What do Muslims believe about the prophets and the holy books?
The belief in Risalah (prophethood), the role of prophets including Adam, Ibrahim and Muhammad, and the holy books, especially the Qur'an.
A focused answer on Risalah (prophethood) and the holy books for OCR GCSE Religious Studies (J625), covering the role of prophets from Adam to Muhammad, the status of the Qur'an as the final revelation, and the other holy books, with sources of wisdom and authority.
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What this dot point is asking
OCR 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 evaluation question on whether the Qur'an is the only authority a Muslim needs, so you need the content, the sources, 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
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.
Try this
Q1. Who is the final prophet in Islam, and what title is he given? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Muhammad, called the "Seal of the Prophets", because Muslims believe no prophet will come after him.
Q2. Explain why the Sunnah and Hadith are important alongside the Qur'an. [Short explanation]
- Cue. They record Muhammad's example and sayings, which show Muslims how to put the Qur'an into practice (for example how to pray), so they explain and apply the Qur'an's guidance.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR J625 20192 marksGive two holy books that Muslims believe Allah revealed.Show worked answer →
This is the 2-mark AO1 question, 1 mark per point. Give two distinct books, for example the Qur'an (revealed to Muhammad) and the Tawrat (the Torah, revealed to Musa/Moses). Other acceptable answers include the Zabur (Psalms, to Dawud/David) and the Injil (Gospel, to Isa/Jesus). Markers want two separate books, so do not repeat. Using the Arabic names shows secure knowledge.
OCR J625 20206 marksExplain why the Qur'an is important to Muslims. Refer to sources of wisdom and authority in your answer.Show worked answer →
This is the 6-mark extended AO1 question. Explain that Muslims believe the Qur'an is the literal, final and perfect word of Allah, revealed to Muhammad through the angel Jibril over 23 years, and unchanged since. Develop why it matters: it is the supreme source of guidance and law, recited in worship, learned by heart (by a hafiz), and treated with great respect. Anchor in sources: the first revelation, "Read (Iqra) in the name of your Lord" (Surah 96), and the belief that it confirms and completes earlier revelations. The top band rewards developed points with accurate sources.
OCR J625 202215 marks"The Qur'an is the only source of authority a Muslim needs." Discuss this statement. In your answer you should: refer to religious teachings and sources of wisdom and authority; give reasoned arguments to support this statement; give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view; reach a justified conclusion.Show worked answer →
This is the 15-mark AO2 evaluation question. Argue both sides. Arguments for the statement: the Qur'an is the literal, perfect and final word of Allah, the supreme authority in Islam, complete and sufficient for guidance. Arguments against: Muslims also follow the Sunnah and Hadith (the example and sayings of Muhammad), which explain how to put the Qur'an into practice (for example how to pray); Shia Muslims also look to the Imams, and scholars apply the Qur'an to new situations, so other sources are needed in practice. Use specialist terms (Qur'an, Sunnah, Hadith, Risalah). A justified conclusion weighs the supreme authority of the Qur'an against the practical role of the Sunnah and Hadith.
Related dot points
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- The belief in Akhirah (life after death), the Day of Judgement (Yawm ad-Din), and Paradise (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam).
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