Readable syllabus overview and practice questions
Cambridge International AS & A Level Islamic Studies 9488
Examinations 2027–2029. Readable text and equivalent practice questions. Practice scores are not Cambridge grades.
1 · Islamic Studies 9488
Cambridge International AS & A Level
Islamic Studies 9488
Explore the topics you will study and the skills you will develop.
Examinations 2027–2029 · Syllabus Overview
2 · How the course is organised
AS Level: Papers 1 and 2. Full A Level: all four papers. Study the prescribed Qurʾan and Hadith texts for this syllabus; use the official document for exact text references.
Use the syllabus for examinations 2027–2029. Confirm your examination year and any options with your centre.
3 · AS · Paper 1 — Islamic beliefs and practices · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
1.1 The life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
Explore the Prophet’s life and its significance for Muslim belief and practice.
1.2 A study of set texts from the Qurʾan
Interpret the prescribed passages and their relevance to Muslim life.
4 · AS · Paper 1 — Islamic beliefs and practices · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
1.3 A study of set Hadith texts
Explain teachings in the prescribed Hadith and their application.
5 · AS · Paper 1 — Islamic beliefs and practices · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
1.4 Main beliefs
Explore central beliefs and their significance for Muslims.
1.5 Purification and intention
Consider the relationship between preparation, intention and worship.
6 · AS · Paper 1 — Islamic beliefs and practices · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
1.6 Acts of devotion and commitment
Study practices through which Muslims express devotion.
7 · AS · Paper 1 — Islamic beliefs and practices
Compulsory within this study stage.
1.7 Putting faith into action
Explore how beliefs inform conduct and responsibilities.
8 · AS · Paper 2 — Islamic law (shariah) and its application · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
2.1 Worship
Consider jurisprudential approaches to worship.
2.2 Family life
Explore Islamic legal perspectives on family relationships.
9 · AS · Paper 2 — Islamic law (shariah) and its application · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
2.3 Finance and employment
Examine legal and ethical principles in economic life.
10 · AS · Paper 2 — Islamic law (shariah) and its application · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
2.4 Application of Islamic law (shariah)
Explore how Islamic law is applied in different contexts.
2.5 Sources of Islamic law (shariah)
Study sources and methods used in legal reasoning.
11 · AS · Paper 2 — Islamic law (shariah) and its application · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
2.6 The oneness of God (tawhid)
Consider interpretations of divine oneness in schools of thought.
12 · AS · Paper 2 — Islamic law (shariah) and its application · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
2.7 The role of religious leaders
Explore religious authority and leadership across traditions.
2.8 Judgement and the afterlife (ʾakhirah)
Examine understandings of accountability and the afterlife.
13 · AS · Paper 2 — Islamic law (shariah) and its application · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
2.9 Distinctive positions of Islamic schools of thought
Compare distinctive beliefs and positions respectfully.
14 · A Level · Paper 3 — Heritage of Islam · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
3.1 The Heritage of the Umayyads
Explore the Umayyads’ historical and cultural legacy.
3.2 The Heritage of the ʿAbbasids
Examine the contributions and legacy of the ʿAbbasids.
15 · A Level · Paper 3 — Heritage of Islam · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
3.3 Literature and philosophy
Explore developments in Islamic literary and philosophical traditions.
16 · A Level · Paper 3 — Heritage of Islam
Compulsory within this study stage.
3.4 Architecture and design
Consider Islamic heritage through buildings and design.
17 · A Level · Paper 4 — Islam in the modern world · 1
Compulsory within this study stage.
4.1 Women in Islam
Examine debates about women’s roles and experiences.
4.2 Islam and pluralism
Explore Muslim engagement with religious and cultural diversity.
18 · A Level · Paper 4 — Islam in the modern world · 2
Compulsory within this study stage.
4.3 Leadership of the Muslims
Evaluate questions of leadership in the modern world.
19 · Skills you will develop
Develop knowledge and understanding through prescribed sources, then analyse and evaluate interpretations. Distinguish description from supported argument and represent different traditions accurately.
20 · Keep the syllabus beside you
– Use the official syllabus for 2027–2029.
– Find each numbered topic or labelled option in the subject-content section.
– Use its detailed requirements to plan study and review progress.
[Open the official Cambridge syllabus](https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/721377-2027-2029-syllabus.pdf)
The next five questions check your understanding of this topic map. They are optional practice with feedback and retries, not Cambridge grades.
Topic check 1 · Find the right area
Which topic is about the sources used in Islamic legal reasoning?
– 3.4 Architecture and design
– 2.5 Sources of Islamic law (shariah)
– 1.5 Purification and intention
Show answer and feedback
Correct: 2.5 Sources of Islamic law (shariah)
Correct feedback: 2.5 Sources of Islamic law (shariah): Study sources and methods used in legal reasoning. Review slide 10 and 11.
If 3.4 Architecture and design is selected: 3.4 Architecture and design: Consider Islamic heritage through buildings and design. Review slide 16. The best match to this question is 2.5 Sources of Islamic law (shariah).
If 1.5 Purification and intention is selected: 1.5 Purification and intention: Consider the relationship between preparation, intention and worship. Review slide 05 and 06. The best match to this question is 2.5 Sources of Islamic law (shariah).
Topic check 2 · Understand the course structure
True or false: Heritage of Islam belongs to the additional A Level papers.
Show answer and feedback
Correct: True
Correct feedback: Correct. Paper 3 adds heritage studies after the AS content in Papers 1 and 2.
Incorrect feedback: Revisit slide 02. Paper 3 adds heritage studies after the AS content in Papers 1 and 2.
Topic check 3 · Complete the topic title
Consider Islamic heritage through buildings and design.
Complete the missing word in this topic title: 3.4 ____ and design
Show answer and feedback
Accepted answer: Architecture. Ignore case and surrounding whitespace; do not require the topic number.
Correct feedback: 3.4 Architecture and design: Consider Islamic heritage through buildings and design. Review slide 16.
Incorrect feedback: Use the description to identify the topic. The missing word is “Architecture”; the complete title is 3.4 Architecture and design. Review slide 16.
Topic check 4 · Match topics to their focus
Match each description with its topic label. Use each label once.
Draggable labels: 1.3 A study of set Hadith texts; 2.3 Finance and employment; 4.2 Islam and pluralism
– Explain teachings in the prescribed Hadith and their application. → [drop zone]
– Examine legal and ethical principles in economic life. → [drop zone]
– Explore Muslim engagement with religious and cultural diversity. → [drop zone]
Show answer and feedback
– Row 1: 1.3 A study of set Hadith texts. Review slide 03 and 04.
– Row 2: 2.3 Finance and employment. Review slide 08 and 09.
– Row 3: 4.2 Islam and pluralism. Review slide 17 and 18.
Correct feedback: Each label now matches its study focus.
Incorrect/partial feedback: Keep correct matches and revisit the topic descriptions above; use the solution to compare each pair.
Topic check 5 · Identify the study areas
Select the two topic labels that match these descriptions:
– Explore the Prophet’s life and its significance for Muslim belief and practice.
– Explore developments in Islamic literary and philosophical traditions.
Selectable text:
1.1 The life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) / 1.2 A study of set texts from the Qurʾan / 3.3 Literature and philosophy / 1.3 A study of set Hadith texts
Show answer and feedback
Correct labels: 1.1 The life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh); 3.3 Literature and philosophy.
Incorrect labels: 1.2 A study of set texts from the Qurʾan; 1.3 A study of set Hadith texts.
Correct feedback: 1.1 The life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): Explore the Prophet’s life and its significance for Muslim belief and practice. Review slide 03 and 04. 3.3 Literature and philosophy: Explore developments in Islamic literary and philosophical traditions. Review slide 14 and 15.
Incorrect/partial feedback: Match the meaning of each description, not just a familiar word. 1.2 A study of set texts from the Qurʾan: Interpret the prescribed passages and their relevance to Muslim life. Review slide 03 and 04. 1.3 A study of set Hadith texts: Explain teachings in the prescribed Hadith and their application. Review slide 03 and 04.