islamic beliefs Flashcards
why is Islam a monotheistic religion?
because they believe in only one god
what teachings do Muslims follow?
the holy book, the Quran
and prophet Muhammad’s teachings
which tradition are the majority of Muslims?
85-90% Muslims are Sunni Muslims
according to Shia Muslims, what are the 5 articles of faith?
belief that allah is the only god belief in divine justice belief in prophethood belief in the authority of imams belief in the day of resurrection
according to Sunni Muslims, what are the 6 articles of faith?
belief that allah is the only god belief in angels belief in the holy books belief in prophethood belief in the day of judgement belief that allah knows and decides everything
name the two branches of Shia Islam?
the twelvers
the seveners
who are the twelvers?
the largest branch, they believe in 12 imams, the last of whom is in hiding and will return
who are the seveners?
they believe the 7th imam should be isma’il
they think each imam can choose the next
name 3 key Sunni beliefs?
no one after Muhammed received knowledge from allah
Muslims should focus on Muhammed and not Ali
they should be guided by the majority views of the community
what are the characteristics of allah?
omnipotent benevolent immanent merciful transcendent just
what is tawhid?
the belief in one god and the oneness of this god
the first part of the shahadah, the declaration of faith
what is shirk?
the worst possible sin, believing in other gods
why do Muslims reject the Christian idea of the trinity?
because they believe in tawhid (one god) and the trinity commits shirk
how does allah send messages to people? and why?
he sends messages via angels
to tell people how to lead good lives
how many prophets are mentioned in the Quran?
25
what do Muslims believe about the prophets?
that they performed miracles.
who is the 1st prophet?
Adam, he was also the first man
what did Adam do to get allahs forgiveness?
Adam ate the forbidden fruit but allah forgave him
who is believed to have built the Ka’aba?
ibrahim and his some isma’il
which prophet did allah speak to directly?
musa
who is Muhammed?
the last prophet, the Quran was revealed to him as a final revelation
how is the Quran organised?
into 114 surahs (chapters) in order of length, longest to shortest
what does the Quran tell muslims?
how to live their lives and please allah.
what is the purpose of angels?
to follow allahs orders and communicate with humans
describe an angel?
genderless, made of light with wings
immortal and incapable of sin
how do angels influence Muslims today?
the belief that angels record good and bad deeds influences Muslims to lead good lives so they can get to heaven
what is predestination?
that allah has decided everything that will happen
humans can’t do anything allah hasn’t chosen for them
however, what does the day of judgement suggest about predestination?
it suggests that Muslims have free will and so allah can’t decide their fate bc judgement relies on their actions
what do Sunni’s believe about predestination?
that allah knows everything
what do shia’s believe about predestination?
they focus more on free will, and that people’s lives are determined by their actions.
what is the day of judgement?
it’s when allah decides where people go in the afterlife, based upon their life choices
how does the day of judgement influence Muslims?
it encourages them to live good lives and comforts them knowing bad people will be punished
what is the afterlife?
where people go after the day of judgement
good deeds are rewarded with entry into heaven
bad deeds are punished with hell
what is the key word for heaven?
jannah
what is the key word for hell?
jahannam
