Islamic beliefs and teachings.

Sunni: Six articles of faith

1. Tawhid- Belief in the oneness of God

2. Angels - Belief in angels including JIbril and Mikail.

3. Prophethood - importance of Prophet Muhammad and others.

4. Holy Books - Authority of Quran and other scriptures.

5. Predestination- Al Qadr.

6. Life after death - Akhirah

importance of 6 articles for sunnis.

• provides foundations of faith

• Gives clear set of beliefs.

• Unites Sunni Muslims.

• Helps understand their faith.

• Supports Sunni Muslims to live in a good Islamic life.

Shi’a: 5 roots of Usul ad-Din.

1. Tawhid

2. Prophethood

3. life after death

4. Justice

5. imamate.

Comparison of 6 articles and 5 roots.

Similiarities: Tawhid, prophethood and life after death.

Differences: Shi’a muslims believe in imamate whereas Sunni Muslims do not. Shia muslims belive in divine appointment. Sunni belive in public election.

Tawhid quote “He is god the…“

“He is god the one, god the eternal , He begot no one nor was he begotten. Nobody is comparable to him. “ - Quran.

This shows:

• Islam is monotheistic.

• God has always existed and always will exist.

• He was not born and he does not have a son.

• God is transcendent and greater than all things.

importance of Tawhid:

• fundamental to the Islamic religion.

• Foundational for all other beliefs

• Underpins all other Islamic principles and practices.

• Contained in the Shahaddah

• Helps develop a complete focus on God.

Influence of Tawhid.

• to worship God

• To follow God’s rules

• To avoid idolatry/shirk

• to say the Shahadah

Immanence meaning.

God is close to humanity

transcendence meaning

God is beyond time and space.

Merciful - explanation, quote and influence

• God is forgiving

• “Lord of Mercy“ - Quran

• influence to seek forgiveness and to feel comforted.

Omnipotent- explanation, quote and influence

• god is all-powerful

• “All power belongs to God“ - Quran

• Influence: To worship God because you believe he is worthy of worship and to pray for help .

Omniscient - explanation, quote and influence

• God is all- knowing

• “God is all-knowing , all aware“ - Quran

• Influence:

• To follow God’s rules (because God is all knowing so if he gave you a rule you should follow it as god knows what you need to do in order to live a good live)

• to avoid sin.- because he knows what you do and he can hold it against you on day of judgement.

immanence - quote, meaning

• “He is closer to you than your jugular vein“ - Quran

• means God is involved within the world today.

• Muslims believe that God is close to humanity. He is vital for our continued human existence.

transcendence - quote, meaning

• “no vision can take him in, but He takes in all vision- “- Quran

• God is outside the universe- beyond space and time.

• God is the creator and controller of everything

• beyond human comprehension.

Angels

• spiritual beings created from light

• created before humans

• constantly praise God and carry out his commandments

• Deliver important messages to prophets.

• watch over humanity

• Record each person’s actions for Judgement Day.

Angel Quotes- “They exalt him…“

“They exalt him day and night and do not slacken“ - Quran

Angels were created by God to carry out important tasks for him.

Angel Quotes - “Each person has..“

“Each person has angel watching over him”- Quran

Muslims believe each person has 2 angels watching over them, recording their deeds for the Day of Judgement.

Angel Jibril.

• revealed the Quran to Prophet Muhammad

• Revelation began on night of power 610CE

• Angel Jibril appeared to Muhammad whilst he was meditating in cave on mount of Hira, just outside Mecca.

• Commanded Muhammad to “Read!“ - Muhammad was illiterate making this a miracle.

• Revelation of Quran continued for 23 years.

• Without Angel Jibril, the Quran would not exist.

Angel Mika’il

• Angel of mercy and friend to humanity

• assigned by God to reward people for their good deeds.

• Asks God to forgive people’s sins

• Brings nourishment by sending rain to earth.

influence of angels:

• to do good deeds

• to avoid sin

• Believe the Quran is infallible.

• feel hopeful for forgiveness.

Day of Judgement - definition, quote, explanation, influence

• The day when God will decide about individual deeds and on reward or punishment.

• “On that day you will be exposed and none of your secrets will remain hidden”- Quran

• Angel Israfil will blow the trumpet to announce day of judgement. All bodies will ressurect and each person will be judged by God based on their earthly lives. God is fair and just judge.

• Influences:

• do good deeds and avoid sin

• pray for forgiveness

Heaven- definition, quote, explanation, influence

• Allah’s reward after death to those who have been faithful to him and have repented their sins.

• “The garden promised to the pious“ - Quran

• Reward for those who have performed good deeds, have faith in God and repent their sins .

• It is “blessed reward“ where you will have eternal happiness. described as a beautiful garden and has 7 levels.

• place of everlasting and evr increasing happiness

• influence:

• do good deeds

• follow god’s rules

• to feel hopeful

• to feel comforted

Hell- definition, quote, explanation, influence

• a place of great suffering after death for those who have rejected the Quran’s teachings and have led a wicked life.

• “Garments of fire will be tailored for those who disbelieve“

• place of punishment for evil doers after death.

• Punishment includes: garments of fire, scalding water and iron crooks used to restrain sinners.

• influence:

• to avoid sin

• feel fearful.

predestination

• everything that happens has already been decided by God.

• Thus means that everything that happens is part of God’s plan for us and the universe

• This reflects God’s omnipotence and omniscience

predestination quoute “only what God has…“

“Only what God has decreed will happen to us“ - Quran

Everything that happens is part of God’s plan for us. Muslims should trust in God and put faith in his plant for their lives. This can provide hope and reassurance during difficult times.

predestination quote “Nobody may die except by…“

“Nobody may die except by the permission of God at an appointed time“- Quran

Predestination includes when you will die. This is why euhanasia is seen as wrong by Muslims.

predestination and free will

• God’s transcendence means that He is outside both space and time - meaning that he can see past, present and future at the same time.

• In addition to this, we cannot fully comprehend God so we just have to believe in him as a matter of faith.

influence of predestination

• to put faith in god

• to follow Islamic Teachings

• to have hope

• To feel comforted

importance of predestination

• Emphasises God’s omnipotence and sovereignty

• Reminds you to trust in God and have faith in his plan, “God will not burden you with more than you can bare“.

• Gives hope and comfort during difficult times

prophethood.

• prophets are messengers of God

• Spread word of God and model good behaviour

• 25 prophets in the Quran

• Adam was first, Muhammad was last

prophet hood quote “Every community is…“

“Every community is sent a messenger“- Quran

Prophets are messengers of God who revealed monotheism to humanity.

“Perfect man“ “Excellent model“

Propehet Muhammad is the final prophet and founder of Islam. His Hadith and Sunnah have authority today alongside the Quran which he revealed

Prophet Ibrahim

• Exemplar of faith believed in monotheism and rejected idolatry

• Ibrahim challenged idolatry in his community and was thrown into a fire by his own father , who was a crafter of idols

• He survived the fire and remained faithful to God despite what had happened to him.

• God tested Ibrahim’s faith by asking him to sacrifice his own son, Ismail. This obedience and willingness to follow god’s commands makes him an exemplar of faith.

• He was ready to do it but then it was replaced by a lamb

Prophet Muhammad

• Seal of prophets

• born in mecca when idolatry was widespread

• spent time meditating in a cave on Mount Hira where Angel Jibril revealed the Quran to him. This continued over 23 years

• Angel Jibril commanded him to read and he did despite being illiterate. He was receiving the direct word of God.

• Returned to Mecca to preach the message but was rejected

• Fled to Medina where established the first Islamic community

• Following Holy wars, returned to Mecca and rededicated the Kaaba to God.

• He is the founder of Islam and the perfect man

Influence of prophets

• To follow their teachings

• To follow their examples

• To put faith in God

• To avoid idolatry.

Quran

• The Quran is the infallible and inerrant word of God

• It was revealed to Prophet Muhammad by Angel Jibril over 23 years.

• Most important source of authority for Muslims.

• Relevant for all people at all times in their lives

• It is unchanging and unchangeable.

holy books quote “The Quran is nothing less than…“

“The Quran is nothing less than a revelation that is sent to him”- Quran

Muslims believe that the Quran is the infallible word of God.

This is because it is the direct revelation of god to Prophet Muhammad through Angel Jibril.

Holy book quote “Confirmation of….“

“Conformation of previous scriptures and a supreme authority for them“- Quran

The Quran confirms teachings about monotheism in earlier scriptures.

The Quran

• preserved in Arabic so the word of god is not lost in translation.

• The infallible word of God

• revealed via Angel Jibril, beginning on night of power in 610CE

• divine authority,

• 114 Surahs covering every aspect of life

• Basis for Shari’ah Law and source of guidance for Muslims

Other Holy Books.

Earlier Holy Books have importance for Muslims because they are connected to important prophets and mentioned in the Quran

The Quran confirms earlier confirmation but it is more important

• Tawrat (Torah) - moses

• Scrolls of Ibrahim - ibrahim

• Zabur (The Psalms) - david

• Injil (old testament) - Isa

Influence of Holy Books

• to follow rules

• to follow teachings

• use as a guide

• To treat with respect .

Sunni- Community appointment

• believe that Imama should be appointed by the community.

• Should be based on their suitability of the role eg knowledge.

• They are important but do not have infallibility.

Shia - divine appointment

• believe that imams are divinely appointed by Go d

• They are spiritual descendants of Prophet Muhammad and belong to his family.

• They are infallible in authority and sinless in nature.

Imamate succession

• Ali (cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad)

• Hasan (Ali appointed his son)

• Husayn (Hasan appointed his brother)

Twelfth Imam

Mahdi is still alive and has gone into hiding. He will emerge at the end of time to establish justice. In their absence, Ayaltollahs (who are trained by Mahdi )provide spiritual guidance and leadership.

influence of imamate

• to accept their teachings

• To have hope for the reappeance of Mahdi.

caliph quote “Islam will continue to prevail…“

“Islam will continue to prevail through 12 caliphs“