Modes of Preservation of the Qur'an

17 Grade 8 Religious Education (IRE) questions on Modes of Preservation of the Qur'an, with worked marking schemes. 17 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   A modern Kenyan Muslim keeps a recitation of the Qur'an on a mobile phone app. This best illustrates which contemporary mode of preservation?

   A. Memorisation

   B. Audio and digital recording

   C. Oral transmission only

   D. Writing on palm leaves

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   The people who memorise the entire Qur'an by heart are honoured with a special title. What are they called?

   A. Imams

   B. Qadis

   C. Muezzins

   D. Huffaz

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   A class is studying how the complete Qur'an was first gathered into a single written volume (mushaf). They learn this was carried out during the caliphate of Abu Bakr (R.A.) after many memorisers died in battle. Which battle prompted this compilation?

   A. The Battle of Badr

   B. The Battle of Uhud

   C. The Battle of Yamamah

   D. The Battle of Khandaq

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   During a madrasa session, Ustadh Yusuf explains that even before the Qur'an was written in book form, thousands of companions could recite it flawlessly from beginning to end. Which mode of preservation of the Qur'an is the Ustadh describing?

   A. Memorisation (Hifdh) in the hearts of the companions

   B. Printing the Qur'an on a modern press

   C. Recording the Qur'an on audio cassettes

   D. Translating the Qur'an into Swahili

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   6 marks

   Explain three ways through which a Grade 8 Muslim learner in Kenya today can help preserve the Qur'an.

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any 3 well-explained (2 marks each): Memorising the Qur'an (becoming a hafidh); Learning correct recitation (tajwid) so it is passed on accurately; Handling and storing the mushaf with care/respect; Using digital apps and audio recordings responsibly; Teaching younger children/attending madrasa; Reciting regularly to keep it in memory.

6. Question 6

   1 mark

   Zaid bin Thabit is closely associated with the preservation of the Qur'an. What role did he play?

   A. He translated the Qur'an into Arabic from Hebrew

   B. He was the first person to recite the Qur'an publicly

   C. He was the chief scribe who compiled the Qur'an

   D. He built the first mosque for reciters

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   4 marks

   State four materials on which the companions of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) wrote down the verses of the Qur'an before it was compiled into a single book.

   (4 marks)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   The first Caliph who ordered the collection of the scattered written portions of the Qur'an into one compilation was:

   A. Umar bin Khattab

   B. Uthman bin Affan

   C. Abu Bakr

   D. Ali bin Abi Talib

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   Caliph Uthman bin Affan is remembered for a major step in Qur'an preservation. What did he do?

   A. Banned the memorisation of the Qur'an

   B. Produced standard copies and sent them to different Muslim regions

   C. Translated the Qur'an into Persian

   D. Added new chapters to the Qur'an

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    6 marks

    During a madrasa lesson, Ustadh Amina explains to her Grade 8 learners that the Qur'an has been preserved unchanged since it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.).

    (a) State two modes through which the Qur'an has been preserved. (2 marks)

    (b) Explain four ways in which memorisation (hifdh) has helped to preserve the Qur'an up to today. (4 marks)

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Two modes of preservation (any two, 1 mark each): - Memorisation (hifdh) in the hearts of the huffadh. - Writing it down (tadwin) on materials such as parchment, bones, palm leaves, and later in book (mushaf) form. (b) Four ways memorisation has helped (1 mark each): - The Prophet (S.A.W.) and his Companions memorised it, so it was preserved even before being fully written. - It is passed from one generation to the next exactly, since huffadh recite from memory. - Memorisation guards against any alteration, addition or loss of the text because errors are quickly noticed by other huffadh. - The continuous tradition of millions of huffadh in every generation means the Qur'an cannot be lost even if written copies were destroyed. - It allows the Qur'an to be recited correctly in prayers and gatherings everywhere. (Fulfils Allah's promise in Q15:9 – "Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will be its guardian.")

11. Question 11

    1 mark

    In a history class, learners discuss how a worry arose after many Qur'an reciters were killed in a battle. To prevent the Qur'an from being lost, Caliph Abu Bakr ordered its written verses to be gathered into one collection. Which Companion was given the task of compiling it?

    A. Bilal ibn Rabah

    B. Zayd ibn Thabit

    C. Khalid ibn Walid

    D. Abu Hurayrah

    (1 mark)

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12. Question 12

    6 marks

    Hudhayfah, a Grade 8 learner, hears that the Qur'an Muslims recite today is exactly the same as what was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.).

    (a) Identify two main modes through which the Qur'an has been preserved. (2 marks)

    (b) Describe how the Qur'an was preserved through memorisation (hifz) during and after the time of the Prophet (S.A.W.). (4 marks)

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) Two modes: (i) Memorisation (hifz) in the hearts of people; (ii) Writing down (kitabah) of the text. (Also acceptable: recitation/tilawah and compilation into the Mushaf.) (2 marks) (b) During the Prophet's lifetime the verses were memorised by the Prophet (S.A.W.) himself, who was taught by Angel Jibril, and by his Companions (the huffaz) such as Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, Ubayy ibn Ka'b and Zayd ibn Thabit. The Prophet recited it in prayers and the Companions learned and recited it back. Each Ramadan Jibril revised the whole Qur'an with the Prophet (and twice in the final year). After his death the chain of memorisation continued unbroken from teacher to student generation after generation, so that millions of huffaz today preserve it word for word, guarding it against any alteration as Allah promised in Q 15:9. (4 marks)

13. Question 13

    6 marks

    The Qur'an has been preserved without change from the time of the Prophet to today. Explain three reasons why the preservation of the Qur'an is important to Muslims.

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any 3 (2 marks each): It keeps Allah's guidance authentic and unchanged for all generations; it fulfils Allah's promise to protect the Qur'an; it provides a reliable source of law and worship; it unites the ummah on one text; it distinguishes the Qur'an from earlier scriptures that were altered; it enables correct recitation in prayers.

14. Question 14

    1 mark

    Before paper was widely available, the companions wrote down revelations on various materials. Which of the following was one such material used?

    A. Clay bricks fired in kilns

    B. Printed cards

    C. Flat stones and palm leaves

    D. Plastic sheets

    (1 mark)

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15. Question 15

    1 mark

    During a madrasa lesson, Ustadh Yusuf tells his learners that even before the Qur'an was compiled into a single book, it was protected from being lost. He explains that the very first and most reliable method the Companions used to keep the revelation safe was the one practised by Hafiz students even today. Which method was this?

    A. Memorising it by heart (hifz)

    B. Carving it on stone tablets

    C. Translating it into other languages

    D. Printing it in large quantities

    (1 mark)

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16. Question 16

    5 marks

    Describe how Caliph Abu Bakr contributed to the preservation of the Qur'an after the Battle of Yamama.

    (5 marks)

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17. Question 17

    1 mark

    During the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), the Qur'an was preserved mainly through two methods. Which pair correctly names them?

    A. Memorisation (hifz) and writing on available materials

    B. Storing in a single leather-bound book and reciting in dreams

    C. Printing on paper and audio recording

    D. Translation into many languages and carving on stone tablets

    (1 mark)

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