Core Beliefs

Question 1

What are the core beliefs of Sunni Muslims?

Answer 1

1. Tawhid (oneness of Allah), Muslim beliefs about Allah and the supremacy of his will
2. Beliefs about angels of Allah
3. Beliefs about books of Allah
4. Beliefs about messengers of Allah - the prophets (rasuul)
   (2,3,4 all prophethood, Risalah)
5. Akhirah (afterlife, life as a test) and Day of Judgement
6. Al-Qadr’ (predestination)

Question 2

What is belief in the six articles called?

Answer 2

Iman

Question 3

What is the name for the core beliefs of Sunni Muslims?

Answer 3

The Six Articles of Faith

Question 4

What is the name for the core beliefs of Shi’a Muslims?

Answer 4

The Five Roots of Usul ad-Din (Principles of Faith)

Question 5

What are the core beliefs of Shi’a Muslims?

Answer 5

1. Belief in Oneness and Unity of God (Al-Tawhid)
2. Belief in Divine Justice (Al-Adl)
3. Belief in Prophethood (Al-Nubuwwah)
4. Belief in Imams (Al-Imamah)
5. Belief in the Day of Resurrection (Al-Ma’ad)

Question 6

What are the similarities and differences between Sunni and Shi’a core beliefs?

Answer 6

Similarities:
- Belief in the oneness of Allah
- Prophethood
- Day of Judgement

Differences:
- Leadership of the Faith (Al-Imamah)
- Belief in Divine Justice (Al-Adl)

Question 7

Why are these core beliefs important to Muslims?

Answer 7

1. Can understand all that Allah wants them to know about him, so can worship
2. Sense of own place before Allah, and an idea of life after death

Question 8

What divergence is there surrounding Muslim belief in Leadership of the Faith?

Answer 8

• Disagreements about who should have succeeded Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community
• Sunni Muslims declared Abu Bakr as the first Caliph (successor to Muhammad), fourth caliph was Ali
• ## Shi’a Muslims regard Ali as Muhammad’s true successor,

Question 9

Why is there divergence surrounding leadership of the Muslim community?

Answer 9

Sunni Muslims:
- Believe Abu-Bakr was asked by Muhammad to lead prayers near time of his death
- Muhammad married Abu Bakr’s daughter
- Popular with the people
- Interpreted “master” from Hadith of Ghadir Khumm as friend/protector

Shi’a Muslims:
- Believe Ali was the second person to believe in Muhammad’s prophethood
- Related by blood and Muhammad identified him as rightful successor
- interpreted “master” as political leader from Hadith of Ghadir Khumm “For whomever I am the master, this Ali is his master” (sermon after final Hajj, raised Ali’s hand)

Question 10

What divergence is there about Muslim belief in Imams?

Answer 10

Sunni Muslims:
- Imam leads prayers in the mosque / respected Islamic scholar
- Provide religious leadership and guidance

Shi’a Muslims:
- Imams are the successors of Muhammad (to preserve religion)
- Al-Imamah is belief in 12 Imams chosen by Allah, as direct descendants of Muhammad
- First 11 are martyred, 12th is in occultation and will return after Second Coming of Jesus to Makkah at the Kaaba as a Messianic figure to bring justice, peace and coexistence on Day of Judgement
- They are infallible, to keep religion true and pure, divinely inspired
- Holds ultimate religious authority

Question 11

What and why is there divergence in belief of Divine Justice (Al-Adl) for Muslims?

Answer 11

Sunni:
- No objective right or wrong
- Everything Allah does is right because He does it
- Believe in pre-destination (Allah determines all human action)

Shi’a:
- Objective framework of right or wrong
- Allah is perfect, acts in the morally right
- Humans can use reason to determine right or wrong, and use free will to act in the right way
- Allah will judge people according to moral framework because no such thing as pre-destination
- Wrong for Allah to send humans to hell for actions He determined himself