Islam- Answers Flashcards
Name three holy books which muslims believe were revealed
Qur’an
Suhuf Ibrahim / Scrolls of Abraham
Tawrat / Torah
Zabur / Psalms
Injil / Gospels
What does predestination (al Qad’r) mean for Muslims?
Everything that happens in the world is planned by Allah
Allah has foreknowledge of all things, including those things that have not yet happened Nothing happens unless it is the will of Allah
Most Muslims are taught to accepts all things as the will of allah
Explain diff muslim attitudes to divine justice 6 mark
Learners might point out that different Muslims might have different views on Divine Justice.
Learners may introduce the topic by talking about the qualities of Allah as merciful and just and that on the Day of Judgement it will be He who decides who is sent to Paradise or Hell. Humans may escape justice in this life but they cannot escape Divine Justice.
Learners might refer to Divine Justice as one the Usul ad-Din beliefs of Shia Muslims. Allah has given people free will and judges them fairly according to the right and wrong they have done, at the Day of Judgement.
Sunni Muslims believe that Allah knows what choices people will make (predestination), but they are still free to make them. Some believe that Allah has already predestined what will happen to people in the future, which limits free will. Some Sufi Muslims might emphasise experience of the qualities of Allah in their practice here and now, and choose not to focus on Judgement and Divine Justice in the future.
Learners might refer to the Qur’an which describes believers being judged according to their actions, however small. Or they might refer to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who was subject to persecution, but taught his followers not to fight back because the persecutors would face Divine Justice.
AO2:
Through revelations, Allah has given people a moral code of rights and wrongs to live by. People have the intelligence to work out how to live a morally good life. Divine Justice is important because Muslims can work out what is right or wrong and know that, even if they miss out on riches or pleasures on occasion, they will gain a reward in the hereafter
particularly important for Shia Muslims, as they believe in free will. Divine justice means that actions will be rewarded or punished accordingly, but also that Allah is merciful.
State three characteristics of the messiah
Descendant of King David
Future heroic king
Eternal
Ruler
Sent from G-d
Restorer of the Jewish nation
Shepherd- like
Outline what jews mean by the term shekinah
The presence of G-d made known
It is synonymous with the term G-d
Refers to G-d descending or dwelling on earth
The majestic presence of G-d on earth
Term used by rabbis to avoid misunderstanding of anthropomorphic
references to G-d in the Bible
Shekinah is associated with the feminine aspects of G-d in later Judaism
Describe one jewihs belief about the pl
G-d promised the Hebrews a land of their own if Abraham and his
descendants followed G-d’s laws
G-d gave Abraham and his family the Land of Israel as a place where his
descendants are to create the nation that’s the model for the world
The Land of Israel is a special place; it’s the only place on earth where the
Jewish people can achieve their mission. A model nation cannot be
anywhere else
Jews believe in a moral claim to this land from G-d
The Land of Israel is central to Judaism. A substantial portion of Jewish law
is tied to the Land of Israel, and can only be applied there
Explain why jews believe g-d will judge them at the end of the world- sources
Learners are likely to describe Jewish beliefs about G-d as judge and what scriptures and rabbis teach about the day of Judgement as the Last Day of the World. Some may discuss the festival of Rosh Hashanah and its significance for Jews throughout the world. The importance of Yom Kippur and links to The Book of Life may be made and references to atonement for sins from the Torah may also be given. The Jews believe in a messianic era that will bring about a resurrection of the dead and Day of Judgment. This will be followed by Olam Ha Ba- a better ‘World to Come.’ Some learners may describe divergent views between rabbinical scholars. Some rabbis believe this Day of Judgment will happen after the resurrection, while others believe it is accomplished every year on Rosh Hashanah.
Explain why jews believe g-d will judge them at the end of the world - diff belifs
Initially, when the Jewish scriptures were written, people believed everyone went to Sheol, but first mention of the resurrection of the dead appeared later in the book of Daniel. Towards the end of the period when the scriptures were written some came to believe there was eternal life and that G-d eventually would judge people. Ethical behaviour, as is found in practicing the 613 commandments of Torah, will guarantee immunity on the Day of Judgment and secure a place in Olam Ha Ba - a place of righteousness, justice and overflowing abundance. Their belief is that by living in accordance with these laws, on the Day of Judgment Jews will earn a place in the World to Come. However, there is not much said in scriptures about heaven so Jews focus upon living each day to the best of their abilities according to the mitzvoth.
Some learners may explain the differences in Judaism about a last Day of Judgment for all mankind. Some rabbis hold that there will be such a day following the resurrection of the dead. Others hold that this accounting and judgment happens when one dies. Still others hold that the Last Judgment only applies to the Gentiles (goyim) and not the Jewish people
Describe one jewish belief about g-d the creator
The story of creation is found in the Torah
G-d made the world in six days and rested on the seventh
G-d created the universe out of nothing
G-d continues to sustain his creation
Day 1 G-d creates light/dark
Day 2 G-d creates the sky
Day 3 G-d creates dry land and plants
Day 4 G-d creates heavenly bodies
Day 5 God creates all life that lives in the water and sky
Day 7 G-d creates animals and people in his image
G-d creates Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden
The covenant with g-d makes life harder for jews- what was it
The ‘covenant’ is the bargain, deal or agreement which G-d made with Abraham (Gen.12:1-2, for example). This was later developed with Moses on Mount Sinai (Ex.19:8, for example). It describes the on-going relationship between G-d and the Jews and is encapsulated in the mitzvot. Beliefs about the divine nature of the covenant may guide a Jew through life and affect what they can eat and wear, how they educate their children, when they pray, where they live and so on. The covenant is seen as a key part of the identity of a Jew
The covenant w/ g-d makes life harder for jews- no
Learners may argue that without it the covenant, the faith of Judaism would not exist. Jews believe that G-d knows what is best for His people. The Torah is part of the covenant and requires observance as G-d has promised to take care of his people. The covenant may stop some people doing what they want to do or what they believe is right and making immoral choices. The covenant will impact on a Jew’s ethical outlook – how they treat others and how they use their money. The mitzvot may be seen as providing freedom as they provide for an ordered society. The covenant may provide a sense of belonging and unity but also reinforce the need for Torah observance. The covenant results in the sacred writings of the Torah – written and oral – on which Judaism is based. The covenant may lead a Jew to attend and get involved in the life of the synagogue or religious or political movements. The covenant with Abraham provides the origins of the religion and people. The covenant perpetuates the adherence to monotheism. The covenant might be seen as helping the Jews through the most challenging times in their history
The covenant with g-d makes life harder for jews - yes
relative obligations for both G-d and the Jews are set out in the covenant. This has a huge impact as Jews must abide by the mitzvot in their lives and this must make life harder. The years that have passed since the time of Abraham and Moses have led to some mitzvot being rendered out-dated and to be pressurised into abiding by them is pointless and takes away free will. Learners might discuss the different perspectives of Orthodox and Progressive Jews as the latter give more autonomy for individual choice. Jews should base their lives on reason and not faith in an ancient covenant. These differences of interpretation obviously link back to how the traditions interpret the sources of authority. Some Jews specifically consider what they feel G-d is requiring of them as an individual. There is no credit in Jews simply following covenantal moral principles because they have been instructed to do so. G-d has given people free will in order to decide things for themselves and make their own decisions about what to obey and how to live. It is only in acting freely, that people can earn moral credit and having to follow the covenant runs against this. Some less religious parts of the Jewish community may largely disregard the notion of ‘covenant’.
Describe what jews mean by the term sanctity of life
Human life is holy and sacred
Human life should not be harmed or violated
The Torah describes men and women as being made in the image of G-d
The Ten Commandments state that people should not murder
A belief that might lead to opposition to abortion and euthanasia
The preservation of human life is a supreme moral value
People should not do anything that might shorten life
Importance of propehthood
Prophets brought the guidance of Allah (1) to different nations showing Islam is from the beginning of time (1)
• All prophets brought the same message (1) showing Allah is unchanging (1)
• Muhammad received the revelation of the Qur’an (1) which was the final message from Allah (1).
Purpose of angels
Jibril brought the message of the Qur’an (1) so that Muhammad recited the direct words of Allah (1) Surah 2:97 records it was Jibril who, by permission from Allah brought the Qur’an to Muhammad (1)
• Angels bring messages from Allah (1) such as to Zachariah (1) Surah 19:7 says, ‘indeed We give you good tidings of a boy whose name will be John.’ (1)
• Some angels have specific roles (1) like Izra’il, the angel of death (1) Surah 32:11, ‘the angel of death will take you…Then to your Lord you will be returned.’ (1).
Quote to show angels bought messages from allah
Eg. Zachariah- surah 19:7
‘Indeed we give you good tidings of a boy whose name will be john’
Belief in akirah may influence life of muslims- yes
Muslims will be judged after death therefore they are submissive to Allah and follow the teachings of the Qur’an in the way that they live their life today
• Belief in life after death is important to the way Muslims live their life today, because they believe that Allah is just and after death the good will be rewarded and the bad punished
• Muslims believe that if someone they love dies then they will be taken to be with Allah and this brings comfort to them helping them to move on with their lives today.
Belief in akirah may influence life of muslim- against
Some Muslims think that it is more important to live a good life now, pleasing to Allah, rather than worry about a life after death in the future
• Living a life in submission to Allah, by following the Shari’ah laws provides the basis for the way Muslims live today rather than the promise of life after death
• Some Muslims believe that life should not be lived in the fear of hell or desire of paradise, as Rabia Basri taught the purpose of life is to love Allah
Give three examples of how muhammed is the seal of prophets
Muhammad was the final messenger (1)
• He brought the last word from Allah (1)
• He is the role model for Muslims (1)
• He fulfilled the teaching of all other
prophets (1)
• He was given the revelation of the Qur’an
(1).
Importance of qur’an
The Qur’an helps Muslims know how to obey the will of Allah (1) it contains the rules for halal and haram (1) Surah 23: 51, says ‘eat from the good food and work righteousness’ (1)
• It helps to keep society stable (1) it highlights the importance of caring for families (1) Surah 2:83 says, ‘…to parents do good and to relatives and to the needy’ (1)
• It provides guidelines for modesty (1) so that neither men nor women break his rules (1) ‘tell the believing men to reduce (some) of their vision and guard their private parts’ (Surah 24:30) (1
Hadith- important
Hadith are the sayings of Muhammad who was called the best exemplar by Allah so are necessary for Muslims to lead a good life
• The Hadith interpret many of the teachings of the Qur’an and so accepting them help Muslims understand the will of Allah which will lead to rewards after death
• They are one of the sources for Shari’ah law and so accepting them prevents Muslims from disobeying Allah which is vitally important
