Beliefs And Teachings Flashcards
What does the word ‘Islam’ mean in Arabic?
Surrender, obedience, or submission
Islam also means peace, as it is through obeying God’s will that a person achieves peace.
What is Tawhid?
The belief that there is only one God
This makes Islam a monotheistic religion.
What is the Arabic word for God?
Allah
‘Allah’ means the one and only God.
Which Surah of the Quran expresses the belief in the Oneness of God?
Surah 112
It states: ‘He is God the One, God the eternal. He begot no one nor was He begotten. No one is comparable to Him.’
What is the Shahadah?
The declaration of faith in Islam
It states: ‘There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.’
What is the most important duty of a Muslim?
To declare faith in the one God
True or False: Muslims believe that God has a son.
False
Muslims believe God is an undivided entity.
What is considered the only unforgivable sin in Islam?
Attributing God-like qualities to any other being or thing
Why are there no images or pictures of God in mosques?
God is unique and cannot be compared to anything
This belief leads to the absence of images or pictures of God.
What does the supremacy of God’s will imply for Muslims?
Nothing takes place unless God allows it to happen
What phrase do Muslims often add after a promise to indicate trust in God’s will?
Inshallah
Fill in the blank: A Muslim believes they must show their belief in God through the way they _______.
live their lives
What does the term ‘Muslim’ mean?
One who has submitted to the will of God
How do Muslims view misfortunes in life? Include a quote:
They believe ‘misfortunes can only happen with God’s permission’ Qur’an 64:11
What is a key belief regarding God’s plans according to Muslims?
God’s plans are mysterious and cannot be fully known by humans
What are Muslims encouraged to prioritize above all else?
God
This includes not making anything more important than God, such as family, money, or jobs.
Explain the difference in belief about free will among Muslims.
Some believe God controls everything, while others believe God allows freedom to choose.
What do Sunni Muslims believe regarding authority after Muhammad’s death?
Only the Qur’an and the Sunnah have the authority to guide beliefs and behavior
Sunni Muslims elected Abu Bakr as their leader (Caliph) to enforce God’s laws.
Who was elected as the first Caliph in Sunni Islam?
Abu Bakr
What does the term ‘Sunni’ mean?
Followers of the Sunnah
What was Ali’s claim to leadership in Shi’a Islam?
He was named by Muhammad as his successor and was a descendant of Muhammad
Ali was married to Muhammad’s daughter, Fatima.
What is the title for the true leader in Shi’a Islam?
Imam
What distinguishes Shi’a Muslims’ acceptance of sayings of Muhammad?
They only accept those passed down through Ali or his followers.
List the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam.
- There is only one God
- Angels communicate the message of God to humans
- The Quran is the most important writing
- The prophets of God
- The Day of Judgement
- The supremacy of God’s will
What does the term ‘Quran’ mean?
Recitation
What is the meaning of ‘Usul ad-Din’ in Shi’a Islam?
The principles (or roots) of religion
List the five roots of ‘Usul ad-Din’ in Shi’a Islam.
- Tawhid (Oneness of God)
- Prophethood
- Justice of God
- Imamate
- Resurrection
What does Tawhid refer to in Islamic belief?
The Oneness of God
True or False: Sunni and Shi’a Islam share many beliefs, including the belief in God and the prophethood of Muhammad.
True
What is the significance of the Day of Judgement in Sunni Islam?
Humanity will be judged by God
Fill in the blank: Shi’a Muslims believe that after death they will be _______.
resurrected
What is the concept of Imamate in Shi’a Islam?
Acceptance of the Twelve Imams as leaders of Islam
What do both Sunni and Shi’a Muslims have in common?
Belief in God, prophethood of Muhammad, and the guidance of the Quran
What does ‘Allahu Akbar’ mean?
‘God is the greatest.’
How do Muslims believe God has revealed himself?
Through Muhammad and the holy books.
How many names of God are there in the Qur’an and Hadith?
99 names.
What is the purpose of the names of God for Muslims?
To understand something of God’s nature and feel His presence.
What are the two main qualities of God in Islam?
Immanent and transcendent.
Define ‘immanent’ in the context of God.
The idea that God is present in and involved with life on earth and in the universe.
Define ‘transcendent’ in the context of God.
The idea that God is beyond and outside life on earth and the universe.
What does ‘omnipotent’ mean?
Almighty, having unlimited power.
What does ‘beneficent’ refer to regarding God?
The source of all goodness.
What does ‘merciful’ mean in the context of God?
The quality of God that shows compassion or forgiveness to humans.
What is the concept of ‘justice’ (Adalat) in Shi’a Islam?
The idea that God is just and treats people fairly.
What is the significance of God’s mercy in daily prayers?
Muslims begin prayers by acknowledging God’s mercy in al-fatihah
True or False: Muslims believe God judges humans fairly.
True.
What does God being ‘all-knowing’ imply?
God is aware of everything, including human actions and thoughts.
Fill in the blank: God is the ______ of all things.
Creator.
What is the ultimate responsibility of humans according to Islamic belief?
Humans have full responsibility for their own actions.
What does the verse ‘He is with you wherever you are’ imply about God’s nature?
It emphasizes God’s immanence.
What is the relationship between God’s beneficence and mercy?
God’s beneficence is linked to His mercy and compassion.
What is a quote about the belief of omnipotence in Islam?
There is no god but him, the creator of all things, so worship him, he is in charge of everything
Qur’an 6:102-103
What are angels in Islamic belief?
Angels are supernatural beings created by God who bring the word of God to the prophets. For Sunni Muslims, belief in angels is one of the six articles of faith.
What do angels do according to Islamic teachings?
Angels receive God’s words and pass them on to prophets, ceaselessly praise and worship God, and are involved in the lives of humans from conception to death.
True or False: Angels have free will and can displease God.
False
Fill in the blank: Angels are involved in human lives from soon after conception until the moment of _______.
death
What is the role of angels in recording human deeds?
Some angels are responsible for recording everything each person thinks, says, or does in a book of deeds.
What will happen to the book of deeds on the Day of Judgment?
The book will be presented as evidence before God.
What does the angel Israfil do?
Israfil will blow a trumpet to announce the Day of Judgment.
Who is the angel of death in Islamic belief?
Azrael and his helpers take people’s souls to God.
What is Jibril’s role in Islam?
Jibril (Gabriel) is an archangel who relayed the Quran to Muhammad from God.
What significant event occurred when Muhammad was 40 years old?
Jibril returned to Muhammad in a blaze of light while he was meditating at Mount Hira.
Fill in the blank: Mika’il is known as the angel of _______.
mercy
What responsibilities does Mika’il have?
Mika’il rewards righteous people and is responsible for sending rain, thunder, and lightning to earth.
True or False: Jibril and Mika’lls enemies are considered enemies of God
True
How do Muslims believe Jibril and Mika’il nourish humanity?
Jibril brings spiritual nourishment through the Quran, and Mika’il brings physical nourishment through natural phenomena.
What is the significance of angels in the lives of Muslims?
Angels play crucial roles in guiding, recording deeds, and facilitating communication between God and humanity.
What does the Quran say about the record of deeds?
The record will be laid open, and everyone will see their deeds, leading the guilty to despair.
What did Jibril do to Muhammad as a child?
Jibril, along with Mika’il, purified Muhammad’s heart.
What is the Arabic name for Michael?
Mika’il
What is the Day of Judgment?
A time when the world will end and every soul will be judged by God.
Who did God guide Muhammad through during his life?
God communicated with Muhammad through Jibril.
Where in the Qur’an does it mention angels?
Each person had angels before him and behind, watching over him by gods command
Qur’an 13:11
What is predestination in Islam?
The idea that God knows or determines everything that will happen in the universe.
This concept varies among Sunni and Shia Muslims.
What do some Sunni Muslims believe about God’s will?
God has already determined everything that will happen, and His will is supreme.
This belief emphasizes God’s omniscience over human freedom.
According to Sunni belief, what is the relationship between God’s decree and human actions?
All actions of creatures must align with God’s will, as ‘only what God has decreed will happen.’ Qur’an 9:51
Believers are encouraged to trust in God.
How do many Shia Muslims view the concept of predestination?
They believe that while God knows everything that will happen, He does not decide it, allowing for human free will.
This perspective emphasizes individual choice.
Fill in the blank: A mother knowing her child’s potential choices illustrates the concept of _______.
free will
What analogy is used to explain God’s omniscience in relation to human choice?
Observing people 100 years in the future does not negate their free will.
This analogy illustrates that knowing future choices does not imply control over them.
True or False: God is bound by time according to Islamic belief.
False
God is the creator of time and exists outside of its constraints.
What does the Quran state about changes in people’s conditions?
God does not change the condition of a people for the worse unless they change what is in themselves.
This highlights the importance of personal responsibility.
What do Muslims believe will happen on the Day of Judgement?
God will judge humans based on their actions throughout their lives.
This reflects the belief in personal responsibility for one’s choices.
How are rewards and punishments determined in Islamic belief?
They are based on the choices individuals make using their free will.
This reinforces the accountability of each person for their actions.
State a quote which involves the rewarding of good deeds
Those who believe, do good deeds, keep up the prayer, and pay the prescribed alms will have their reward with their Lord.
Qur’an 2:227
What should one not confuse the Islamic view of predestination with?
The idea that people have already been chosen to go to heaven or hell regardless of their actions.
This distinction is crucial for understanding accountability in Islamic theology.
What do religions generally believe about life after death?
There will be a time of perfect peace and happiness that can be reached by living a good life on earth.
What is the Islamic term for the new stage of life after death?
Akhirah
What is ‘barzakh’ in Islamic belief?
‘Barzakh’ means ‘a barrier’ where the deceased wait after death until the Day of Judgement.
What happens to a person in the grave according to Islamic belief?
Two angels are sent to question them about their faith.
What is the significance of answering correctly to the angels in the grave?
If they answer correctly, they will see the rewards to come; if they deny God, they will see punishments.
True or False: Some Muslims believe that punishments in the grave start immediately after death.
True
What event signals the beginning of the Day of Judgement in Islam?
The angel Israfil blows a trumpet.
What happens to everyone on the Day of Judgement?
Everyone who has ever lived will be raised from the dead (resurrection) and judged by God.
What is given to individuals during the Day of Judgement?
The book of their life.
What do believers receive if given the book of deeds in their right hand?
They will go to heaven.
What is the consequence of receiving the book of deeds in the left hand?
They will go to hell.
Describe heaven in Islamic belief.
Heaven is described as gardens of happiness, a reward for faith and good deeds.
What is hell described as in the Quran?
A place of fire and great torment, punishment for those who reject God and do evil.
True or False: All Muslims interpret the descriptions of heaven and hell in the same way.
False
What is one of the six articles of faith for Sunni Muslims?
Belief in life after death.
How does belief in life after death impact human behavior?
It encourages human responsibility and accountability for actions.
What does belief in life after death satisfy in humans?
A deep human need for justice.
Fill in the blank: The Day of Judgement is when everyone will be faced with their _______.
good and bad deeds
What do good people who have suffered in life look forward to according to Islamic belief?
Something better in the afterlife.
What is the Sirat Bridge in Islamic eschatology?
A narrow bridge that spans the fires of hell, which souls must cross.
What is the Quranic description of the rewards in heaven?
‘Couches of well-woven cloth, pure drinks, fruits, and beautiful maidens.’
Qur’an 56:15-24
What happens to disbelievers in hell according to the Quran?
They will ‘endure garments of fire, scalding water, and be restrained by iron crooks.’
Qur’an 22:19-22
What is prophethood?
A gift given by God to help humankind understand His message.
What is Risalah?
The belief in the prophets and their importance as a channel of communication between God and humans.
Why are prophets important for Muslims?
They provided a method of communication between God and human beings.
How many prophets do many Muslims believe have been sent?
Around 124,000 prophets.
How many prophets are named in the Quran?
25 prophets.
What distinguishes messengers or apostles from other prophets?
They are sent by God to deliver His message.
Name three important prophets in Islam.
- Adam
- Ibrahim (Abraham)
- Musa (Moses)
- Isa (Jesus)
- Muhammad
What is the significance of Adam in Islam?
He is regarded as the first man on Earth and the first prophet of Islam.
What material was Adam created from?
Dust of the ground.
What role did Adam play in relation to human knowledge?
He was given understanding and passed on knowledge to his descendants.
‘He taught Adam the names of things… You are the All knowing and wise’
Qur’an 2:31-32
What was the one rule Adam and Hawwa (Eve) had to obey in the Garden?
Do not approach the tree.
Who is Iblis?
A spiritual being created from fire who refused to bow to Adam.
What was the consequence of Iblis’s defiance?
He was thrown out of paradise after he refused to bow down to Adam out of respect and admiration for his knowledge
What did God create to prevent Adam from being lonely?
Hawwa (Eve).
What was the result of Adam and Hawwa eating from the tree?
They were thrown out of the Garden of Bliss.
Fill in the blank: Prophethood is when God makes someone a _______.
[prophet]
True or False: Every community is sent a messenger.
True.
What food-related revelations did God provide to Adam?
The food that Muslims are allowed to eat.
What lesson did Adam learn regarding wrongdoing?
How to repent for wrongdoing.
Name two children of Adam.
- Cain
- Abel
Who is Ibrahim in Islam?
Ibrahim is the Arabic name of the prophet Abraham, a key figure in Islam.
What did Muslims believe about Ibrahim’s relationship with God?
Muslims believe Ibrahim fulfilled all tests and commands from God and was promised to be the father of all nations.
What is the significance of Ibrahim in the context of idol worship?
Ibrahim denounced idol worship and sought to discover the true creator of the universe.
What role does Ibrahim play in the festival of Id-ul-Adha?
Id-ul-Adha celebrates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son for God.
What is the Kaaba?
The Kaaba is the black, cube-shaped building in the center of the Grand Mosque in Makkah (Mecca); it is the holiest place in Islam.
What is Hajj?
Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Makkah that every Muslim should try to make at least once in their life.
What miracle occurred when Ibrahim was thrown into the fire?
The fire only burned his chains, and he walked out completely unscathed.
What is the significance of the water of Zamzam in Ibrahim’s story?
The water of Zamzam was given to Hagar during her search for water for her son Ishmael.
What did Ibrahim do to stop idol worship?
Ibrahim destroyed all the idols in the temple except for the largest one and left the axe around its neck.
Fill in the blank: Ibrahim is remembered during the Hajj pilgrimage as a way to return to the perfection of _______.
Ibrahim’s faith.
True or False: Ibrahim is revered by Muslims as a man of faith who promoted the worship of multiple gods.
False.
What did Ibrahim’s actions lead to in terms of religious teachings?
Ibrahim’s actions led to the message that there is only one God.
How is Ibrahim viewed in relation to the other Abrahamic faiths?
Ibrahim is a significant figure in Judaism and Christianity as well as Islam.
What event does Id-ul-Adha commemorate?
It commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.
What does the story of Ibrahim and the four birds signify?
It teaches Muslims about faith and trust in God’s commands.
What was Ibrahim’s close relative Aazar known for?
Aazar was a sculptor who carved statues and idols.
What title is ibrahim given in relation to God?
‘God took Abraham as a friend’ Qur’an 4:125
Who is considered the last prophet in Islam?
Muhammad
Muhammad is known as the seal of the prophets.
What significant event occurred in 610 CE in Muhammad’s life?
The angel Jibril (Gabriel) appeared to Muhammad with a message from God.
What is the Quran?
Muslims’ most important holy book that contains the revelations received by Muhammad.
What does the term ‘Caliph’ refer to?
A person considered to be a political and religious successor to the prophet Muhammad.
What is the role of an Imam in Islam?
- A person who leads communal prayer; 2. In Shia Islam, the title given to Ali.
What is the Imamate in Shia Islam?
The divine appointment of the Imams as leaders and interpreters of Islamic law.
What happened in 622 CE that was significant for Muhammad?
Muhammad migrated from Makkah to Madinah, marking the start of the Islamic calendar.
What was the outcome of Muhammad’s march on Makkah?
He conquered the city, destroyed the 360 idols at the Kaaba, and introduced Muslim law in 629
Who was the first Caliph elected by the Sunni Muslims?
Abu Bakr.
Who do Shia Muslims believe was appointed by Muhammad as his successor?
Ali
What is the significance of the Imams in Shia belief?
They maintain and interpret the Quran and Sharia law without fault.
Fill in the blank: The last Imam in Shia Islam is _______.
Muhammad al-Mahdi.
True or False: Shia Muslims believe that there have been twelve Imams in total.
True.
What belief do Shia Muslims hold about Muhammad al-Mahdi?
He has been kept alive by God and will return with Jesus to bring justice and equality.
What is the significance of the Imamate in Shia Islam?
It provides divine guidance for how to live correctly.
What are Hadith and Sira texts?
Sources of Muhammad’s teachings and practices used in Islamic law.
What is the main message of Muhammad’s preaching?
That God is One and that complete surrender to God is essential.
Why is Muhammad often referred to as the ‘Messenger of God’?
Because he delivered the final revelation of Islam from God.
How de we know that Mohammed was the seal of prophets?
In the Qur’an 33:40 it states ‘Muhammad is not the father of any one of you men, he is gods messenger and the seal of the prophets’
What is the Qur’an considered to be in Islam?
The word of God revealed to Muhammad via the angel Jibril over 22 years.
It is the most sacred text of Islam.
How is the Qur’an viewed in terms of authority?
It is regarded as an infallible source of authority for all matters of doctrine, practice, and law.
What is the significance of the name ‘Qur’an’?
‘The Recital’, as Muhammad recited each revelation by heart.
How many surahs (chapters) are in the Qur’an?
114 surahs.
What is the first surah of the Qur’an?
‘Al-Fatihah’, which means ‘The Opener’.
What is the content arrangement of the Qur’an?
Approximately in order of length, with the longest surahs first. Apart from al fatihah, which is a prayer to god for guidance
What is the title given to those who can recite the whole Qur’an from memory?
‘Hafiz’.
What other holy books do Muslims believe have been revealed by God?
- Torah (revealed to Moses)
- Psalms (revealed to David)
- Gospel (revealed to Jesus)
- Scrolls of Abraham (lost texts)
What is the Torah in Islam?
The five books revealed to Moses, mentioned 18 times in the Qur’an.
How many times are the Psalms mentioned in the Qur’an?
Three occasions.
What does the Gospel refer to in Islam?
A book divinely revealed to Jesus (Isa), believed to be lost.
Fill in the blank: The word _______ occurs 12 times in the Qur’an.
Injil.
This refers to the gospel
What are the Scrolls of Abraham believed to be?
One of the earliest scriptures of Islam, which have been lost.
True or False: The original texts of the Torah and Psalms are believed to have remained unchanged.
False. They have been corrupted and distorted and therefore do not have the same authority as the Qur’an
What is the main purpose of the Qur’an according to Muslims?
To provide guidance for those who are mindful of God.
How did Muhammad’s followers preserve the Qur’an after his death?
They memorized it and scribes wrote it down.
Who commissioned the official copy of the Qur’an after Muhammad’s death?
Abu Bakr.
This meant that everyone could follow the same set of laws
What was the role of Uthman in the compilation of the Qur’an?
He commissioned a team of Muslim scholars to compile one official written version.
