Islam 1 Notes

Question 1

Sunni Six Beliefs

Answer 1

1) Tawhid: Belief in Allah as the one and only God.
2) Risalah & Nubuwwah (the communication between Allah and humans): – Prophethood/Belief in
the Prophets (see later notes) Belief in certain prophets who God chose to relay His message to
humans is a required article of Sunni Islamic faith.
3) Malaikah: Belief in angels (see later notes)
4) Belief in the holy books: Kutub (see later notes)
5) Akhirah: Belief in Life after Death (And Judgement Day) (see later notes)
6) Al-Qadr: Belief in Predestination (see later notes)

Question 2

importance of six Beliefs - what do they do to muslims?

Answer 2

 They are found in the Kitab al-iman (book of faith) “That you affirm your faith in Allah, His
angels, His books, His meeting, His messengers and that you affirm faith in the
resurrection hereafter.” (Kitab al-iman 1:4)
 Unites Sunni Muslims and make them feel part of the Ummah as they all believe the same.
 It helps them understand their faith better – they know to follow the rules so that when they are
judged, they will be rewarded with Paradise.
 Salvation in Islam comes from believing the Six Beliefs and living in the way set out by Islam.

Question 3

six beliefs in muslim communities

Answer 3

 All Muslims are created equal in the sight of Allah, therefore Muslims should respect all people
regardless of race or place of birth and should not judge people on factors such as gender, race or disability.
 Due to this belief in equality, there are no priests or holy men with special authority in Sunni Islam. – The only intermediaries between Allah and people are angels. – The only people given special authority and belief in Risalah means that there can be no
prophets after Muhammad.
 People are born free from sin and bear no responsibility for the sins of others. Once you reach
puberty and knowingly commit sins, then you are held responsible.

Question 4

five roots of shia islam

Answer 4

Question 5

importance of five roots

Answer 5

 They are the basis of Shi’a Islam – the roots from which the faith grows.
 They unite the Shi’a Ummah.
 They help Shi’ites understand their faith e.g. resurrection/judgement.
 They show what a Shi’a Muslim must believe and guide them on how to act to ensure they go to
heaven (Jannah).
 The come from the teachings of the Qur’an and the Twelve Imams. - quran is gods eternal word
 Unless they understand and believe ‘Usul ad Din they will not be able to perform the acts of worship - one of five pillars -
necessary to live the Muslim life.

Question 6

sunnis and the five roots

Answer 6

Question 7

sects of shia islam

Answer 7

twelvers (most) - 12 imams after muhammad, 12th went in to hiding and contacts shia leaders
seveners/ismaili - ismail is final imam
ahmadiyya - accept sunni six beliefs - founder Mirza Ahmad received a special message

Question 8

tawhid - where is it shown?

Answer 8

Question 9

shirk

Answer 9

division of the unity of Allah and the opposite of tawhid. It is the sin of polytheism
(believing in and worshipping more than one God) and is an unforgiveable sin.

Question 10

importance of tawhid

Answer 10

 There is only one God who created everything.
2 If the universe was made by one God, then the Muslim community (ummah) should be united.
 There can only be one law for Muslims – Shari’ah law.
1 muslims must only worship allah - This is why there can be no statues or images in the mosque (Islam rejects the attribution of
any human form to God).

Question 11

importance of 99 names

Answer 11

 help Muslims to know something of Allah’s unknowable nature;
 enable Muslims to talk about their shared beliefs about Allah in a meaningful way;
 allow Muslims to develop a meaningful relationship with Allah;
 are accepted by all Muslims so brings the Ummah together;
 are in the Qur’an so Allah wants humans to know these characteristics.

 Muslims may use subhan (a set of 99 prayer beads) when they pray to help them remember
and recite the 99 names.
 If they can recite all 99, this shows their devotion to Allah: “There are 99 names of Allah, he
who commits them to memory will get to paradise.” (Hadith 35:6475)

Question 12

omnipotence importance

Answer 12

 Allah is in control of everything that happens;
 Allah has a plan for the world and the power to ensure it happens;
 Allah has the power to bring the world to an end on Judgement Day.

Question 13

omnibenevolence importance

Answer 13

 How can Muslims ask for Allah’s mercy on Judgement Day if they are not prepared to forgive?
 If Allah is compassionate and merciful to sinners, Muslims should also be merciful and forgiving.

every chapter of the quran begins with the bismillah (in the name of allah the most compassionate and merciful)
- shows this should be the first thought muslims have when they do anything

Question 14

transcendence importance

Answer 14

 It shows Allah is worthy of worship as He is greater than anything;
 It shows He is in control;
 It shows He is not restricted in anyway – by time, space or matter.

Question 15

immanence importance

Answer 15

 It means Allah is within the universe He has created, so science and learning can comprehend
something of Allah;
 Despite his greatness, Allah can be contacted by humans;
 It means Allah is present in all religious activities, e.g. Salat and Sawm.

“we are closer to them than their jugular vein”

Question 16

what is transcendence

Answer 16

He is above and beyond His creation.
Allah is above the seventh heaven, distinct and independent from His creation.

Question 17

what is immanence

Answer 17

he is close to every human, ‘Allah is closer to you than
your Jugular vein.’ (50:16) and acts in this world. This means he is personal to Muslims. Muslims will
look to God for guidance and his mercy in their daily lives. It shows Muslims that Allah knows
everything and nothing is hidden from Him: ‘Whithersoever ye turn, there is the presence of
God.’ 2:115

Question 18

adalat

Answer 18

allah’s justice - shows muslims must behave justly to other people and follow shariah to ensure world is governed fairly

Question 19

some of the 99 names / characteristics of allah

Answer 19

Question 20

adam

Answer 20

First human, first prophet, disobeyed God and asked God for forgiveness. Was sent to earth as a Khalifah (steward of the world)
‘He received forgiveness from his Lord.’
He shows that Allah is forgiving if we ask for forgiveness with a true heart. He taught Muslims how to repent and ask for forgiveness.

Question 21

ibrahim

Answer 21

rejected polytheism. God asked Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Isma’il – he was about to do it when God stopped him.
Ibrahim was true in faith and he bowed his will to Allah.’
e teaches us the importance of obedience and trusting Allah; demonstrates that Allah’s plans will overcome any triumph, test, or trial.

Question 22

ismail

Answer 22

was willing to be sacrificed for God. Helped rebuild the Ka’ba with Ibrahim as a place of pilgrimage.
He was strictly true to what he promised.’ 19:54
shows obedience and teaches Muslims to trust in God’s plan, he fulfilled God’s commands and trials.

Question 23

musa

Answer 23

helped free the Israelites from Egypt. He received the Tawrat (Torah).
For he was specially chosen and he was a messenger
teaches Muslims to be obedient, to do what God commands and show submission to God.

Question 24

dawud

Answer 24

defeated Goliath – a giant - against all the odds. He was a great king, and rigorous in prayer and fasting.
Allah made David a vice- regent (khalifah)
teaches Muslims the importance of prayer and fasting. He also teaches the importance to care for the earth.

Question 25

isa

Answer 25

Performed miracles. Was NOT the son of God though Mary was a virgin. Was NOT crucified according to the Qur’an and will return on the Day of Judgement.
I am indeed a servant of Allah: He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet.’
demonstrates God’s power as Allah performed miracles through him.

Question 26

what do prophets do - 3 things they teach

Answer 26

a messenger whom Allah sent to help humankind and communicates His will:
– showing them how to worship;
– teaching them that life is a test;
– providing an example of how to life a good life.

Question 27

detail about prophets

Answer 27

Question 28

Muhammad

Answer 28

Question 29

prophets importance

Answer 29

Question 30

detail about angels

Answer 30

Question 31

Jibril

Answer 31

Chief of the angels:
 revealed messages from Allah to the Prophets: “He brings down the revelation to your heart
by Allah’s will.” (2:97)
 told Ibrahim about the birth of Ishaq and Isma’il and Maryam about the birth of Isa.
 revealed the Qur’an to Muhammad, whilst he was meditating in a cave on Mount Hira, near
Makkah, during the month of Ramadan in 610CE. He continued to give these revelations over 23
years.

Question 32

Mika’il

Answer 32

Arch-angel of mercy:
 guardian of heaven, protecting it from evil and the devil;
 giving rewards to people on earth who are good;
 brings rain and thunder.

Question 33

Izra’il

Answer 33

Angel of death:
 will blow the trumpet twice to start the Day of Judgement;
 takes the soul of people at death and returns them to Allah, “The angel of death will take your
souls; then shall ye be brought back to your Lord.” (Surah 32:11)
 He can only act on Allah’s command as it is Allah who decides when a person will die.

Question 34

importance of angels (a lot of these are v. similar)

Answer 34

 Allah is transcendent but is able to communicate with humans through angels;
 they help Muslims understand Allah better as they revealed truths about Allah;
 they communicate Allah’s commands with humanity.
 Jibril communicated the Qur’an to Muhammad – without him Muslims would not have God’s instruction on how to live and what to believe.
 Mika’il ensures that heaven is safe from evil.
 They ensure that on the Day of Judgement, Allah will have all the facts when judging people on
their lives – this reminds Muslims the importance of living as Allah wants so they are rewarded
after death.
 Muhammad is believed to have told his followers that angels surround humans at all times.

Question 35

sahifah

Answer 35

Ibrahim – Scrolls given to prophet Ibrahim: “We have already given the family
of Abraham the Book and Wisdom.” (Surah 4:54). However this became so distorted, all copies
were lost.

Question 36

tawrat

Answer 36

given to prophet Musa. Although Musa’s message became distorted, some parts remained in the Torah of the Old Testament, which in many traditions of Judaism (e.g. food laws) are
very similar to Islam. “It was We who revealed the law to Moses, therein was guidance and
light.” (Surah 5:47)

Question 37

zabur

Answer 37

given to prophet David: “And to David we gave the Psalms” (Surah 4:163). Some
have survived undistorted in the Psalms of the Old Testament. “Before this, We wrote in the
Psalms, after the message given to Moses, “My servants shall inherit the earth…”’ (Surah 21:
105 quoting Psalm 37:29). They are recognised by Muslim scholars but not as divine revelation.

Question 38

injil

Answer 38

given to prophet Jesus: “We sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him. We sent him the gospel” (5:26). However, this is not the same as the four gospels of the New Testament. The Injil was given to Isa which he then preached to the Jewish people, whereas the gospels are human records of what people remember Jesus preaching.

The main distortions of Injil in the New Testament are:
 Jesus was the Son of God when really he was a prophet - “Jesus Christ the Son of Mary was no more than an apostle of God.” (Surah 4:117)
 Jesus died on the cross and was taken to heaven
 Christians removed parts that foretold the coming of Muhammad.

Question 39

divergent views importance of holy books

Answer 39

Question 40

why does quran have authority (facts about quran)

Answer 40

Question 41

why is quran important for muslims today (what does it say?)

Answer 41

Question 42

how do muslims show respect for quran

Answer 42

 Not allowing it to touch the ground. It is placed on a kursi (wooden stand) when read;
 Washing before they read it to ensure they are clean;
 Covering it to protect it when it is not in use;
 Placing it at the highest point in the room to show it is above all over possessions.
 While the Qur’an is recited aloud, Muslims should behave with reverence and refrain from speaking, eating or drinking, or making distracting noise.

Question 43

predestination

Answer 43

the belief that Allah has the knowledge in advance of all that will happen and is in control of everything before it happens. “Say: ‘Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us: He is our protector’: and on Allah let the Believers put their trust.”
 Sunni Muslims believe that Allah predestined good and bad before creating man: “Nor can a soul die except by Allah’s leave, the term being fixed as by writing.”
 Muslims believe belief in predestination doesn’t stop human beings making free choices.

Question 44

benefits of belief in predestination

Answer 44

Question 45

sunni beliefs about predestination

Answer 45

 Allah has given humans free will, but that he still knows what will happen before it does as he is Al – Alim (the knower of all).
 Nothing happens except the will of Allah. Allah has ordained what will happen.
 Free will is important to help people learn and to freely submit to Allah. Allah has a path for them,
and they can choose to go against this path.
 By giving humans free will, this means bad things can happen to humans, but humans are
responsible for their sin. They will pay for their sins on The Day of Judgement.
 As humans don’t know how they are going to be judged, “No soul knows what comfort is kept
hidden for them, as a reward for their deeds” (32:17), they still have freewill.

Question 46

shia beliefs about predestionation

Answer 46

Some reject the belief in predestination. They accept Allah is in control, but he may decide to change what happens. The Shi’a concept of ‘Bada’ states that God has not set a definite course for humans. “Allah erases and confirms what He Wishes.” (13:39)

Question 47

why do muslims believe in al qadr (2 reasons)

Answer 47

the way things happened in the lives of the prophet - things that they did not understand but later came to see was part of gods plan
references in the quran - example surah 97 “Al Qadr”

Question 48

what happens when muslims die

Answer 48

The soul is taken by the Angel of Death Azrail to Al-Barzakh (a state of waiting) until the Day of Judgement.

Question 49

what will happen on day of judgment

Answer 49

the universe will be destroyed. It is also called the Day of Resurrection (yawm al-Qiyamah) and the Last Hour (as-sa’a).
The Angel Israfil will blow a trumpet to announce the Day of Judgement.
 Muslims believe in resurrection of the body, when Allah will bring back to life all those who have died.
 Everyone will be judged according to their actions on Earth towards both people and animals.
And to every soul will be paid in full (the fruit) of its deeds; and Allah knoweth best all
that they do.” (Surah 39:70)

Question 50

3 more things that will happen on the day of judgement (prob dont need to know really)

Answer 50

• The Scales of deeds will be set up on the Day of Judgment, good deeds will be rewarded 10 times over “Whoever has done an atom’s weight of good shall see it.” (99:7-8);
• The Trial of the Grave - when the body is buried, two angels Munkir and Makir appear to the dead person. They ask four questions: Who is your God? What is your religion? Who is your prophet? What is your guide? The believer will say: “Allah is my Lord, Islam is my religion, and Muhammad is my prophet.” Then the tomb will be filled with pleasurable things. If they answer incorrectly the angels bring torture on the unbelieving dead person.
• On the Day of Judgement the Book of Deeds will be read, in which ‘every small and great thing is recorded’ Qur’an 54:52. If the person’s good deeds outweigh the bad, then they will receive the book in their right hand and pass into Jannah. If it is placed into their left hand, they will be go to Jahannam.

Question 51

Jannah - and who will go there

Answer 51

• After judgement, people will pass over the narrow Bridge of As-Sirat. Those who have been blessed by God will successfully cross to Jannah on the other side. A Paradise, which Allah prepared for the righteous. “No soul knows what comfort is kept hidden for them, as a reward for their deeds.” (32:17).
   Those who have lived faithful and moral lives, those who have been persecuted for their faith in God and those who have fought for God will be rewarded in Paradise - Jannah (Heaven): “You shall enter gardens watered by running streams in which you shall abide forever… [the righteous] shall recline on jewelled couches.” (Surah 57:56)
   Those who have died in battle pass directly into paradise.

Question 52

Jahannam

Answer 52

• Those who have not obeyed Allah’s will fail to pass over As-Sirat bridge and suffer in Janannam (Hell).
• Only the most wicked and ruthless people will go to hell. ‘So I have warned you of a Fire which is blazing. None will [enter to] burn therein except the most wretched one. Who had denied and turned away.’ (92:14–16)
• It is the place of punishment that Allah has prepared for the disbelievers and the evildoers: “But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water.” (22:19)
• As well as experiencing the physical torment, those condemned to hell will suffer because they are separated from God, without hope of return.
• Some Muslims today believe that for certain people hell may only be a temporary experience: ‘So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with God.’ (2:275)

Question 53

importance of Akirah (think simple)

Answer 53

quran teaches it
muhammad taught it
one of 6 beliefs and 5 roots
beleive life is a test from god which needs a judgemnet and rewards - there needs to be life after death as that reward