What do Muslims believe about prophethood and the holy books?
Risalah (prophethood), the role of key prophets (Adam, Ibrahim, Muhammad), the holy books (Kutub), and the supreme authority of the Qur'an alongside the Sunnah and Hadith.
An Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (C120) Component 3 answer on Risalah and the holy books, covering prophethood, the prophets from Adam to Muhammad, the Kutub, the Qur'an, and the Sunnah and Hadith, with the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to explain Risalah (prophethood): the belief that Allah sends prophets to guide humanity, the role of key prophets (Adam, Ibrahim, Muhammad), and the holy books Allah revealed, above all the Qur'an. These are two of the six beliefs of Sunni Islam (Nubuwwah and Kutub) and are how Muslims believe they know Allah's will. The topic feeds the 15-mark evaluation question on whether the Qur'an is the only authority a Muslim needs, so you need the content, the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards, and an argument.
Risalah and the prophets
Muslims hold all prophets in honour and add "peace be upon him" after their names. They believe Muhammad completes the line of prophets: no prophet will come after him, and the Qur'an is the final revelation.
The holy books (Kutub)
The Qur'an, Sunnah and Hadith
Alongside the Qur'an, Muslims follow the Sunnah (the example and way of life of Muhammad) and the Hadith (recorded sayings and actions of the Prophet), which explain and apply the Qur'an, for example showing how to perform the daily prayers, which the Qur'an commands but does not set out in full. This is why the evaluation question, "is the Qur'an the only source a Muslim needs?", has two strong sides: the Qur'an is supreme, but the Sunnah and Hadith are needed to live it out.
Common and divergent views
The common view across Islam is that Allah sends prophets, that Muhammad is the final prophet, and that the Qur'an is the supreme, unchanged word of Allah. The main divergences are over the other sources: all Muslims use the Sunnah and Hadith, but Sunni and Shia accept somewhat different collections, and Shia Muslims also look to the teaching of the Imams. For the exam, present the Qur'an as the agreed supreme authority and use the role of the Sunnah, Hadith and Imams when arguing whether it is the only source needed.
Try this
Q1. Who is the "Seal of the Prophets"? [a-style recall]
- Cue. Muhammad, the final prophet, after whom Muslims believe no prophet will come; through him the Qur'an was revealed.
Q2. Explain why Muslims also use the Sunnah and Hadith, not only the Qur'an. [b-style short explanation]
- Cue. The Sunnah (Muhammad's example) and Hadith (records of his sayings and actions) explain and apply the Qur'an: for example, the Qur'an commands prayer but the Sunnah shows how to perform it, so they are needed to live out the Qur'an's teaching.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas C120 2019 (style)2 marks[a] What is meant by Risalah?Show worked answer →
This is the 2-mark (a) AO1 definition question. Define the term precisely: Risalah is the belief that Allah sends prophets (messengers) to guide humanity. A short developed phrase secures both marks, for example "prophethood: the belief that Allah communicates his will through prophets, from Adam to Muhammad, the final prophet". A single word risks only one mark.
Eduqas C120 2021 (style)8 marks[c] Explain Muslim beliefs about the Qur'an. Refer to sources of wisdom and authority in your answer.Show worked answer →
This is the 8-mark (c) extended AO1 question, and referring to sources is required for the top band. Explain that the Qur'an is, for Muslims, the literal word of Allah, revealed to Muhammad through the angel Jibril over about 23 years, beginning with "Read (Iqra) in the name of your Lord" (Surah 96). Develop that it is perfect, final and unchanged, the supreme source of guidance and law, treated with great reverence and memorised in full by a hafiz. Add that Muslims also follow the Sunnah and Hadith, which explain and apply the Qur'an. The top band rewards developed points with accurate sources.
Eduqas C120 2022 (style)15 marks[d] "The Qur'an is the only source of authority a Muslim needs." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should refer to religious beliefs and teachings, give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, and reach a justified conclusion.Show worked answer →
This is the 15-mark (d) AO2 evaluation question, where SPaG is assessed, so write in continuous prose with specialist terms. Arguments to support: the Qur'an is the literal, perfect and final word of Allah, the supreme authority in Islam; Muslims believe it is complete and unchanged, containing all the guidance needed, so in principle it is sufficient. Arguments for a different view: in practice Muslims also rely on the Sunnah and Hadith (the example and sayings of Muhammad) to apply the Qur'an, since the Qur'an commands prayer but the Sunnah shows how to perform it; scholars interpret the Qur'an for new situations, and Shia Muslims also look to the Imams. Use specialist terms (Qur'an, Sunnah, Hadith, Risalah). A justified conclusion weighs whether the Qur'an is sufficient alone or supreme but not the only source in practice.
Related dot points
- The belief in Tawhid (the oneness of God), the nature and characteristics of Allah, the sin of shirk, and why Tawhid is central to Islam.
An Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (C120) Component 3 answer on Tawhid and the nature of Allah, covering the oneness of God, the 99 names and characteristics of Allah, the sin of shirk, and why Tawhid is central to Islam, with the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.
- The six beliefs of Sunni Islam (Akidah) and the five roots of Usul ad-Din of Shia Islam, and the differences between the two traditions.
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- The Muslim beliefs in angels (Malaikah) and their roles, and in predestination (Al-Qadr) and how it relates to human free will.
An Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (C120) Component 3 answer on angels and predestination, covering the angels Malaikah and their roles, Al-Qadr (divine decree), and how predestination relates to human free will and responsibility, with the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.
- Akhirah (life after death): this life as a test, the Day of Judgement (Yawm ad-Din), the resurrection, Paradise (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam), and the impact of these beliefs.
An Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (C120) Component 3 answer on Akhirah, covering this life as a test, the Day of Judgement (Yawm ad-Din), the resurrection, Paradise (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam), and the impact of belief in the afterlife, with the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.
Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies specification (C120, from 2016) — WJEC Eduqas (2016)