Key term
OCR GCSE Religious Studies J625
Christianity: Beliefs and TeachingsGroup 1
Topic overviewChristian terms for the nature of GodWhy God's nature matters to ChristiansThe Christian Trinity and different attitudes to itChristian beliefs about creation in Genesis and JohnEvil, suffering and a loving GodJesus as Messiah, Son of God, Lord and SaviourThe incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection and ascensionSalvation, atonement, law, sin and graceChristian eschatology: the Second Coming, judgement, heaven and hell
Christianity: PracticesGroup 1
Topic overviewChristian worship and the structure of servicesChristian sacraments: baptism and the EucharistChristian prayer and the Lord's PrayerChristian pilgrimage and festivals: Lourdes, Jerusalem, Walsingham, Rome, Christmas and EasterChristian rites of passage and support for familiesChristian mission, evangelism and new forms of churchThe worldwide Church, ecumenism and Christian aid agencies
Islam: Beliefs and TeachingsGroup 1
Topic overviewThe six articles of faith in Sunni IslamThe five roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi'a IslamThe 99 names of AllahTawhid, shirk and Allah's attributes in actionRisalah and the prophets from Adam to DawudIsa, Muhammad and the twelve Shi'a ImamsThe Kutub: Muslim holy books and the Qur'anMalaikah: the angels in IslamAl-Qadr: predestination and human freedom in IslamAkhirah: barzakh, judgement, Jannah and Jahannam
Islam: PracticesGroup 1
Topic overviewThe Five Pillars of Sunni IslamThe Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi'a IslamSalah and wudu: how and why Muslims prayShahadah, Jummah prayer and the khutbaDu'a: private prayer in IslamHajj: origins, obligation and ihramThe rituals of Hajj and their meaningZakah: meaning, origins and nisabKhums, sadaqah and the distribution of almsSawm: fasting in RamadanEid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-FitrEid-ul-Ghadeer and Ashura in Shi'a IslamGreater and lesser jihad
Judaism: Beliefs and TeachingsGroup 1
Topic overviewG-d as One, Creator, Law-Giver, Judge and EternalG-d's characteristics and the problem of suffering in JudaismShekinah, the divine presence of G-dThe Covenant at Sinai and the role of MosesThe Messiah and the Messianic AgeThe Promised Land and the Covenant with AbrahamMitzvot, free will and Divine ProvidenceEthical and ritual MitzvotThe sanctity of life and Pikuach NefeshJewish beliefs about the soul and life after death
Judaism: PracticesGroup 1
Topic overviewThe synagogue: design, features and the TempleSynagogue services and worship in the Jewish homeJewish public prayer and the AmidahJewish private prayer, the Shema and blessings at homeThe Tenakh, the Talmud and Jewish lawShabbat in the Jewish home and synagogueRosh Hashanah and Yom KippurPesach and the SederShavuot, Sukkot, Hanukkah and the Jewish calendarKashrut: the Jewish dietary lawsJewish birth ceremonies and Brit MilahBar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah and Bat ChayilKiddushin and the Jewish weddingJewish burial and mourning rites
Buddhism: Beliefs and TeachingsGroup 1
Topic overviewThe life of the Buddha and his EnlightenmentThe Dhamma and dependent originationThe Three Marks of ExistenceThe First Noble Truth: dukkhaThe Second Noble Truth: tanha and the three poisonsThe Third Noble Truth: nibbana and EnlightenmentThe Fourth Noble Truth: the Eightfold Path and Threefold WayThe five khandhas, sunyata and buddha-natureArhats, bodhisattvas, Buddhas and the Pure LandBuddhist ethical teachings: kamma, compassion and the preceptsSkilful action and the Middle Way in modern life
Buddhism: PracticesGroup 1
Topic overviewBuddhist worship: puja, chanting, mantras and offeringsBuddhist meditation: samatha, vipassana, zazen and visualisationBuddhist temples, shrines, pilgrimage sites and retreatsThe Buddhist Sangha: monastic and layBuddhist festivals: Wesak, Vassa, Uposatha and moreBuddhist death rites and mourning
Hinduism: Beliefs and TeachingsGroup 1
Topic overviewAtman, the eternal selfSamsara, maya, detachment and mokshaHindu teaching on karmaLokas, devas and asurasPrakriti, the gunas and the cycle of creationSaguna Brahman, the Trimurti and the TrideviAvatars of Vishnu and the murtiBrahman as impersonal, indwelling and personalDharma and the four aims of lifeHindu virtues, free will and suffering
Hinduism: PracticesGroup 1
Topic overviewThe four margas: jnana, bhakti, karma and raja yogaVarnashrama dharma, svadharma, sewa and danaHindu worship: havan, puja, japa, bhajan and darshanHindu temples, shrines, holy people and sacred natureHindu pilgrimage to Varanasi, the Ganges and other sitesHoli, Navaratri and DiwaliMaha Shivaratri, Ganesh Chaturthi and Raksha BandhanHindu ethical concerns: animals, environment and society
Christianity: Relationships and FamiliesGroup 2
Topic overviewThe purpose of Christian marriage and family lifeChristian attitudes to same-sex marriage and civil partnershipChristian attitudes to sex before marriage, cohabitation and celibacyChristian attitudes to contraceptionChristian ethics of divorce, annulment and remarriageThe roles of men and women in Christian families and communitiesChristian understandings of equality and gender discrimination
Christianity: The Existence of GodGroup 2
Topic overviewChristian understandings of God's relationship with the world and humanityGod's goodness and human sufferingThe design argument and the anthropic principleThe first cause argument and Christian beliefThe moral argument, soul-making and judgementHow Christians believe God is revealedChristian religious experience: conversion, mystical, charismatic and sacramental
Christianity: Religion, Peace and ConflictGroup 2
Topic overviewChristian teachings about violence and conflictChristian attitudes to terrorismThe Just War theory, Holy War and conduct in warChristian attitudes to conventional, technological and nuclear warfareChristian pacifism: absolute and conditionalChristian peacemaking and non-violent actionChristian teachings on forgiveness and reconciliationChristian views on justice, injustice and social justice
Christianity: Dialogue Between Religious and Non-Religious BeliefsGroup 2
Topic overviewChristianity in British public lifeSecularisation and the rise of humanism in BritainReligious and secular values in educationChristian teachings and secular law on marriage and equalityChristian teachings and science in medical ethicsChristian attitudes to other religions: exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralismEcumenism, inter-faith dialogue and proselytisationChristianity and atheism, agnosticism, humanism and secularism
Islam: Relationships and FamiliesGroup 2
Topic overviewThe Muslim family: roles and purposesMuslim marriage: purposes, contract and practiceMuslim views on sexuality, same-sex marriage and civil partnershipSex before marriage, cohabitation, celibacy and contraception in IslamMuslim teachings on divorce, annulment and remarriageRoles of Muslim men and women in family and communityGender equality and discrimination in Islam
Islam: The Existence of AllahGroup 2
Topic overviewMuslim views on what Allah is likeAllah's goodness and the problem of evil in IslamMuslim responses to sufferingMuslim arguments from design and first causeKhalifah, purpose and moral testing in the Muslim view of the worldRevelation and miracles as Muslim evidence for AllahMuslim religious experience: fitrah, Sufism and worship
Islam: Religion, Peace and ConflictGroup 2
Topic overviewMuslim teachings on violence and conflictMuslim responses to terrorismHoly War, the Just War theory and Muslim conduct in warMuslim attitudes to conventional, technological and nuclear warfarePacifism, non-violence and Muslim peacemakingForgiveness and reconciliation in IslamJustice and social justice in Islam
Islam: Dialogue Between Religious and Non-Religious BeliefsGroup 2
Topic overviewMuslim perspectives on Christianity in British public lifeSecularisation, humanism and Muslim faith schoolsMuslim marriage customs and UK secular lawEuthanasia, abortion and genetic science in Muslim ethicsMuslim exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralismUnity within the ummah, national identity and da'wahIslam in dialogue with atheism, agnosticism, humanism and secularism
Judaism: Relationships and FamiliesGroup 2
Topic overviewThe purpose of family and marriage in JudaismJewish views on same-sex relationships and civil partnershipJewish views on sex, cohabitation, celibacy and contraceptionJewish divorce, annulment and remarriageRoles of men and women in Jewish families and communitiesJewish teaching on gender equality and discrimination
Judaism: The Existence of G-DGroup 2
Topic overviewJewish beliefs about G-d's nature and relationship with the worldJewish responses to evil and human sufferingJewish views on the design and first cause argumentsMorality, covenant and the value of arguments for G-d in JudaismHow Jews believe G-d is revealedJewish religious experience and perception of the divine
Judaism: Religion, Peace and ConflictGroup 2
Topic overviewJewish teachings on violence and its justificationJewish attitudes to terrorismMilchemet Mitzvah, Milchemet Reshut and conduct in warJewish attitudes to conventional, technological and nuclear warfareJewish views on pacifism and working for peaceJewish teaching on forgiveness and reconciliationJewish views on justice and social justice
Judaism: Dialogue Between Religious and Non-Religious BeliefsGroup 2
Topic overviewJewish perspectives on Christianity's place in British public lifeJudaism in a secular BritainJewish schools, marriage and equality law in BritainJewish medical ethics and scientific developmentJewish views of other faiths: exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralismIntra-faith and inter-faith dialogue in British JudaismJudaism and non-religious worldviews
Buddhism: Relationships and FamiliesGroup 2
Topic overviewBuddhist views on the family and the Sigalovada SuttaBuddhist attitudes to marriage and its cultural formsBuddhist ethics of sex, the Third Precept and same-sex relationshipsBuddhist views on cohabitation, celibacy, contraception and divorceBuddhist views on the roles of men and womenBuddhist teaching on equality, caste and gender discrimination
Buddhism: The Existence of Ultimate RealityGroup 2
Topic overviewBuddhist understandings of Ultimate Reality without a creator GodBuddhist views on goodness, evil and sufferingBuddhist responses to design, first cause and the unanswered questionsThe world as samsara: kamma, cycles and human rebirthHow Buddhists believe Ultimate Reality is revealedBuddhist religious experience: refuge, jhanas, kensho and visions
Buddhism: Religion, Peace and ConflictGroup 2
Topic overviewBuddhist teachings on violence and non-harmBuddhists in violent conflict and attitudes to terrorismBuddhist views on justified war, holy war and modern warfareBuddhist pacifism and non-violent actionBuddhist peacemakers and engaged BuddhismBuddhist teachings on forgiveness and reconciliationBuddhist views on justice, injustice and social justice
Buddhism: Dialogue Between Religious and Non-Religious BeliefsGroup 2
Topic overviewBuddhists in British society and public lifeBuddhist responses to secularisation and secular educationBuddhist responses to clashes with secular law on marriage and equalityBuddhist responses to medical ethics and the value of lifeBuddhist views on other religions and inter-faith dialogueBuddhist dialogue with atheism, agnosticism, Humanism and secularism
Hinduism: Relationships and FamiliesGroup 2
Topic overviewThe Hindu family and the purposes of marriageThe significance of a Hindu weddingHindu views on sexuality, same-sex marriage and civil partnershipHindu views on sex before marriage, cohabitation, celibacy and contraceptionHindu views on divorce, annulment and remarriageRoles of Hindu men and women in family, community and upbringingHindu teaching on gender equality and discrimination
Hinduism: The Existence of Ultimate Reality and DeityGroup 2
Topic overviewBrahman, the gods and the Hindu question of deityHindu responses to evil and sufferingHindu arguments about cause and creationThe purpose of the world in Hindu thought: cycles, samsara and karmaHow Ultimate Reality is revealed to HindusHindu religious experience: conversion, mysticism, visions and murti puja
Hinduism: Religion, Peace and ConflictGroup 2
Topic overviewHindu teachings on violence and the Kshatriya's dutyHindus, terrorism and religious politicsDharma yuddha, holy war and Hindu conduct in warHindu attitudes to conventional, technological and nuclear warfareHindu pacifism, satyagraha and peacemakingHindu teaching on forgiveness and reconciliationHindu views on justice and social justice
Hinduism: Dialogue Between Religious and Non-Religious BeliefsGroup 2
Topic overviewHindus and the Christian heritage of British public lifeHindus in a secular Britain: secularisation, humanism and schoolsHindu marriage, equality and British lawHindu responses to euthanasia, abortion and genetic scienceHindu views of other faiths and inter-faith dialogueHindu conversion, proselytising and national identityHinduism in dialogue with atheism, agnosticism, humanism and secularism
Islam: Practices
- 13 subtopics
- 39 things to know
- Component Group 1
- Component Group 1, beliefs and teachings and practices of one of the two religions studied, chosen as any pair from five
What Islam: Practices covers
Islam: Practices is examined in Component Group 1, the Islam beliefs and teachings & practices paper (J625/02), if Islam is one of the two religions studied. It covers the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam, the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi'a Islam, salah and wudu: how and why Muslims pray, Shahadah, Jummah prayer and the khutba, du'a: private prayer in Islam, Hajj: origins, obligation and ihram, the rituals of Hajj and their meaning, Zakah: meaning, origins and nisab, khums, sadaqah and the distribution of alms, Sawm: fasting in Ramadan, Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Ghadeer and Ashura in Shi'a Islam and greater and lesser jihad.
Where it is assessed
Component Group 1
Beliefs and teachings & practices of one of the two religions studied, a one-hour paper worth 25% of the GCSE.
Check the OCR specification ↗The 13 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- The Five Pillars of Sunni IslamIslam as submission, Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj, the hadith behind the list, the house-and-pillars analogy, how the pillars span a lifetime, and Sunni and Shi'a differences.Open →
- The Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi'a IslamShi'a Salat and Zakah, Khums, jihad as an obligation, Amr-bil-Maroof and Nahi Anil Munkar, Tawalla and Tabarra, and why commanding good and forbidding evil concerns the whole community.Open →
- Salah and wudu: how and why Muslims praySurah 4:103, the five daily prayers, the steps of wudu and Shi'a differences, niyyah and the qibla, the movements of a raka'ah, Salah and Tawhid, and where Muslims may pray.Open →
- Shahadah, Jummah prayer and the khutbaThe words of the Shahadah at birth, conversion and death, what many Shi'a add, why congregational prayer matters, who must attend on Friday, Shi'a views of it today, Surah 62:10, and the sermon's purpose.Open →
- Du'a: private prayer in IslamSurah 2:186, how du'a differs from salah, what Muslims ask for and how, dhikr, how Allah answers, Sunni and Shi'a practice, and why Muslims make du'a for other people.Open →
- Hajj: origins, obligation and ihramWho is excused, Hajj and Umrah compared, the link to Ibrahim and Surah 22:26–38, Muhammad's restoration of the pilgrimage, what is worn and forbidden in ihram, and Shi'a pilgrimages beyond Makkah.Open →
- The rituals of Hajj and their meaningTawaf and sa'i, the Zamzam well, Mina, the standing at Arafat and what it anticipates, Muzdalifah, stoning the jamarat, the sacrifice and Surah 22:37, cutting the hair, and life after Hajj.Open →
- Zakah: meaning, origins and nisabThe origins of Zakah, the threshold for paying, the usual rate and how it is calculated, how it should be given, the Muslim attitude to wealth, benefits to giver and society, and Surah 2:215.Open →
- Khums, sadaqah and the distribution of almsWhere Khums comes from and the two readings of Surah 8:41, who receives each half, sadaqah compared with Zakah, the recipients in Surah 9:60, discreet giving, and Zakat al-Fitr.Open →
- Sawm: fasting in RamadanThe Night of Power and how it is kept, suhur and iftar, duties of the fast, benefits for the individual and the ummah, exemptions, making up missed days, and why British fasts run long.Open →
- Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-FitrThe origin of Eid-ul-Adha and Surah 37:102–103, sharing Qurbani meat, Surah 2:196, the meaning and start of Eid-ul-Fitr, and how Eid is kept in Britain and in Muslim countries.Open →
- Eid-ul-Ghadeer and Ashura in Shi'a IslamGhadir Khumm and the Sunni reading of it, how Eid-ul-Ghadeer is celebrated, the verse linked with it, Karbala, Ashura commemorations in Britain, Sunni observance of the day, and disputes over mourning.Open →
- Greater and lesser jihadWhy greater jihad comes first, the conditions for and conduct of lesser jihad, Surahs 2:190 and 8:61, ma'ruf and munkar, Shi'a views on offensive war, and objections to translating jihad as holy war.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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How is the Shahadah used at birth and in becoming a Muslim?
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Why do Muslims pray together, and what is Jummah?
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Why is Islam described as a way of life lived in submission to Allah?
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What are the Ten Obligatory Acts?
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What is du'a?
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Why is Hajj obligatory?
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What is tawaf?
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What does Zakah mean?
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What does the word khums mean, and where does the duty come from?
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What are the origins of fasting in Islam?
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What is Eid-ul-Adha?
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What does Eid-ul-Ghadeer celebrate?
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What does jihad mean?
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What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
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Which acts make up the Ten Obligatory Acts?
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What does Surah 4:103 teach about prayer?
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What does Surah 2:186 teach about du'a?
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Why is pilgrimage important to Muslims?
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What is sa'i?
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What are the origins of Zakah?
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How do Sunni and Shi'a Muslims read Surah 8:41 differently?
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Why is Ramadan a special month for Muslims?
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What is the origin of Eid-ul-Adha?
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What happened at Ghadir Khumm?
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What is greater jihad?
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Which hadith is the source of the Five Pillars as a list?
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Why are the Ten Obligatory Acts important to Shi'a Muslims?
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What are the five daily prayers?
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What are the words of the Shahadah?
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How is du'a different from salah?
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Who is excused from Hajj?
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What is the Zamzam well?
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What is the nisab?
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Who receives the two halves of Khums?
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What is the Night of Power?
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What does Surah 37:102–103 describe?
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How do Sunni Muslims understand the events at Ghadir Khumm?
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What is lesser jihad?
Take Islam: Practices further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Zakah vs Khums
Zakah: the 2.5% yearly alms on savings above a minimum threshold. Khums: a one-fifth payment on surplus yearly gains made by Shi'a Muslims.
Du'a vs Salah
Du'a: free personal supplication in one's own words at any time. Salah: fixed ritual prayer with set movements at five daily times.
Greater jihad vs Lesser jihad
Greater jihad: the inner struggle to live by the straight path. Lesser jihad: the outward struggle to remove evil from society.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Why is Islam described as a way of life lived in submission to Allah?
Model answer
The word Islam means submission, and a Muslim is one who submits to Allah. Worship, work, family and conduct are all meant to follow Allah's will.
- 2
What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
Model answer
The Five Pillars are Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj. Sunni Muslims see them as the essential duties of every Muslim.
- 3
Which hadith is the source of the Five Pillars as a list?
Model answer
A hadith recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim says Islam is built on five. Muhammad listed the Shahadah, prayer, Zakah, Hajj and fasting in Ramadan.
- 4
What is the Shahadah as a pillar?
Model answer
The Shahadah is the declaration that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger. The Shahadah must be sincerely meant, not just recited.
- 5
What is Salah as a pillar?
Model answer
Salah is the ritual prayer performed in the proper way five times each day. Salah follows set words and movements while facing Makkah.
- 6
What is Zakah as a pillar?
Model answer
Zakah is the compulsory alms tax paid to benefit the poor and needy. Zakah is paid once a year on wealth above a set minimum.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Islam: Practices revision questions
- What does Islam: Practices cover in OCR GCSE Religious Studies?
- 13 subtopics: the five pillars of sunni islam, the ten obligatory acts of shi'a islam, salah and wudu: how and why muslims pray, shahadah, jummah prayer and the khutba, du'a: private prayer in islam, hajj: origins, obligation and ihram, the rituals of hajj and their meaning, zakah: meaning, origins and nisab, khums, sadaqah and the distribution of alms, sawm: fasting in ramadan, eid-ul-adha and eid-ul-fitr, eid-ul-ghadeer and ashura in shi'a islam and greater and lesser jihad. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Islam: Practices organised?
- By the OCR J625 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Islam: Practices, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
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