Beliefs and teachings (Islam)

Question 1

What are the Six Articles of Faith (in Sunni tradition)?

Answer 1

Tawhid (the oneness of Allah) - beliefs about Allah and the supremacy of His will.
Beliefs about angels of Allah
Belief about books of Allah
Beliefs about the messengers of Allah - the rasul (prophet)
Akhirah + Day of Judgement
Al’Qadr (predestination

Question 2

What is the belief in the 6 articles called?

Answer 2

Iman

Question 3

What are the five principles of the Shi’a tradition of Islam (Usul ad-din)?

Answer 3

Belief in Oneness and Unity of Allah: Al-Tawhid
Belief in Divine Justice: Al-Adl
Belief in Prophethood: Al-Nubuwah
Belief in Imams: Al-Imamate
Belief in the Day of Resurrection: Al-Ma’ad

Question 4

Which beliefs do Sunni and Shi’a traditions share?

Answer 4

In the oneness of Allah, prophethood and the Day of Judgement.

Question 5

Which traditions do they disagree over?

Answer 5

The leadership of faith (Al-Imamah) and belief in divine justice (Al-Adl)

Question 6

Quran Quotes

Answer 6

‘Righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the Scriptures and the Prophet.’ (Surah 2:177)
‘Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He did not give birth nor was he born; and there is none like Him.’ (Surah 112)

Question 7

Why do Muslims demonstrate a humble attitude?

Answer 7

Because there is nothing they can do without the kindness of Allah. No reason to be boastful; to do so would be sinful.

Question 8

Why do they have nothing to fear?

Answer 8

Because everything, even the time of their death, is set by Allah. Whatever happens is his will.

Question 9

What is the worst of all sins?

Answer 9

Shirk - placing anything above Allah is idolatry. Muslims consider followers of polytheistic religions to be committing shirk.

Question 10

What do some Sunnis believe about Shi’a Muslims?

Answer 10

They believe that Shi’a Muslims do not fully believe in Tawhid because they believe in the 12 Imams who have special characteristics and are often seen as semi-divine.

Question 11

Surah 23:91

Answer 11

“God has not taken Himself any son, nor is there any god within Him”.

Question 12

Surah 39:62,63

Answer 12

‘God is the Creator of everything. He is the guardian over everything. Unto Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth.

Question 13

What did the minority of Muslims believe about the leaders?

Answer 13

That Ali should have been the first Caliph, since he was the first male convert to Islam and was part of Muhammad’s family. Thus Shi’as do not acknowledge the 3 Caliphs before Ali.

Question 14

What is Al-Imamah?

Answer 14

The Shi’a belief in the 12 Imams (successors of Muhammad) chosen by Allah, all of whom were direct descendants of Muhammad, beginning with Ali.

Question 15

What happened to the first 11 Imams?

Answer 15

They were martyred.

Question 16

What is believed about the twelfth Imam?

Answer 16

Still living but in occultation, waiting to reappear at a time appointed by Allah.

Question 17

What is occultation?

Answer 17

The Shi’a belief that the twelfth Imam is still living but hidden, waiting to reappear at Allah’s appointed time. When he reappears he will come as a Messiah to bring justice, peace and co-existence at the end of the world.

Question 18

Key quote: Surah 21:73

Answer 18

‘And We made them leaders (Imams) who guide (people) by Our command, and We revealed to them the doing of good and the establishing of Salah, and giving of zakah (charity) and they were worshippers of Us (alone).

Question 19

Muslim beliefs about martyrdom?

Answer 19

The Qur’an 2:190 states “Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits;
for Allah loveth not transgressors”; this suggests that defending Islam against those who threaten it is a
virtuous action.

Question 20

Describe the night of power

Answer 20

-Night Muhammad receives the first verses of the Quran
Laylat al-Qad’r
-occurred during the last of the 10 nights of Ramadan
-Time many Muslims devote themselves to prayer and read Quran
-Start of Allahs final revelation significant.

Question 21

Why was Muhammad known as the “ seal of prophets “ ?

Answer 21

Provided the final revelation of Allah to his people in the form of the Qur’an

Question 22

What is Kutub ?

Answer 22

Allah provided prophets with instructions on how they should live
provides guidance and advice on how to act in the correct way

Question 23

Give examples of the word of God given to certain prophets?

Answer 23

The Tawrat ( Torah ) of Musa
The Zabur ( Psalms ) of Dawud
The Injil ( Gospel ) of Isa
Suhuf Ibrahim ( Scrolls of Abraham )

Question 24

What is Barzakh?

Answer 24

-between individuals actual death and the day of judgement
-some believe soul’s experience here affected by life the person has led
-others, soul is given a temporary body which is light or dark depending on good or bad.

Question 25

What is stewardship?

Answer 25

Stewardship means caring for something on behalf of someone else, to whom it belongs. The word ‘khalifah’ is used in Islam to refer to humans being stewards of God’s world.