WJEC eduqas A level exemplar essays
(includes 2 full essays)
- ExplaIn the significance of salah for a Muslim(20)
- Jummah is the most important prayer for Muslims(30)
Explain the significance of salah for a Muslim(20)
Salah is the Second Pillar of Islam and is an arabic term for ritual prayer and purification that is
compulsary in Islam. Salah is performed by Muslims five times a day and it ‘distinguishes between a
believer and a non believer’. It enables Muslims to communicate with and listen to Allah and follow the
footsteps and guidance from the Prophets. Muslims regard prayer as an important aspect of their life as
they show their respect and gratitude to Allah. There are over 67 verses about Salah and it is
commanded in the Qur’an, however details of it are not found, but by replicating and following the actions
of Muhammad.
One reason as to why Salah is significant for a Muslim is because a believer can grow closer towards
Allah and strengthen their faith as the soul needs prayer and closeness to Allah in order to be moral and
healthy. Salah provides a Muslim with time to reflect upon their own actions and have a clear mind to
communicate with Allah, but also to ask for forgiveness. Showing devotion through prayer enables a
Muslim to supress evil and endure good and be on a straight path to Jannah through the Guidance and
protection from God. It also brings Muslims together at the Mosque at ‘a decree of specified times’(Quran)
which brings the Ummah together and praying the same set prayers at the same time shows unity with
others and equality as you can pray wherever you are.
Another reason is because salah is the most pure gesture of being a servant to Allah. A Muslim must
always fear and submit to God as whatever goals that is desired to be fulfilled, cannot happen without the
power and will of Allah to achieve this. There are rules for Salah, if not followed prayer is invalid such as
when being distracted whilst praying or not doing the required amount of rakats. Also, Wudu must be
done which is where you make the intention to pray and purify yourself, as the water is described as
‘mercy’ from Allah in the Qur’an. Each movement during salah is confined and has a meaning such as
standing to show intent and prostation by bowing down with forehead on ground. Salah shows one's
obedience and acknowledgement and absolute trust in Allah and gives Muslims physical strength.
Furthermore, intentionally missing salah is a sin against God as it shows no submission to Allah and that
other things in life are more important. Esposito argued ‘It strengthens the conscience, reaffirms total
dependence upon God, and puts worldly concerns within the perspective of death, the last judgment,and
the afterlife.Therefore, salah is significant and is performed five times a day in order to remember Allah’s
greatness, as it is easy to forget as we live in a world with many distractions. Salah reminds us to be
aware and have faith in Allah as where a Muslim goes in the afterlife is up to Him and whether you have
more good or bad deeds, which if you miss salah, it adds up to the bad deeds than the good. If you pray
at set times, then you are strained away from sins.
Jummah is the most important prayer for a Muslim(30)
This essay will comprehensively argue that Jummah is not the most important prayer for Muslims. The
term important means the most valuable and significant. Jummah means Friday noon prayers or also a
day of congregation. Friday prayers are important for several reasons such as it is commanded in the
(includes 2 full essays)
- ExplaIn the significance of salah for a Muslim(20)
- Jummah is the most important prayer for Muslims(30)
Explain the significance of salah for a Muslim(20)
Salah is the Second Pillar of Islam and is an arabic term for ritual prayer and purification that is
compulsary in Islam. Salah is performed by Muslims five times a day and it ‘distinguishes between a
believer and a non believer’. It enables Muslims to communicate with and listen to Allah and follow the
footsteps and guidance from the Prophets. Muslims regard prayer as an important aspect of their life as
they show their respect and gratitude to Allah. There are over 67 verses about Salah and it is
commanded in the Qur’an, however details of it are not found, but by replicating and following the actions
of Muhammad.
One reason as to why Salah is significant for a Muslim is because a believer can grow closer towards
Allah and strengthen their faith as the soul needs prayer and closeness to Allah in order to be moral and
healthy. Salah provides a Muslim with time to reflect upon their own actions and have a clear mind to
communicate with Allah, but also to ask for forgiveness. Showing devotion through prayer enables a
Muslim to supress evil and endure good and be on a straight path to Jannah through the Guidance and
protection from God. It also brings Muslims together at the Mosque at ‘a decree of specified times’(Quran)
which brings the Ummah together and praying the same set prayers at the same time shows unity with
others and equality as you can pray wherever you are.
Another reason is because salah is the most pure gesture of being a servant to Allah. A Muslim must
always fear and submit to God as whatever goals that is desired to be fulfilled, cannot happen without the
power and will of Allah to achieve this. There are rules for Salah, if not followed prayer is invalid such as
when being distracted whilst praying or not doing the required amount of rakats. Also, Wudu must be
done which is where you make the intention to pray and purify yourself, as the water is described as
‘mercy’ from Allah in the Qur’an. Each movement during salah is confined and has a meaning such as
standing to show intent and prostation by bowing down with forehead on ground. Salah shows one's
obedience and acknowledgement and absolute trust in Allah and gives Muslims physical strength.
Furthermore, intentionally missing salah is a sin against God as it shows no submission to Allah and that
other things in life are more important. Esposito argued ‘It strengthens the conscience, reaffirms total
dependence upon God, and puts worldly concerns within the perspective of death, the last judgment,and
the afterlife.Therefore, salah is significant and is performed five times a day in order to remember Allah’s
greatness, as it is easy to forget as we live in a world with many distractions. Salah reminds us to be
aware and have faith in Allah as where a Muslim goes in the afterlife is up to Him and whether you have
more good or bad deeds, which if you miss salah, it adds up to the bad deeds than the good. If you pray
at set times, then you are strained away from sins.
Jummah is the most important prayer for a Muslim(30)
This essay will comprehensively argue that Jummah is not the most important prayer for Muslims. The
term important means the most valuable and significant. Jummah means Friday noon prayers or also a
day of congregation. Friday prayers are important for several reasons such as it is commanded in the
