3.1.5.1 Islam Beliefs and teachings

Question 1

What type of religion is Islam?

Answer 1

A monotheistic religion

Question 2

What does this quotation mean from Surah 112 - “He is God the One”

Answer 2

• There is only one God
• God is a unified, undivided being; God cannot be divided into different people

Question 3

What does this quotation mean from Surah 112 -
“God the Eternal”

Answer 3

• God has always existed

Question 4

What does this quotation mean from Surah 112 -
“He begot no one nor was He begotten”

Answer 4

• God was not born or came into being out of something else
• God does not have any children

Question 5

What does this quotation mean from Surah 112 -
“No one is comparable to him”

Answer 5

• God is unique
• No other person or thing has God’s qualities and attributes
• No one can accurately picture or describe God because there is nothing to compare him too

Question 6

What does belief in Tawhid mean?

Answer 6

• Muslims should only worship one God
• Muslims should never make anything in their lives more important than God
• Not use images or pictures of God, as it is impossible to portray God accurately

Question 7

What do Muslims mean when they say God’s will is supreme?

Answer 7

• God can make anything happen which means that nothing can happen
  unless God allows it to happen
• This helps to give Muslims confidence when something goes wrong, because they know it is part of God’s plan for them.

Question 8

What are the two branches of Islam?

Answer 8

Sunni and Shi’a

Question 9

What are the differences in leaders between Sunni and Shi’a Islam?

Answer 9

• The Sunni leader (called the Caliph) should be elected
• The Shi’a Leader (called the Imam) should be a descendant of Muhammad and chosen by God

Question 10

What are the Sunni and Shi’a belief differences in who can provide religious guidance?

Answer 10

Sunni - Only the Quran and the Sunnah (Muhammad’s teachings and actions) have the authority to provide religious guidance
Shi’a - the Quran, Sunnah and Shi’a leader have the authority to provide religious guidance.

Question 11

Who were the rightful leaders in Sunni and Shi’a Islam?

Answer 11

Sunni - Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s advisor
Shi’a - Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son in law

Question 12

What are the main beliefs called for Sunni Muslims and Shi’a Muslims?

Answer 12

Sunni - six articles of faith
Shi’a - five roots of Usul ad-Din

Question 13

What are the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam and what do they mean?

Answer 13

1. Tawhid: belief that there is only one God
2. Angels: Belief in Angels, who passed on God’s message to the prophets
3. The holy books - respect for the holy books and particularly the Qur’an
4. The Prophets - Respect for the prophets and particularly Muhammad
5. The Day of Judgement - at the end of the world, every person will be judged and sent to heaven or hell
6. The Supremacy of God’s will - Belief that nothing happens unless God wants it to happen