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Explain two ways Muslims perform Salah.
One way is when performing ablution.
This is known as wudu, which involves washing specific body parts before praying.
Another way is by completing the rakkah which are prayer movements.
These involve standing, reciting, bowing, prostrating and kneeling

Explain two ways Muslims perform Friday prayer
One way is with others at the Mosque
Jummah prayer must be performed with a group of Muslims and not alone.
Another way is listening to the sermon.
Jummah prayer involves the Imam giving a speech about current Islamic issues.

Explain two ways Muslims practice saum
One way is by not eating, drinking and sexual relations.
This is done from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan.
Another way is by staying away from sin because fasting allows Muslims more time to focus on Allah.
This means a Muslim tries to be the best Muslim they can.

Explain two ways Muslims practice the Night of Power
One way is by staying up at night.
Muslims may spend the night in prayer asking Allah to forgive their sins.
Another way is reading the Quran as Ramadan was when the Quran was revealed Muslims would read it all to receive blessings.

Explain two reasons why Salah is important to Muslims. You must refer to sacred writings or another source of belief and teaching in your answer.
One reason is because it is one of the five pillars of Sunni Islam and 10 obligatory acts in Shia Islam.
This means it is one of the main ways Muslims worship Allah.
Another reason is that it keeps Muslims away from sin.
When Muslims pray their five daily prayers, they are constantly reminded of Allah so would be aware of their actions.
The Quran says Salah keeps you away from immorality and wrongdoing.
This shows how prayer is important to help you be a good Muslim.

Explain two reasons why Jummah prayer is important to Muslims. Refer to sacred writings or another source of belief and teaching in your answer.
One reason is because it is done on a holy day which is Friday.
The Quran says, ‘when you are called to Jummah prayer, hasten to the remembrance of Allah.'
This shows that Muslims are expected to attend Jummah.
Another reason is that it brings the Muslim community together as Friday prayer must be done in congregation
As it is believed it is 27 times more powerful

Explain two reasons why fasting is important to Muslims. Refer to sacred writings or another source of belief and teaching in your answer.
One reason fasting is important to Muslims is because it's a pillar of Islam.
It is done in the holiest month, Ramadan, and it's seen as an important act of worship.
Another reason is that it makes Muslims more aware of Allah.
When fasting, they are constantly aware that Allah is watching them, so they would improve their behaviour.
The Quran says 'fasting makes you God conscious.'
This shows the main purpose of fasting is to build a strong connection with Allah.

Explain two reasons why the night of power important to Muslims. Refer to sacred writings or another source of belief and teaching in your answer.
One reason is because it is the night the Quran is revealed.
The Quran says read in the name of your Lord.
These were the first words revealed to Prophet Mohammed on this night.
This shows why the Quran is recited a lot on thi

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4-markers

Explain two ways the shahada is used by Muslims.

One way is to recite it if someone wishes to become a Muslim

They are expected to verbally say the Shahada to declare their faith.

Another way is to try to make the shahada their final words before death.

This is so that their faith is strong before they die

6 markers

Explain two reasons why the five pillars of Islam are important to Muslims. You must refer to sacred writings or another source of belief and teaching in your answer.

One reason is because the five pillars express Muslim beliefs.
The pillars of Islam express the belief in tawhid since they are acts of worship towards Allah.
Prophet Muhammad says Islam is built upon 5 things.
This shows that without the pillars the beliefs would be weak.
Another reason is that they give Muslim structure.
The pillars of Islam clearly guide Muslims on the duties they have to perform.

Explain two reasons why the shahada is important to Muslims. Refer to sacred writing or another source of belief and teaching in your answer.

One reason is because it is the first pillar of Islam and all the other pillars come from the Shahadah
Therefore, without believing in it a Muslim wouldn't perform the other pillars.
Another reason is that it emphasises two key Islamic beliefs.

The Shahada says there is no God except Allah and Muhammad is his messenger.
This shows that the Shahadah includes belief in tawhid and prophethood which is the foundation of Islam because all other beliefs come from these.

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GCSE RE Islam beliefs Predestination and Life After death

4-markers

Explain two ways that a belief in predestination influences Muslims.
One influence is to trust Allah's plan.
This is because Muslims believe that the Allah may have a better plan than one of the ones that made for themselves.
Another influence is to remember that nothing can happen without Allah's permission.
When they make a plan, they may use phrases like inshallah, if Allah wills, to show that Allah has ultimate control.

Explain two ways that a belief in human freedom influences Muslims.
One influence is to be accountable for the actions.

This is because they'll be judged alone for their deeds in the Akirah.

Another influence is to remember Judgement Day.

This will make them feel responsible for their actions as they all know they'll need to answer for them.

Explain two ways in which belief in Akirah influences Muslims.

One influence is to do good actions because Muslims believe their actions will be judged in the afterlife..
For example they will pray their daily prayers
Another influence is to avoid sin because they would not want to be punished for going against Allah's teachings.
For example they will try and avoid anything which is Haram

Explain two ways in which a belief in human responsibility influences Muslims.
One influence is to be accountable for their actions because they'll be judged alone for their deeds
This will be written down in the book of deeds
Another influence is to remember Judgement Day.
This will make them feel responsible for their actions as they will know they need to answer for them.

6-markers

Explain two Muslim teachings about predestination. Refer to sacred writings or another source of belief and teaching in your answer
One belief is that everything happens that happens is decided by Allah already
It's one of the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam.
Another belief is that Allah knows the future, but we have free will.
Many Muslims believe that Allah does not force us to make any decision even though He knows what we will choose.
The Quran says “Indeed, all things We created with predestination".
This shows Allah is all knowing and has a plan for everything

Explain two Muslim teachings about human freedom. Refer to sacred writings or another source of belief and teaching in your answer

One belief is that humans have control over their thoughts, feeling and actions.
Muslims believe that Allah has given us this so that we can be free to make our choices.
Another belief is that human freedom shows Allah's justice.
The Quran says; 'let whoever wants to believe and let those who wants to disbelieve.'
This shows a lot allows humans to believe or not because for a lot of judge humans fairly on judgement day there needs to be human freedom.

Explain two Muslim teachings about the resurrection. Refer to sacred writing or another source of belief and teaching in your answer.
One belief is that it is one of the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam and five roots of a Usul Ad Din in Shia Islam.
It is the belief that every human will be raised from the dead on judgement day
Another belief is that Allah will raise the dead, all the dead.
This will happen on Judgement day, which will be marked by angels blowing the trumpet.
The Q

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This episode is going to cover Angels, their nature and role, including Jibril and Mika’il. The holy books: Qur’an: revelation and authority, the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel, the Scrolls of Abraham and their authority.

4-markers

Explain two ways in which belief in angels influences Muslims today

One influence is to understand Allah's imminence as Angels show that Allah is still involved in the universe.
For example, they perform different duties for him.
Another influence is to read the Quran because Angel Gibrel revealed the Quran to Prophet Muhammad
This happened on the Night of Power

Explain two ways in which the belief in Mikhail influences the Muslims today.

One influence is to thank Allah because Mikhail provides rain and food.
This allows humans to be nourished.
Another influence is to have hope because Mikhail sends rewards on behalf of Allah.
A Muslim would receive these rewards in this life or the next.

Explain two ways in which belief in holy books influences Muslims.
One influence is to follow the teachings of the Quran because the Quran teaches about Tawhid.
This is the final book of Allah
Another influence is to learn about previous prophets because books before the Quran may have lessons from other prophets Muslims can learn from.
For example the gospels of Jesus

Explain two ways in which the belief in the gospel influences a Muslim today.
The first one I could say is that it helps a Muslim learn from the life of Jesus which is in the gospel.
This is because the gospel may have lessons from prophet which we can learn from.
Another influence you should believe in Tawheed, that's my third mark.
This is because many Muslims would believe that believe about the Trinity was added to the gospel so they would reject this.

6-markers

Explain two Muslim teachings about the nature of angels. Refer to sacred writings or another source of belief and teaching in your answer

One belief is that angels do not sin because they're no free will. Therefore cannot disobey Allah.
The Qur'an says, They do not disobey the commands they receive from Allah.
This shows that angels always obey whatever orders them, so they cannot sin.
Another belief is that the angels are special beings.
Muslims believe there are spiritual beings made from light who can come in different forms.

Explain two Muslim teachings about the role of angels. Refer to sacred writings or another source of belief and teaching in your answer

One role is to reveal messages to prophets.
Angel Gibril is the Angel of revelation whose role is to communicate Allah's words to the prophets.
For example, the Prophet Muhammad.
The Quran says Gibril brings down the revelation.
This shows that Gibril revealed the Quran to Prophet Muhammad.
Another role is that angels distribute Allah's rewards to people.
Angel Mikhail is the Angel of mercy, and his role is reward humans in this life or the next.

Explain two Muslim teachings about Gibril. Refer to sacred writings or another source of belief and teaching in your answer
One belief was that Gibral appeared to Mary as a human.
He revealed to her that she was pregnant and will give birth to Isa Jesus.
Another belief is that Gibril is the Angel of revelation.
He communicates the words of Allah to the

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On 5th November 2025, a landmark recommendation was revealed for RE as a result of the Curriculum and Assessment Review. They proposed that RE become part of the National Curriculum for the first time in it's history. Then one day later, the DfE announced it's plans to bring RE into the humanities alongside History and Geography in the newly named 'breadth' bucket. But what will this mean for the subject? What question do we need to consider. To help us navigate this, I have invited Deborah Weston from NATRE, RECouncil and the RE Policy Unit. Katie Freeman - Chair of NATRE, and Sarah Lane Cawte from the RECouncil on to the podcast to answer some key questions.

• What is the CAR? Its purpose and what has the process been?
• What is the current status of RE?
• What are the current issues with RE?
• What were the findings in the interim report?
• What are the recommendations for RE in the final report?
• What is it NOT saying?
• How will this benefit RE?
• Why is high quality RE so important for young people in modern Britain?
• What happens next? Staged approach - Stage 1&2. Draft curriculum based on NCS. Consensus required.
• Recommendation for EBacc to be scrapped. How will this impact RE?
• Who will write it?
• What happens to SACRES?
• What about voluntary aided school’s with religious character?
• What will happen to the Right to withdraw?
• Should we change the name?
• What about Non statutory RE?
• What are the changes to GCSE?
• What about staffing, bursary, SKEs?

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This episode is sponsored by Reimagining Education https://reimaginingeducation.uk/

Hope you all had a lovely half term!

This episode is going to cover Prophethood, focussing on Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham) and Muhammad, plus the Imamate - an often weak area in the exam.

4 markers

Explain two ways in which belief in holy books influences Muslims.

One influence is to follow the teachings of the Quran because the Quran teaches about tawhid.

This is the final book of Allah

Another influence is to learn about previous prophets because books before the Quran may have lessons from other prophets Muslims can learn from.

For example the gospels of Jesus, called Injil

Explain two ways in which the belief in the gospel influences a Muslim today.

The first one I could say is that it helps a Muslim learn from the life of Jesus which is in the gospel.

This is because the gospel may have lessons from prophet which we can learn from.

Another influence you should believe in Tawheed, that's my third mark.

This is because many Muslims would believe that believe about the Trinity was added to the gospel so they would reject this.

6 markers

Explain two Muslim teachings about holy books. Refer to sacred writings or another source of belief and teaching in your answer

One belief is that it is one of the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam.

It is the belief that Allah revealed books to different prophets before the Quran.

Another believe that the Quran is the most important source of authority for Muslims.

It is seen as the final book that Allah revealed which has never been changed.

The Quran says ‘this is THE book of which there is no doubt’

This quote shows the Qur’an as THE most important reveletaion because there are no mistakes in it

Explain two Muslim teachings about the Torah. Refer to sacred writings or another source of belief and teaching in your answer

One belief is that the Torah was revealed to Prophet Musa.

It contained the messages that Allah wanted to give to the Jewish people.

The Quran says we sent down the Torah in which was guidance and light.

This shows the Torah was used at the time to receive guidance by Prophet Musa's followers

Another belief is that the Torah is no longer the words of Allah.

Muslims believe that some of the words and teachings were changed by humans

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This episode is sponsored by Reimagining Education https://reimaginingeducation.uk/

Hope you all had a lovely half term!

Over the summer, I recorded a series of episodes to support GCSE RE - specifically AQA Islam and Christianity. Suppose you are a student of GCSE RE, or a teacher of GCSE RE who is new to teaching GCSE, or new to AQA, or you are a teacher from another subject teaching GCSE for the first time. In that case, I hope these episodes are beneficial to you in consolidating your learning, preparing for exams if you are a student, or helping you feel more confident if you are a teacher.

The first episode provided an overview of Paper 1 - Religious Beliefs and Practices, covering the exam structure, how to approach the various question types, and offering some top tips for the exam. Each subsequent episode has gone through the whole of Christian beliefs and Christian practices

This is the FIRST episode in our series on Islam beliefs and will cover the Six Articles of Faith in Sunni Islam and the Five Roots of Usul Ad Din in Shia Islam.

4-markers

Explain two ways in which the belief in the Six Articles of Faith influences Muslims today.

So you could say Muslims could be influenced to worship Allah because one of the articles is to believe in Allah.

They would pray to him five times a day.

Muslims could also follow the example of Prophet Muhammad because one of the articles is to believe in the prophets

For example they would believe in Tawhid as Muhammad did

Explain two ways in which the belief in the Five Roots of Usul Ad Din influences Muslims today.

Muslims could be influenced to follow the example of the Imams because one of the roots is to believe in Imamate

Their teachings are followed by Shia Muslims after Prophet Muhammad.

Second, Muslims could also be influenced to work for a fairer world, because one of the roots is adalat

And adalat is a belief in justice

Explain two ways in which the belief in tawhid influences Muslims today.

Muslims could be influenced to worship Allah alone.

This is because they believe Allah is the only being worthy of worship, so they pray to him.

Muslim would also not associate any partners with Allah.

This is seen as the biggest sin in Islam to Muslim.

Explain two ways in which the belief of God's beneficence influenced Muslim today.

Muslims could be influenced to be kind to others. M

This is because Allah is generous and loving to them, they should do the same to others.

Muslim would show appreciation.

When they receive any blessing, they would thank Allah for showing them His beneficence.

Explain two ways in which the belief of God's transcendence influenced the Muslim today.

Muslims could be influenced to not compare a lot to other things

This is because Allah's transcendence shows he's above the laws of the universe. It cannot convey anything

Muslim would also appreciate Allah's greatness.

This is because Allah's transcendence shows he can never be fully understood by humans.

6-markers

Explain two Muslim teachings about the nature of God. Refer to sacred writing or another source of belief

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Explain two different ways Christians go on mission.

One way is by going to other countries to spread the gospel.

This is in obedience to Jesus’ Great Commission.

A different way is by going to other countries to provide aid.

For example, they might help build churches or schools or provide medical care.

Explain two reasons why church growth is important to Christians. Refer to sacred writing or another source of belief and teaching in your answer.

It is important because it puts into practise Jesus teaching in the Great Commission.

According to the Bible, before he ascended into heaven, Jesus said go and make disciples of all nations.

Making disciples means there will be more Christians, so the church will grow.

It is also important because it ensures the continuation of the church, which is dependent on it growing.

Without church growth, numbers will decline and churches will close.

12-marker: The only reason to believe in Jesus is to get to heaven

BUG the question

B stands for BOX which means BOX the command word. For 12-markers the command word is EVALUATE. U stands for underline. This means underline the IMPORTANT words. I think the most important word is ONLY. This is because you have got to JUDGE is getting to heaven is the ONLY reason to believe in Jesus or are there OTHER reasons to believe in Jesus. The G stands for GO BACK and this means that once you have written your answer, you need to go back to the question and check you have answered it!

SALE technique. Each letter stands for a criteria for judging whether an argument is strong or weak

S stands for supported by most. So, for example, if most Christians think that all events in Jesus life are equally as important and there is no ONE important one, then this is a strong argument because it is the one held by most Christians

A stands for authority. Is this argument supported by a source of authority. This could be a holy book, religious leader or founder, or an the Church. So for example, if we are considering whether Jesus is the son of God, the official teaching of the established Church is that Jesus is the son of God, plus God said; this is my son; when Jesus was baptised so it comes from authority. To argue that he was JUST a human goes against this authority so it is a weak argument

L stands for logical. Does the argument make sense? For example, if the 12-marker was asking about which is the most important event in Jesus life, it makes no logical sense that one is more important than another because they are interdependent. If Jesus was not born, then none of the other events could take place, if he wasn’t crucified, there would be little point him being born as that is the reason he came to earth. And if he wasn’t crucified he wouldn’t have been able to resurrect, and without the resurrection, Christianity would not exist. So, logically one can’t be more important.

E can either stand for ethical or evidence. This is much more appropriate for paper 2 but can be used in paper 1 sometimes. For example, Salvation by grace is the ONLY way to get to heaven. You might say that this is a weak argument ethically because Christians will just do bad things knowing God will forgive them. E also stands for evidence. This again is much more useful in Paper 2 for example if making a judgement about Capital punishment – there is eviden

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