In the Islamic Religious Education Paper 1 – KCSE 2013, various aspects of Islamic religious education are explored, providing valuable insights into the challenges faced in translating the Quran, the historical background of Surah Al-Fil, the preservation of the Quran, the moral teachings of Surah An-Nur, the perfection of the Quran as a revelation, and the significance of Surah Al-Fatiha.
The essay begins by discussing the challenges of translating the Quran into other languages. It highlights factors such as the lack of competency in both languages, translation skills, and vocabulary, which hinder the accurate translation of Arabic words and phrases. Additionally, limitations in capturing the full meaning of the Arabic text and the subjectivity of translators are also identified as challenges in the translation process.
Next, the essay delves into the background of the revelation of Surah Al-Fil. It narrates the story of Abraha, the governor of Yemen, who built a house similar to the Kaaba and attempted to divert the Arab pilgrims from Mecca. This act of provocation led to the invasion of the Kaaba by Abraha’s army, which was ultimately destroyed by Allah with the help of birds carrying stones of baked clay.
The preservation of the Quran during the time of the Khalifas is another important topic covered in the paper. It explains how the living companions of the Prophet Muhammad memorized the Quran, serving as living copies. Written portions of the Quran were also collected and compiled into one manuscript. Muslim scholars were sent to various parts of the Islamic state to teach the Quran, and the Quran was harmonized using the Quraish dialect to ensure consistency in recitation.
Moving on, the essay explores the moral teachings of Surah An-Nur. It emphasizes the virtue of chastity for both men and women, highlights the punishment for sex offenses, discourages adultery, and encourages believers to boycott adulterers. It also addresses false allegations and the importance of evidence in cases of adultery. The Surah lays down principles for relations between Muslims, including the importance of faith, privacy, and avoiding false rumors.
The perfection of the Quran as a revelation is discussed next. The essay outlines reasons why the Quran is considered perfect, including its comprehensive legislation, unique language and style, lack of contradictions, absence of human manipulation, and the uniformity of its copies. The Quran is also said to contain balanced teachings, prophecies that have come true, and precise meaning and wording.
Lastly, the essay highlights the importance of Surah Al-Fatiha. It explains that this chapter is the opening of the Quran, must be recited in each portion of Salah (prayer), and summarizes the fundamental objectives of Islam. Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha earns rewards from Allah and contains the seven most recited verses of the Quran.
In conclusion, the Islamic Religious Education Paper 1 – KCSE 2013 provides a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of Islamic religious education. It examines the challenges of translating the Quran, the background to the revelation of Surah Al-Fil, the preservation of the Quran, the moral teachings of Surah An-Nur, the perfection of the Quran, and the importance of Surah Al-Fatiha. This paper serves as a valuable resource for students and scholars interested in Islamic religious education.
