (man) than his jugular vein” (50:16, Qaf). The passage also categorically negates the false
belief of God having any wife or children and thus, it strikes at the roots of shirk (associating partners with God).
Muslims, in this way, develop a clearer concept of tawhid and feel themselves bound to adore God only. They
remember that shirk is the only unpardonable sin in the sight of God.

www.jawaidaurangzaib.com
 RESOURCE PACK GRADE 9 (O LEVEL)

3: sura 41.37 (Surah Fussilat)

A: Theme:
This verse is from sura fussilat\Ha-Mim, an early makkan sura, it describes the theme of God in Himself. It
mentions some of the signs and phenomena of nature that reflect God’s unity and majesty. It refers to the cycles
Page
of day and night as evidence of divinity. The quran supports it elsewhere as: “behold! In the creation of the
|2
heavens and earth; in the alternation of the night and the day….are signs for the people who are wise’’ (2:164).
The passage commands us to worship the Creator of the sun and moon and not the creations themselves because
the Creator is always superior to the creations
B: Importance of the theme:
Theme of this passage urges Muslims to observe various objects of nature that reflect God’s presence, majesty
and glory. Since humans cannot afford to see God physically, they are asked to identify the real creator through His
creations that bear witness to is existence. Such observation encourages Muslims to develop a strong belief in
Tawhid in all its aspects. The Quran, for this reason, frequently refers to the need of pondering and observing:
“verily, in the alternation of the night and the day, and in all that God has created in the heavens and the earth,
are signs for those who fear Him” (30:40, Al-Rum). So, Muslims should express their gratitude to God for enabling
them to see and think deeply. Muslims will thus avoid Shirk that the earlier communities fell victim to, and
worship one Supreme God.

4: Sura Al-Shura (42.4-5)

A: Theme:
The two verses are from sura al-Shura, revealed in Makka shortly after sura fussilat and its theme is God’s unity
expressed by His grandeur and authority. He enjoys unshared authority over entire universe. The Quran says: “his
are all things in the heaven and on the earth” (2:255). It also mentions the effect of God’s might on the heavens
that hardly sustain this immense burden. The passage also refers to the countless angels who are busy in the
prayers and glorification of the Lord and also invoke His mercy and pardon for humans who tend to disobey their
lord. The Quran declares this weakness of humans as: “It is man that wrongs his own soul” (10:44).
B: Importance of the theme
Theme of this message guides Muslims about two articles of faith: belief in Tawhid and angels. The passage tells
Muslims about God’s power, authority and glory in order to make them His obedient servants. By referring to the
angels praising God and seeking forgiveness for humans, it tells them about God’s mercy. Humans, because of free
will, can commit sins but God is ready to forgive them. Belief in God’s mercy and forgiveness prepares Muslims to
repent over their misdeeds. The Quran re-assures Muslims by saying: “Despair not of the mercy of God; for God
forgives all sins, for he is oft-forgiving, Most merciful’’ (39:53 al-zulmar). Surah 97(al-Qadr) also tells about: “the
angels and the spirit” descending in the night of Power to distribute God’s mercy.

5: Sura Al- Ikhlas (112)

A: Theme:
Theme of this early Makkan surah is God in himself in terms of His unique person. It outlines the most
fundamental and cardinal aspects of Tawhid (oneness of God). It out rightly declares God’s unity and emphatically
negates the false belief of God having ancestors and descendants. It further highlights God’s unity by saying that
God’s nature or person can never be compared to anyone throughout the universe. It also mentions God’s

www.jawaidaurangzaib.com
 RESOURCE PACK GRADE 9 (O LEVEL)

freedom from time and space by saying that he has always been and will always be there. This way, the passage
crystallizes the belief of Tawhid.
B: Importance of the Theme:
Theme of this passage purifies Muslim’s belief in Tawhid and that is why the passage is named al-Ikhlas (the purity
of faith). Muslims learn from this passage that God is unique in all aspects. This uniqueness and supremacy of God
Page
highlights human inability and limitation before his Lord. Thus, it eliminates all forms and degrees of shirk or
|3
associating partners with God. Muslims recite this sura in daily prayers in order to reiterate rejection of shirk. It is
so important that the holy prophet declared it equivalent to one third of the Quran. Its theme is so important that
the Quran repeatedly mentions this: “and your God is one God” (2:163, al-Baqarah) and “God! there is no God but
He” (2:255). Belief in Tawhid, in turn affects the conduct of Muslims as they develop a strong sense of God’s
presence and knowledge.

www.jawaidaurangzaib.com