Islam Beliefs & Teachings Revision

Year 11 — Unit 29: Revision — Paper 1

What You'll Learn

Understand Tawhid, Six Articles, prophethood, angels, predestination, akhirah, and key theological differences between Sunni and Shi'a Islam.

Recall: Islamic Theology & Prophethood

Time to recall what you learned last lesson
5:00

5 minutes to test knowledge of Islamic core beliefs and teachings.

What is Tawhid?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Absolute oneness/uniqueness of Allah. Core Islamic belief. No partners to God; pure monotheism.

Name the Six Articles of Faith (Sunni).

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Belief in: Allah, Angels, Holy Books, Prophets, Day of Judgment, Predestination.

What are the Five Roots (Shi'a)?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Tawhid, Adl (Divine Justice), Nubuwwah (Prophethood), Imamah (Leadership), Akhirah (Afterlife).

Name four archangels and their roles.

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Jibril (revelation), Mika'il (nourishment), Israfil (resurrection trumpet), Izra'il (death/souls).

Define Al-Qadr (Divine Predestination).

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Allah's foreknowledge of all events; decreed before creation. Balanced with human free will.

What is Akhirah?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Islamic concept of afterlife. Barzakh (intermediate state), Yawm al-Din (Day of Judgment), Paradise/Hell.

Define Risalah (Prophethood).

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Allah's messengers sent to guide humanity. Muhammad is "Seal of Prophets"—final prophet.

Name the Four Holy Books in Islam.

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Qur'an (to Muhammad), Injil (Gospel to Jesus), Tawrat (Torah to Moses), Zabur (Psalms to David).

What is Imamah (Shi'a doctrine)?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Divinely guided leadership after Muhammad. Imams are infallible interpreters of Islam. Differs from Sunni view.

What is the role of Scrolls of Ibrahim?

🔒Reveal answer

Answer: Earlier revelation to Abraham. Mentioned in Qur'an as source of Islamic teaching.

Tawhid & Core Beliefs

Tawhid: The Unity of Allah

Definition: Arabic term meaning absolute oneness/uniqueness of Allah. Central pillar of Islamic theology.

Significance: Rejects polytheism, idolatry, shirk (associating partners with Allah). Islamic monotheism is strict and uncompromising.

Practical impact: Shapes prayer direction (toward Ka'bah), rejection of images/statues, ethical monotheism.

Six Articles of Faith (Sunni)

1. Belief in Allah (one God)
2. Angels (created beings serving Allah)
3. Holy Books (divine revelation)
4. Prophets (messengers)
5. Day of Judgment (resurrection, accountability)
6. Al-Qadr (predestination)

Five Roots (Shi'a)

1. Tawhid (oneness of Allah)
2. Adl (divine justice)
3. Nubuwwah (prophethood)
4. Imamah (leadership/guidance)
5. Akhirah (resurrection and accountability)

Divine Attributes

Allah described in Qur'an with 99 names reflecting attributes:

  • Ar-Rahman/Ar-Rahim: Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
  • Al-Qawi: The Strong, Almighty
  • Al-Adl: The Just Judge
  • Al-Alim: The All-Knowing
  • As-Sami: The Hearing

Angels, Prophethood & Holy Books

Angels (Mala'ikah)

Nature: Created from light. Immortal, sinless. Execute Allah's commands without question.

Four archangels:

  • Jibril (Gabriel): Messenger angel; delivered Qur'an to Muhammad; announced births of John Baptist and Jesus.
  • Mika'il (Michael): Nourishment angel; provides sustenance and protection.
  • Israfil: Blast trumpet angel; will sound trumpet on Day of Judgment.
  • Izra'il (Azrael): Death angel; takes souls at death; called "Angel of Death."

Also important: Malik (gatekeeper of Hell), Munkar and Nakir (questioning angels in grave).

Risalah: Prophethood

Concept: Allah sends prophets (nabis) and messengers (rasuls) to guide humanity.

Key prophets: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad.

Muhammad's uniqueness: "Seal of the Prophets"—final and greatest prophet. Brought complete revelation (Qur'an). Lived 570-632 CE.

Prophetic function: Warning, guidance, mercy. Prophets are moral exemplars; their lives are pattern for believers.

The Qur'an

Recitation; Allah's final, complete revelation. 114 chapters (Surahs), 6,236 verses (Ayahs). Memorized by millions. Source and highest authority in Islam.

Earlier Holy Books

Tawrat: Torah to Moses. Zabur: Psalms to David. Injil: Gospel to Jesus. Qur'an affirms them but says corrupted over time.

Predestination (Al-Qadr) & Human Free Will

Al-Qadr doctrine: Allah foreknew all events before creation. Everything written in the Preserved Tablet (Lawh al-Mahfuz).

Human responsibility: Despite predestination, humans possess choice and will. Actions have consequences. Balance between divine knowledge and human accountability.

Theological tension: How can Allah predestine yet humans be free? Islamic scholars offer nuanced interpretations.

Akhirah & Imamah

Akhirah: The Afterlife

Barzakh (intermediate state): Period between death and resurrection. Soul questioned by angels (Munkar and Nakir). Rewards or punishments in grave.

Yawm al-Din (Day of Judgment): Resurrection and accountability. All humanity assembled. Deeds weighed. Final judgment by Allah.

Paradise (Jannah): Eternal reward. Gardens, peace, proximity to Allah. Degrees of blessing.

Hell (Jahannam): Eternal punishment. Suffering, separation from Allah. But some interpretations allow eventual pardon for believers.

Imamah: Shi'a Leadership Doctrine

What: Belief that after Muhammad, divinely guided leaders (Imams) continue. 12 Imams in Twelver Shi'ism.

Differences from Sunni: Shi'a see Imams as infallible ('isma) in religious matters. Sunni reject this; see leadership as earned through merit.

Hidden Imam: 12th Imam in occultation (hidden). Expected return as Mahdi. Shapes Shi'a eschatology.

Practical impact: Different religious authority structures; varying approaches to law interpretation.

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Assessment Check

What is Tawhid and why is it central to Islam?

Answer: Absolute oneness of Allah. Rejects polytheism and idolatry. Foundational Islamic monotheism.

Name the Four Holy Books and their recipients.

Answer: Tawrat (Moses), Zabur (David), Injil (Jesus), Qur'an (Muhammad).

What role do angels play in Islamic theology?

Answer: Created from light; serve Allah; deliver messages; judge human deeds; manage natural forces.

Explain the difference between Sunni and Shi'a beliefs on leadership.

Answer: Sunni: leadership earned through merit. Shi'a: Imams divinely guided and infallible in religion.

What is Akhirah and what does it include?

Answer: Afterlife concept. Barzakh (intermediate state), Yawm al-Din (Day of Judgment), Paradise (Jannah), Hell (Jahannam).

Islamic Beliefs Summary

Five Core Pillars of Islamic Thought

1. Tawhid: Absolute monotheism; no partners to Allah.

2. Divine Justice: Allah's actions always just; human will respected.

3. Prophethood: Allah guides through prophets; Muhammad is final.

4. Authority: Qur'an is highest; Sunnah (prophet's example) guides practice.

5. Accountability: All judged on Day of Judgment; consequences eternal.

Guidance

For exams: Know Six Articles (Sunni) vs Five Roots (Shi'a). Understand Tawhid's non-negotiable importance. Be precise with angel names and roles. Explain Risalah and Muhammad's uniqueness. Understand predestination paradox.