Islam Beliefs Flashcards
What does Islam mean?
Islam means surrender/submission/obedience
What does Allah mean?
God is One and only
What does Qur’an mean?
Recital (this is because the teachings were originally said by heart by Muhammad to his followers.)
What is the only sin Allah will not forgive?
Shirk; to regard anything as equal to or more important than Allah
How do Muslims express their belief of Tawhid every day?
In the Shahadah
What is the Shahadah?
An Islamic oath, the Muslim profession of faith
What does the belief in Allah mean for Muslims?
It means that Muslims accept that what happens to them is the will of Allah
What does Inshallah mean?
God willing
What are the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam?
- Tawhid
- Belief in angels (Malaikah)
- Belief that the Qur’an is the most important text in Islam
- Prophethood
- Belief that the Day of Judgement will come
- Belief in the supremacy of God’s will
Explain Tawhid
The belief that there is only one God. He is no made up of any parts
Explain belief in angels (Malaikah)?
Angels are important because God’s greatness means that he cannot communicate directly with humans. He therefore passed messages (Risalah) to his prophets via the angels, who were his first creation.
Explain the belief that the Qur’an is the most important text in Islam
The holy books should be respected, especially the Qur’an, which is a direct revelation from God – it is God’s word.
The word Qur’an means recitation. This is because originally it was spoken and shared orally. Only later was it written down.
Explain prophethood - six articles of faith
All prophets should be respected especially Muhammad as he is the most important prophet. Muslims believe that Muhammad received God’s final revelation to mankind.
The belief in Prophethood means to accept the truth of Muhammad’s prophecies
What does Muhammad’s name mean?
Highly Praised
Explain belief that the Day of Judgement will come
All will be resurrected after death to be judged by God, the good will be sent to paradise and the wicked to hell.
Explain belief in the supremacy of God’s will
Every event is controlled by God. Belief in predestination is key.
Al-Qadr means that everything in the universe is following a divine masterplan. This shows the importance of God’s will, as Allah knows or decides everything that will happen.
What is a Qur’anic quote that supports belief in the supremacy of God’s will?
‘In all things the master-planning is God’s’ (Qur’an 13:42).
What are the five roots of Usul al-Din?
- Tawhid
- Prophethood
- Belief in divine justice (Adalat)
- The Imamate
- Belief in the Day of Resurrection
What is belief in Adalat (divine justice)?
Allah is just and can do no wrong. Humans are accountable to God.
What is the Imamate?
Accepeting the doctrine and authority of 12 official leaders (Imams) who alone have the right to lead Muslims after the death of Muhammad.
Who is an imam?
A person who leads communal prayers
What is the impact of the belief in Tawhid?
- It helps Muslims think of Allah and not themselves, as the centre of life
- They recognise that no-one and nothing else is worth worshipping apart from Allah
- All living things must be respected as all life comes from Allah and belongs to Allah
- The Muslim community must also be one, united and held together by their belief in Allah as Allah is one
What are the key similarities between Sunni and Shi’a Muslims?
- Both believe in the absolute unity of Allah.
- Both believe that Muhammad is Allah’s prophet.
- Both believe that a day will come where all are judged and the righteous go to heaven and the bad to hell
What are the key differences between Sunni and Shi’a Muslims?
- Sunni: Abu Bakr should be the rightful leader (was Muhammad’s best friend) / Shi’a: Ali (Muhammad’s cousin and son-in law) should have been the leader
- Sunni: Pray 5 times a day - 5 distinct prayers / Have 5 prayers but combine some of them - pray 3 times a day
- Sunni: Break their fast at sunset / Shi’a: Break their fasts after sunset, to ensure that the sun is fully down
- Sunni: Recite that there is no God but Allah and Prophet Muhammad is his messenger / Shi’a: Recite that there is no God but Allah and Prophet Muhammad is his messenger + Ali is the friend of Allah
How many names are there for Allah?
99
Why does He have so many names?
Each name reveals something different about Allah. Muslims try and learn all the names so that they can better understand Allah
Give 5 names of Allah
- The Creator (Al-Khaliq)
- The Forgiving (Al-Ghaffar)
- The Giver of All (Al-Wahhab)
- The First (Al-Awwal)
- The Last (Al-Akhir)
- The Judge (Al-Hakam)
- the Just (Al-‘Adl)
What is a Qur’anic quote about Allah’s 99 names?
“The most beautiful names belong to Allah: so call on Him by them.” (Quran, 7:180)
What does immanent mean?
Near
What does transcendent mean?
Beyond this world
What did Allah create angels from?
Light - they’re purely spiritual beginnings
Why don’t angels have freewill?
So that they’re sinless and don’t displease God