Muslim Beliefs

Tawhid

Belief in one God

Most important belief

Malaikah

Belief in angels

No free will, obey God

Kutub

Belief in holy books

Qur’an is the ultimate, complete message - guide Muslims

Nubuwwah

Belief in prophets

Prophet Muhammad is the final prophet - ultimate example

Akhirah

Belief in the Day of Judgement and Afterlife

God judges everyone fairly - consider consequences

Al Qadr

Belief in predestination

God decrees all actions and things - God has a plan

Imamat

Belief in the authority of the Imams

Protect the religion and give guidance, appointed by God

Adalat

Belief in divine justice

God is always just, show justice in all that we do

Mi’ad

Belief in the Day of Judgement and resurrection

Nature of Allah

• Only one - shirk to believe in another

• Transcendent

• Immanent

• Omnipotent / scient / benevolent / merciful / just

• 99 names - understand the nature of Allah

• Muslims strive to emulate God

• Words in Qur’an - God wants them to know

Prophets

• Adam - nabi - first

• Ibrahim - rasul (Sahifah) - obedient

• Isma’il - nabi - trusting

• Musa - rasul (Tawrat) - miracles

• Dawud - rasul (Zabur) - prayers

• Isa - rasul - saved

• Muhammad - rasul - seal of the prophets

Allow communication to humans, good examples, offer guidance

Angels’ importance

Can communicate with humanity, inform Allah of human behaviour, operate and maintain the universe, help believers in need

Important angels

• Jibril - messenger

• Mikail - sustainer

• Izra’il - angel of death

• Kiraman Katibin - notes good and bad deeds

Beliefs about Al Qadr

Humans develop free will as they age - born equal

Actions can be in accordance with or against God’s will - judged on our decisions

Humans can impact God’s will through prayer

Life is a test from Allah

Sunni and Shia beliefs about Al Qadr

Sunni:

Total predestination absolutely

Shia:

Contradiction between Day of Judgement and predestination, only things like lifespan are predetermined

Barzakh and Judgement

Izra’il takes your soul, questioned about your faith, taken to wait / endure punishment of the grave

Day of Judgement - resurrected (spiritually or physically)

Jannah and Jahannam

Several heavens - live in luxury, look the same

Place of suffering - some believe only temporary

Some believe only metaphorical / literal

Holy books

Guide Muslims

Sahifah - quoted in Qur’an

Tawrat - limited time

Zabur - songs, prayers and poems

Injil - Isa had an Injil

Qur’an - complete revelation free from distortion