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Give three forms of religious experience - OCR - GCSE Religious Studies - Question 2 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 2
Give three forms of religious experience. Outline Muslim beliefs about Allah as good. Explain how reading scripture might help Muslims believe in Allah. You shoul... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Give three forms of religious experience - OCR - GCSE Religious Studies - Question 2 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Give three forms of religious experience.
Answer
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Mystical Experiences: These experiences often involve a profound connection with the divine, characterized by feelings of unity and transcendence beyond the ordinary world.
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Revelatory Experiences: These occur when individuals receive messages or insights believed to be from Allah, guiding their beliefs and actions in life.
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Historical Experiences: Events such as the lives of prophets, miracles, and significant occurrences in religious history that influence belief and faith.
Step 2
Outline Muslim beliefs about Allah as good.
Answer
Muslims believe that Allah possesses 99 names, reflecting His attributes, with essential qualities being mercy and goodness. Allah is viewed as the epitome of both moral and ethical perfection.
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Compassionate and Merciful: Allah's mercy permeates every aspect of existence, encouraging Muslims to seek forgiveness and show kindness to others.
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Creator of Goodness: Allah created everything with purpose and goodness, providing humans with guidance through the Qur'an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
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Justice and Fairness: Allah is considered just, rewarding good deeds and punishing wrongdoing, reinforcing the moral obligation to act rightly.
Step 3
Explain how reading scripture might help Muslims believe in Allah.
Answer
Reading the Qur'an and Hadith helps Muslims strengthen their faith in Allah in several ways:
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Divine Guidance: The Qur'an is regarded as the literal word of Allah, providing moral and ethical direction for adherents, fostering a sense of proximity to the divine.
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Reinforcement of Beliefs: Scripture serves to remind believers of Allah's qualities and actions, thus embedding their faith deeper into daily life and worship practices.
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Source of Wisdom: Muslim scholars and leaders often reference scripture for interpretation, making religion accessible and applicable to various life situations, enhancing Muslims' trust in Allah's wisdom.
Step 4
'Humans have the right to use the world and its resources in any way they want.' Discuss this statement.
Answer
The statement can be approached from various perspectives:
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Islamic Perspective on Stewardship: Islam teaches that humans are stewards (Khalifah) of the Earth; hence they must use resources responsibly to ensure sustainability and balance in creation.
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Ethical Responsibility: The consumption of resources is not viewed purely from an ownership perspective but rather through the lens of communal welfare. Islam emphasizes equitable distribution and care for environmental health.
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Diverse Opinions: There are contrasting interpretations about resource use, where some argue for unrestricted personal freedom, while others advocate for ethical considerations grounded in Islamic teachings on respect for all of Allah's creations.