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O Level Islamiyat 2058 ← Back to Paper 1
Paper 1 • Major Themes of the Qur’an

Allah in Himself

Complete student-friendly notes on the first Qur’anic theme group: Allah’s oneness, uniqueness, power, knowledge, authority, mercy and absolute independence.

These notes cover Sura 2:255, Sura 6:101–103, Sura 41:37, Sura 42:4–5 and Sura 112 separately under: (a) Main Theme and (b) Importance of Theme.

How this topic is tested

  • Question 1 may ask the main theme and importance of selected passages.
  • Question 2 may ask a longer answer on how Allah describes Himself.
  • Top answers use the passage words, explain the theme clearly, and then apply it to Muslim life today.
  • Do not write only translation. Explain what the passage teaches.

Exam Method for “Allah in Himself”

Use this simple method whenever a Qur’anic passage from this group appears in Paper 1.

Cambridge expects candidates to explore both the main theme of each passage and the importance of that theme in Muslim life today. So the answer must move from knowledge to application.

(a) Main Theme

  • Identify what the passage teaches about Allah.
  • Use keywords from the passage.
  • Explain the meaning of the keywords.
  • Link the passage to Tawhid and Allah’s attributes.
  • Avoid writing only a translation.

(b) Importance

  • Explain how the theme affects Muslim belief.
  • Show how it affects worship and conduct.
  • Connect it with hardship, repentance, humility and trust in Allah.
  • Give practical examples: salah, du‘a, avoiding shirk, patience, gratitude.

A* Writing Formula

  • Point: This passage teaches that Allah is...
  • Evidence: This is shown by the words...
  • Explain: This means that...
  • Importance: Therefore Muslims should...
Passage 1

Sura 2:255 — Ayat al-Kursi

Core focus: Allah’s oneness, eternal life, complete authority, perfect knowledge and unlimited power.

(a) Main Theme

  • The main theme is Tawhid: Allah alone is worthy of worship.
  • The passage begins by declaring that there is no god except Allah, so it directly rejects shirk and all false objects of worship.
  • Allah is described as al-Hayy, the Ever-Living, which means His life has no beginning, no end and no weakness.
  • Allah is described as al-Qayyum, the Sustainer, meaning that all creation depends on Him while He depends on no one.
  • Allah is not overcome by drowsiness or sleep, showing that He is never tired, absent, careless or unaware.
  • Everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah, so His ownership and authority are absolute.
  • No one can intercede except by Allah’s permission, showing that even the highest beings are under His command.
  • Allah knows what is before people and what is behind them, so His knowledge covers the past, present, future, open and hidden.
  • Human beings cannot grasp Allah’s knowledge except what He allows, which shows the limits of human understanding.
  • His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, showing the vastness of His majesty and power.
  • Preserving the heavens and the earth does not tire Allah, showing His perfect strength and control.
  • The passage ends by describing Allah as the Most High and the Most Great, confirming His supreme status over all creation.
Tawhidal-Hayyal-QayyumKnowledgeAuthorityPower

(b) Importance of Theme

  • This theme strengthens a Muslim’s belief that Allah alone deserves worship.
  • It protects Muslims from shirk because no created being has Allah’s power, knowledge or authority.
  • It gives comfort in hardship because Allah never sleeps, never forgets and never loses control.
  • It encourages Muslims to make du‘a to Allah because all help and permission belong to Him.
  • It teaches humility because human knowledge is limited while Allah’s knowledge is complete.
  • It builds trust in Allah’s protection because maintaining the universe does not tire Him.
  • It reminds Muslims not to rely only on worldly power, wealth or people, because all authority belongs to Allah.
  • It encourages obedience, salah and remembrance because Allah is the living, sustaining Lord of every moment.
  • It helps students understand why Ayat al-Kursi is among the most powerful summaries of Allah’s majesty in the Qur’an.
Exam tip: For this passage, do not just say “Allah is great.” Mention exact attributes: Ever-Living, Sustainer, no sleep, owns heavens and earth, knows everything, intercession only by permission, and preservation does not tire Him.
Passage 2

Sura 6:101–103 — al-An‘am

Core focus: Allah as Originator, Creator, Lord, the only One to be worshipped, unseen yet fully aware.

(a) Main Theme

  • The passage teaches that Allah is the Originator of the heavens and the earth.
  • Allah created everything without needing any model, partner, helper or previous material.
  • It rejects the idea that Allah has children, because Allah has no spouse and is above human relationships.
  • This strongly teaches Allah’s uniqueness and removes any human-like weakness from the concept of Allah.
  • Allah created all things and has perfect knowledge of everything.
  • The passage identifies Him as “your Lord”, showing a direct relationship of authority, care and command over creation.
  • It states that there is no god but Him, so worship must be directed only to Allah.
  • Allah is described as the disposer or guardian of all affairs, showing that He controls creation and its destiny.
  • Human sight cannot fully grasp Allah, which teaches that Allah is beyond physical limits and human imagination.
  • Although people cannot comprehend Him, Allah sees and knows all people and all things.
  • The passage shows that Allah is subtle and fully aware, meaning His knowledge reaches every hidden matter.
OriginatorNo spouseNo childCreatorLordAll-aware

(b) Importance of Theme

  • This theme teaches Muslims pure Tawhid by rejecting the belief that Allah has family, partner or offspring.
  • It protects Muslim belief from shirk and from imagining Allah like created beings.
  • It encourages Muslims to worship only Allah because He alone is the Creator and Lord.
  • It gives confidence that Allah knows every struggle, even when no one else sees or understands it.
  • It teaches sincerity because Allah sees hidden intentions, private actions and inner thoughts.
  • It helps Muslims accept that Allah cannot be fully understood through human senses, but He can be known through revelation and signs.
  • It builds humility: humans cannot grasp Allah, yet Allah completely grasps them.
  • It is especially useful in hardship because Muslims know that Allah sees their pain and manages all affairs wisely.
  • It helps students avoid weak answers by connecting Allah’s unseen nature with His complete awareness.
Mark-scheme focus for this passage
  • Allah’s oneness is shown through the rejection of spouse and son.
  • Allah is Creator and Originator of everything.
  • Allah is the only One deserving worship.
  • Allah has power to decide and manage all affairs.
  • No one can fully see or comprehend Allah, but Allah sees and knows everything.
Passage 3

Sura 41:37 — Fussilat

Core focus: Allah’s signs in nature and the command to worship the Creator, not the creation.

(a) Main Theme

  • The passage teaches that the night, day, sun and moon are signs of Allah.
  • These natural signs show Allah’s power, wisdom and control over the universe.
  • The regular cycle of day and night shows order, balance and design in creation.
  • The sun and moon are impressive, but they are still created things under Allah’s command.
  • The passage forbids prostrating to the sun or moon, rejecting nature-worship and idol worship.
  • It commands people to prostrate to Allah, the One who created them all.
  • This makes the passage a strong teaching of Tawhid: worship belongs to the Creator, not to creation.
  • Allah describes Himself as the Creator and Controller behind the visible universe.
  • The passage teaches that signs in creation should lead human beings to worship, not to superstition.
SignsNightDaySunMoonProstration

(b) Importance of Theme

  • This theme teaches Muslims to recognise Allah through His creation.
  • It prevents Muslims from worshipping created things, personalities, objects, nature or worldly powers.
  • It reminds Muslims that beauty and order in the universe should increase faith in Allah.
  • It encourages reflection, gratitude and worship when Muslims observe the natural world.
  • It links belief with salah because prostration is due only to Allah.
  • It helps Muslims understand that science and observation can strengthen belief when creation is seen as a sign of Allah.
  • It encourages Muslims to avoid superstition, astrology and any belief that gives independent power to the sun, moon or stars.
  • It gives comfort because the same Allah who controls the sun and moon also controls human difficulties.
Mark-scheme focus for this passage
  • Allah is Creator of everything, especially the sun and moon mentioned here.
  • The sun and moon follow an order and cycle due to Allah’s power.
  • The passage strongly teaches Tawhid.
  • Humans must not worship the sun or moon even if they are amazed by them.
  • Allah commands people to prostrate to Him because He created and controls the universe.
Passage 4

Sura 42:4–5 — ash-Shura

Core focus: Allah’s ownership, greatness, majesty, angels’ praise, forgiveness and mercy.

(a) Main Theme

  • The passage teaches that everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah.
  • Allah is the Most High and the Most Great, showing His supreme majesty over creation.
  • The image of the heavens nearly bursting shows the greatness and awe of Allah’s power.
  • Even the heavens are overwhelmed by Allah’s majesty, so human beings should be humble before Him.
  • The angels glorify and praise their Lord, showing that the highest creation worships Allah constantly.
  • The angels seek forgiveness for those on earth, showing Allah’s mercy towards human beings.
  • The passage ends by describing Allah as the All-Forgiving and Most Merciful.
  • This passage balances Allah’s greatness with His mercy: He is majestic and powerful, but also forgiving and compassionate.
  • It teaches that Allah is not distant from human beings; His mercy and forgiveness are open to them.
OwnershipMost HighGreatestAngelsForgivenessMercy

(b) Importance of Theme

  • This theme gives Muslims awe of Allah because all creation belongs to Him.
  • It teaches humility because even the heavens and angels respond to Allah’s greatness.
  • It encourages Muslims to praise Allah through dhikr, tasbih, salah and du‘a.
  • It gives hope because Allah is repeatedly presented as forgiving and merciful.
  • It encourages repentance because Muslims know that Allah’s mercy is greater than their mistakes.
  • It helps Muslims during hardship because Allah is in control of everything and is also merciful towards His servants.
  • It reminds Muslims that unseen creation, such as angels, is also involved in worshipping Allah.
  • It prevents despair: a sinner should turn back to Allah rather than think forgiveness is impossible.
Mark-scheme focus for this passage
  • Allah controls everything because everything belongs to Him.
  • His greatness is so immense that the heavens nearly burst apart.
  • The angels praise Allah and seek forgiveness for those on earth.
  • Allah is the Most Forgiving and Most Merciful.
  • The passage combines Allah’s power, majesty, mercy and forgiveness.
Passage 5

Sura 112 — al-Ikhlas

Core focus: Pure Tawhid — Allah is One, self-sufficient, without parent, child, partner or equal.

(a) Main Theme

  • The main theme is the pure oneness and uniqueness of Allah.
  • Allah is described as One, meaning He is indivisible and has no partner.
  • The sura rejects all forms of shirk by denying that Allah shares His divinity with anyone.
  • Allah is al-Samad, meaning He is self-sufficient, independent and the One on whom all creation depends.
  • Allah does not beget, meaning He has no children and does not pass on divinity to anyone.
  • Allah is not begotten, meaning He has no parent, origin, beginning or creator.
  • There is no one comparable to Allah, so no person, idol, angel, prophet or force can be equal to Him.
  • The sura gives a complete summary of Tawhid in a very short form.
  • It removes all human-like qualities from Allah and teaches that He is absolutely unique.
Oneal-SamadNo childNo parentNo equalPure Tawhid

(b) Importance of Theme

  • This theme is central to Islam because Tawhid is the foundation of Muslim belief.
  • It helps Muslims understand the meaning of the Shahadah: there is no god except Allah.
  • It protects Muslims from worshipping idols, humans, saints, stars, angels or any created being.
  • It teaches Muslims to rely on Allah alone because He is al-Samad and does not need anyone.
  • It corrects false beliefs that give Allah a family, partner or equal.
  • It encourages direct worship of Allah without thinking that anyone shares His divine power.
  • It gives emotional strength because the One who has no weakness is always able to help.
  • It creates humility because human beings depend on Allah, while Allah depends on no one.
  • It is easy to remember and can be used by students as a compact summary of Allah’s uniqueness.
Exam tip: In Sura 112, the strongest words are One, al-Samad, not begotten, does not beget, and no one comparable to Him. Explain each word instead of simply listing it.

Relevant Past-Paper Questions and How to Link Them

Use these question angles to practise the topic exactly as Cambridge may test it.

May/June 2024 Paper 11 — Question 2(a)

Question angle: Write about how Allah describes Himself using Sura 6:101–103, Sura 41:37 and Sura 42:4–5.

  • Use one paragraph for each passage.
  • For Sura 6:101–103, focus on no spouse/son, Creator, Lord, unseen but all-seeing.
  • For Sura 41:37, focus on signs in nature, sun and moon, and worship of Allah alone.
  • For Sura 42:4–5, focus on ownership, greatness, angels’ praise, forgiveness and mercy.
  • Use developed bullet points or paragraph form, not only translation.

May/June 2024 Paper 11 — Question 2(b)

Question angle: Explain how knowledge Allah gives about Himself can help Muslims in times of hardship.

  • Allah is Creator and Controller, so Muslims can trust His plan.
  • Allah sees and knows everything, so no hardship is hidden from Him.
  • Allah is merciful and forgiving, so Muslims should not despair after mistakes.
  • Allah’s signs in creation reassure Muslims that the universe is ordered and purposeful.
  • A strong answer gives personal reasoning, not only memorised facts.

Common Question 1 Style

Question angle: Choose two Qur’anic passages and briefly describe their main themes and importance in a Muslim’s life today.

  • If Sura 2:255 appears, focus on Allah’s power, knowledge, authority and sustaining role.
  • If Sura 112 appears, focus on pure Tawhid and Allah’s uniqueness.
  • Write clearly under two parts: main theme and importance.
  • Use short, precise explanations with direct relevance to Muslim belief and practice.

Mark-Scheme Focus: What Examiners Reward

Use this checklist before writing any answer on Allah in Himself.

Exam Skill What to Do What to Avoid
AO1 Knowledge Give accurate facts from the passage, identify Allah’s attributes, use key words and explain them. Do not write vague sentences such as “Allah is great” without explaining how the passage shows it.
AO1 Development Develop each point by explaining the meaning of the attribute and linking it to Tawhid. Do not merely copy the translation without explanation.
AO2 Understanding Explain how the theme affects Muslim belief, worship, behaviour and response to hardship. Do not repeat the main theme again without explaining importance.
Question Focus Answer exactly the passage or question asked. If three passages are named, cover all three. Do not write unrelated information about revelation, compilation or other themes.
Support Use short references such as “no sleep”, “no partner”, “signs”, “angels praise”, “no equal”. Do not overquote long translations. Short key phrases are enough.

Ready-to-Use Answer Frame

  • Main theme sentence: This passage teaches the theme of Allah in Himself because it describes Allah’s oneness, uniqueness and absolute authority.
  • Evidence sentence: This is shown through the passage’s reference to Allah as Creator / Sustainer / Owner / Most Merciful / One with no equal.
  • Explanation sentence: This means that Allah is not like creation and that all creation depends on Him.
  • Importance sentence: This is important for Muslims because it strengthens Tawhid, protects them from shirk and helps them rely on Allah in worship and hardship.

Final Revision Checklist

Before the exam, make sure you can answer these quickly.

Must-Know Attributes

  • Oneness
  • Uniqueness
  • Self-sufficiency
  • Ownership
  • Knowledge
  • Power
  • Mercy
  • Forgiveness

Must-Use Terms

  • Tawhid
  • Shirk
  • Creator
  • Sustainer
  • All-Knowing
  • All-Seeing
  • Al-Samad
  • Merciful

Must-Apply Ideas

  • Worship Allah alone
  • Trust Allah in hardship
  • Repent and seek forgiveness
  • Reflect on creation
  • Avoid superstition and shirk
  • Be humble before Allah
  • Make du‘a and remember Allah