Islam: Beliefs and Teachings

Question 1

Six Articles of Faith (Sunni)

Answer 1

Tawhid
Belief in the angels of Allah
Belief in the books of Allah
Belief in the messengers of Allah
Akhirah and the Day of Judgement
Predestination

Question 2

Five Principles (Shi’a)

Answer 2

Al-Tawhid: belief in the Oneness and Unity of Allah
Al-Adl: belief in Divine Justice
Al-Nubuwah: belief in Prophethood
Al-Immah: belief in Imams
Al-Ma’ad: belief in the Day of Resurrection

Question 3

Akhirah

Answer 3

Life after death

Question 4

Why are the six articles and five principles important to Muslims?

Answer 4

They are able to understand what Allah wants them to know about him
They are able to worship Allah by relying on his words sent via the prophets
They give Muslims a sense of their own place before Allah and an understanding of life after death

Question 5

Predestination

Answer 5

The belief that all events have been willed by Allah

Question 6

Shi’a Muslim Beliefs

Answer 6

There is an objective framework of right and wrong

On the Day of Judgement Allah will judge people according to his moral framework

Humans should use their free will to act in the right way

There is no such thing as predestination because humans have free will

Question 7

Risalah

Answer 7

Prophethood - the means of communication between Allah and humans

Question 8

Prophet

Answer 8

A messenger chosen by Allah to teach, guide, and train people to follow him

Question 9

First Prophet? Last Prophet?

Answer 9

Adam (made of clay in Allah’s image), Muhammad

Question 10

Ibrahim

Answer 10

Abraham, father of the Arab people and of the prophets

Question 11

How was Ibrahim tested

Answer 11

Allah told him to sacrifice his first-born son Isma’il

Question 12

Who built the Kaaba

Answer 12

Ibrahim and Isma’il

Question 13

Zabur of Dawud

Answer 13

Psalms of David, contains lessons of guidance for Israelites

Question 14

Sunna

Answer 14

Records the actions of Muhammad

Question 15

Hadith

Answer 15

Records the sayings of Muhammad

Question 16

Tawrat of Musa

Answer 16

Torah, revealed to Moses

Question 17

Injil of Isa

Answer 17

Gospel of Jesus

Question 18

Suhuf of Ibrahim

Answer 18

Scrolls of Abraham

Question 19

Role of Isa

Answer 19

To bring together true Muslims

Question 20

Why is Muhmmad known as the seal of the prophets?

Answer 20

Because he provided the final revelation of Allah to his people in the form of the Qur’an

Question 21

Muhammad’s Farewell Speech

Answer 21

Live in peace
Respect each other’s rights
Remain true to the Qur’an

Question 22

Angels

Answer 22

Made from Nur (divine light)
No free will, so free of sin
Immortal, no physical needs

Question 23

Examples of angels

Answer 23

Jibril - chief angel, brought God’s message to all prophets

Izra’il - angel of death, separates a human’s soul from their body at the time of their appointed death. Non believers - he’s scary. Believers - he’s very pleasant

Mika’il - guardian of heaven, according to Muhammad he sends rain, thunder, and lightning to Earth on the command of Allah

Question 24

Purpose of angels

Answer 24

Help Muslims
Communicate with Allah’s prophets
Record all that humans do and say, ready for the Day of Judgement

Question 25

Which Muslim group taught that humans have no free will?

Answer 25

Jabrites

Question 26

Which Muslim group believes that human free will means there can be no predestination?

Answer 26

Mutazilites, also Shi’a Muslims

Question 27

What leads to good judgement?

Answer 27

Dying as a Muslim

Question 28

What is the result of bad judgement?

Answer 28

Being sent to hell (Jahannam)

Question 29

Barzakh

Answer 29

The period of time between death and the Day of Judgement

Question 30

Martyrdom

Answer 30

Being killed in the defence/struggle for your faith