Islam 1

• Sunni


  • The Sunni leader (caliph) should be selected
  • Only the Quran and the Sunnah (Muhammad's teachings and actions) have the authority to provide religious guidance
  • Abu Bakr, Muhammad's advisor, was the rightful leader after Muhammad died
  • The six articles of faith give the main beliefs for Sunni Muslims
• Shia


  • The Shia leader (called imam) should be a descendant of Muhammad and chosen by God
  • The Quran, Sunnah, and the Shia leader have the authority to provide religious guidance
  • Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, was the rightful leader after Muhammad died
  • The five roots of Usul ad-Din give the main beliefs for Shia Muslims
• Muhammad was the most important of the prophets
• When Muhammad died, there were disagreements about who should succeed him, therefore Islam split into Sunni and Shia
• Six Articles of Faith (Sunni)


  • Tawhid (Oneness of God)
  • Angels
  • Holy Books
  • Prophets
  • Day of Judgement
  • Predestination
• Five Roots of Usul ad-Din (Shia)


  • Oneness of God
  • Justice of God
  • Supremacy of God's Will
  • Imamate
  • Resurrection
• God (in Islam)


  • Transcendent (all-powerful, can create and sustain everything in the universe)
  • Omnipotent (aware of everything)
  • Merciful (shows compassion and forgiveness)
  • Immanent (present everywhere, involved in all life)
  • Beneficent (loving and generous, provides everything humans need)
• Jibril (Gabriel)


  Angel of revelation, purified Muhammad's heart to receive God's revelation, passed on God's messages to Muhammad
• Mika'il (Michael)


  Angel of mercy, responsible for rain, hunger, and sustenance, believed to reward those who do good deeds
• Islam is a monotheistic religion (belief in one God, Allah)
• Tawhid


  The belief in one indivisible God, worshipping only one God, not making anything more important than God, not using images/pictures of God
• Supremacy of God's Will


  God's will is supreme, nothing happens unless God allows it, gives Muslims confidence that God has a plan for them
• Abraham is believed to have built the Kaaba through his son Ishmael, and he fulfilled all the commands given to him by God
• Abraham proclaimed belief in only one God at a time when people worshipped many different gods and idols