Islam - beliefs

Question 1

Which denomination believes in the Six Articles of Faith?

Answer 1

Sunni

Question 2

What are the Six Articles of Faith?

Answer 2

1. Tawhid - Allah is the one and only god
2. Malaikah - Allah created angels
3. Holy books - God has revealed his word through the Qur’an
4. Risalah - God has spoken to humans through prophets
5. Akhirah - life after death, and the last judgement
6. Al-Qadr - predestination

Question 3

Which denomination believes in the Five Roots of Usul ad-Din?

Answer 3

Shi’a

Question 4

What are the Five Roots of Usul ad-Din?

Answer 4

1. Tawhid
2. Divine justice - Allah does no wrong and doesn’t accept wrongdoing
3. Prophethood - Al-Nubuwah
4. Imams
5. Belief in the Day of Resurrection - Al-Ma’ad

Question 5

Key Muslim beliefs about Allah?

Answer 5

1. He is infinite
2. He’s omnipotent and omniscient
3. He is merciful and benevolent
4. He’s both transcendent and immanent
5. He’s fair and just

Question 6

Why do some Sunnis say that Shi’a don’t fully follow Tawhid?

Answer 6

They believe in the Imams who have special characteristics and are often seen as semi-divine

Question 7

Complete the following:

“God is the ____ __ ______. He is the ______ ___ _____. Unto Him belong ___ ____ __ ___ ________ ___ __ _____.”

Answer 7

“God is the Creator of Everything. He is the guardian over everything. Unto Him belong the keys of the heaven and the earth.”

Question 8

What is a Caliph? What’s the difference between a Caliph and an Imam?

Answer 8

Caliph - Successor to Muhammad

Whilst ‘Imam’ also means successor of Muhammad, this is only in Shi’a tradition.

Question 9

Who do Shiites believe the rightful successor to Muhammad was?

Answer 9

Ali

Question 10

Reasons for believing Ali was the rightful successor?

Answer 10

Shiites believe this for a few reasons:

1. Shi’a Islam states that Muhammad made it clear that successors would only come from his bloodline. Ali was seen like his son, despite being his cousin.
2. Helped save Muhammad’s life by acting as a decoy
3. He recorded part of the Qur’an

Question 11

Who do Sunnis believe the rightful successor to Muhammad was?

Answer 11

Abu Bak’r

Question 12

Reasons for believing Abu Bak’r was the rightful successor?

Answer 12

Sunnis believe this for a few reasons:

1. Widely considered to be a strong, wise and capable leader. He helped expand the Muslim empire
2. Helped save Muhammad’s life by acting as a decoy
3. He led prayers whilst Muhammad was on his death bed

Question 13

Who are the five main prophets mentioned in the Qur’an? Which holy book did they reveal?

Answer 13

Isa - Injil
Musa - Tawrat
Dawud - Zabur
Muhammad - Qur'an
Ibrahim - Suhuf Ibrahim

Question 14

Is zakah seen as charity?

Answer 14

No - they see zakah simply as the distribution of wealth given by Allah

Question 15

Quote for charity?

Answer 15

“whatever you do of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.”

Question 16

What do Shi’a Muslims believe about when someone doesn’t pay khums?

Answer 16

That the money is haram (forbidden)

Question 17

Which days of ramadan are especially important? Why?

Answer 17

The final 10 - the Hadith states that it’s during this time that the Night of Power occurred.

Question 18

What does sawm do for a Muslim?

Answer 18

It helps make them completely obedient to Allah, driving them away from sin. It also helps them to appreciate the needs of others.

Question 19

List the four stages of hajj. Briefly describe them.

Answer 19

1. In Mecca (a prayer of intent is said, the Muslims visit Kaaba and recite a verse whilst walking around it anti-clockwise)
2. Sa’y (re-enactment of Hagar’s search for water, where it’s believed Isma’il dug his foot into the ground and a spring of water rose)
3. Arafat (where Muslims stand facing the Kaaba and pray for forgiveness)
4. Mina (the stoning of Iblis. Muslims chuck rocks at pillars representing Iblis, similar to how Ibrahim and Isma’il did during the story of sacrifice. Id-ul-Adha is then celebrated).

Question 20

How long does Id-ul-Fitr last for?

Answer 20

Three days