Why is the Qur'an so important to Muslims, and how is it treated and used?
The Qur'an and sacred writings in Islam: the belief that the Qur'an is the word of God revealed to Muhammad, its structure and language, the respect shown to it, its use in worship and daily life, and the place of the Hadith and Sunnah.
A focused CCEA GCSE Religious Studies guide to the Qur'an in Unit 8 Islam. Covers the belief that the Qur'an is the word of God revealed to Muhammad, its structure and Arabic language, the respect shown to it, its use in worship and daily life, and the place of the Hadith and Sunnah, presented respectfully.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
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What this dot point is asking
You need to explain the place of the Qur'an and other sacred writings in Islam: the belief that the Qur'an is the word of God revealed to Muhammad; its structure (surahs and ayahs) and its Arabic language; the respect Muslims show it; its use in worship and daily life; and the place of the Hadith and Sunnah alongside it. CCEA examiners reward precise, respectful knowledge and an understanding of why the Qur'an is so central. The strongest answers explain what each point means rather than simply describing the book.
The Qur'an as the word of God
Because the Qur'an is believed to be God's own word, Muslims treat it with the greatest respect and turn to it first for guidance on belief and behaviour.
Structure and language
The Qur'an contains 114 surahs (chapters), arranged broadly from the longest to the shortest after the opening surah, al-Fatihah. Each surah is made up of ayahs (verses), a word that also means "sign." Muslims believe the Qur'an was revealed in Arabic, and that Arabic is the language in which it should be recited, because translation can never fully capture the original. Many Muslims therefore learn to read and recite the Qur'an in Arabic even if it is not their first language, and translations are treated as explanations rather than the Qur'an itself.
The respect shown to the Qur'an
The respect shown to the physical book reflects the deeper belief that the Qur'an carries the authority of God himself.
Use in worship and daily life
The Qur'an is at the heart of Muslim worship and everyday life.
- It is recited during the five daily prayers (Salah) and in the mosque.
- Many Muslims memorise the whole Qur'an; a person who does so is called a hafiz.
- It is consulted for guidance on belief, worship, family life, justice and morality.
- It is read especially during the month of Ramadan, when many aim to read it all.
Because it is used in worship and turned to for guidance, the Qur'an shapes a Muslim's daily routine as well as their beliefs.
The Hadith and Sunnah
Alongside the Qur'an, Muslims draw on the Hadith, the recorded sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, and the Sunnah, his way of life and example. While the Qur'an is the word of God and the highest authority, the Hadith and Sunnah help Muslims understand how to apply its teaching in practice, for example in how to pray or how to treat others.
How to answer a question on the Qur'an
A model paragraph built from this method: "The Qur'an is important to Muslims because they believe it is the word of God, revealed to Muhammad through the angel Jibril and kept unchanged. It is the supreme authority for belief and behaviour, teaching Muslims how to worship and how to live. It is recited in the daily prayers and often memorised in full by a hafiz, showing how central it is to worship." This scores highly because each point is explained, not just described.
Try this
Q1. What do Muslims believe the Qur'an is? [2 marks]
- Cue. The word of God, revealed to Muhammad through the angel Jibril, kept unchanged and holding the highest authority.
Q2. What is a hafiz? [2 marks]
- Cue. A Muslim who has memorised the whole of the Qur'an by heart.
Q3. Give two ways Muslims show respect for the Qur'an. [2 marks]
- Cue. Washing before reading it, keeping it high and clean, wrapping it in cloth, or using a stand so it does not touch the floor.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of CCEA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
CCEA Unit 8 (style)5 marksExplain why the Qur'an is important to Muslims.Show worked answer →
A five-mark AO1 question. Give two or three developed points, not a list.
The word of God: Muslims believe the Qur'an is the actual word of God, revealed to Muhammad through the angel Jibril, so it carries God's own authority.
Guidance for life: it teaches Muslims what to believe and how to live, covering worship, family life, justice and morality, so it is consulted for guidance.
Used in worship: the Qur'an is recited in prayer and learned by heart, and many Muslims become hafiz by memorising it, showing how central it is to worship.
Develop each point with what it means for Muslims. Two or three explained points reach the top of the mark band.
CCEA Unit 8 (style)12 marks'The Qur'an is the only book a Muslim needs.' Consider different points of view.Show worked answer →
A twelve-mark AO2 evaluation question. Give different points of view, refer to the statement and reach a justified judgement.
Agree: the Qur'an is the word of God, complete and unchanged, and the final authority for belief and practice, so for many Muslims it is the supreme and sufficient source.
Other views: many Muslims would say the Hadith and Sunnah, the recorded sayings and example of Muhammad, are also needed to understand how to apply the Qur'an in daily life. Others point to the role of scholars in interpreting the text.
Judgement: argue that the Qur'an is the supreme authority, but that for most Muslims the Hadith and Sunnah are needed alongside it to live the faith fully. A balanced, supported judgement that refers to the statement reaches the top level.
Related dot points
- The nature of God in Islam: Tawhid (the oneness of God), the belief that God is the creator and sustainer, the rejection of shirk, the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God, and Muslim belief in angels (malaikah).
A focused CCEA GCSE Religious Studies guide to the nature of God in Unit 8 Islam. Covers Tawhid, the oneness of God, God as creator and sustainer, the rejection of shirk, the ninety-nine names of God and the meaning of belief in angels, presented accurately and respectfully.
- The prophets in Islam: the belief that God sent prophets (including Adam, Ibrahim, Musa and Isa), the special place of the Prophet Muhammad as the final messenger or Seal of the Prophets, the night of revelation, the Hijrah, and his role as a model for Muslim life.
A focused CCEA GCSE Religious Studies guide to the prophets in Unit 8 Islam. Covers the belief that God sent prophets including Adam, Ibrahim, Musa and Isa, the special place of Muhammad as the final messenger and Seal of the Prophets, the first revelation, the Hijrah and his role as a model for Muslims, presented respectfully.
- The Five Pillars of Islam: Shahadah (declaration of faith), Salah (prayer), Zakah (giving to charity), Sawm (fasting in Ramadan) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca), their meaning and how they shape Muslim life.
A focused CCEA GCSE Religious Studies guide to the Five Pillars in Unit 8 Islam. Covers Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj, their meaning and how each one shapes a Muslim's life and faith, presented accurately and respectfully.
- Worship and festivals in Islam: the mosque as a place of worship and community, its main features, Friday prayer (Jumu'ah), and the festivals of Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha and what they celebrate.
A focused CCEA GCSE Religious Studies guide to worship and festivals in Unit 8 Islam. Covers the mosque and its features, Friday prayer (Jumu'ah), and the festivals of Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha and what each one celebrates, presented accurately and respectfully.
Sources & how we know this
- CCEA GCSE Religious Studies specification — CCEA (2017)
- CCEA GCSE Religious Studies Unit 8 Glossary on Islam — CCEA (2017)