Religious studies Islam paper 1

• Key beliefs of Sunni Islam


  • Sunni Caliph should be elected
  • Only Quran and Sunnah have the authority to provide religious guidance
  • Abu Bakr is rightful leader after prophet died
  • Six Articles of faith
• Key beliefs of Shi'a Islam


  • Shi'a leader (Imam) should be descendant of Muhammad (S.A.W)
  • The Quran and leaders hold authority for giving guidance
  • Ali (RA) correct leader after death of Prophet
  • 5 roots of usul ad-Din
• Six articles of faith


  • TAWHID - belief that there is only one God
  • ANGELS - made of light, belief in them sent by God
  • HOLY BOOKS - the books sent to Prophets
  • PROPHETS - respect for them, especially Prophet (S-A-W)
  • DAY OF JUDGEMENT - belief everyone will be judged by God
  • SUPREMACY OF GOD'S WILL - A belief nothing happens without Gods will
• Five roots of 'Usul ad-Din

  • TAWHID - belief in only one God
  • PROPHETHOOD - respect for all prophets, and revelations
  • ADALAT - God will judge everyone fairly, and hold account
  • IMAMATE - respect for the 12 Imams, chosen by God
  • RESSURECTION - belief that after death, Muslims ressurrected
• 99 names of God

  Help show Gods qualities
• Transcendant


  • God has created the universe
  • God is all-powerful
  • God has power over everything
  • God is aware of everything
• Immament


  • God is present everywhere
  • God is involved in the world
  • God treats everyone fairly
  • God will reward punish people based on their choices
• Merciful


  • God shows compunction/mercy
  • God cares for people
  • God forgives people for their wrongs
• Fair and Just


  • God is present everywhere
  • God is involved in the world
  • God treats everyone fairly
  • God will judge all people equally
• Benevolant


  • God is all loving
• Angels

  • Spiritual beings who serve God
  • Created by light
  • Pure and sinless
  • No free will so can only do what God says
  • Able to take human form
  • Constantly serve and praise God
  • Take care of people
  • Record everything a person does in their book
  • Take peoples souls to God after they die
  • Messengers of God, receive Gods words directly and pass them on perfectly to the prophet
• Jibril


  • Angel of revelation
  • Purified prophet (S.A.W) heart when he was a child
  • Recited Quran to Muhammad from God
• Mika'il


  • Angel of mercy
  • Responsible for sending rain, thunder + lightning
  • Brings nourishment to earth
  • Believed to reward people who do good deeds
• Sunni beliefs on predestination

  • God knows or determines everything that will happen in the universe
  • God has written down everything
  • Because God created people, they must act according to his will
  • God's will is so powerful, can do anything
  • Humans do not have the freedom to change their destiny
  • Only what God has decreed will happen to us
• Shia beliefs on predestination


  • God knows what will happen however he doesn't decide what happens
  • God is creator of time; past, present + future
  • God knows what choices people will make
  • God does not change the condition of a people [for the worst] unless they change what is in themselves
  • Day of Judgement = judged for our actions and choices on the earth
  • People still responsible for their actions, rewarded/punished
• Tawhid

  • Belief in one God
  • Worship only one God
  • Nothing is more important as God has no equal
  • Do not use images/ pictures of God
• Supremacy of God's will


  • God can make anything happen
  • Nothing happens unless God allows
  • Gives Muslims confidence in Gods plan for them
• He is God the one: 'Only one God<|>God is unified / God cannot be divided into different persons'
• God the eternal: 'God has always existed<|>God was not born or came into being out of someone else<|>God has no children'
• No one is comparable to him!: 'God is unique<|>No one has Gods attitudes / qualities'
• 'the Quran is the word of God'
• 'The Quran is the literal word of Allah, revealed to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel.'
• 'The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last messenger sent by Allah'
• 'Islam means submission to the will of Allah'
• 'Allah is the only god worthy of worship'
• 'Muhammad is the final prophet'
• 'Muslims believe that there are six articles of faith'
• 'Muslims believe that there are no other gods but one'
• 'There is no partner with Allah'
• 'There are five pillars of Islam'
• 'Shia Muslims believe that Ali was chosen as the first caliph'
• 'Sunni Muslims believe that Abu Bakr was chosen as the first caliph'