Islamic Beliefs and Key Terms (AQA Short Course Rip)

Adalat/justice

Part of the nature of God in Shi'a Islam; the belief that God is fair.

Adam

One of the prophets of Allah. The father of humankind; built the Ka'aba.

Akhirah (life after death)

Belief in a new stage of life after death.

Angels

They are spiritual beings created from elements of light. They gave God's messages to the prophets and watch over humans.

Authority

Having power and status. The Qur'an has supreme authority as the word of Allah, this means it must be believed and obeyed.

Beneficence

Literally 'doing good'. One of the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah and belief about his nature, the generosity that Allah shows to humans.

Day of Judgement

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

Fairness

Belief about the nature of God; refers to Allah's justice. He treats all humans equally and as they deserve.

The five roots of Usul ad-Din

The foundations of the faith in Shi'a Islam; five key beliefs: Tawhid (the Oneness of God), Adalat (justice), prophethood, imamate, resurrection.

The Gospel

Holy book/source of authority; literally 'good news' and it is the good news about Isa (Jesus), who was a prophet of Islam.

Heaven

Referred to as Paradise; Allah's reward after death to those who have been faithful to him and who have repented of their sins.

Hell

It is a place of great suffering after death for those who have rejected the Qur'an's teachings and have led a wicked life. For some it will last forever.

Human accountability

The belief that everyone must take responsibility for their actions and will be questioned about them on the Day of Judgement.

Human freedom

Humans have control over their thoughts, feelings and actions.

Human responsibility

Humans are responsible for most of what they do because they have free will and so will be accountable on the Day of Judgement.

Ibrahim

One of the prophets of Allah. He rebuilt the Ka'aba.

Immanence

The belief that God is close to humanity and involved in the world.

Jibril

Angel who dictated the Qur'an to Muhammad; on Judgement Day he will assist with the weighing of a person's deeds.

Mercy

Belief about the nature of God and one of Allah's 99 Beautiful Names; God's willingness to forgive the sins of those who repent.

Mika'il

Angel who gives spiritual and material help to humans; on Judgement Day he will assist with the weighing of a person's deeds.

Muhammad

The last and greatest of the prophets. He received the Qur'an and his Sunnah and Hadiths are also important sources of authority.

Omnipotence

All-powerful; belief about the nature of God and one of the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah.

Predestination

One of the Six Articles of Faith in Sunni Islam; the belief that everything that happens has been decided already by Allah.

The Psalms

Holy book/source of authority; sacred prayers and poems written by King Dawud (David), a prophet of Allah.

The Qur'an

Holy Book and most important source of authority in Islam. It was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad and is the final revelation of God to humankind.

Resurrection

One of the Six Articles of Faith and Five Roots of Usul ad-Din; belief that after death, all people will be raised from the dead to face judgement.

Revelation

When God is revealed to humans; belief that Allah shows his nature and will through the words of the Qur'an.

Risalah (Prophethood)

One of the Six Articles of Faith and Five Roots of Usul ad-Din; belief in the prophets as messengers sent by God to communicate to people.

The Scrolls of Abraham

Holy book/source of authority; individual revelations to Ibrahim that were written on parchment but have perished.

Shi'a Islam

Muslims who believe in the Imamate, successorship of Ali.

Six articles of faith

The foundations of the faith in Sunni Islam; six key beliefs: Tawhid (the Oneness of God), Angels, Holy Books, Prophethood, Akhirah, Predestination.

Sunni Islam

Muslims who believe in the successorship of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali.

Tawhid (the Oneness of God)

One of the Six Articles of Faith and Five Roots of Usul ad-Din; the oneness and unity of Allah.

The Torah

Holy book/source of authority; given by God to the prophet Musa (Moses) on Mount Sinai.