Philosophy - Islam

Define Islam.

Variety of meanings - ‘submission’, ‘peace’ and ‘obedience’.

Define monotheistic.

Someone/something that believes in one God. In Islam, Allah is the Arabic word for God.

How much of the world and the UK are Sunni Muslims?

In the world - 85-90%. UK - 95%.

How much of the world and the UK are Shia Muslims?

World - 10-15%. UK - 5%.

What are the foundational beliefs for Sunni Muslims called?

The Six Articles of Faith.

What are the foundational beliefs for Shia Muslims called?

The Five Roots of ‘Usul ad-Din.

What are the Six Articles of Faith?

Belief in oneness of God (Tawhid).

Belief in Angels.

Belief in the Prophets (Risalah).

Belief in the revealed books.

Belief in the afterlife (Akhirah).

Belief in the supremacy of God’s will (predestination).

What are the Five Roots of ‘Usul ad-Din?

Belief in oneness of God (Tawhid).

Belief in divine justice (Adalat).

Belief in Prophethood.

Belief in Imams.

Belief in Day of Judgement and Resurrection.

Define tawhid.

Belief in the oneness of God.

What is Surah 112: 1- 4 in the Quran?

It states that God is eternal, and that he gave birth to no one, nor was he born or created - no one is comparable to him.

Define immanence.

The idea that God is present in and involved with life on Earth and in the universe.

Define transcendence.

The idea that God is beyond and outside life on Earth and the universe.

Define omnipotence.

Almighty, having unlimited power.

Define beneficence.

Benevolent, all-loving, and all-good.

What is mercy?

Showing compassion or forgiveness even though he has the power to punish them.

What is fairness?

The idea that God treats people fairly and impartially without favour or discrimination.

Define justice.

Known as ‘Adalat. The idea that God is just and fair and judges human actions, rewarding the good and punishing the bad.

What are some features of angels? (6)

Made from light.

No free will and no desires.

Help God on Day of Judgement.

Bring revelations from God.

Servants of God.

Don’t reproduce, eat or drink.

What is a quote referencing to Angel Jibril and where is it from?

From a Hadith - “I saw Jibril descending from heaven and his great size filled the space between heaven and earth.”

What does Angel Jibril do?

He is the Angel of Revelation - delivers revelations from God to all the Prophets.

What is a quote referencing to Angel Mika’il, and where is it from?

Hadith - “Mika’il is in charge of the plants and the rain.”

What does Angel Mika’il do?

Controls the weather on Earth, and has assistants who follow orders.

Define determinism.

Our actions are already determined by God / laws of nature/fate.

Define compatibilism.

Our actions are determined, but we still have free will.

What is libertarianism?

Our actions are not determined - we have control over them.

What do Sunni Muslims believe about predestination?

They place less emphasis on human free will, but still believe that humans are responsible for the choices they make.

What do Shia Muslims believe about predestination?

They say that God knows everything we will do, but we decide what we do.

Why do Muslims believe it is important to think about the afterlife?

This life is a test.

What is Barzakh?

The state you are in when you are dead and awaiting for the Day of Judgement.

What will happen on the day the universe ends?

Everyone who has ever lived will die (if already dead, stay dead) and then be resurrected and judged by God.

What does the Afterlife remind Muslims to do?

To live a good life now - they won’t get a s

What determines whether you go to Heaven or Hell?

If you receive your Book of Deeds in your right hand, you will go to Heaven. If you receive it in your left hand and behind your back, you will go to hell.

How is Heaven described in the Quran?

A garden of happiness where humans will sit ‘on couches of well-woven cloth’ and where ‘youths will go round among them with glasses’.

How is Hell described in the Quran?

A place of fire and severe torment, where ‘they will dwell amid scorching wind and scalding water’.

What does risalah mean?

Belief in the prophets as Allah’s means of communication with humanity.

What did prophets do? (3)

They called people to ‘the straight path’.

They called people to worship Allah only.

They modeled characteristics and behaviour, such as giving charity, looking after the poor and respecting elders.

Who was Adam?

The first human and the first Prophet. Satan tricked him and Hawwa (Eve) into eating the fruit from a forbidden tree that represented evil. Banished from Heaven to Earth.

Who was Ibrahim (Abraham)?

The father of Isma’il (Ishmael). Known as a Friend of God. He and his son build the Ka’bah in Makkah where Muslims go for pilgrimage today.

Who was Musa (Moses)?

A messenger to the Banu Isra’il (Israelites). Appointed by God to free the Israelites from slavery. Given the Tablets (the Ten Commandments) and performed many miracles like parting the Red Sea.

Who was Dawud (David)?

He was also sent to the Israelites. He defeated the oppressive Jalut (Goliath) and was made king.

Who is Muhammad?

The final prophet, and is known as the ‘Seal of Prophets’. Given the final, perfect message for humanity - the Quran. He was a perfect role model and Muslims can offer prayers to him. Called a light, a teacher of wisdom and a mercy to all people.

Who was the Tawrat (Torah) revealed to? Name some facts about it.

Revealed to Moses. Torah refers to the first five books called Pentateuch. The Jewish Torah contradicts Islamic beliefs. The Tawrat is mentioned 18 times in the Quran, and Moses is mentioed 136 times.

Who was the Psalms (Zabur) revealed to? Name some facts about it.

The Psalms were revealed to David. ‘zabur’ means music in Arabic. ‘zimrah’ means music in Hebrew, and ‘zamir’ means nightingale in Hebrew. The Psalms are mentioned thrice in the Quran.

Who was the Gospels (Injil) revealed to? Name some facts about it.

Revealed to Jesus. Original revelations have been corrupted over time. Tawhid forbids this to be true - an addition or corruption by Jesus’ followers.

Who was the The Scrolls of Abraham revealed to? Name some facts about it.

They are referred to in the Quran, but the scriptures have been lost to time. Believed to have contained words of God sent to Abraham.

What are Hadith?

Muhammad’s sayings - not the word of God. Doesn’t have the same authority as holy books and gives guidance on how to live.