Islam: Beliefs and Teachings
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Six Articles of Faith & Five Roots
Sunni Muslims follow the Six Articles of Faith. Shi'a Muslims follow the Five Roots of Usul ad-Din. Both agree on core beliefs but differ on authority after Muhammad.
The Six Articles and Five Roots are the frameworks that organise all other beliefs — everything else hangs off these.
Six Articles of Faith & Five Roots — Key Knowledge
- Six Articles of Faith Sunni: Allah, angels, holy books, prophets, Day of Judgement, predestination
- Five Roots of Usul ad-Din Shi'a: Tawhid, Adalat, Nubuwwah, Imamate, Mi'ad
Tawhid
Tawhid = oneness of God. Allah is one, unique, indivisible. Shirk (associating partners with God) is the greatest sin in Islam.
The Shahadah (first Pillar) declares Tawhid. It is the foundation of everything in Islam.
Tawhid — Key Knowledge
- Tawhid oneness of God
- Shirk associating partners with God
- 99 Names of Allah e.g. Al-Rahman — the Merciful, Al-Adl — the Just
Angels — Malaikah
Angels are created by Allah from light. They have no free will — they carry out God's commands. Muslims must believe in them even though they are unseen.
Angels are the mechanism through which Allah communicates with humanity — Jibril is the link between God and the prophets.
Angels — Malaikah — Key Knowledge
- Malaikah angels
- Jibril/Gabriel revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad
- Mika'il/Michael provides sustenance and rain
- Israfil blows the trumpet on the Day of Judgement
- Izra'il the Angel of Death
Predestination — Al-Qadr
Allah knows everything that has happened and will happen. Everything occurs as part of Allah's plan, but humans still have free will to choose their actions.
On the Day of Judgement, humans are accountable for their choices — free will and predestination exist together.
Predestination — Al-Qadr — Key Knowledge
- Al-Qadr predestination/decree of God
Akhirah — Life After Death
Muslims believe in the Day of Judgement (Yawm al-Din) when all will be raised and judged. Good and bad deeds are weighed on the scales (Mizan). The righteous enter paradise; the wicked face punishment.
Belief in akhirah motivates Muslims to live moral lives — every action counts.
Akhirah — Life After Death — Key Knowledge
- Akhirah afterlife
- Yawm al-Din Day of Judgement
- Mizan the scales
- Al-Jannah paradise
- Jahannam hell
Prophethood — Risalah
Prophets are messengers chosen by Allah to guide humanity. Muhammad is the Seal of the Prophets — the final and most important prophet.
Muhammad received the Qur'an through Jibril over 23 years. His life is a model for how all Muslims should live.
Prophethood — Risalah — Key Knowledge
- Risalah prophethood
- Adam first prophet and first human
- Ibrahim/Abraham father of monotheism, prepared to sacrifice his son
- Muhammad Seal of the Prophets — the final messenger
The Holy Books
The Qur'an is the literal, unchanged word of Allah — the supreme authority. Muslims believe earlier books (Torah, Psalms, Gospels) were originally God's word but have been altered by humans.
The Qur'an is the primary source of authority; Hadith and Sunnah are the second most important source.
The Holy Books — Key Knowledge
- Qur'an word of Allah, revealed to Muhammad in Arabic
- Tawrat/Torah given to Musa
- Injil/Gospels given to Isa
- Hadith collections of Muhammad's sayings and actions
- Sunnah Muhammad's way of life and example — guides Muslim behaviour
Context Notes
Context Notes — Key Knowledge
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Islam: Beliefs and Teachings
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