Islam Beliefs and Teachings

Question 1

Tawhid

Answer 1

the oneness of Allah

Question 2

Nature of Allah

Answer 2

immanence close by closer to us than the veins in our necks
omniscient( all knowing)
, transcendence beyond all things not limited by the rules of nature, omnipotence all powerful, omnibenevolent always kind, mercy , fairness and justice

Question 3

Adalat in Shi’a Islam

Answer 3

Justice of God is given particular emphasis. adalat is one of the 5 roots of religion, Shi’as want to stress that God is perfect justice; He is utter fairness and complete wisdom. Although he is powerful they believe he will never do anything that goes against his own nature. Humans are affected by their emotions and feelings, so sometimes do things that are unjust or unfair- but God who is perfect justice- would not do

Question 4

The nature of prophethood

Answer 4

Muslims believe that communication between Gods and humans is ‘risalah’ bringing prophecy from God. The prophets were human beings chosen to give God’s guidance to the people and it is important to understand it was God’s wisdom that was being given not the personal wisdom or knowledge of the prophets themselves. Muslim’s belief the last prophet is Muhammad a perfecr example of a human being who lived a moral and prayerful way of life and through whom God revealed his perfect and direct word- the Qu’ran

Question 5

The importance of Adam: first prophet and background info

Answer 5

formed by God from a handful of soil eve created from his rib
they lived together in paradise but disobeyed God and then banished from paradise and confessed his sin was forgive becoming the first prophet
-father of human race
- created as a ‘khalifah’ gods representative on earth
- built the first ka’ba in makkah

Question 6

Ibrahim importance

Answer 6

born into a polytheisistic family but beleived in only one god
became a muslim(one who bows down to god)
Father of two sons Ishaq (issac) and through Sarah and Ishma’il ancestor of muhammad) (Ishmael) through Hajar (Hagar)

Regarded as a hanif one who has inner knowldege of god
The greatest of the prophets before Isa

Question 7

Isa

Answer 7

with maryam (mary) his mother, appears prominently in the Qu’ran

Given the Injil (Gospel) and performed many miracles
Did not die on the cross but was taken up to heaven as God would not allow evil to truimph

Regared as a prophet and succesor to musa

He received a revelation(injil) from God

He will return in a second coming when god judges the world

Question 8

Muhammad as a seal of the prophets

Answer 8

Muhammad is regarded as a seal of the prophets (last prophet) so through him allah has been revealed fully and precisely. t

Question 9

muslim beliefs about angels
and a quote

Answer 9

angels are heavenly and imortal beings made of light and the first of God’s creation and made out light
angels are god’s messengers, making humans aware of God’s laws and his purpose
described in the quran as having wings although invisible
angels have no free will and are without sin and can enter god’s presence
‘believed in God and his angels and his books and his messangers’

Question 10

Shi’a and Sunni different beliefs in angells

Answer 10

Sunni:
-gods first creation
- created from light
-immortal
-always obedient
-no free will
shi’a:
- gods first creation
- immortal
- always obedient
- have limited free will though never going against the will of God
- revealed to muhammad that ali would be a leader after him
-Jibril visited fatima(muhammad’s daughter) and shared divine wisdom with her

Question 11

significance of the revelation

Answer 11

Qu’ran only uncorupted source of info
-spread god’s world
- marks him becoming a prophet
- discouraging polytheism and sin of shirk
- muhammad dissapointed by those in makkah

Question 12

Significance of Mika’il:

Answer 12

Archangel responsible for keeping the devil out of heaven protecting worshippers and is in charge of plants and rain

Question 13

significance of Israfil:

Answer 13

Raphael the archangel that will announce the day of judgement by blowing the trumphet by blowing the trumphet that will signal the resurrection of the dead

Question 14

Al-Qadr (Predestination) and free will

Answer 14

• God has a divine master plan for everyone that is predestined to take place
  -This is all part of his plan for the world and all of creation
• God knows all things in absolute detail, beyond our imagining
  -Insha’Allah (if God is willing) is a praise showing a believers submission to God and his will
• Attitudes to al-qadr come from the kutub (books) of Islam
  -Humans are not puppets or robots
  -Everyone has free will
  -Each person can choose right or wrong
  -God holds everyone accountable for their decisions

Question 15

the day of judgement:

Answer 15

-the dead will be raised and stand before God for judgement
-every human should ask themselves if they are ready to face death and judgement
- A book representing every action is presented to each person
- Good deeds and bad deeds are weighed in balance
-Personal intentions (niyyah) are also taken into consideration
-The book given into the right hand shows a person will pass into heaven
- The book given into the left hand shows a person will pass into hell

Question 16

Heaven in arabic is?
What will heaven be like?

Answer 16

Janna
It is a state of peace, joy and happiness. It will contain everything longed for on earth, and it is full of beautiful gardens, sparkling fountains and flowing rivers, reclining sofas, delicious food and delightful serving maidens.

Question 17

When will heaven happen?andwhat will happen?

Answer 17

After death the two angels Munkar and Nakir will question each individual, and Israfil will sound the trumpet on the day of judgement to announce the raisin of the dead. Correct answers can only be given by those who recite the Shahadah(statement of faith) and have also lived in submission to God and observed the five pillars. For those die before the Day of Judgement the angel of death Azrail takes their souls and keeps them in a state of barzakh(waiting).

Question 18

What is the purpose of heaven?

Answer 18

it is a reward for living a faithful and moral life or suffering persecution because of faith or fighting in the cause of God. It separates out those who have committed a greater proportion of good deeds to bad, and who’s intention were good as well.

Question 19

Hell in arabic is :
What will hell be like?

Answer 19

Jahannam
It is a place of terror, with boiling water, fierce fire and thick black smoke. As well as physical suffering, those condemned to hell will also suffer by being separated from God and having no hope of escape. Some Muslims believe that it is not an eternal experience but a short period, with those repenting receiving pardon.

Question 20

When will hell happen/what will happen before / when it happens ?

Answer 20

After judgement, people (souls) will have to cross the very narrow bridge of As-Sirat. Those who have collected more bad deeds and intentions than good, will fall as they try to cross the bridge, so ending up in the terrors of hell. For those who die before the day of judgement the angel of death Azrail takes their shoulders and keeps them in a state of waiting (barzakh)

Question 21

What is the purpose of hell?

Answer 21

It is a punishment to those who have failed to live life faithfully and morally, and who have not ensured a sufficient weighting of good deeds and intentions. It is also thought by some to be a tool to persuade people to obey God’s laws and ways, because they would fear the threat of going to hell. Others, however believe most people find happiness in following the requirements of the Qu’ran and learning from the experience of Muhammad.

Question 22

The six articles of faith in Sunni Islam and what they mean

Answer 22

Allah (God)
Who is one (tawhid) the arabic God is Allah, which comes from ‘the(al) God (ilah)’
Malaikah(angels)
Created by God to bring his divine message. Each person has two guardian angels
Holy books
God revealed the Qu’ran
to Muhammad through JIbril. There are other inspired books too.
Risalah (prophethood)
Good has spoken through many prophets. Adam was the first, Isa (jesus) was another. Muhammad is the last and ‘seal’ of the prophets.
Afterlife (Akhirah)
There is a final judgement and a life after death. Earthily life is a preparation for the eternal life. All will give their account for their deeds at the day of judgement.
Al-Qadr (predestination)
God is in control of all things and has a masterplan. Yet humans have free will to choose right from wrong- they must learn how to turn from evil.

Question 23

The five roots of religion (usul al-Din) in Shi’a Islam and what they mean

Answer 23

The oneness of God (tawhid)
There is only one God, perfect and unique. He is all powerful and immortal. There is no equal to him: he alone is to be worshipped
The justice of God (adalah)
God is perfect justice and wisdom. He does no wrong and tolerates no wrong. Yet he is just and fair: humans are responsible for their actions
Prophethood (Nubuwwah)
God has appointed prophets and messengers. These have shown how to live in peace, submitting to God. Muhammad is the seal of the prophets.
Leadership (Imamate)
Muhammad was the last and the final prophet. God has appointed 12 Imams to guide Muslims after Muhammad’s death. These are known as Ahl al-bayt (the family of the house)
Resurrection (qayamat)
There will be a resurrection on the day of judgement. God will judge all humans; rewarding the good and punishing the bad.

Question 24

Islam attitudes towards kutub (books)

Answer 24

Sahifah (the scrolls of Ibrahim)
these are now lost;
there are no copies remaining
Ibrahim was the greatest prophet before Isa
Tawrat
The revelation given to musa (moses) it does contain laws and does teach the unity of God. Yet Muslims believe it falls short of the original revelation. Nevertheless it is a guidance and challenge to muslims.
Zabur (the Psalms)
these were given to Dawud(david) muslims recognise that dawud glorified and praised God .He is sometimes represented as a model Muslim, praising God, fasting, prostrating and acting justly
Injil (Gospel)
the teaching given to Isa (jesus) it is the last revelation before Muhammad’s receiving of the Qur’an followers of Jesus were criticised for their extravagance and error of teaching.