WAEC SSCE - Islamic Studies - 2022 (Essay)

Maelezo ya Majibu

Umar b. Khattab was a prominent figure in early Islamic history and the second Caliph after the death of Prophet Muhammad. Before he became a Caliph, Umar b. Khattab was known for his fierce opposition to Islam and the Muslims.

Born in Mecca around 584 CE, Umar b. Khattab belonged to the Banu Adi clan of the Quraysh tribe. He was known for his physical strength, sharp mind, and quick temper. Umar b. Khattab was also known for his business acumen and was successful in trade.

In his early years, Umar b. Khattab was a staunch opponent of Islam and the Muslims. He actively persecuted and harassed the Muslims in Mecca, including the Prophet Muhammad himself. However, in 615 CE, Umar b. Khattab's life took a dramatic turn when he heard that his sister and her husband had converted to Islam.

Outraged, Umar b. Khattab set out to confront them. However, upon hearing the words of the Qur'an, Umar b. Khattab was deeply moved and underwent a profound spiritual transformation. He immediately embraced Islam and became a devoted Muslim.

Umar b. Khattab's conversion to Islam was a significant turning point in the early history of Islam. He quickly became one of the Prophet Muhammad's closest companions and played a vital role in the growth and spread of Islam. He was known for his wisdom, courage, and fierce loyalty to the Prophet Muhammad.

In conclusion, Umar b. Khattab was a prominent figure in early Islamic history and the second Caliph after the death of Prophet Muhammad. Before he became a Caliph, he was known for his fierce opposition to Islam and the Muslims. However, his conversion to Islam was a significant turning point in his life, and he became a devoted Muslim and played a vital role in the growth and spread of Islam.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Salatus-Subh (the Fajr, dawn prayer) is one of the five obligatory daily prayers. It consists of two rak'ah and is performed as follows:

1. Perform ablution (Wudu) and stand facing the Qiblah (the direction of the Ka'bah in Mecca).
2. Make the intention (Niyyah) in the heart to offer the two rak'ah of Salatus-Subh.
3. Raise both hands to the level of the ears and say Allahu Akbar (Takbiratul-Ihram) to begin the prayer, then fold the hands over the chest.
4. Recite Suratul-Fatihah aloud, followed by another Surah or some verses of the Qur'an. (In Fajr the recitation is made audibly.)
5. Say Allahu Akbar and bow down (Ruku), placing the hands on the knees, and say Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem three times.
6. Rise from bowing saying Sami'a Llahu liman hamidah, then standing upright say Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.
7. Say Allahu Akbar and prostrate (Sujud), placing the forehead, nose, both palms, both knees and the toes on the ground, and say Subhana Rabbiyal A'la three times.
8. Sit up saying Allahu Akbar, pause briefly, then make the second prostration in the same way. This completes the first rak'ah.
9. Stand up saying Allahu Akbar and perform the second rak'ah exactly as the first (Fatihah, another Surah, Ruku and two Sujud).
10. After the second prostration of the second rak'ah, sit and recite the Tashahhud, followed by the salawat (blessings) on the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
11. End the prayer with the Taslim: turn the face to the right saying Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah, then to the left repeating the same, to complete the two rak'ah of Salatus-Subh.

Maelezo ya Majibu

Hadith 1 of an-Nawawi collection states, "Verily, all actions are but driven by intention and for everyone is what he intended." This Hadith highlights the significance of intentions in Islam.

In Islam, it is believed that the intention behind an action is as important as the action itself. This means that performing a good deed with a good intention is more valuable than just performing the deed without any intention or with a bad intention. The Hadith emphasizes this by stating that all actions are driven by intention, meaning that every action we do is a result of our intentions.

Additionally, the Hadith highlights that every person will be rewarded or punished according to their intentions. This means that even if the outward appearance of an action seems good, if the intention behind it is bad, then it will not be rewarded. Conversely, if the outward appearance of an action seems small, but the intention behind it is good, then it will be rewarded greatly.

Therefore, the Hadith stresses the importance of sincerity and purity of intention in all actions. It reminds Muslims to always examine their intentions and ensure that they are doing things for the right reasons, seeking the pleasure of Allah and not for personal gain or recognition.

Maelezo ya Majibu

In Islam, Destiny or Qadar refers to the belief that everything that happens in the world is predetermined by Allah. It means that Allah has knowledge of everything that will happen before it actually happens. This belief in predestination does not negate the concept of free will, as Muslims believe that Allah has given humans the ability to make choices and decisions in their lives.

Muslims believe that Allah has knowledge of all things, including the past, present, and future. This knowledge is absolute and complete, and nothing can happen without Allah's permission. However, this does not mean that Allah controls human actions or forces them to do anything against their will. Humans have free will and are responsible for their actions.

Muslims believe that Allah has written everything that will happen in the "Preserved Tablet" (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfooz), which is a record of all events that will occur in the universe until the end of time. Allah's knowledge of what will happen is not limited by time or space, and everything that happens is part of His divine plan.

Therefore, Muslims believe that they should strive to do their best in life and make good choices, but ultimately, the outcome of their efforts is in the hands of Allah. Muslims should trust in Allah's wisdom and accept the events that occur in their lives with patience and gratitude, whether they are good or bad, because everything happens for a reason and is ultimately part of Allah's plan.

Maelezo ya Majibu

(a) Here is Suratul Falaq in Arabic:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ
مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ
وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ
وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ

(b) Here is the English translation of Suratul Falaq:

"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak
From the evil of that which He created
And from the evil of darkness when it settles
And from the evil of the blowers in knots
And from the evil of an envier when he envies.”

(c) Suratul Falaq is a short chapter of the Qur'an that Muslims recite for protection and seeking refuge from the evils of the world. It teaches that there are various types of harm and evil that may befall a person, including those caused by other people's envy or ill intentions, and that seeking refuge in Allah is a means of protection from such harms. The chapter also highlights the power and majesty of Allah as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who has power over all things. Overall, the teachings of Suratul Falaq encourage believers to rely on Allah for protection and to trust in His ultimate power and mercy.

Maelezo ya Majibu

(a) The complete Hadith 5 of an-Nawawi is: "Man 'ahadatha fi 'amrina hadha ma laysa minhu fa huwa raddun." This means: "Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (i.e. Islam) that is not from it, will have it rejected."

(b) The English translation of the Hadith is: "Whoever introduces something new in this matter of ours (i.e. Islam) that is not part of it, will have it rejected."

(c) This Hadith emphasizes the importance of following the teachings of Islam and not introducing new innovations or practices that are not part of it. It teaches us to stick to the authentic teachings of the religion and not to make changes or additions based on personal opinions or preferences. The Hadith also warns against bid'ah or innovation, which is considered a deviation from the pure teachings of Islam. Therefore, the lesson from this Hadith is to follow the authentic sources of Islamic knowledge and practice, such as the Qur'an and the Sunnah (the way of the Prophet Muhammad), and to avoid introducing new practices or beliefs that are not in accordance with these sources.