IGCSE Islamiyat 0493 Paper 2

What is Covered in Paper 2?

Paper 2 of IGCSE Islamiyat 0493 focuses on Islamic teachings, leadership, beliefs, and religious practices. This paper helps you understand how Islam guides both individual behaviour and community life.

In this paper, you will study the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the history and importance of the Hadith, the leadership of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and the core beliefs and practices of Islam. You are expected to show clear knowledge and explain the significance of what you study.

Paper 2 consists of four main topics, all of which are equally important.

1. Major Teachings in the Hadith

In this section, you will study selected Hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that focus on:

• Individual conduct
• Life in the community
  
  

You must understand:

• What each Hadith teaches
• The moral lessons in each Hadith
• How these teachings guide Muslims in their daily lives
  
  

You will often be asked to explain the meaning of a Hadith and describe how Muslims apply it in practice. Strong answers explain the teaching clearly and give examples of how it affects behaviour, relationships, and community life.

2. History and Importance of the Hadith

This section focuses on how the Hadith were collected, preserved, and used.

You will study:

• The early recording of Hadith
• The development of Hadith collections
• The major compilers of Hadith
• The methods used to check authenticity, including the chain of narrators (isnad) and the text (matn)
• The main Sunni and Shi‘a collections of Hadith

   

You must also understand:

• Why Hadith are essential for understanding the Qur’an
• How Hadith are used in Islamic law
• Their relationship with consensus (ijma) and analogy (qiyas)
  
  

In the exam, you may be asked to describe methods, explain importance, and discuss why the Hadith are reliable sources of guidance.

3. The Rightly Guided Caliphs

This section focuses on the leadership of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs:

• Abu Bakr (ra)
• Umar (ra)
• Uthman (ra)
• Ali (ra)

   

You will study:

• The main events of each Caliph’s rule
• Their policies in governing the Islamic state
• Their achievements and reforms
• The challenges and difficulties they faced
• Their leadership styles

   

You must also understand:

• Why they are known as “Rightly Guided”
• How their leadership set an example for later Muslim rulers
• Why they are important role models for Muslim communities today

   

In the exam, you may be asked to compare their leadership or explain why their rule is significant in Islamic history.

4. Articles of Faith and Pillars of Islam

This section focuses on the core beliefs and practices of Islam.

The Six Articles of Faith

You will study belief in:

• Allah
• Angels
• Holy books
• Prophets
• Predestination (Qadr)
• The Day of Judgement and the Hereafter

   

You must understand what each belief means and why it is important in a Muslim’s life.

The Five Pillars of Islam

You will study:

• Shahada – the declaration of faith
• Salat – the five daily prayers
• Zakat – giving to the poor and needy
• Sawm – fasting in the month of Ramadan
• Hajj – pilgrimage to Makkah

   

You must understand:

• How each pillar is performed
• Who must perform it
• Why it is important
• How it strengthens faith and community

   

Jihad

You will also study the concept of Jihad, including:

• Spiritual struggle
• Moral effort
• Physical struggle in defence of Islam

   

You must understand the different meanings of Jihad and explain them clearly and responsibly.

How Paper 2 Questions Are Set

In Paper 2, you will face:

• Questions based on Hadith passages
• Essay-style questions
• Questions on belief and practice
• Questions on leadership and history

   

You may be asked to:

• Explain teachings
• Describe events
• Discuss importance
• Compare ideas
• Show understanding of beliefs and practices

   

Clear explanation and relevance are essential.

How to Get High Marks in Paper 2

To score well in Paper 2, you should:

• Learn key Hadith and their meanings accurately
• Understand why the Hadith are important
• Know the main events and achievements of each Caliph
• Understand the Articles of Faith and Pillars of Islam clearly
• Use correct Islamic terms
• Write in clear, well-structured paragraphs
• Focus on the question and avoid unnecessary detail

   

High-scoring answers are always:

• Accurate
• Relevant
• Well-explained
• Focused on significance

   

How This Section is Organised

This Paper 2 section is divided into four main topic pages:

• Major Teachings in the Hadith
• History and Importance of the Hadith
• The Rightly Guided Caliphs
• Articles of Faith and Pillars of Islam

Each topic page contains:

• Clear explanations
• Exam-focused guidance
• Key points
• Quick revision summaries
• Common mistakes to avoid

   

Follow the topics in order for best understanding.

Start with Your First Topic

Begin with Major Teachings in the Hadith and move through each topic step by step. Do not skip sections, as each part builds your understanding of Islam and prepares you for higher-level exam answers.

Use the topic boxes above to navigate to each section and begin your preparation.

Consistent study and careful revision will improve your confidence and performance in the examination.