Islamic Beliefs Flashcards
Nature of God
Muslims believe in the Oneness of God
(Tawhid).
There are 99 names of Allah revealing his many
qualities. The belief in the one God is the most
important Muslim belief which is reflected in
the Shahadah: ‘There is no God but Allah and
Mohammad is his messenger.’
Qualities of God
Immanent (close)
Transcendent (beyond our understanding)
Omnipotent (all powerful)
Beneficent (kind)
Merciful (kind)
Justice (fair)
Six articles of faith in Sunni Islam
H – Holy books
A - Angels
P – Prophets (Risalah)
P - Predestination
J - Judgement
O – Oneness of God (Tawhid)
Five roots of Usul-ad-Din in Shi’a Islam
J – Justice (adalat)
I - Imams
P – Prophets (Nubuwwah)
J – Judgement (Mi’ad)
O – Oneness of God (Tawhid)
Jibril
Relayed the Qur’an to Mohammad – God’s
revelation.
God continued to guide Mohammad
throughout his entire life communicating
through Jibril
Mika’il
Angel of mercy. God has assigned him to
reward righteous people for the good they do
on earth. Also has the responsibility of sending
rain, thunder and lightning to earth.
Predestination
Some Sunni Muslims believe God has already
determined everything that will happen in the
universe and written this down in the ‘book of
decrees’. God creates all things, including the
actions of his creatures, so they must act
according to his will.
Shi’a Muslims believe that God knows
everything that is going to happen, but this
does not mean that he decides what is going to
happen. This means humans still have free will,
so they can make their own choices.
Life after death
Death is not the end but the beginning of a new stage of life called Akhirah. After death, Muslims
are waiting for the Day of Judgement. While in the grave, God sends two angels to question
them about their faith. If they answer correctly, they will see the rewards to come, but if they
deny God, they will see the punishments they will have to endure. Everyone who has ever lived
will be raised from the dead and judged by God. They will be given new bodies and the book of
their life will be given to them.
Holy books in Islam
The Qur’an is believed to be the word of God, which was revealed to Mohammad via the angel
Jibril over a person of around 23 years. Other Muslim holy books include the Torah, Psalms,
Gospel and the Scrolls of Abraham, which are all believed to be revealed texts of God. However,
these are not seen to have the same authority as the Qur’an because they are said to have been
changed or distorted. Muslims also use Hadiths – actions and sayings of Mohammad.
Adam
Role was to rule and look after the earth for
God
First human, Muslim and prophet
To teach other humans to care for the Earth as
Allah taught him
To teach others how to live, what to eat, how
to pray.
Believed to have built the first Ka’aba in Mecca
(rebuilt by Ibrahim).
Ibrahim
Rebuilt the Ka’aba in Mecca – the holiest place
in Islam, important focus on Hajj, direction
Muslims pray in.
He was a monotheist at a time when many
others were polytheists.
He was prepared to sacrifice his son to show
his faith in Allah, but Allah stopped him. This is
celebrated at Eid-ul-Adha.
Imams / Imamate
The largest group in Shi’a Islam, sometimes known as Twelvers, believe that there were twelve
imams after the death of Muhammad. Twelvers believe that the twelfth imam is still alive
somewhere on Earth, and will one day make himself known and bring equality to all. Seveners
believe that the seventh imam was Isma’il. Isma’il was the son of one of the Twelve Imams.
