Islam Beliefs and Teachings

Question 1

Who lead the Muslim community after the Death of Muhammad (PBUH) in Sunni Islam?

Answer 1

Four successors known as Caliphs. Each one chosen in turn. They were Abu Bakr, Umar, ‘Uthman and Ali. They are known as “The four rightly guided Caliphs”

Question 2

Who lead the Muslim community after the Death of Muhammad (PBUH) in Shia Islam?

Answer 2

They refer to their chosen leader as “Imam” and believe that each one was to be chosen by the last. They believe Ali was his chosen successor and the others were seen as companions.

Question 3

What are the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam?

Answer 3

The oneness of Allah
Angels
The five sources of authority
The supremacy of Allah
The day of judgement
Prophets and messengers

Question 4

What do Sunni and Shia Muslims believe about the oneness of Allah? (Tawhid in Shia)

Answer 4

Allah is the creator and sustainer of human life. He is beyond human limitations like age and death as he wasn’t born and cannot dies. He is unlike anything and has no partners or children.

Question 5

What do Sunni Muslims believe about Angels?

Answer 5

Angeles do the work of Allah, they deliver revelations via the prophets so that they know what Allah wants them to do. They record the words and actions of individuals so that they have an account of their lives. They do not have free will like humans and obey Allah’s command.

Question 6

What do Sunni Muslims believe about authority (books)?

Answer 6

The five books are: the Torah of Moses, the psalms of David, the Gospels, the scrolls of Abraham and the Qur’an. They believe that the Qur’an is the only book that has not been changed and is the word of Allah.

Question 7

What do Sunni Muslims believe about the supremacy of Allah?

Answer 7

They believe that Allah knows everything. Nothing is random or happens by chance. Allah knows the past, present and future.

Question 8

What do Sunni Muslims believe about the day of judgement?

Answer 8

They believe that they will stand alone in front of Allah who decides whether they go to heaven or hell based on their deeds. Everyone must answer for themselves and accept the consequences of their actions.

Question 9

What do Sunni Muslims believe about prophets/messengers?

Answer 9

Prophets and messengers are chosen by Allah to deliver his message to humankind. It is believed Allah revealed messages through time to guide humanity and the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the last of the profits.

Question 10

What are the five roots of Usul ad-Din?

Answer 10

Tawhid- oneness
Adalat- justice of Allah
Nubuwwah- prophet hood
Imamate- leadership
Al Ma'ad- resurrection

Question 11

What do Shia Muslims believe about Adalat (Justice of Allah)?

Answer 11

Allah is “the just” and “the wise” meaning he does no wrong. They should be aware of good and evil and Allah commands them to do good. Human should be responsible for their actions- good and bad.

Question 12

What do Shia Muslims believe about Nubuwwah (prophet hood)?

Answer 12

Similar to Sunni except the imam protects the messages so that people do not forget and leave the faith.

Question 13

What do Shia Muslims believe about Imamate (leadership)?

Answer 13

Some Muslims believe that Muhammad had 12 Imams from his own tribe. Shi’s believe that the first 11 led the community but the 12th disappeared and will reappear at the end of time. It is believe his alive but hiding.

Question 14

What do Shia Muslims believe about Al Ma’ad (resurrection)?

Answer 14

They believe that there will be a day of judgement where humans will be physically resurrected to stand to be judged and asked to account for the words and actions of their lives.

Question 15

What is Risalah?

Answer 15

It means “message” from God.

Question 16

What do Muslims believe about Risalah?

Answer 16

They believe that it flows through the whole of life. Humans are born, go through the stages of life listening to Allah’s guidance from the prophets and reading the holy books and finally die to then be resurrected in the afterlife.

Question 17

What did Muhammad do as a prophet?

Answer 17

Muhammad had to escape the Madinah after his message was rejected and his life came under threat. He became ruler of the city politically and religiously, he then went on to convert people in Makkah to Islam.

Question 18

What is Sunnah?

Answer 18

The Sunnah are the practices, customs and traditions of the prophet Muhammad.

Question 19

What is the purpose of the Sunnah?

Answer 19

To give the perfect examples for Muslims to follow, found in the Hadith.

Question 20

What is the Hadith?

Answer 20

A collection of traditions including sayings of the prophet Muhammad. They are a major source of guidance for Muslims.

Question 21

What areas of life does Sunnah cover?

Answer 21

marriage, rituals for birth of children, animals, helping the poor and needy, remembering Allah and having a good sense of humour.

Question 22

What was “The Night of Power”?

Answer 22

It was the night in which the prophet Muhammad received the first message in the first revelation. It was “Recite in the name of your lord and all that exists”

Question 23

What is the Qur’an believed to be?

Answer 23

The direct word of Allah and therefore his authority. Revealed to the prophet Muhammad.

Question 24

What does the Qur’an contain?

Answer 24

It contains the legal Shari’ah law, the basics of worship, it explains creation and life’s biggest questions and provides guidance for Muslims.

Question 25

What is the Tawrat?

Answer 25

It is the Arabic word for Torah which is a holy book.

Question 26

What are Zabur and Injil?

Answer 26

Two other holy scriptures in Islam. Zabur of Dawud are a collection of prayers and Injil was the good news about Isa (Jesus) written by his disciples.

Question 27

What are the forms of Risalah?

Answer 27

prophets and angels.