Islamic beliefs

Question 1

Define tawhid

Answer 1

The basic Muslim belief in the oneness of God

Question 2

Define prophethood

Answer 2

The term used of the messengers of God, beginning with Adam and ending with the Prophet Muhammad.

Question 3

Define halal

Answer 3

This means ‘permitted’. For example, certain foods in Islam are Halal.

Question 4

Define haram

Answer 4

This means ‘forbidden’. Some actions and things are haram in Islam, such as eating certain foods.

Question 5

Define malaikah and give two relevant quotes

Answer 5

Angels

In the Qur’an, believers ‘believed in God and his angels and his books and his messengers’
The angel Jibril ‘brought the Qur’an down upon your heart’

Question 6

Define jihad

Answer 6

Means ‘to strive’. There are two forms of jihad.
Greater jihad is the daily struggle and inner spiritual striving to live as a Muslim.
Lesser jihad is a physical struggle or ‘holy war’ in defence of Islam.

Question 7

Define mosque

Answer 7

A place of ‘prostration’ for Muslims. It is a communal place of worship for a Muslim community.

Question 8

Define shari’ah

Answer 8

A ‘straight path’ and a way of life; Muslims believe that God has set out a clear path for how Muslims should live.
Shari’ah law is the set of moral and religious rules that put the principles set out by the Qur’an and the Hadith into practice.

Question 9

Define ummah

Answer 9

Literally ‘community’. Refers to the worldwide community of Muslims who share a common religious identity

Question 10

Give seven characteristics of Allah

Answer 10

Immanent, transcendent, beneficent, just, fair, merciful, omnipotent

Question 11

Explain adalat

Answer 11

Adalat is the justice of God, and is given particular emphasis in Shi’a Islam.
Shia’s want to stress that God is perfect justice, utter fairness, and complete wisdom. Although he is all powerful, he will never do anything that goes against his own characteristics.

Question 12

Define akhirah

Answer 12

The afterlife
‘To him you will be returned’

Question 13

Explain the nature of prophethood

Answer 13

Communication between God and humans is called risalah
The prophets were humans chosen by God to give God’s guidance to the people, not their own guidance.
‘We have not sent a messenger except in the language of his people to clarify the message for them’

Question 14

Why are prophets important in Islam?

Answer 14

God sent many prophets throughout history to guide his people. Prophets are humans chosen to carry God’s message.
25 of the prophets are mentioned in the Qur’an by name, many of who are people from the Jewish and Christian scriptures

Question 15

Who was Adam, and why was he an important prophet?

Answer 15

Formed from God from a handful of soil; Eve created from his rib. Banished from blah blah blah, you know the story of Adam and Eve.

Called the father of the human race.

Became the first prophet.

Created as a khalifah (God’s representative on Earth).

Question 16

Who was Ibrahim, and why was he an important prophet?

Answer 16

Born into a polytheistic family, but believed in only one God and became a Muslim.

Father of Ishaq (Isaac) and Ishma’il (Ishmael).

Regarded as a hand (one who has inner knowledge that there is only one God).

The greatest of the prophets before Isa.

Ancestor of Muhammed.

Question 17

Who was Isa, and why was he an important prophet?

Answer 17

Appears prominently in the Qur’an.

Given the Injil (Gospel) and performed many miracles.

Did not die on the cross, but was taken up to Heaven, as Allah would not allow evil men to triumph over his prophet.

Regarded as a successor to Musa.

Received a revelation, the Injil, from Allah.

Will return in a second coming when God judges the world.

Question 18

Give five characteristics of the malaikah in Sunni Islam.

Answer 18

God’s first creation.

Created by God from light.

Immortal.

Always obedient to God.

No free will.

Question 19

What is the responsibility of Jibril?

Answer 19

Jibril (AKA Gabriel) is the archangel responsible for revealing the Qur’an to Muhammed, and God’s messengers to believers.

Jibril “brought the Qur’an down upon your heart”.

Question 20

What is the responsibility of Mika’il?

Answer 20

Mika’il (AKA Michael) is the archangel responsible for keeping the devil out of Heaven, protecting worshippers, and plants and rain.

Question 21

What is the responsibility of Israfil?

Answer 21

Israfil (AKA Raphael) is the archangel who will announce the Day of Judgement by blowing the trumpet that will signal the resurrection of the dead.

Question 22

Explain Muslim beliefs about Al-Qadr.

Answer 22

Al-Qadr is predestination.

God has a divine master plan for the world and all of creation. However, everyone has free will to be able to choose right from wrong, and is held accountable for their actions. Life is a test.

“all things we created with predestination”

Question 23

Explain Muslim beliefs about the Day of Judgement.

Answer 23

The dead will be raised and stand before God for judgement.

A book representing every action is presented to each person.

Good deeds and bad deeds are weighed in balance.

Niyyah (personal intentions) are also taken into consideration.

If the book is passed into the right hand, the person will go to Heaven. If the left hand, the person will go the Hell.

Question 24

What will Janna be like?

When will it happen?

What is its purpose?

Answer 24

Janna (Heaven) is a state of peace, joy, and happiness. It will contain everything longed for on Earth.

After death the two angels Munkar and Nakir will question each individual. Correct answers can only be given to those who can recite the Shahadah and have also lived in submission to God and observed the five pillars.

Janna is a reward for living a faithful and moral life, or suffering persecution because of faith, or fighting in the cause for God. It also separates out those who have committed more good deeds than bad.

Question 25

What will Jahannam be like?

When will it happen?

What is its purpose?

Answer 25

Jahannam (Hell) is a place of terror, with boiling water, fierce fire, and thick black smoke. As well as having physical suffering, those condemned to Hell will also suffer by being separated from God.

After Judgement, souls will cross the narrow Bridge of As-Sirat. Those who have collected more bad deeds than good will fall and go to Jahannam.

Jahannam is a punishment for those who have failed to live faithfully and morally. It is also thought of as a tool to persuade Muslims to obey God’s laws and ways, because they would fear the threat of going to Hell.

Question 26

What are the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam?

Answer 26

1. Allah
   Allah is one (Tawhid).
2. Malaikah
   Angels were created by God to bring his divine message.
3. Holy books
   God revealed the Qur’an to Muhammed through the angel Jibril. There are other Holy Books too, although the Qur’an is the only one which is not corrupted.
4. Risalah
   God has spoken through many prophets. Adam was the first, and Muhammad was the Seal of the Prophets.
5. Akhirah
   There is a final judgement and a life after death. Earthly life is a preparation for eternal life. All will give account for their deeds on the Day of Judgement.
6. Al-Qadr
   God is in control of everything and has a master plan. But humans have free will and must learn to turn away from evil.

Question 27

What are the five roots of religion (usul as-Din) in Shi’a Islam?

Answer 27

1. Tawhid
   The oneness of God. He alone is to be worshipped.
2. The justice of God (Adalat)
   God is perfect justice and wisdom.
3. Prophethood (Nubuwwah)
   God has appointed prophets and messengers. Muhammed is the Seal of the Prophets.
4. Leadership (Imamate)
   God appointed twelve Imams to guide Muslims after Muhammad’s death.
5. Resurrection (qayamat)
   There will be a resurrection on the Day of Judgement.

Question 28

Give Muslim attitudes towards the Sahifah.

Answer 28

These were the scrolls of Ibrahim.
They are now lost, and no copies remain.
Ibrahim was the greatest prophet before Isa.

Question 29

Give Muslim attitudes towards the Injil.

Answer 29

This is the Gospel.
The Injil is the teaching given to 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.

Question 30

Give Muslim attitudes towards the Zabur.

Answer 30

These are the Psalms.
They were given to Dawud.
Muslims recognise that Dawud glorified and praised God. He is sometimes presented as a model Muslim.

Question 31

Give Muslim attitudes towards the Tawrat.

Answer 31

This is the revelation given to Musa.
It contains laws and teaches the unity of God.
Muslims believe that it falls short of the original revelation, but it is guidance to Muslims nonetheless.