The Islamic Community - Sunnis & Shi'as

Question 1

What two main categories is the Islam community divided into? (2)

Answer 1

1. Sunnis (majority) - “one who follows the Sunnah”

2. Shi’as - “from the house of Ali (a close relative of Proph.Muham.)

Question 2

What do Sunnis believe? (3)

Answer 2

1. Proph.Muham’s successor should be of the ppl he trusted when he was alive.
2. No religious hierarchy - Imams are not divinely appointed but teachers chosen through agreement among the local community
3. Six articles of faith + Five Pillars

Question 3

Describe the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam. (6)

Answer 3

1. Belief in Tawhid - absolute faith in the unity and oneness of God
2. Belief in malaikah - angels are created to deliver God’s divine message
3. Belief in kutub - God’s word is revealed to us in the holy books
4. Belief in risalah - God has spoken through numerous prophets, including Adam, Ibrahim, Musa, Dawud, Isa and Muhammad
5. Belief in akhirah - This life is preparation for the afterlife, and Muslims will be held responsible for their actions on the Day of Judgement.
6. Belief in Al-Qadr - God has a divine destiny for all things.

Question 4

What do Shi’as believe? (3)

Answer 4

1. Proph.Muham’s first successor should’ve been Ali
2. Divinely appointed Imams should lead the ummah
3. Five roots of Usul-ad-Din + Ten Obligatory Acts

Question 5

Describe the five roots of Usul-ad-Din in Shi’a Islam. (5)

Answer 5

1. Belief in Tawhid
2. Belief in Adalah - the perfect justice and wisdom of God
3. Belief in Nubuwwah (prophethood) - divinely appointed prophets show humans how to live in complete submission to God. Muhammad was the Seal of Prophets who brought the final, unchanging message of God.
4. Belief in Imamate (authority of the Imams) - the Twelve Infallible Imams were appointed by God to guide the ummah after Muhammad’s death. 11 have been killed, but the twelfth, the Madhi, is alive and waiting in occultation to reappear during the end times and deliver justice to the earth.
5. Belief in Qayamat (resurrection) - all humans will be resurrected on the D.o.J. The good will be rewarded, and the evil punished.