On the mini whiteboard what do you know about Islam?

What will you study about Islam during this term? 3. STUDY OF RELIGION: ISLAM Religious beliefs, values and teachings The interpretation and application of the Six Beliefs 2. Sources of wisdom and authority The meaning and significance of the life and work of the Prophet Muhammad in its historical, political, religious and social context and assessment of his significance for Muslims today. The key events in the life of Muhammad and his sayings as a basis for Muslim living The interpretation and significance of the Qur’an Practices that shape and express religious identity The central role of the five pillars of Islam. The Ummah as an expression Islamic identity. Analysing the importance of Islamic beliefs Exploring the political, social and religious contexts of Muhammad’s life Assessing the views that five pillars have significance for Islamic practices and identity.

What 3 things do you believe in? Why?

Basic Beliefs of Islam An introduction LO: To gain the understanding of the way Muslims interpret their core (six) beliefs

1. Tawheed 3 main beliefs 3. Akhirah 2. Risalah

Beliefs 6 1 2. The Divine Allah Angels of Decree Allah (Predestination) 1 Allah 2. Angels of Allah Beliefs 3 Scriptures of Allah 5 The day of Resurrection 4 Messengers of Allah

What are these beliefs based on? Hadith; “You must believe in Allah, His angels, His Holy Books, His Messengers, in the Last Day and life after death.”

Introduction Six Articles of Islamic Faith (for the Sunni majority) In addition to Five Pillars of Islamic Practice Together, make up Aqidah (“creed”) Sunni/Shi’a beliefs differ: Having Iman (“to fully observe one’s faith”) Belief in the heart Profession by the tongue Performance of the deeds Without the articles of faith, there is no context for the pillars of practice

1. Belief in God (Allah) Monotheism (Tawhid = “divine unity”) God is absolute, a single inseparable unity One God  Same God for Jews, Christians, Muslims Allah: the Arabic word for the personal name of “God” “99 Names of God”: found throughout the Qur’an God has “no associate or partner” Muslims reject the Christian concept of “Trinity” God cannot become human; humans cannot be God Consider Jesus a great prophet, but not divine

2. Belief in the Unseen Angels Spirits (Jinn) God’s messengers; reveal messages to Prophets Example: Angel Gabriel revealed the Qur’an to Muhammad No free will; sole purpose is serving God Accompany, guide, and protect people at all times Spirits (Jinn) Spiritual beings, with free will Thus can be good or evil Root of English word/concept: “genie”

3. Belief in Prophet-hood Prophets and Messengers Prophets speak God’s words to people orally. Messengers received God’s words in book form. So, not all prophets are messengers, but all messengers are also prophets. Muslims believe in about 124,000 prophets “Chain of Prophets”: Adam was first; Muhammad was last Also include; Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, David, Jesus, 25 names mentioned in the Qur’an All transmit same basic message throughout history Certain prophets were sent to specific groups/nations

4. Belief in Revelations Holy Books Progressive Revelation Revealed scriptures; messages from God Different languages, different cultures, different eras But same basic message, culminating in the Qur’an Progressive Revelation Books of Moses, Psalms of David, Gospels of Jesus Ultimately the Qur’an, revealed through Prophet Muhammad Muslims believe ancient Jews & Christians altered/distorted the messages, God had revealed through Moses, David, and Jesus

5. Belief in the Day of Judgment Resurrection of the Dead At the end of time, all people will be raised Everyone is held accountable for his/her own deeds Judgment / Afterlife Everyone is judged based on one’s life/actions on earth If good deeds outweigh bad deeds: Reward  eternal life with God in heaven/paradise/garden If bad deeds outweigh good deeds: Punishment  in everlasting fires of hell

6. Belief in the Divine Decree Human Nature / Free Will Everyone has knowledge & ability to choose between right & wrong, and so is held responsible Yet God has correct fore-knowledge of everyone’s path Destiny / Fate / Predestination God wrote down our destiny in the “Preserved Tablet” God knows what our nature will cause us to do A person’s actions are not caused by what God has written But God is omniscient  God knows in advance

Review Six basic beliefs Variety of Beliefs Allah/God Angels & Spirits Holy Books Prophets Day of Judgment Predestination-Destiny or Fate Variety of Beliefs Most Muslims, especially Sunnis & Shi’ites, believe in all the above Specific explanations may vary, even among Sunnis Some similarities & differences for Shi’ites Muslims

Which of the six beliefs do you remember Which of the six beliefs do you remember? Can you interpret these briefly?