Islam beliefs

• The six articles of faith - Sunni Islam


  • Tawhid
  • Angels (malaikah)
  • Holy books
  • Prophets (nubuwwah)
  • Day of Judgement and the afterlife (Akhirah)
  • Al-Qadr
• Tawhid


  Having absolute faith in the oneness of God
• Angels (malaikah)


  • The first creation of God
  • God's greatness means that he does not communicate with humans and so he passed messages (Risalah) to his prophets via the angels
  • Angels also tell Allah about the behaviour of humans
• Holy books


  Should be respected, especially the Qur'an, which is a direct revelation from God – it is God's word
• Prophets (nubuwwah)


  • Should be respected, especially Muhammad, known as the Seal of the Prophets (the last prophet)
  • Muslims accept Isa (known by the name Jesus in Christianity) as a prophet
  • There are 25 prophets named in the Qur'an
• Sunni Muslims believe in the Day of Judgement and the afterlife (Akhirah)


  All Muslims will be judged by God and sent to either Paradise or Hell
• Al-Qadr


  • Everything in the universe is following a divine masterplan
  • This shows the importance of God's will, as Allah knows or decides everything that will happen
  • In all things the master-planning is God's
• Importance of the six articles of faith


  • Belief in one God
  • Guidance from holy books on how to live life on the right path
  • Prophets sent by God to teach how to live and obey his laws
  • Angels record the deeds of humans on Earth, encouraging good actions
  • Belief in the Day of Judgement, where Allah determines everything including human free will, and humans are held accountable for their actions
• Sunni Muslims believe that people should live following God's rules
• The holy books give guidance on how Muslims can live their lives on the right path
• The prophets are sent by God to teach humans how to live as Allah wished and to teach how to obey his laws
• Sunni Muslims believe that the angels record the deeds of humans on Earth, which encourages Muslims to do good if they want to have a place in Paradise
• The belief in the Day of Judgement means believing that this life is a test and Allah determines everything, even human free will. However, humans are still responsible and held accountable for their actions
• The five roots of Usul ad-Din - Shi’a Islam

  The theology of the twelve imams of Shi’a Islam contains the five key principles known as Usul ad-Din:

  1. Tawhid - the belief that God is one, almighty and unique.
  2. Divine justice (Adalat) - God will judge everyone on the Day of Judgement.
  3. The prophets (nubuwwah) - who should be respected, especially Muhammad.
  4. Authority of the imams (imamate) - these twelve imams were chosen by God to lead Islam after Muhammad.
  5. Day of Resurrection (Al-Ma’ad) - Muslims will be resurrected and judged by God.
• Usul ad-Din


  The five roots of
• Similarities between Sunni Islam and Shi’a Islam

  Although they are split, Sunni and Shi’a Muslims share many of the same beliefs:

  • Allah is the one God.
  • They regard the Holy Qur'an as the word of Allah.
  • They acknowledge the same prophets.
  • They believe that angels passed on messages to the prophets.
  • They believe there will be a Day of Judgement.
• Shi'a Muslims believe that the prophets provide guidance on the past and the Qur'an
• Shi'a Muslims believe that if there is only one God then Muslims should follow his rules
• Shi'a Muslims believe that Allah is always right and just and sometimes may act in ways that are beyond our understanding
• Muslims believe they face judgement in the afterlife
• Muslims need to follow the right path in their lives in order to pass any test that God sets for them
• Shi'a Muslims believe that leaders such as imams protect the religion and guide Muslims along the right path
• "And your Allah is One Allah. There is no god but He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful." Quote for the nature of God
• Muslims believe that Allah:

  • is the one true God - all worship and praise is directed towards him
  • should be treated with respect as he is the supreme being
  • is the creator, designer and sustainer of the world
• Tawhid


  The oneness of Allah, which is the fundamental belief of Islam
• The attributes of Allah

  Muslims believe that Allah is:

  • Transcendent – Allah is above and beyond anything that exists in the world.
  • Fair and just - Allah judges everyone equally.
  • Immanent - Allah is close to every human and within all things on Earth.
  • Omnipotent - Allah is all-powerful.
  • Beneficent - Allah is all-loving.
  • Merciful - Allah shows compassion and mercy, and he forgives people.

  Muslims believe that Allah is just and created the world in a fair way (Adalat). They also believe that he always behaves in a merciful way.
• Tawhid


  Believing in Allah, believing that he is the one and only God
• Tawhid


  • Helps Muslims to think of Allah as the centre point of life
• Allah has many different descriptions and it is hard to represent him in a few words, so the Qur’an teaches that Allah has 99 names. Each of the 99 names relates to a particular attribute of Allah, making him easier to understand and relate to.
• Qur'an 16:35: '"If Allah had so willed, we should not have worshipped aught but Him. … But what is the mission of the messengers but to preach the clear Message? For We assuredly sent amongst every people a messenger."'
• Confirming that Allah is the only God is the first part of the Shahadah
• It is blasphemy to believe in other gods, which means it is the worst sin
• "Say ‘He is Allah, [who is] One." Quote for oneness of God
• Most Muslims believe that angels or malaikah were created before humans with the purpose of following the orders of Allah and communicating with humans.

  Angels are immortal, are made of light and have wings. They are pure and cannot sin. They obey and serve Allah at all times.

  They praise God:

  "They exalt him night and day and do not slacken"
• The role of angels

  • They act as messengers to the prophets.
  • They take care of people.
  • They record everything a person does, and this information is used on the Day of Judgement.
  • Izrail, the Angel of Death, takes people’s souls to God when they die.
  • They welcome Muslims into Paradise and also supervise the pits of Hell.
• Angel Jibril


  Also known as the Angel Gabriel in Christianity
• Angel Mika’il

  Also known as Michael, the Angel Mika’il is a friend to humanity and known as the giver of rain and food. He is believed to reward people who do good deeds.

  He asks Allah to forgive people’s sins as he is the Angel of Mercy. Both the Angel Jibril and the Angel Mika’il will be present on the Day of Judgement.
• Angel Jibril always brings good news
• There are other angels in Islam, such as Izrail, the Angel of Death, who takes the souls from bodies when people die so they can enter the afterlife.

  Israfil is another angel. It is believed that he will blow a trumpet to announce the Day of Judgement.
• Angel Jibril is mentioned in both the Qur'an and the Hadith