TEP - Islamic beliefs

Inshallah

A phrase meaning 'God willing,' often used by Muslims after promising to do something.

Sunnah

The example that Muhammad set for Muslims about how to live

Caliph

successor to Muhammad as political and religious leader of the Muslims

Six articles of Faith in Sunni Islam

Oneness, Predestination, Angels, Holy Books, The Day of Judgment, Prophethood

Five Roots of Shi'a Islam

Oneness, Imamate, Resurrection, Justice, Prophethood.

Imamate

The belief in the 12 Imams as leaders of Islam in Shi'a Islam.

role of the 99 names in the Muslim community

This brings the community together and allows Muslims to talk about God and their shared beliefs in a meaningful way.

Quotes about God's name

-"The most excellent Names belong to God: use them to call on Him."

-"There are 99 names of Allah: he who commits them to memory will get into paradise."

Transcendent

The quality of God being beyond all things.

Quote about God being omnipotent

"This is God, your Lord, there is no God but Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him; He is in charge of everything. He takes in all vision. He is the All Subtle, the All aware." (Qur'an 6:102-103)

Beneficent

The quality of God as the source of all goodness, viewing life and the Earth as gifts.

Quotes about angels

-"Praise be to Allah, Creator of the heavens and earth, who made angels messengers with two, three, four [pairs of] wings." (Qur'an 35:1)

-"Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and His messengers and Gabriel and Michael - then indeed, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers." (Qur'an 2:98)

-"Each person has angels before him and behind, watching over him by God's command." (Qur'an 2:215)

-For each one are successive [angels] before and behind him who protect him by the decree of Allah. (Qur'an 13:11)

Quote about Al-Kiram and Al-Katibun

"There are two scribes, one each sitting on the right and the left, recording everything." (Qur'an 50:17)

Mika'il

The angel of mercy. God assigned Mika'il to reward the righteous for the good during their lives. He is also responsible for sustaining life on Earth by sending rain, thunder and lightning

How angels nourish humans

-Jibril brought the spiritual nourishment of God's words in the Qur'an.

-Mika'il brings physical nourishment for the earth and human life through the rain.

Quote about Judgement

"The one whose good deeds are heavy on the scales will have a pleasing life, but the one whose good deeds are light will have the Bottomless Pit as his home... - a blazing fire." (Qur'an 101:6-11)

Book of Decrees

God has everything written down that determines everything that is going to happen in the universe.

Prophets of Islam

Adam, Ibrahim, Moses, David, Jesus, and Muhammad

Angels' Role

Angels escort people to heaven and hell.

Quotes from Qur'an

"The most excellent Names belong to God: use them to call on Him." (Qur'an 7:180)

Quote about Adam

"He taught Adam all the names [of things], then He showed them to the angels and said, 'Tell me the names of these if you truly [think you can].' They said, 'May You be glorified! We know only of what You have taught us. You are the All Knowing and All wise.'" (Qur'an 2:31-32)

Quote about hell

-"Those who reject faith . . . they will be companions of the fire, dwelling therein forever." (Qur'an 3:116)

-"They will dwell amid scorching wind and scalding water in the shadow of black smoke, neither cool nor refreshing." (Qur'an 56:42-44)

Quote about heaven

-"gardens of happiness." (Qur'an 22:23)

-"Those who believe, do good deeds, keep up the prayer, and pay the prescribed alms will have their reward with their Lord." (Qur'an 2:277)

-"On couches of well-woven cloth they will sit facing each other; everlasting youths will go round among them with glasses, flagons, and cups of a pure drink that causes no headache or intoxication; [there will be] any fruit they choose; the meat of any bird they like; and beautiful-eyed maidens like hidden pearls: a reward for what they used to do. (Qur'an 56:15-24)

Prophet Ibrahim

-he fulfilled all the tests and commands given to him by God, and so was promised to be the father of all nations.

-he is role model because of his obedience to God, his kindness and compassion, and his refusal to worship idols.

Quote about time of death

"Nor can a soul die except by Allah's leave. The term being fixed as by writing." (Qur'an 3:145)

The Ka'aba

Small building in the middle of the mosque in Mecca, original built by Adam but was destroyed by the flood at the time of Noah.

Ishmael

Son of Ibrahim, whose life was saved by God swapping him with a lamb.

Hajj

-The annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) that every Muslim should try to make at least once in their life.

-Pilgrimage that returns Muslims to Ibrahim's perfect faith.

Festival of Id-ul-Adha

Muslims slaughter an animal to remember Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son.

Ibrahim's declaration

He declared his belief in one God (Allah) and determined to stop idol worship.

Mina

Site of pilgrimage during Hajj; where pilgrims take part in the stoning of pillar where they throw stones the same way that Ibrahim threw stones at the devil that tempted him to disobey God.

Muhammad's early life

Born in Mecca, was an orphan and married a wealthy widow, Khadija at the age of 25.

Angel Jibril

Appeared to Muhammad with a message from God.

Muhammad's preaching

He challenged the people of Mecca to give up cheating, gambling, drinking, and idol worship.

The Night Journey

Muhammad was taken to Jerusalem and ascended into heaven to speak to God and past prophets.

Mohammed ka'aba

He marched on Mecca and conquered the city in the name of God. The 360 idols at the Ka'aba were destroyed and Muhammad set about introducing Muslim law.

Muhammad al-Mahdi

The last Imam in Twelver Shi'a Islam, believed to be still alive but hidden and will return with Jesus to bring justice.

Quote about Ibrahim

-Ibrahim who was true in faith... God took Ibrahim as a friend

-"Who could be better in religion than those who direct themselves wholly to God, do good, and follow the religion of Ibrahim, who was true in faith? God took Ibrahim as a friend." (Qur'an 4:125)

The Gospel (Injil)

A holy book revealed to Jesus, mentioned 12 times in the Qur'an, with the original lost but some message found in the Bible.

The Qu'ran

-the sacred writings of Islam were revealed by God to the prophet Muhammad

-It is believed to be an infallible source of authority for all matters of doctrine, practice and law.

Quote about the Qur'an

"This is the Scripture in which there is no doubt, containing guidance for those who are mindful of God." (Qur'an 2:2)

"This is a truly glorious Qur'an [written] on a preserved tablet." (Qur'an 85:21-22)

Qur'an meaning

the Recital', as Muhammad recited by heart each revelation that he received, and passed it on to his followers.

Kutub

Belief in the holy books

all Muslims accept it and is one of the six articles of faith in the Sunni tradition.

Torah (Tawrat)

a holy book revealed to Moses (Musa)

Over time, alterations have changed it so much that it is no longer considered authentic.

It is mentioned 18 times in the Qur'an.

Psalms (Zabur)

-A holy book revealed by God to David

-mentioned three times in the Qur'an

-similar to the Book of Psalms in the Bible

Quote about Psalms

"We gave David a book [of Psalms]." (Qur'an 17:55)

Quote about Gospels

"We gave him the Gospel with guidance, light, and confirmation of the Torah already revealed." (Qur'an 5:46)

Gospel (Injil)

A holy book revealed by God to Jesus (Isa), that has been lost; appears 12 times in the Qur'an

Islam meaning

Submission to the will of Allah

Night of Power

The night when the Qur'an was first revealed to Muhammad.

Angel Azrael

The Angel of Death who takes the soul when a person dies.

Sirat Bridge

A narrow bridge that souls must cross over the fires of hell on the Day of Judgement.

Quote about Holy Books

"This is the Scripture in which there is no doubt, containing guidance for those who are mindful of God." (Qur'an 2:2)

Quotes about the Torah

-"We gave Moses the Scripture." (Qur'an 2:87)

-"[The Jews made this] into separate sheets, showing some but hiding many." (Qur'an 6:91)

Quotes about the Scrolls of Abraham

"All this is in the earlier scriptures, the scriptures of Abraham and Moses." (Qur'an 87:18-19)

Akhirah

Belief in life after death

Punishment of the grave

Torment for souls answering incorrectly in Barzakh.

The questions are: 'Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your prophet?'

Tawhid

The belief in the Oneness of God in Islam.

Quote about Tawhid

"He is God the One, God the eternal. He begot no one nor was He begotten. No one is comparable to Him"

Allah

The Arabic word for God.

Quote about Jesus

"Allah is far above having a son"

Sin of Shirk

worshipping something other than God

Qualities of God in Surah 112

-There is only one God

-God has no beginning and no end

-God has no children

-There is nothing like God

Shahadah

The declaration of faith in Islam stating 'There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger.'

Shirk

The sin of attributing God-like qualities to any other being or thing.

Supremacy of God's will

The belief that nothing happens unless God allows it, and that God's will is supreme.

quote about supremacy of God's will

"Only what God has decreed will happen to us."

Free Will

The belief that humans do not have free will, as everything is under God's control.

Misfortunes

The belief that misfortunes can only happen with God's permission.

Sunni Islam

A branch of Islam that believes the Qur'an and Sunnah guide Muslims and elected Abu Bakr as their leader (Caliph)

Shi'a Islam

A branch of Islam that believes Muhammad named Ali as his successor (Imamate) and only accepts sayings passed to Ali.

Resurrection

The belief that after death, individuals will be resurrected and judged by God.

Justice

The belief that God is just and wise, holding humans accountable for their actions.

Names of God

There are 99 names of God in the Qur'an that help Muslims understand God's nature.

99 names

In Islam, God is known by "99 most beautiful" names; each name attests to a different divine quality of God. The number 99 seems unfinished. It shows that there is no end to God's qualities.

Significance of 99 names

They help Muslims to gain some understanding of the 'unknowable' nature of God.

Importance of learning the names

Muslims believe God wants them to know these characteristics.

Quote about God being immanent

"He is with you wherever you are." (Qur'an 57:4)

Merciful

The quality of God understanding suffering, caring for people, and forgiving if they are truly sorry.

Justice and Fairness

He treats people fairly and justly, and requires Muslims to do the same.

Al-Kiram and Al-Katibun

record every good and bad thoughts and actions of humans while sitting on their shoulders into the Book of Deeds

Guardian Angels

Look after us from conception until our death.

Beliefs about Angels

Angels are part of the unseen world, created from light, receive God's word and pass them to the prophets, are pure and sinless, do not have free will, and live to please and worship God.

Quote about predestination

Predestination — "Only what God has decreed will happen to us." (Qur'an 9:51)

Quote about Book of Decrees

"Only what God has decreed will happen to us" (Qur'an 9:51).

Effect of the Predestination

Sunnis find this idea reassuring because it means that if a bad thing happens, it must be part of God's plan.

Shi'a beliefs on Predestination

Shi'as believe that God knows what will happen, but this doesn't mean that he decides it or pre-determines it.

Sunni beliefs on predestination

Sunnis believe that God has predetermined everything that will happen in the universe, including human decisions.

Prophet Adam

First man on earth and the first prophet of Islam, created out of clay and breathed life into him.

Eve (Hawwa)

God created Eve for Adam, and they lived in the garden of Eden.

Day of Judgement

The day when angels record actions of humans in the book of deeds.

Ibrahim's link to Muhammad

Muhammad was one of his descendants.

Ibrahim's miracle

A miracle occurred when he was burned alive, and he walked out completely unscathed.

Id-ul-Adha

a Muslim festival that celebrates the prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son for God

Shi'a and Sunni split

When Muhammad died, Muslims split into two groups, Shi'a (Ali as Successor) and Sunni (Abu Bakr as successor).

Ali

The cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, believed by Shi'a to be appointed by divine instruction as a leader.

Imams

Leaders in Shi'a Islam who rule justly and are the only people who can interpret the Qur'an without fault.

Barzakh

A state of waiting for the Day of Judgement, meaning 'a barrier'.

Prophethood

The belief in the prophets in both Sunni and Shi'a Islam.

Allahu Akbar

A phrase meaning 'God is the greatest' that Muslims hear and say daily.