Core beliefs

Question 1

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

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What is the belief in the 6 articles called?

Answer 2

Iman

Question 3

Who is believed to have revealed the articles?

Answer 3

Allah

Question 4

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

Answer 4

1. Belief in Oneness and Unity of Allah: Al-Tawhid
2. Belief in Divine Justice: Al-Adl
3. Belief in Prophethood: Al-Nubuwah
4. Belief in Imams: Al-Imamate
5. Belief in the Day of Resurrection: Al-Ma’as

Question 5

Which beliefs do Sunni and Shi’a traditions share?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Which traditions do they disagree over?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Why are the core beliefs of upmost importance to Muslims?

Answer 7

Because through them, they are able to understand all that Allah wants them to know about him and through this, are able to worship Allah by relying on his words sent through the prophets.

Question 8

What do the core beliefs give Muslims a sense of?

Answer 8

A sense of their own place before Allah and an understanding of life after death.

Question 9

Key Quotes

Answer 9

‘Righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Las 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)