What are the main practices of Islam studied in Unit 2 Part A?
Islam practices for Unit 2 Part A: the Five Pillars (Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj), worship in the mosque, the major festivals (Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha), and the meaning of jihad (the greater and lesser struggle), as expressions of Muslim belief and community.
A focused answer on Muslim practices for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 2 Part A, covering the Five Pillars (Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj), worship in the mosque, the festivals Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha, and the meaning of jihad.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers the main practices of Islam studied in Unit 2, Part A. You need to explain the Five Pillars (Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj), worship in the mosque, the major festivals (Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha), and the meaning of jihad. The exam rewards accurate practice plus the meaning behind it, supported by a source of wisdom.
The Five Pillars
Prayer and worship in the mosque
Zakah and Sawm
Hajj and the festivals
The meaning of jihad
Try this
Q1. What are the Five Pillars of Islam? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Shahadah (declaration of faith), Salah (prayer five times a day), Zakah (charity, about 2.5 percent of wealth), Sawm (fasting in Ramadan) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah).
Q2. Explain why Hajj is important to Muslims. [Short explanation]
- Cue. It is a Pillar every able Muslim should perform once in a lifetime; pilgrims seek forgiveness at Mount Arafat, recall the example of Ibrahim, and join the worldwide ummah, with all wearing ihram to show equality before Allah.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC Unit 2 (a)2 marksWhat is meant by 'Salah'?Show worked answer →
The short (a) question (AO1). Give an accurate definition with one developing point.
Definition. Salah is the Muslim practice of ritual prayer, performed five times a day facing Makkah, one of the Five Pillars.
Develop it. Muslims first perform wudu (washing), then pray set words and movements (rak'ah), individually or together, often at the mosque, especially Friday Jumu'ah prayers.
Top marks. An accurate definition plus a developed point earns both marks.
WJEC Unit 2 (b)5 marksDescribe what happens on Hajj.Show worked answer →
The (b) describe question (AO1). Reward developed, accurate description with a source of wisdom.
Point one. Hajj is the pilgrimage to Makkah, one of the Five Pillars, that every able Muslim should make once in a lifetime; pilgrims wear simple ihram clothing to show equality.
Point two. Pilgrims walk seven times around the Ka'bah (tawaf), travel between Safa and Marwah, and stand in prayer at Mount Arafat seeking forgiveness.
Point three. Hajj recalls the example of the Prophet Ibrahim and his family and unites the worldwide ummah; it ends near the festival of Id-ul-Adha.
Top band. Developed points with accurate reference to belief or practice.
Related dot points
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- Issues of Relationships (Unit 2, Theme 3): the nature and purpose of marriage, attitudes to sex, cohabitation, divorce and remarriage, the family and its purpose, the roles of men and women and gender equality, and contraception and family planning, including religious and non-religious responses.
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A focused answer on the ethical theme Issues of Human Rights for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 2, covering human dignity and equality, prejudice and discrimination, social justice, poverty and wealth, and freedom of religion and expression, with religious and non-religious responses.
- The WJEC GCSE Religious Studies exam structure: the two units (Religion and Philosophical Themes; Religion and Ethical Themes), the Part A and Part B division, the (a) to (d) question ladder and its mark tariffs, the AO1 and AO2 assessment objectives, the use of sources of wisdom, and the SPaG marks in the extended evaluation question.
A focused guide to the WJEC GCSE Religious Studies exam structure and question types, covering the two units, Part A and Part B, the (a) to (d) question ladder and tariffs, the AO1 and AO2 objectives, sources of wisdom, and the SPaG marks in the evaluation question.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Religious Studies specification (3120) — WJEC (2017)