Review and consolidate understanding of Islamic foundational beliefs before moving to Unit 24.
Click each card to reveal answers. Use this to identify areas needing revision before the exam questions.
Answer: Tawhid (God), angels, holy books, prophets, Day of Judgement, predestination.
Answer: Tawhid, Adalat (justice), Nubuwwah (prophethood), Imamah (leadership), Mi'ad (Day of Return).
Answer: Belief in the absolute oneness and uniqueness of God.
Answer: Associating partners with God; the gravest sin in Islam.
Answer: Jibril (revelation), Mika'il (sustenance), Israfil (end-times trumpet), Azra'il (death).
Answer: Divine attributes revealing different facets of God's nature (e.g., Al-Rahman = Most Merciful).
Answer: Divine predestination; the belief that God knows and has predetermined all events.
Answer: God's knowledge exists outside time; God knows choices but doesn't cause them. Humans are free and accountable.
Answer: Sunni: community leadership (Caliphate); Shi'a: divinely guided Imams (Imamah).
Answer: They record every action and present records on the Day of Judgement, encouraging ethical behaviour.
Multiple Choice (worth 1 point each)
Q1: Which of the following is NOT one of the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam?
Answer: B (Imamah is a Shi'a emphasis)
Q2: Surah 112 emphasises which Islamic concept?
Answer: B
Q3: Which archangel brought revelation to the Prophet Muhammad?
Answer: A
Q4: What does Shirk mean in Islamic theology?
Answer: B
Q5: Which school emphasises divine justice (Adalat) as foundational?
Answer: B
Short Answer (4 points each)
Q6: Explain the main difference between Sunni and Shi'a belief about leadership.
Model answer: Sunni Muslims believe in community-chosen Caliphs; Shi'a believe in divinely guided Imams who have special authority and knowledge. This reflects different views on how God guides the Muslim community after the Prophet.
Q7: What is Tawakkul, and how does it relate to Al-Qadr?
Model answer: Tawakkul is trust in God. It relates to Al-Qadr because Muslims accept God's predestination while actively striving--they work hard and make good choices, then trust God with the outcome. This balances effort with acceptance of divine will.
Q8: How do recording angels (Kiraman Katibin) influence Muslim moral behaviour?
Model answer: Knowing that angels record every action encourages Muslims to act ethically, knowing their deeds are witnessed and will be presented on the Day of Judgement. This promotes accountability and righteous conduct.
Use these prompts to practise writing longer, structured essays. Work from your notes and the lesson content. Time yourself: allow 15-20 minutes per essay.
Essay 1: The Foundations of Islamic Belief (8 marks)
"The six articles of faith form the foundation of Islamic belief." Explain and evaluate this statement.
Essay 2: Unity and Justice in Islamic Theology (12 marks)
"In Islam, God's mercy is shown through justice, and God's justice is shown through mercy." Discuss.
Essay 3: Faith and Effort in Islam (12 marks)
"If God has predestined all things, Muslims should not strive to achieve goals or improve themselves." Evaluate.
Choose one essay to write. Allow 20 minutes. Structure: Introduction + 2-3 developed points + counter-argument + Conclusion. Aim for 400-500 words.
Essay A: "The differences between Sunni and Shi'a beliefs are more important than the similarities."
Plan your response:
Essay B: "Tawhid is the most important belief in Islam."
Plan your response:
Essay C: "Belief in angels is not important for Muslims today."
Plan your response:
Key Knowledge: Sunni Islam teaches six foundational beliefs (Tawhid, angels, holy books, prophets, Day of Judgement, predestination). Shi'a Islam emphasises five roots (Tawhid, Adalat, Nubuwwah, Imamah, Mi'ad), with major differences in theology of leadership and justice.
GCSE Focus: Compare Sunni-Shi'a beliefs, explain why they matter, and evaluate their importance.
Key Knowledge: Tawhid is the foundation of Islam--belief in the absolute oneness of God. Shirk (associating partners with God) is the gravest sin. The Shahada and Surah 112 encapsulate this belief.
GCSE Focus: Explain why Tawhid is central, contrast with Shirk, and evaluate its importance to Islamic ethics.
Key Knowledge: God possesses key attributes (Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim, Al-Adl, Al-Qadir) embodied in the 99 Names of Allah. Islamic theology reconciles God's mercy and justice, addressing the problem of suffering and theodicy.
GCSE Focus: Identify divine attributes, use Qur'anic evidence, and evaluate how God's nature is known.
Key Knowledge: Angels are created beings of light who serve God. The four archangels (Jibril, Mika'il, Israfil, Azra'il) have specific roles. Recording angels monitor human behaviour. Satan (Iblis) represents rebellion against God.
GCSE Focus: Name angels and their functions, explain their significance to Muslim belief, and evaluate their importance today.
Key Knowledge: Al-Qadr teaches that God knows and has predetermined all events. Yet humans remain morally responsible for their choices. Islamic theology holds this paradox, with Sunni and Shi'a emphasising different aspects (Sunni: trust God's wisdom; Shi'a: emphasise Adalat/justice requires free will).
GCSE Focus: Explain the predestination-free will paradox, use Qur'anic evidence, and evaluate effects on Muslim life and ethics.