Islam Muslim Beliefs

• What are the Five roots of Usal ad-Din?

  They are central to the Shia Muslim faith, they are based on the teachings of the Quran, the Hadith, and the agreement of early Shia leaders. Their purpose is to help Shi'a focus on the most inportant of their faith and how to act in their daily life
• What is Tawhid?

  Tawhid is the belief of the oneness of Allah, that Allah is one, unique without any equals. Tawhid is the most essential belief for Shia muslims

  "He is God the one, God the eternal. He begot no one nor was he Begotten. No one is comparable to him"
• What is Nubuwwah?

  This is the belief in prophethood and the chain of messengers from Adam to Muhammed SAW. The Quran teaches that prophets have been sent to all nations to preach Tawid

  "We sent a messenger to every community. Saying "Worship God and shun false Gods"

  Quran surah 16:36
• What is Adl?

  Adl also know as Adalat, is the belief that Allah is just and will bring about Divine Justice. Shi'a Muslims believe it is important for them also to demonstrate fairness in everything they do, in his will to his son, the first leader Ali said,

  "I advise you to be weary of your duty to Allah in wealth and poverty...and of being just towards both friend and foe"

  Tuhaf al Uqul
• What is Imamah?

  In Shi'a Islam, Imamah is a term for God-given leadership believes that authority has been given to a particular group of people, namely the prophet Muhammad, his daughter Fatimah, and a line of imams starting with Ali. This group is known as the ahl bayt or people of the prophet's house, who are believed to be perfect, pure, and infallible (unable to make mistakes)

  "God wishes to keep uncleanness away from you, people of the prophet's house and to purify you thoroughly"
• What is Mi'ad?


  Mi'ad is the belief that there will be a Day of Judgment and Resurrection, when Allah will decide the fate of every person

  "All praise belongs to Him in this world and the next; His is the Judgemnet; and to Him you shall be returned"

  Quran surah 28: 70

  This reminds Shi'a Muslis that they have come from Allah and will be presented before him again, when he will judge the nature of their lives
• Why are these principles important for different shi'a communities?

  While all Shi'a Muslims beleive they are obeying the commands of Allah and Phrophet Muhammad, some Shi'a communities such as Twelvers follow different imams who have authority from Allah
• What is Immanence and transcendence?

  Muslims belive that Allah is the creator of everything. They believe there are parts of his creation that humans can observe and experienc, but not much of it is beyond human understandin. Muslims have a similar understanding of Allah that he is both Immanent and transcendent
• Quotes from the Quran to show Allah‘a immanence and how he sustains the universe

  ”We shall certainly question those to whome messenvers were sent…for we were never far from them”

  ” We created man- we know what his soul whispers to him: We are close to him than his jugular vein”
• How is Allah’s transcendence also described in the Quran?

  ”Your Lord is God, who created the earth jn Six days, then established Himself on the throne…all creation and command belong to him”

  in this verse, the Quran refers to Allah seating himself “on the throne”, which many Muslims understand as symbolic of his control over everything
• What is omnipotence?

  Muslims believe Allah has the power to create Everything from nothing and is able to do whatever he wills. He is omnipotent, the only authority in the universe
• A quote that describes Allah as omnipotent?

  ”Do you not know the control of the heavens and the earth belongs to Him? You have no protector or helper but God…He has power over all things“
• What is Beneficence?

  ?Muslims believe Allah is the most beneficent of all beings and that he loves his creations, especially humans
• A quote that describes Allah being Beneficent?

  “Your Lord‘s bounty is not restricted“
• A quote from the Quran that describes Allah as being Merciful?

  “My mercy embraces all thinga”
• Why are these Characteristics of Allah important?

  • Knowing some of his attributes helps Muslims to understand something of his natures
  • Understanding Allah’s nature enables Muslims to establish a close relationship with him through Worship, which according to the Qur’an is the very reason why humans were created
  • Knowing about Allah can also help Muslims strive to reflect certain divine attribute. If Allah is beneficent, then they should aim to be the same and show this through their actiona.
• What is the nature of predestination and why is it important?

  Muslims believe that Allah is omniscient (knows everything). Allah has put place certain laws that govern the universe, Mnay of these laws are predetirmened and unchangable. This belief is called Al-Qadr
• What is Al-Qadr?

  the importance of predestination for Muslims, how Al-Qadr and human freedom relates to the day of judgement.
• Why is belief in predestination important to muslims?

  Because it affirms Allah's omnipotence and his capacity to know everything that there is to know

  The laws governing the universe are designed for the benefit for humanity

  Allah's knowledge of all things helps muslims to understand that everything happens for a reason and is part of Allah's plan
• What is the link between human freedom and Al-Qadr?

  Muslim's believe that people's choices are in harmony with God's will, which forms part of Al-qadr. These choices contribute to the realziation of God's plan. This does not mean, however, that humans do not bave freedom, but that their choices are either in conformity with or against God's will
• Quote in the qura'n that links human freedom and Al-Qadr?

  "The holy Quran....Clearly states that every human being is free to choose between good and evil. However, in relation to religion there are some sphres of destiny which are predetermined"
• how can Al Qadr and human freedom be understood which help explain why predestination for muslims is important?

  Allah knows everything about the universe because he created it

  Humans have been given freedom and can choose to do certain things- this is part of Allah's plan

  Human's actions and intentions such as prayer can imoact Allah's will
• How do Al- Qadr and Human freedom relate to the day of judgement?

  Muslims believe that Allah is just ans so will judge evreyone fairly in the Akhira. For instance, nobody can help the particular circumstances into which they are born or raise. Muslims believe Allah will not punish someone simply for being born into a crime-ridden society, and will take everything into account when he is passing judgement. However Muslims believe humans are responsible for everything they do because of free will and should be responsible for their actions
• What are the implications of belief in Al-Qadr for Muslims today?

  • Al-Qadr is some of the six beliefs of Sunni Muslims and also has importance for Shi’a Muslims, therefore no Muslims faith is complete without it
  • Al-Qadr has a close connection with the akhirah
  • Muslims are also reminded of Allah’s omniscienc. this means he know what has happened, is happening and will happen
• What are Muslim teaching about life after death?

  Muslims believe our physical life will one day come to an end and that all human will be raised in the next life, called Akhirah

  quoute: “Then they will say, “who will bring us back“, “The One who created you the first time”
• Who do some consider life after death to be?

  Some consider this to be a physical resurrection, which is why Muslims are buried and not cremated. Other Muslims say that dead bodies are buried out of respect and it is just the soul that is taken away and given a new form in the akhira

  Muslims believe that the soul is immortal. After death, the angle of death Izra’il takes the soul to Barzakh which is the stage between death and the time of judgement
• What is the significance of marriage in Muslim life?

  In Islam, marriage is known as nika. it is the foundation of a Muslim family. The Prophet Muhammad valued married life

  quote: “Marriage is my Sunnah, those who do not follow my practice do not belong to me” Hadith
• Why is marriage significant for muslims?

  Marriage is significant for many reasons

  • It is considered a religious duty and follows the practice and prophet Muhammad
  • it promotes the sharing of love and companionship between two people
  • it acts as a moral safeguard and prevents Muslims from having a causual relationship and not treating sex as special
  • it symbolises religious and social unity as it brings families together
• Quote in the Quran" that relates to marriage?

  "If you marry whichever women seem good to you, two, three, four. If you fear you cannot be equitable to them, marry only one"

  This says Muslim men can marry up to four women but only if they can treat each wife equally. Marriage is considered equal to half a perosn's faith
• What does the Quran advise couples to be?

  The Quran advises couples to remain committed to each other and to "lower their eyes and guard their private parts" which means they must not look lustfully at other men and women
• What are non-religious attitudes to marriage?

  Not all non-religious views are the same. For many non religious people, including atheists and Humanists, marriage:

  • Is a public declaration of a couple's love
  • Can provide financial and emotional stability for the family
  • Is not necessary for the expression of love between 2 people
  • Can often lead to divorce
  • Confirms a commitment two people have made to eachother
  • Required a wedding ceremony which many people cant afford
• What are the Muslim repsonses to non-religious attitudes to marriage?

  Muslims oppose alternatives to marriage, like cohabitation, because:

  • Sex is only permitted within marriage
  • Marriage helps protect the couple from any sin and temptations they might face if they were not married
  • performing the nikah means the relationship is taken more seriously within marriage
• Why are the five roots of Usul as din are important for Shia Muslims today?

  • They must obey the teachings if their twelve imams
  • Shia Muslims can look to Allah’s justice as a sign of hope
  • they are important as some Shi’a Muslims look to spiritual guidance of the living imam
• How does Al-Qadr relate to the day of judgement?

  Muslims believe their ultimate destination depends on the choices they make in their life. Those who make good choices will be rewarded

  ”whoever follows my guidance- there will be no fear concerning the, nor will they grieve“ Surah 2:38
• What are Muslim teachings about the purpose of families?

  In Islam, the family is at the heart of the Muslim community and the foundation of society. It is the most importnat way of ensuring that children grow up as good faithfull Muslims. For this purpose, Muslims are encourgaed to marry within islam
• A quote in the hadith that promote love and kindess between members of the family


  "The best of you is the one who behaves best towards the members of his family"
• A Quote from the Quran that explains the importance of giving parent respect, particuarly mothers:

  "We have commanded man to be good to his parents- his mother struggled to carry him and struggled to give birth to him; his bearing and weaning took a full thirty months"
• Why is importanat to raise children properly?

  Raising children properly is a way of strngthrning the Ummah, the community of muslims around the world. Muslim parents consider their role extremely important in ensuring that children continue their religious practices in helping to make the community grow and become stronger
• The teaching sbaout family are important to muslims today because:

  • They remind Muslims how much Allah cares about families
  • Muslims believe they provide how much Allah cares about families
  • Muslims bvelieve Muhammad was the best example to follow of how to treat relatives
• What are Muslims teachings about contraception and family planning?

  Islam is pro-life and regards children as a blessing. Therefore, any form of birth control is considered to be interfering with Allah's plan because it prevents a life from developing

  " Do not kill your children for fear of poverty"

  However there are Muslims who believe that temporary and reversible forms of contraception are acceptable within marriage, particularly just after the birth of a child

  "No one should be burderned with more than they ca bear"