five roots

• tawhid 


  • only one god and in the oneness and the unity of god
  • god cannot be divided
  • god is unique
• quote on tawhid 


  ‘there is no good but allah and muhammad is his messenger‘

  the shahadah
• how does a belief in tawhid influence muslims today 


  • muslims do not allow images of god so they decorate mosques with geometric patterns
  • god is the most important thing
• prophethood

  prophets are messengers of god
• the justice of god

  god is just and wise and will judge humans on their actions he will judge them fairly
• resurrection

  when they die they will be resurrected and be judged by god
• the imamate 


  shia muslims believe 12 imams suceeded muhammad and they can interpret islamic law
• the imamate

  • divine appointment of the imams
  • ali , muhammad’s cousin should succeed muhammad as leader after his death instead of abu bakr
  • ali should be leader as he had been divinely appointed by god and chosen by muhammed
• the importance of the imamate

  • the imamd can interpret the quran without fault
  • give muslims divine guidance on how to live correctly
  • they rule justly and fairly