P1-QUR-13 Major themes of the Qur'an Paper 1, Question 1 · compulsory
Sura 5.110 — The favours of Allah upon ‘Isa son of Maryam
The verse honours Jesus and Mary while repeatedly locating every miracle within Allah’s power. Jesus is taught, strengthened, protected and permitted to perform signs: a mighty messenger, but never an independent divine source.
Compulsory Question 1 Allah's Messengers Madinan
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
- A1.13 Passage 13: Sura 5.110 Allah's Messengers
Learn the material
Learning objectives
Key vocabulary
- ‘Isa ibn Maryam
- Jesus son of Mary.
- Ruh al-Qudus
- The Holy Spirit; commonly understood here as Jibril.
- Injil
- The Gospel revealed to Jesus.
- bi-idhni
- By My permission.
- bayyinat
- Clear signs or proofs.
- mu‘jiza
- A miracle granted by Allah to confirm a prophet.
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 Allah’s favour and support?
Check your answers
- Allah's Messengers.
- 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).
- “remember My favour to you and your mother”.
The lesson
The prescribed passage
إِذۡ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَٰعِيسَى ٱبۡنَ مَرۡيَمَ ٱذۡكُرۡ نِعۡمَتِي عَلَيۡكَ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَتِكَ إِذۡ أَيَّدتُّكَ بِرُوحِ ٱلۡقُدُسِ تُكَلِّمُ ٱلنَّاسَ فِي ٱلۡمَهۡدِ وَكَهۡلٗاۖ وَإِذۡ عَلَّمۡتُكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةَ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلَۖ وَإِذۡ تَخۡلُقُ مِنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيۡـَٔةِ ٱلطَّيۡرِ بِإِذۡنِي فَتَنفُخُ فِيهَا فَتَكُونُ طَيۡرَۢا بِإِذۡنِيۖ وَتُبۡرِئُ ٱلۡأَكۡمَهَ وَٱلۡأَبۡرَصَ بِإِذۡنِيۖ وَإِذۡ تُخۡرِجُ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ بِإِذۡنِيۖ وَإِذۡ كَفَفۡتُ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ عَنكَ إِذۡ جِئۡتَهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ فَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ إِنۡ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحۡرٞ مُّبِينٞ
Then will Allah say: ‘Jesus son of Mary! Recount my favour to you and to your mother. Behold! I strengthened you with the holy spirit, so that you spoke to the people in childhood and in maturity. Behold! I taught you the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel. And behold! You make out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by my leave, and you breathe into it and it becomes a bird by my leave, and you heal those born blind, and the lepers, by my leave. And behold! You bring forth the dead by my leave. And behold! I restrained the Children of Israel from you when you showed them the clear signs, and the unbelievers among them said: “This is nothing but evident magic.”’
Sura 5.110 · translation: Yusuf Ali (1934)
Place it before you analyse it
Group: Allah's Messengers · Revelation: Madinan. The examination rewards themes and importance, not a long account of the sura’s background.
Working through the passage
Favour to Jesus and Mary
The opening honours both and places Jesus’s life within Allah’s care.
Strengthened by the Holy Spirit
Prophetic support comes from Allah; Jesus’s speech in infancy and adulthood is a sign.
Taught scripture and wisdom
Jesus belongs to the continuous history of revelation, linked with Torah and Gospel.
Miracles by permission
The phrase “by My permission” repeats to prevent the signs from being mistaken for independent divinity.
Protection and rejection
Clear signs do not force belief; some opponents call them magic, while Allah protects His messenger.
Theme map
| Theme | Words or image | What it teaches |
|---|---|---|
| Allah’s favour and support | “remember My favour to you and your mother” | Prophetic mission rests on divine care. |
| Revelation and teaching | Allah teaches Book, Wisdom, Torah and Gospel | Jesus is a recipient and teacher of revelation. |
| Miracles as signs | speech, healing, bird and raising the dead | Extraordinary acts confirm the messenger. |
| Divine permission | “by My permission” is repeated | Miracles remain acts of Allah’s power, not independent power of Jesus. |
| Prophetic humanity | “Jesus son of Mary” | The messenger is honoured through his human identity and relationship. |
| Opposition to messengers | some call the clear signs magic | Evidence can be rejected through prejudice. |
Do not translate instead of identifying themes
A top answer says, for example, “The passage teaches Allah’s favour and support, shown by “remember My favour to you and your mother”.” It does not simply rewrite the full English translation.
Context and chronology
Sura al-Ma’ida is Madinan and includes discussion of earlier revelation and Christian claims about Jesus.
The verse speaks in the setting of the Last Day, when Allah recalls His favours and clarifies the true source of Jesus’s signs.
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
- Jesus (‘Isa) is a major prophet and Messiah in Islam.
- Maryam is honoured as his mother and recipient of Allah’s favour.
- Ruh al-Qudus supports Jesus; commonly understood as the angel Jibril.
- The Children of Israel are the historical audience, among whom some accept and some reject.
- Allah is the giver of every favour, revelation, miracle and protection.
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.
بِإِذۡنِي
By My permission.
Repeated evidence that miracles do not make Jesus divine.
وَإِذۡ عَلَّمۡتُكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ
I taught you the Book and Wisdom.
Evidence for Jesus as taught messenger.
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 enables Muslims to honour Jesus deeply without worshipping him.
- It teaches continuity among prophets and revealed books.
- It provides a general principle for miracles: signs confirm a prophet but belong to Allah’s permission and power.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Miracles occur by Allah’s permission | Religious admiration does not become worship of a human being | tawhid is protected while prophets are honoured. |
| Jesus is taught scripture and wisdom | Muslims respect earlier revelation in its original form | interfaith discussion can begin from shared prophetic history. |
| Clear signs can be rejected | A believer examines evidence rather than dismissing it through labels | intellectual fairness becomes a moral duty. |
Connections with other topics
| Topic | Connection |
|---|---|
| Article of Faith: prophets | Jesus is a messenger supported by signs. |
| Article of Faith: books | Torah and Gospel appear within a chain of revelation. |
| Sura 112 | Its denial of divine offspring clarifies how Jesus is honoured without being God’s son. |
| Life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ | Both prophets face opponents who label revelation or signs as magic. |
Use comparison to sharpen a theme, not to drift into a different essay.
Common misconceptions
Students often think Islam rejects Jesus or his miracles.
In fact The passage explicitly honours him and lists multiple miracles.
Students often think The miracles prove Jesus had independent divine power.
In fact The repeated phrase “by My permission” states the opposite.
Students often think Respectful disagreement requires minimising Jesus.
In fact Islamic tawhid and profound respect for Jesus are held together.
What the examiner wants
AO1: what you must know
- Place the passage accurately in Allah's Messengers.
- 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: ‘Isa ibn Maryam, Ruh al-Qudus, Injil, bi-idhni, bayyinat, mu‘jiza.
- 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.
Miracles occur by Allah’s permission
Mechanism: Religious admiration does not become worship of a human being; therefore tawhid is protected while prophets are honoured.
Jesus is taught scripture and wisdom
Mechanism: Muslims respect earlier revelation in its original form; therefore interfaith discussion can begin from shared prophetic history.
Clear signs can be rejected
Mechanism: A believer examines evidence rather than dismissing it through labels; therefore intellectual fairness becomes a moral duty.
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's messengers. 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
Allah’s favour and support: prophetic mission rests on divine care, shown by “remember My favour to you and your mother”. Revelation and teaching: jesus is a recipient and teacher of revelation, shown by Allah teaches Book, Wisdom, Torah and Gospel. Miracles as signs: extraordinary acts confirm the messenger, shown by speech, healing, bird and raising the dead. Divine permission: miracles remain acts of Allah’s power, not independent power of Jesus, shown by “by My permission” is repeated.
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 6.75–79 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 5.110 — this lesson
- Sura 6.75–79
- 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 5.110
Allah’s favour and support: prophetic mission rests on divine care, shown by “remember My favour to you and your mother”. Revelation and teaching: jesus is a recipient and teacher of revelation, shown by Allah teaches Book, Wisdom, Torah and Gospel. Miracles as signs: extraordinary acts confirm the messenger, shown by speech, healing, bird and raising the dead. Divine permission: miracles remain acts of Allah’s power, not independent power of Jesus, shown by “by My permission” is repeated. Prophetic humanity: the messenger is honoured through his human identity and relationship, shown by “Jesus son of Mary”.
Part (a) — Sura 6.75–79
Guidance to certainty: Reasoned reflection operates within divine guidance. Created change and dependence: What changes and disappears cannot be the eternal Lord. Rejection of celestial worship: Ibrahim rejects the objects his people treated as divine. Allah as Originator: The Creator is distinguished from every heavenly sign.
Part (b) — importance today
Miracles occur by Allah’s permission. Religious admiration does not become worship of a human being; therefore tawhid is protected while prophets are honoured.
Jesus is taught scripture and wisdom. Muslims respect earlier revelation in its original form; therefore interfaith discussion can begin from shared prophetic history.
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
- Jesus and Mary receive Allah’s favour.
- Jesus is strengthened and taught revelation and wisdom.
- His miracles are real signs performed by Allah’s permission.
- He remains a human messenger, Jesus son of Mary.
- Some reject clear signs, but Allah protects and vindicates His messenger.
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 6.75–79.
- 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.