Islamic beliefs Flashcards
(32 cards)
Define tawhid
The basic Muslim belief in the oneness of God
Define prophethood
The term used of the messengers of God, beginning with Adam and ending with the Prophet Muhammad.
Define halal
This means ‘permitted’. For example, certain foods in Islam are Halal.
Define haram
This means ‘forbidden’. Some actions and things are haram in Islam, such as eating certain foods.
Define malaikah and give two relevant quotes
Angels
In the Qur’an, believers ‘believed in God and his angels and his books and his messengers’
The angel Jibril ‘brought the Qur’an down upon your heart’
Define jihad
Means ‘to strive’. There are two forms of jihad.
Greater jihad is the daily struggle and inner spiritual striving to live as a Muslim.
Lesser jihad is a physical struggle or ‘holy war’ in defence of Islam.
Define mosque
A place of ‘prostration’ for Muslims. It is a communal place of worship for a Muslim community.
Define shari’ah
A ‘straight path’ and a way of life; Muslims believe that God has set out a clear path for how Muslims should live.
Shari’ah law is the set of moral and religious rules that put the principles set out by the Qur’an and the Hadith into practice.
Define ummah
Literally ‘community’. Refers to the worldwide community of Muslims who share a common religious identity
Give seven characteristics of Allah
Immanent, transcendent, beneficent, just, fair, merciful, omnipotent
Explain adalat
Adalat is the justice of God, and is given particular emphasis in Shi’a Islam.
Shia’s want to stress that God is perfect justice, utter fairness, and complete wisdom. Although he is all powerful, he will never do anything that goes against his own characteristics.
Define akhirah
The afterlife
‘To him you will be returned’
Explain the nature of prophethood
Communication between God and humans is called risalah
The prophets were humans chosen by God to give God’s guidance to the people, not their own guidance.
‘We have not sent a messenger except in the language of his people to clarify the message for them’
Why are prophets important in Islam?
God sent many prophets throughout history to guide his people. Prophets are humans chosen to carry God’s message.
25 of the prophets are mentioned in the Qur’an by name, many of who are people from the Jewish and Christian scriptures
Who was Adam, and why was he an important prophet?
Formed from God from a handful of soil; Eve created from his rib. Banished from blah blah blah, you know the story of Adam and Eve.
Called the father of the human race.
Became the first prophet.
Created as a khalifah (God’s representative on Earth).
Who was Ibrahim, and why was he an important prophet?
Born into a polytheistic family, but believed in only one God and became a Muslim.
Father of Ishaq (Isaac) and Ishma’il (Ishmael).
Regarded as a hand (one who has inner knowledge that there is only one God).
The greatest of the prophets before Isa.
Ancestor of Muhammed.
Who was Isa, and why was he an important prophet?
Appears prominently in the Qur’an.
Given the Injil (Gospel) and performed many miracles.
Did not die on the cross, but was taken up to Heaven, as Allah would not allow evil men to triumph over his prophet.
Regarded as a successor to Musa.
Received a revelation, the Injil, from Allah.
Will return in a second coming when God judges the world.
Give five characteristics of the malaikah in Sunni Islam.
God’s first creation.
Created by God from light.
Immortal.
Always obedient to God.
No free will.
What is the responsibility of Jibril?
Jibril (AKA Gabriel) is the archangel responsible for revealing the Qur’an to Muhammed, and God’s messengers to believers.
Jibril “brought the Qur’an down upon your heart”.
What is the responsibility of Mika’il?
Mika’il (AKA Michael) is the archangel responsible for keeping the devil out of Heaven, protecting worshippers, and plants and rain.
What is the responsibility of Israfil?
Israfil (AKA Raphael) is the archangel who will announce the Day of Judgement by blowing the trumpet that will signal the resurrection of the dead.
Explain Muslim beliefs about Al-Qadr.
Al-Qadr is predestination.
God has a divine master plan for the world and all of creation. However, everyone has free will to be able to choose right from wrong, and is held accountable for their actions. Life is a test.
“all things we created with predestination”
Explain Muslim beliefs about the Day of Judgement.
The dead will be raised and stand before God for judgement.
A book representing every action is presented to each person.
Good deeds and bad deeds are weighed in balance.
Niyyah (personal intentions) are also taken into consideration.
If the book is passed into the right hand, the person will go to Heaven. If the left hand, the person will go the Hell.
What will Janna be like?
When will it happen?
What is its purpose?
Janna (Heaven) is a state of peace, joy, and happiness. It will contain everything longed for on Earth.
After death the two angels Munkar and Nakir will question each individual. Correct answers can only be given to those who can recite the Shahadah and have also lived in submission to God and observed the five pillars.
Janna is a reward for living a faithful and moral life, or suffering persecution because of faith, or fighting in the cause for God. It also separates out those who have committed more good deeds than bad.
