Muslim Beliefs

• Schools of Islam


  They agree on most beliefs and practices of Islam that are accepted by Sunni Muslims. Shi'a Muslims accept many of the ideas of the Islamic faith, although there are differences.
• Main schools of Islam

  • Sunni
  • Shi'a
• Six Beliefs of Islam

  • Tawhid (the belief in the oneness of Allah)
  • Malaikah (the belief in angels)
  • Authority of kutub (holy books)
  • Nubuwwah (prophethood)
  • Akhirah (teachings about life after death)
  • Belief in al-Qadr
• Tawhid


  The belief in the oneness of Allah
• Islam


  A monotheistic religion, meaning Muslims accept there is only one God (Allah)
• Akhirah


  Teachings about life after death. Muslims believe there is an afterlife after death and a Day of Judgement when every human will be judged by Allah on their actions on Earth.
• Belief in al-Qadr


  Muslims believe that Allah knows everything and, although humans have freewill, Allah knows what will happen.
• Malaikah


  The belief in angels who are obedient to Allah's commands and through whom messages are given to prophets.
• Authority of kutub (holy books)

  The main holy book for Muslims is the Qur'an, but they also recognise Sahifah (scrolls of Abraham and Moses), the Tawrat (Torah), Zabur (Psalms) and Injil (the Gospel).
• Nubuwwah


  The belief that Allah appointed prophets or messengers to pass his message on to humanity.
• The Six Beliefs of Islam are contained in the Kitab al-Iman or Book of Faith. They are important for Sunni Muslims as they are the fundamental beliefs of the faith that they hold to be true.
• Five Roots of 'Usul ad-Din in Shi'a Islam

  • Tawhid (the oneness of Allah)
  • Adl (divine justice)
  • Nubuwwah (prophethood)
  • Imamah (successors to Muhammad)
  • Mi'ad (the Day of Judgement and the Resurrection)
• Tawhid


  The idea of one God called Allah
• Adl


  Allah is understood to be fair and just in the way he treats everything
• Nubuwwah


  The belief that Allah appointed prophets or messengers to pass his message on to humanity
• Imamah


  The belief that Allah appointed imams or leaders to guide humanity and be a source of authority
• Mi'ad


  The belief that all humans will be judged by Allah on their actions after death
• Most Shi'a believe there were 12 imams after the death of Muhammad, known as Twelvers. Some believe there were seven known as Seveners.
• Eight characteristics of Allah shown in the Qur'an

  • Tawhid (the oneness of Allah)
  • Immanence (the idea that Allah is close and involved within the world)
  • Transcendence (the idea that Allah is above and beyond human understanding)
  • Omnipotence (the idea that Allah is more powerful than anything in existence)
  • Beneficence (the idea that Allah is caring and loves his creation)
  • Mercy (the idea that Allah forgives people for the wrong things they do)
  • Fairness and justice (the idea that Allah is fair and just and will judge humans after death in this way)
  • Adalat (Allah created the world in a fair way and will judge humans in this way too)
• Tawhid


  The Islamic word used to describe the idea that Muslims only accept one God
• The most fundamental belief of the religion of Islam is that there is one God, Allah, and all other principles relate to this.
• Immanence


  The idea that Allah is close and involved within the world
• Transcendence


  The idea that Allah is above and beyond human understanding, it can be difficult for Muslims to fully understand Allah
• Omnipotence


  The idea that Allah is more powerful than anything in existence. He is seen to have created the world and is in control of everything.
• Beneficence


  The idea that Allah is caring and loves his creation
• Mercy


  The idea that Allah forgives people for the wrong things they do
• Fairness and justice


  The idea that Allah is fair and just and will judge humans after death in this way
• Adalat


  Allah created the world in a fair way and will judge humans in this way too
• Muslims believe that by knowing what Allah is like they can understand him better, follow the way he wants them to live their lives, strengthen their relationship with Allah, and encourage Muslims to strive to be better as this is what they believe Allah wants.
• Risalah


  The Islamic word for prophethood or messengers of Allah. These messengers are the channel of communication that links Allah to humanity.
• Prophets are important to Muslims as they enable Allah to communicate with humankind.
• Prophets in the Qur'an


  • Adam
  • Ibrahim (Abraham)
  • Isma'il
  • Musa (Moses)
  • Dawud (David)
  • Isa (Jesus)
  • Muhammad
• Rasuls


  Prophets whose message has been written down
• It is thought there have been as many as 124,000 prophets but only 25 are named in the Qur'an.
• Sahifah


  Scrolls of Abraham and Moses
• Tawrat


  Torah
• Zabur


  Psalms
• Injil


  The Gospel
• Qur'an


  The most important holy book for Muslims, revealed to Muhammad by Allah over a period of 23 years. It is written in Arabic and divided into Surah (chapters) and Ayats (verses). Muslims believe the Qur'an came from Allah.
• Muslims are commanded in the Qur'an to believe in the books also revealed to Christians and Jews, which is why Muslims are often called 'People of the Book'.