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1. Arguments for the Existence of Allah (a) Outline three Islamic responses to suffering - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies B - Question 1 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 1
1. Arguments for the Existence of Allah (a) Outline three Islamic responses to suffering. (b) Explain two ways religious experience might lead to belief in Allah. ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:1. Arguments for the Existence of Allah (a) Outline three Islamic responses to suffering - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies B - Question 1 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Outline three Islamic responses to suffering.
Answer
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Life is a Test: In Islam, life is considered a trial, and suffering is seen as a test from Allah. This response helps believers understand that suffering is part of a larger divine plan.
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Compassion from Allah: Muslims believe that Allah is aware of their hardships and that He knows what is best for each individual. This belief instills a sense of hope during difficult times.
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Community Support: Islam encourages support among believers. Muslims are taught to help one another in times of suffering, demonstrating compassion and community solidarity.
Step 2
Explain two ways religious experience might lead to belief in Allah.
Answer
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Communication via Angels: Religious experiences, such as receiving messages from Allah through an angel, can be profound. For instance, the message delivered to Muhammad by the angel Jibril reinforces belief in Allah among those who experience such communication.
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Miracles and Their Impact: Individuals witnessing miracles may interpret these extraordinary events as direct interventions from Allah. For example, a terminally ill person recovering unexpectedly may lead witnesses to believe that only divine influence could account for such an event.
Step 3
Explain two teachings about how Allah communicates with humans.
Answer
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Through the Qur'an: Muslims believe that Allah communicates guidance through the Qur'an, which was revealed to Muhammad. Surah 34:50 highlights the importance of divine revelation, stating that believers should seek guidance from it.
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Prophethood: Allah communicates through prophets. For example, as mentioned in Surah 42:51, Allah sends messengers to guide people on the right path. These teachings emphasize Allah's intention to provide guidance and clarity.
Step 4
"Miracles prove the existence of Allah." Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
Answer
Arguments For:
- Miracles are deemed extraordinary events that suggest divine intervention. Instances of individuals recovering from terminal illness could be interpreted as proof of Allah's existence.
- Personal testimonies of miraculous occurrences often lead individuals to convert to Islam, reinforcing the belief that miracles are evidence of Allah's presence.
Arguments Against:
- Critics argue that miraculous claims can be subjective and lack empirical evidence, thus anyone could fabricate stories of miracles.
- Non-religious perspectives might cite science as explaining events labeled as miracles, suggesting that natural explanations could exist.
In conclusion, while miracles may strengthen faith for many believers, the lack of conclusive evidence means they cannot universally prove Allah's existence.