RS - Islamic beliefs and teachings

What are the Shi'a core beliefs

Tawhid, Justice (of God), Prophethood, Imamate and Resurrection

What are Sunni core beliefs (Usul Ad-Din)

Tawhid, Belief in the angels, Belief in the prophets (Risalah), Belief in the scriptures, Belief in the Day of Judgement and Afterlife (Akhirah), and Belief in Divine Decree ( Al-Qadr - Predestination)

Who do Sunni Muslims believe should have taken over following Muhammad

Abu Bakr - Muhammad's friend and father in law (he became the first Caliph)

Who do Shi'a Muslims believe should've taken over following Muhammad

Ali - cousin and son in law of Muhammad ( shias think Ali is the first in line of 12 Imams, chosen by Allah, who they believe direct descendants of Muhammad. Ended up as fourth Caliph)

Tawhid

The oneness of Allah is the most important of all Islamic beliefs

Tawhid quote

"There is no god but God. Muhammad is the messenger of God''

Beliefs about the nature of Allah

Infinite, omnipotent/omniscient, merciful/benevolent, transcendent/immanent, just

How is God benevolent?

helps all, sends messengers

How is God fair/just?

Life is a test - day of judgement will reward or punsih

Significance of Tawhid for Muslims

Muslim itself is an Arabic word meaning 'one who sub,its (to God). Allah has knowledge of everything and so they will try not to sin as all sins will be seen by Allah. Helps Muslims understand that everything they have is by the will of Allah so should remain humble

What is shirk?

the greatest sin is Islam, associating anything with God. Anything that is put above Allah (idolatry) is the worst sin

the 99 names of Allah

99 characteristics used to describe Allah

99 names of Allah quote

'The most beautiful names belong to Allah: so call on Him by them." Quran 7:180

why do some sunnis believe that shi'a muslims do not fully believe in tawhid?

because Shia muslims believe in the 12 Imams, who have special characteristics and often are seen as semi-divine.

Quote for the viewpoint hat every nation was sent a Messenger by Allah for guidance

And for every Ummah (community), there is a Messenger; when their Messenger comes, the matter will be judged between them with justice, and they will not be wronged

What do Shia believe about Prophet Muhammad

he was a prophet when he was born and even before creation

what do most Sunni believe about Prophet Muhammad

he was gifted with prophethood and messenger-ship at the age of 40 in the cave of Hira

Quote in the Hadith to support the Shia idea that Muhammad was a prophet from creation

Among all the creations of God, my Noor was first to be created

What is Muhammad often called

Seal of the Prophet (33:40)

Quote to support Muhammad as the Seal of the Prophets

Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things.

The purpose of sending prophets

guiding humanity from the worship of created things to the worship of their Creator, clarifying to humanity the purpose of creation and the test of life, showing humanity the right path will lead them to Paradise, no excuse on the Day of Judgement, uncovering the unseen world which exists beyond the normal senses and physical universe, providing humans with moral and righteous examples, purifying the soul from materialism, sin and heedlessness, and convey to humanity the teachings of God

Name 6 prophets

Adam, Ibrahim, Isma'il, Musa, Dawud and Isa

Summary of Adam

Allah's first creation; created from clay; made in Allah's image; given the ability to reason and make choices; tempted by the devil to disobey God and removed from paradise to earth

Ibrahim summary

Father of the Arab people and of the prophets. He was a Hanif (believer of one god). Allah tested his devotion but he remained loyal

Isma'il

The first son of Ibrahim; helped his father to build the Ka'aba; agreed to be sacrificed when Allah tested Ibrahim

Musa summary

Helped free the Israelites from slavery; given the 10 commandments. Resolute one

Dawud summary

Received the Zabur (book of Psalms); victory over Goliath

Isa summary

Not divine; not the son of god but chosen to deliver a message like the other prophets; saved from crucifixion by Allah; role on the Day of Judgement. Resolute one

The Night of Power and the revelation of the Qu'ran

In the year 610, at the age of 40, angel Jibril came down to Muhammad and commanded Muhammad to read which Muhammad could not and explained this three times. In response, Muhammad recited the words of Allah and these became the first verses of the Quran

First Verses of qur'an

Read in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a cloth of blood.

what is the Hijrah

the Muslim migration from Mecca to Yathrib (renamed Medina) which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar and where he set up the first Muslim community

what did Muhammad do in response to the defeat of the people of Mecca

He returned to his home in Mecca with his followers and destroyed the idols in the Kaaba, reclaiming Mecca as the holy city

What happened to Muhammad when he died

in 632 he was buried in Medina, leaving a community of about one hunkered thousand muslims. By the time of his death, the Quran had been finally written down

The books before the Quran

The Tawrat (Torah) of Musa, the Zabur (psalms) of Dawud, the Injil (Gospel) of Isa, Suhuf Ibrahim (scroll of abraham), however these became corrupt over time

Quote for the Gospel

We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light

Why was the Quran created?

because the other books were distorted so the quran gives the undistorted message as they are recited from Muhammad

What evidence is there for Quran being the exact words of Allah

Muhammad could not read so the only thing he could do was recite them as he they were revealed to him

Quran being undistorted quote

'this is the scripture in which there is no doubt'

when was the first verse of the quran revealed

610h

how long did muhammad receive the revelations

23 years

the final words of Allah to Mohammad

This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion

sunni outlook quranic providence

Sunni Muslims believe that the Quran has always existed, though not in its written form, and is eternal like God

Shia outlook on quranic providence

do not believe that the Quran is eternal and instead believe it is the essence of God. they also believe that it can be added to by the Imams who can also interpret its message

Sources of Authority

Qur'an, Hadith, Sunna, Sharia and own conscience

What does the Sunnah record

What Muhammad did

What does the Hadith record

What Muhammad said

Quote to support Muhammad as an example

'perfect example'

Quote for using nature as a source of wisdom

Whatever is in the heavens and on the earth exalts Allah and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise

quote to support the use of your own conscience

When a thing disturbs your heart, give it up

why do Muslims believe they should follow their own conscience?

Some Muslims believe that the human ability to make sense of things is given by Allah and that He reveals Himself to Muslims through their own sense of reason

Islamic word for Angels

Malaikah

How are angels created

They are created by Allah from Divine light (Nur) before the creation of humans

Quote for the obedience of Angels to Allah

everything in the heavens and every creature on the earth prostrates to Allah as do the angels

Why are the angels free from sin

they do not have free will so they cannot choose to be disobedient

What are jinn?

beings made from smokeless fire that have free will so can choose to obey or disobey God

Are Jinn purely spiritual?

Not purely spiritual but physical in nature, being able to interact in a tactile manner with people and objects and also subject to bodily desires like eating and sleeping

Quote for Jinn

Say, It has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened and said, 'i need we have heard an amazing Quran'

Who is Iblis (Shaytan)?

a jinn who disobeyed Allah not fallen angel in the Christian tradition

Kiraman katibin

The honourable scribes, the angels who note every person's good and bad deeds. One sits on the left shoulder and the other of the right

Quote for the honourable scribes

And inee, over you are keepers, Noble and recording: They know whatever you do

Why are there honourable scribes?

They right down every action and feeling a person has and on the Day of Judgement the Book will be revealed to God

Jibril

The most important of the angels and spoke with many of the prophets of Allah. Jibril dictated the Qur'an to Muhammad. On Judgement Day he will assist with the weighing of a person's deeds.

Izra'il

The angel of death who is responsible for parting the soul at the moment of death

Mika'il

One of the most important angels. He gives spiritual and material help to humans. On Judgement Day he will assist with the weighing of a person's deeds.

Israfil

The angel who begins the Last Day by blowing his trumpet

Eschatological

a term having to do with the end times or the "last things"

Predestination

the belief that what happens in human life has already been determined by Allah. Known as Al-Qadr

Quote for predestination

"Only what God has decreed will happen to us"

What does predestination teach muslims to be?

Teaches them to be humble as God created their success

What do the Jabrites believe about predestination

All human actions are determined by Allah and Humans have no free will

Argument between free will, predestination and the Day of Judgement

One can only be judged fairly on one's actions if and only if you are responsible for them; but how can you be responsible for them if Allah has planned your actions

what do the Mu'tazlites believe about destination of free will

on the day of judgement each person would be judged on their actions they had taken of their own free will. The fate of each determined by Allah's divine justice which is absolute so there is no mercy, this would be contrary to his justice

Divine intercession

Allah could take mercy on sinners and free them from hell.

Allah's justice quote

And your Lord does not deal unjustly with anyone

Shi'a understanding of predestination and free will

they believe in partial free will although Allah has knowledge of all. Allah always has full knowledge but He may choose to change anything he wills

Example of Allah changing anything He wills

He changed the period Musa worships from 30 to 40 nights before receiving the Tawrat

Quote for Allah changing anything He wills

Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change who is in themselves

Ash'ari school of thought

tried to find a middle way between belief in free will and predestination. When God created everything, including human actions, humans could acquire the act and make a choice between right and wrong. They also believe thay Allah could use Divine Intercession and show mercy to remove sinners from hell

common teaching of al-Qadr

allah gives and requires people to use their free will. He allows humans to do wha they choose, even if they choose evil, but Akkad knows what choices they will make

When do Sunnis believe a human will receive their soul

120 days after conception. An angel records their sex, lifetime earnings and whether they will enter Paradise or hell

heaven

Jannah

How is Al Jannah described?

a beautiful garden. There are eight gates which Muhammad named.

What are the gates of Jannah?

Baba Al-Hajj for those who completed the Hajj pilgrimage, Baab As-Sadaqah for those who have given to charity, and Baab Al-Imán for those who is obedient to Allah

quotes for Jannah

'beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss', 'final home', 'once in heaven there will be no nastiness of everlasting bliss'

Day of Judgement in Islam

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

What is shirk?

the greatest sin is Islam, associating anything with God. If you commit it, you will go to hell

jahannam

Islamic Hell

The Last Day

The end of time, when the Earth will be destroyed and all people will face judgement.

Martyrs

People who suffer or die for their beliefs, they will go straight to heaven after death

Quote for jahannam

The fire is 'almost bursting with fury'

Belief for sinful believes in hell

they will be moved into Jannah when Allah deems right

Belief for sinful unbelievers in hell

a place of eternal punishment

Barzakh

Stage between death and the time of judgement

Beliefs about Barzakh

Some believe that the soul is affected by the lift a person has led, either good or bad. Some believe they are given a temporary body, either light or dark, depending on whether they are good or bad