2.1 Muslim Beliefs - Edexcel RS B

THE SIX BELIEFS

After Prophet M. died, there was disagreement about who should be the ruler.
Sunnis were OK with Abu Bakr taking over, but Shias felt it should be the next leader.

Sunni Muslims have the ‘Six Beliefs’ which must be accepted by all Muslims, based on Hadith.

1. Allah – One God created and rules all. Worthy of worship.

2. Malaikah – honoured creatures, worship God. HQ was sent via these.

3. Kutub – God revealed holy books as guidance & proof. Main = HQ.

4. Risalah– Belief in prophets & messengers of Allah.

5. Akhirah – Day of Judgement, God judges based on actions.

6. Predestination – Allah knows all, humans have free will.

Importance: unites all Sunnis together with one set of main beliefs, and will be rewarded on DoJ.

Expressed via:

·         Muslims recite tawhid in daily prayers.

·         Muslims end prayers by greeting angels on each shoulder.

·         They will look to HQ for guidance and understanding their faith better.

FIVE ROOTS OF USUL AD-DIN (Only Shia Muslims)

Based on the teachings in the HQ, Hadith, and agreements of early Shia scholars and leaders.

1. Tawhid – oneness of Allah, omnipotent, onmipresent, unique and not made.

2. Adl – justice, expects humans to be just. Humans have free will.

3. Nubuwwah – prophethood, appointed P’s to teach & guide humans. M was last Prophet.

4. Imamah – leadership, sent 12 Imams after M to teach and guide. ONLY SHIA BELIEF.

5. Mi’ad – DoJ, each human is responsible for their actions, reminder that Allah made us.

 

Importance: Following these makes you the perfect Muslim, rejection = punishment.

Twelvers: rules come from the 12 Imams – Allah elected 12 Imams, so must be correct.
Seveners: believe that the 7^th Imam, Isma’il, was the last one.

NATURE OF ALLAH

Allah is given 99 names to help Muslims understand the true nature of Allah, but impossible to fully understand. Muslims recite the names as remembrance of Allah to develop awareness. Strengthens relationship with Allah.

Tawhid– “Worship God and shun false Gods.”

Immanent– Allah is close & involved in world.

Transcendent– Allah is above & beyond human understanding.

Omnipotent– most powerful. Creates and controls all.

Beneficent– caring and loving to creation.

Merciful– forgives people for their wrong.

Fair/Just– judges people unbiased.

Adalat– equitable & just. ONLY SHIA BELIEF

Importance: Muslims can establish a close relationship with Allah (reason of creating humans). Muslims can strive to reflect divine attributes of Allah (e.g. benevolence).

PROPHETHOOD

Channel of communications between Allah and people.…