P1-QUR-04 Major themes of the Qur'an Paper 1, Question 1 · compulsory
Sura 42.4–5 — Sovereignty of the heavens and earth; the angels' praise
The passage holds majesty and mercy together. The heavens almost split before Allah’s greatness, yet the angels praise Him and ask forgiveness for people on earth.
Compulsory Question 1 Allah in Himself Makkan
Syllabus connection
- P1.T1.b1 The major theme or themes of the Qur'an that appear in each passage
- P1.T1.b2 The importance of these themes in the lives of Muslims today
- P1.T1.b3 Study the passages in a recognised English translation, with reference to the original Arabic text
- P1.T1.b4 Demonstrate knowledge of the original Arabic as well as the translation
- A1.4 Passage 4: Sura 42.4–5 Allah in himself
Learn the material
Learning objectives
Key vocabulary
- sovereignty
- Complete ownership and authority.
- tasbih
- Declaring Allah free from imperfection and praising Him.
- istighfar
- Seeking forgiveness.
- al-‘Ali
- The Most High.
- al-Ghafur
- The Oft-Forgiving.
Before you start
Answer from memory before opening the answers.
- Which prescribed group contains this passage?
- What is the difference between a theme and a paraphrase?
- In Question 1, how are your two chosen passages marked?
- Which phrase or image in this passage best supports the theme Sovereignty?
Check your answers
- Allah in Himself.
- A theme names the teaching or idea, then shows it from the passage. A paraphrase merely retells what the passage says.
- Both passage answers are read together and receive one global mark out of 4 for part (a), and one global mark out of 4 for part (b).
- “To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and earth”.
The lesson
The prescribed passage
لَهُۥ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَلِيُّ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرۡنَ مِن فَوۡقِهِنَّۚ وَٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّهِمۡ وَيَسۡتَغۡفِرُونَ لِمَن فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
4. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth: and He is most high, most great. 5. The heavens are almost rent asunder from above them, and the angels celebrate the praises of their Lord, and pray for forgiveness for beings on earth: Behold! Verily Allah is He, the oft-forgiving, the most merciful.
Sura 42.4–5 · translation: Yusuf Ali (1934)
Place it before you analyse it
Group: Allah in Himself · Revelation: Makkan. The examination rewards themes and importance, not a long account of the sura’s background.
Working through the passage
Everything belongs to Him
Ownership of heavens and earth establishes unlimited sovereignty.
Most High, Most Great
The divine names summarise transcendence and majesty.
The heavens almost split
Creation itself is pictured as unable to bear the weight of divine greatness and human claims about Allah.
Angels praise and seek forgiveness
The angels model continuous worship and concern for people, while forgiveness remains Allah’s gift.
Theme map
| Theme | Words or image | What it teaches |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty | “To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and earth” | Nothing lies outside Allah’s ownership. |
| Transcendence and majesty | “Most High, Most Great” | Allah is above created limitation. |
| Cosmic awe | “the heavens are almost rent asunder” | Creation reflects the seriousness of divine majesty. |
| Angelic worship | angels “celebrate the praises of their Lord” | Angels respond with constant obedience and praise. |
| Forgiveness and mercy | angels pray for earth and Allah is “oft-forgiving, most merciful” | Majesty does not cancel mercy. |
Do not translate instead of identifying themes
A top answer says, for example, “The passage teaches Sovereignty, shown by “To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and earth”.” It does not simply rewrite the full English translation.
Context and chronology
Sura al-Shura is Makkan and stresses revelation, divine authority and the unity of prophetic teaching.
The cosmic image is not a scientific description; it communicates the overwhelming greatness of Allah.
Source discipline
Use context only where it is securely established and relevant. Do not add popular stories, exact dates or identities that the passage and reliable sources do not support. Context never replaces themes in Question 1.
People, places and events
- The angels are created beings who worship continuously and pray for those on earth.
- Humanity is not named individually but is the object of the angels’ concern and Allah’s forgiveness.
Where no person is named, that absence may itself help you see that the passage is focused on Allah, creation or a universal teaching.
Qur'an and Hadith evidence
Learn short evidence that can be placed inside a sentence. Accuracy matters more than length.
لَهُۥ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ
To Him belongs all in the heavens and earth.
Evidence for sovereignty.
وَيَسۡتَغۡفِرُونَ لِمَن فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ
They pray for forgiveness for those on earth.
Evidence for angelic concern and divine mercy.
You may quote in English. A precise short phrase attached to a developed point is more useful than a long quotation left unexplained.
Significance
- It prevents Muslims from separating awe of Allah from hope in His mercy.
- It teaches that angels are obedient servants, never independent divine powers.
- It gives repentance a cosmic setting: human wrongdoing is serious, but forgiveness remains open.
Significance answers why the teaching matters. It should move beyond naming a belief and show what that belief protects, changes or makes possible.
Significance in practice
Use the pattern aspect → mechanism → effect. This prevents vague sentences such as “it helps Muslims”.
| Aspect | How it works | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Allah owns all things | Possessions are treated as trusts rather than absolute private power | wealth is used responsibly. |
| Angels praise continually | Muslims imitate obedience through regular worship | discipline is strengthened beyond mood. |
| Allah is forgiving and merciful | Repentance remains meaningful after failure | despair does not become an excuse for further wrongdoing. |
Connections with other topics
| Topic | Connection |
|---|---|
| Sura 2.255 | Both teach ownership, transcendence and effortless rule. |
| Articles of Faith: angels | This passage shows angels praising and seeking forgiveness. |
| Sura 93 | Both combine divine greatness with care for vulnerable human beings. |
Use comparison to sharpen a theme, not to drift into a different essay.
Common misconceptions
Students often think The angels forgive people themselves.
In fact They ask Allah; forgiveness belongs to Him.
Students often think Mercy means actions do not matter.
In fact The dramatic image of the heavens shows moral seriousness alongside mercy.
Students often think The passage makes angels partners with Allah.
In fact They are worshippers and petitioners, not independent powers.
What the examiner wants
AO1: what you must know
- Place the passage accurately in Allah in Himself.
- Know the Arabic reference and the meaning of the full prescribed extract.
- Recall at least four distinct theme labels, not four paraphrases.
- Attach each theme to a word, phrase, image or movement within the passage.
- Use key vocabulary accurately: sovereignty, tasbih, istighfar, al-‘Ali, al-Ghafur.
- Give balanced coverage when this passage is one of your two choices.
Top-band shape
Aim for three to five labelled themes, each briefly elaborated and tied to the passage. There is no need for an introduction or a retelling of every line.
AO2: what you must understand
For part (b), choose one or two strong aspects and reason from them.
Allah owns all things
Mechanism: Possessions are treated as trusts rather than absolute private power; therefore wealth is used responsibly.
Angels praise continually
Mechanism: Muslims imitate obedience through regular worship; therefore discipline is strengthened beyond mood.
Allah is forgiving and merciful
Mechanism: Repentance remains meaningful after failure; therefore despair does not become an excuse for further wrongdoing.
A personal view is creditworthy when it is reasoned. “I think this matters most because…” must be followed by a mechanism, example or consequence.
Worked examination example
Weaker response
This passage is about allah in himself. It says several things and tells Muslims what to believe. It is important because Muslims follow it.
Why it is weak: no theme labels, no passage evidence, no development and a vague statement of importance.
Stronger response
Sovereignty: nothing lies outside Allah’s ownership, shown by “To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and earth”. Transcendence and majesty: allah is above created limitation, shown by “Most High, Most Great”. Cosmic awe: creation reflects the seriousness of divine majesty, shown by “the heavens are almost rent asunder”. Angelic worship: angels respond with constant obedience and praise, shown by angels “celebrate the praises of their Lord”.
Why it is stronger: each point names a theme, uses the passage and develops what the evidence teaches.
Practise
Guided practice
- Choose four rows from the theme map. Reduce each to a two-word label.
- Copy only the shortest evidence needed for each theme.
- Say the theme aloud, then evidence it: “The passage teaches ___, shown by ___.”
- Choose one application and rewrite it as aspect → mechanism → effect.
- Compare this passage with Sura 2.255 in two sentences: one similarity and one difference.
Before you write, answer these
- Which four themes will you use?
- What exact words or image support each one?
- Have you labelled the theme before explaining it?
The examination gives roughly a third of a page for a 4-mark answer. Aim for a short, dense paragraph — no introduction needed. Your work saves automatically in this browser.
Independent practice
- Write a 100–140 word part (a) response on this passage without looking.
- Learn both short quotations from the evidence section.
- Correct all three misconceptions in complete sentences.
- Write one paragraph comparing this passage with Sura 112.
- Write a 4-mark part (b) paragraph using one application and a specific contemporary example.
The examination gives roughly a third of a page for a 4-mark answer. Aim for a short, dense paragraph — no introduction needed. Your work saves automatically in this browser.
Check your understanding
Answer each question, then check it. Every option is explained — including the ones that are wrong — so read the feedback even when you were right.
Write a full answer
Exam-style practice question
Practise the real choice before writing. Select the two passages you can develop most evenly.
Passages set for this practice
- Sura 42.4–5 — this lesson
- Sura 2.255
- Sura 112
Exam-style practice question
Important: Question 1 is marked as a whole
Question 1 is marked as a whole. Both of your chosen passages are read together and given ONE mark out of 4 for part (a), and ONE mark out of 4 for part (b). This means balance matters: an excellent answer on one passage and a thin answer on the other is limited by the overall impression. Choose two passages you can develop equally well.
(a) Choose any two of the passages above. Briefly describe the main theme or themes in each passage. [4] AO1
(b) Briefly explain the importance of these themes in a Muslim’s life today. [4] AO2
Written by this course to match the style and demand of the examination. It is not a Cambridge question.
Plan your answer
Before you write, answer these
- Which two passages can you develop equally well?
- What three to five labelled themes will you give for each?
- What words from each passage will support the themes?
- For part (b), which aspect has the clearest mechanism and effect?
- Have you divided time and space evenly?
Out of scope here: Long sura background, unsupported revelation stories, a line-by-line translation, or a general essay on the topic.
The examination gives roughly a third of a page for a 4-mark answer. Aim for a short, dense paragraph — no introduction needed. Your work saves automatically in this browser.
Indicative answer
Show an indicative answer Write yours first — you will learn more
Part (a) — Sura 42.4–5
Sovereignty: nothing lies outside Allah’s ownership, shown by “To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and earth”. Transcendence and majesty: allah is above created limitation, shown by “Most High, Most Great”. Cosmic awe: creation reflects the seriousness of divine majesty, shown by “the heavens are almost rent asunder”. Angelic worship: angels respond with constant obedience and praise, shown by angels “celebrate the praises of their Lord”. Forgiveness and mercy: majesty does not cancel mercy, shown by angels pray for earth and Allah is “oft-forgiving, most merciful”.
Part (a) — Sura 2.255
Tawhid: Allah's absolute oneness is stated first and without qualification — there is no god but He. Eternal life: He is al-Hayy and al-Qayyum, the living and the self-subsisting: He depends on nothing, while everything depends on Him. Freedom from need: 'No slumber can seize Him nor sleep' — unlike every created thing, He needs no rest. Sovereignty: All things in the heavens and the earth belong to Him, and nothing is interceded for without His permission.
Part (b) — importance today
Allah owns all things. Possessions are treated as trusts rather than absolute private power; therefore wealth is used responsibly.
Angels praise continually. Muslims imitate obedience through regular worship; therefore discipline is strengthened beyond mood.
Other answers are equally valid
- Marks are awarded for what is correct. Nothing is deducted for errors or omissions.
- Credit is given for valid answers that go beyond the syllabus and the mark scheme.
- It is entirely possible to reach the highest level using different information or a different argument from the one shown here.
- Answers are judged against the levels of response, not against a checklist of required points.
Marking guidance reference
Important: Question 1 is marked as a whole
Question 1 is marked as a whole. Both of your chosen passages are read together and given ONE mark out of 4 for part (a), and ONE mark out of 4 for part (b). This means balance matters: an excellent answer on one passage and a thin answer on the other is limited by the overall impression. Choose two passages you can develop equally well.
| Level | Marks | What the examiner is looking for |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 |
|
| 3 | 3 |
|
| 2 | 2 |
|
| 1 | 1 |
|
| 0 | 0 |
|
What moves an answer up: The clearest difference between Level 3 and Level 4 is comprehensiveness, development, and quotation. Level 3 "may quote"; Level 4 is "likely to quote".
| Level | Marks | What the examiner is looking for |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3–4 |
|
| 1 | 1–2 |
|
| 0 | 0 |
|
What moves an answer up: The whole AO2 distinction is discussion versus description. A factually excellent but purely descriptive paragraph cannot reach Level 2.
Note that AO2 has two levels, not four. Some older textbooks and revision guides still show a four-level scale for part (b); that scale is out of date.
Self-assessment checklist reference
Judge your answer as a whole against the levels above, not by counting points. An answer can reach the top band using different material from the indicative answer.
Consolidate
Lesson summary
- Allah owns everything in heaven and earth.
- His height and greatness inspire cosmic awe.
- Angels respond with praise and prayer for humanity.
- Allah’s majesty is joined to forgiveness and mercy.
Examination takeaway: label the theme first, prove it from the passage, then stop. Save application and reasoning for part (b).
Retrieval flashcards
Further revision task reference
- Create a one-page sheet with the Arabic reference, group, five theme labels and two quotations.
- Cover the sheet and reconstruct it after 24 hours, one week and one month.
- Complete an eight-minute Question 1(a) practice pairing this passage with Sura 2.255.
- Complete a separate six-minute part (b) using one less obvious modern application.
- Record your strongest and weakest theme in the box below, then revisit the weak one.
Before you write, answer these
- Which theme can I recall most securely?
- Which theme lacks precise evidence?
- What will I retrieve again next time?
The examination gives roughly a third of a page for a 4-mark answer. Aim for a short, dense paragraph — no introduction needed. Your work saves automatically in this browser.
Your progress is saved in this browser only. Use My progress to export it if you change device.
Why this would reach the top band
The response labels themes, selects passage evidence and develops significance through clear mechanisms. A different selection of accurate themes can reach the same level.