Islamic Beliefs Flashcards
What are the 6 Sunni articles of faith?
- Tahwid
- Malaikah
- Kutub
- Risalah
- Akhirah and other beliefs about death
- Al’Qadr
What is the belief in the 6 articles of faith called, and what is the important?
Iman
These articles are important because they were revealed by Allah
What does ‘Usul ad-Din’ mean?
The Usul ad-Din are the 5 Shi’a principles of faith
What are the 5 roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi’a Islam?
- Al-Tawhid
- Al-Adl (Belief in Divine Justice)
- Al-Nubuwah (Belief in Prophethood)
And We made them leaders guiding by Our command. And We inspired to them the doing of good deeds, establishment of prayer, and giving of zakah; and they were worshippers of Us- Al-Imamah (Belief in Imams) - Al-Ma’ad (Belief in the Day of Resurrection)
Qur’an evidence for the core beliefs of Islam
“Righteous is he who believe in Allah and the Last day and the angels and the scriptures and the prophets”
Why are the core beliefs of Islam important?
They allow Muslims to understand all that Allah wants them to know about him, and that they are able to worship him by relying on the prophets
Differences in views about leadership between Sunni and Shi’a
Sunni and Shi’a traditions disagree over the leadership of the faith (Al-Imamah) and divine justice (Al-Adl)
What is Tahwid?
Beliefs about the oneness of Allah
Qur’an evidence for Tahwid
“Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He did not give birth nor was he born; and there is none like Him”
6 examples of the 99 names of Allah
- The Merciful
- The Eternal Lord
- The Loving One
- The Only One
- The Just One
- The Omnipotent One
7 key aspects of Allah
- Tahwid
- Merciful
- Omnipotent
- Benevolent
- Fair and Just
- Transcendent
- Immanent
What does shirk mean?
To assign any partners to Allah. It is the only unforgivable sin.
How does Tahwid and shirk reject any ideas of polytheism or Christian beliefs?
Only one God can exist, therefore, Christian ideas about the trinity are completely rejected as Muslims view Jesus and the Holy Spirit as separate to God the Father, therefore, in the Qur’an, Jesus (Isa) is a prophet.
Qur’an evidence for Allah as omnipotent and the creator
“Allah is the creator of everything. He is the guardian over everything. To him belong the keys of heavens and the earth.”
Qur’an evidence for Allah and his concern for mankind
“We are closer to him than his Jugular vein”
Qur’an evidence for Allah’s guidance to mankind showing his merciful nature
Surah 1:1
“In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful”
How does Imamate relate to Tahwid?
The Shi’a belief of Imamate does not conflict with Tahwid, because the Imams are not assigned as partners to Allah, they are simply chosen by Allah to lead the Muslim community on earth.
How many Imams have there been?
- The first 11 were martyred, but the 12th is believed to be still alive, hiding. This belief is known as occultation
What is a Caliph?
The Sunni successor to Muhammed (the first was Abu Bakr)
Qur’an evidence for Imams
Surah 21:73
“And We made them leaders guiding by Our command. And We inspired to them the doing of good deeds, establishment of prayer, and giving of zakah; and they were worshippers of Us”
What is Al-Adl?
Belief in divine justice.
What is divine justice?
The Shi’a belief that there is an objective right and wrong, and humans are able to determine which things are right to do using free will. Allah will use these actions on the Day of Judgement.
Who believes in predestination?
Sunni Muslims believe in predestination (Al-Qadr). Shi’a Muslims do not.
What does Risalah mean?
Prophethood, or the communication between Allah and man in the form of books, angels and prophets.
What is a prophet?
A prophet is simply a messenger chosen by Allah to teach people about Islam. They are human and should not be worshipped.
Who was the first prophet?
Adam. He was made in Allah’s image, given the ability to reason also made a Caliph. Adam was disobedient, and was expelled from Al-Jannah, however, Allah promised his guidance.
Qur’an evidence that prophets are only messengers, and that Muhammad was the seal of prophets
Surah 33:40
“Muhammad is not the father of one of your men, but the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets. And ever is Allah, of all things, Knowing”
Qur’an evidence for risalah
Surah 10:47
“And for every nation is a messenger. So when their messenger comes, it will be judged between them in justice, and they will not be wronged”
Who is Ibrahim?
The father of the Arab people and of the prophets.
What is a Hanif, and who is the main example of one?
A Hanif is a believer in one God. Most notably, Ibrahim was a Hanif.
What did Allah ask Ibrahim to do?
Sacrifice his son, Isma’il. 3 times Iblis told him not to do it, but he ignored him. Allah provided a ram in place of Isma’il to sacrifice instead.
Qur’an evidence for Ibrahim being appreciated by Allah
Surah 4:125
“And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth? And Allah took Abraham as an intimate friend”
What are the origins of Mecca?
At Allah’s request, Isma’il and his mother were stuck in the desert. When their supplies ran out, Isma’il kicked his heel against the ground, and a spring appeared. Allah requested that this place was called Mecca.
What did Isma’il most notably do?
Build the Kabba with Ibrahim
Who was Musa?
A prophet, whose mother was instructed to place him in a basket in the Nile. He was found by the pharaoh’s wife, who hired Musa’s mother as a nanny. Later, he became the leader of the Israelites and freed the salves.
What was revealed to Musa?
The Tawrat (Torah) and the 10 commandments
Qur’an evidence of Musa being appreciated by Allah
Surah 33:69
“O you who have believed, be not like those who abused Moses; then Allah cleared him of what they said. And he, in the sight of Allah, was distinguished.”
Who was Dawud?
A prophet and eventually the king of the Israelites. Notoriously, he killed the giant Goliath. Talut, the king, was killed by enemies, and it was agreed Dawud should become king.
What was revealed to Dawud?
The Zabur (Psalms)
What did Isa do?
He spoke will still in the cradle and performed many miracles.
What did Isa foretell in the Qur’an?
The coming of Muhammad
What is the belief about Isa in the future?
He will return on the Day of Resurrection to bring together all Muslims. According to the Hadith, Isa will bring war until all religions except Islam are destroyed.
Was Isa divine?
No, but he was chosen to deliver a message like the other prophets.
What was Muhammad’s reputation like growing up?
Justice and honesty
What does Laylat ul-Qadr mean?
The Night of Power
What happened on the night of power?
The angel Jibril commanded Muhammad to read, but he said he could not. This happened 3 times, but after the 3 times, Muhammad recited the verses - these were the first verses of the Qur’an. This event supposedly occurred during the last 10 nights of Ramadan.
What does Lailat ul Miraj mean?
The Night Journey
What happened during the night journey?
Jibril awoke Muhammad and took him to Jerusalem on a winged horse. Muhammad’s heart was removed, purified from doubt, idolatry and error and filled with faith and wisdom. Then, he ascended through the 7 heavens and shown paradise and hell ,as well as meeting previous prophets, like Musa, Ibrahim and Isa. Musa and Muhammad agreed that Muslims should pray 5 times a day. Muhammad then entered the presence of Allah and experienced peace, light and the blessings of Allah.
What does Hijrah mean?
Emigration
What happened during the Hijrah?
There was a plot to assassinate Muhammad, so he left Mecca and travelled to Yathrib, which was later renamed to Medina, meaning city of the prophet. Many other Muslims families met him there and the city became the first to be run with Islamic principles. There were a series of battles between Mecca and Medina, eventually, the Muslims of Medina won. All idols next to the Kabba were destroyed, and Mecca was reclaimed.
What happened in 632?
Muhammad gave a farewell speech on the Mount of Mercy, giving them further guidance. Muhammad asked whether he had fulfilled his mission, and the crowd responded “You have fulfilled it, O messenger of Allah”.
Biblical evidence for Muhammad’s guidance
“No prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born… I leave behind two things the Qur’an and my example the Sunnah, anf it youfollow these you will never go astray.”
What does Kutub mean?
Holy books
What are the 5 main books and who were they revealed to?
- Sahifah (Scrolls): Ibrahim
- Injil (Gospel): Isa
- Tawrat (Torah): Musa
- Zabur (Psalms): Dawud
- Qur’an: Muhammad
What is the Sunna?
Records on what Muhammad did
What is the Hadith?
Records of what Muhammad said
What happened to the books over time?
The written texts became distorted, so they were no longer true to the word of Allah, so the Qur’an was presented to Muhammad as the final, undistorted message.
Qur’an evidence that the Qur’an is the final, undistorted message
Surah 5:48
“And We have revealed to you, the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth”
Who are the 4 key angels mentioned in the Qur’an?
- Jibril
- Izra’il
- Israfil
- Mika’il
Who is Jibril?
The chief angel who brought Allah’s message to the prophets
Who is Izra’il?
The angel of death responsible for taking everyone’s final breath
Who is Israfil?
The angel of Last Judgement, who will also blow the trumpet to announce the Day of Resurrection
Who is Mika’il?
The guardian of Al-Jannah
What is the role of angels?
To be the primary source of communication between humanity and Allah. They were Allah’s first creation. They are also immortal, free of sin and without free will.
What does Malaikah mean?
Angels
What are the beliefs about the honourable scribes?
Each person is assigned 2 honourable scribes (recording angels), who write down all of your good and bad deeds, ready for the Day of Judgement.
Qur’an evidence of Malaikah
Surah 35:1
“praise is to Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, made the angels messengers having wings, two or three or four. He increases in creation what He wills. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.”
What does Al-Qad’r mean?
Predestionation
What does Sifat mean?
Allah’s foreknowledge
Where did Allah write everything that will ever happen, before the creation time?
On the al-Lawh al-Mahfooz (The preserved tablet)
What do Muslims believe is the cause of everything that happens?
The will of Allah
What issues are raised if Al-Qad’r exists, and therefore we have no free will?
- If Allah is responsible for all human actions, then he must also be responsible for evil and suffering, so how can he be merciful and benevolent?
- On the Day of Resurrection, how can Allah judge Muslims on their actions fairly, if they are predetermined by Allah?
What did the Mutazilites believe about predestination?
That it does not exist, and we have completely free will, so that our fates can be determined by Allah’s divine justice. Shi’a Muslims accept this school of thought.
Qur’an evidence that we have free will
“There is no compulsion [being forced to do something] in Islam”
“Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves”
Qur’an evidence for the honourable scribes
Surah 17:13
“We have made very person’s actions cling to his neck. On the Day of Judgement, We will bring forth the record of his actions in the form of a wide open book”
What is Asharism?
The school of though which states Allah created everything, including human acts, and humans could ‘acquire’ the act and make a choice between the right and wrong choice of action.
What does Akhirah mean?
Life after death
What is Barzakh?
The period between death and the Day of Judgement
What are the different beliefs about what happens to the soul during Barzakh?
- The soul will be affected by the life the person led
- The soul is given a temporary body, light or dark, depending on the life the person led. Therefore, the soul will know what will happen.
What is al-Jannah?
Heaven
What are Islamic beliefs about al-Jannah?
It is a place of constant peace, welcomed by angels delivering a message of peace
What are 3 of the 8 doors to al-Jannah
- Those who have often given to charity
- Those who have completed Hajj
- Those who constantly work to be obedient to Allah
Qur’an evidence for good deeds leading to paradise
“As for those who believed and carried out good deeds they will be delighted in paradise”
What does Al-Jahannam mean?
Hell
What are Islamic beliefs about al-Jahannam?
It is a place of eternal punishment, suffering and pain. For sinful believers, it is a place of purification, from which, Allah can move sinners to heaven after cleansing.
Qur’an description of Al-Jahannam
Surah 101:11
“It is a Fire, intensely hot”
What is martyrdom?
Being killed in the defence of, or struggle for, your faith
How have extremists taken beliefs about martyrdom out of context?
Extremists have used beliefs about martyrdom to justify terrorism. This is contrary to the teaching “There is no compulsion in Islam”
What is the impact of teachings about Akhirah to Muslims?
Muslims will act obediently to Allah, not sinning, to get a good judgement. Belief in punishment for non-believers may cause Muslims to share beliefs about the faith.
Qur’an evidence for martyrdom
Surah 3:169
“And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their lord”
Qur’an evidence for the mercifulness of Allah
Surah 2:160
“Except for those who repent and correct themselves and make evidence [what they concealed]. Those - I will accept their repentance, and I am the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful”
Qur’an evidence for judgement
Surah 2:155
“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient”
Qur’an evidence for al-Jannah
“Beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss”
Qur’an evidence for Day of Judgement + Akhirah
“As for those who believed and carried out good deeds they will be delighted in paradise”
