The Beliefs of Islam The Four Rightly Guided Caliphs Sunni and Shi’a Islam Tawhid The One God A Belief in Angels The Books of Allah RusulAkhiraPredestination.

The The Beliefs Beliefs of Islamof Islam

The Four Rightly The Four Rightly Guided CaliphsGuided Caliphs

Sunni and Shi’a IslamSunni and Shi’a IslamTawhidTawhid

The One GodThe One GodA Belief in AngelsA Belief in AngelsThe Books of AllahThe Books of Allah

RusulRusulAkhiraAkhira

PredestinationPredestination

© Karen Devine 2008

The Four Rightly Guided The Four Rightly Guided CaliphsCaliphs

Muhammad’s death meant a successor had to be Muhammad’s death meant a successor had to be found to keep Islam alive.found to keep Islam alive.

Successors to Muhammad were called Successors to Muhammad were called caliphscaliphs and and were leaders of the Muslim world.were leaders of the Muslim world.

Abu BakrAbu Bakr was elected as Muhammad’s successor, was elected as Muhammad’s successor, followed by followed by UmarUmar, thirdly , thirdly UthmanUthman and lastly was and lastly was Muhammad’s cousin Muhammad’s cousin Ali.Ali.

Yet, the Umayya family claimed succession Yet, the Umayya family claimed succession instead of Ali and their armies met in battle. instead of Ali and their armies met in battle. Ali was assassinated.Ali was assassinated.

After Ali’s death the caliphate passed to After Ali’s death the caliphate passed to Mu’awiya who founded the Ummayad Sunni dynasty Mu’awiya who founded the Ummayad Sunni dynasty of caliphs.of caliphs.

Shi’a Muslims consider Ali to be the first Imam Shi’a Muslims consider Ali to be the first Imam of Islam.of Islam.

Sunni and Shi’a MuslimsSunni and Shi’a Muslims Islam is essentially Islam is essentially divided into 2 key divided into 2 key groups:groups:

a) Sunnia) Sunnib) Shi’ab) Shi’a The reason for the The reason for the division dates back to division dates back to the question of the question of succession to the succession to the caliphate.caliphate.

Sunni’s see that no one Sunni’s see that no one could succeed Muhammad could succeed Muhammad and the Qur’an is the and the Qur’an is the final form of God’s final form of God’s revelation. Therefore, revelation. Therefore, the the CaliphCaliph was a was a guardian of the faith.guardian of the faith.

Sunni MuslimsSunni Muslims

Sunni’s believe the Sunni’s believe the first first CaliphsCaliphs were were chosen via chosen via consensusconsensus because because they had led an they had led an outstanding Muslim outstanding Muslim life. They were the life. They were the best qualified best qualified Muslims.Muslims.

Sunni’s developed Sunni’s developed Shari’a Law which Shari’a Law which is based on the is based on the application of the application of the Qur’an.Qur’an.

Shi’a MuslimsShi’a Muslims

The Shi’a’s are The Shi’a’s are followers of Ali and followers of Ali and they believe it is the they believe it is the caliph’s role to caliph’s role to continue Muhammad’s continue Muhammad’s revelation. revelation.

Shi’a’s see that all Shi’a’s see that all caliphs should be blood caliphs should be blood relatives of Muhammad.relatives of Muhammad.

Yet, even though there Yet, even though there is a difference between is a difference between Sunni’s and Shi’a’s, Sunni’s and Shi’a’s, Islam is essentially a Islam is essentially a faith with a united faith with a united belief system. belief system.

TawhidTawhid

The first article of faith of Islam is that Allah is the The first article of faith of Islam is that Allah is the one God (one God (TawhidTawhid).).

This belief is uttered daily in the This belief is uttered daily in the Shahada “there is no Shahada “there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.”God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.”

The first duty of a Muslim is to declare faith in Allah.The first duty of a Muslim is to declare faith in Allah. The worshipping of idols is forbidden. The worshipping of idols is forbidden. Muslims believe the only sin Muslims believe the only sin notnot to be forgiven by God to be forgiven by God

is polytheism.is polytheism.

The One GodThe One God Allah:Allah:a)a) is unchangingis unchangingb)b) will pass sentence at judgement daywill pass sentence at judgement dayc)c) is eternalis eternald)d) has 99 beautiful nameshas 99 beautiful namese)e) is omnipotentis omnipotentf)f) declared that worshipping idols is banneddeclared that worshipping idols is bannedg)g) has a oneness that is a unifying forcehas a oneness that is a unifying forceh)h) is compassionateis compassionatei)i) is mercifulis mercifulj)j) is given a historical location at Mecca.is given a historical location at Mecca.k)k) was not createdwas not createdl)l) is supremeis supremem)m) is the sustainer of the universeis the sustainer of the universe

A Belief in AngelsA Belief in Angels Belief in angels is Belief in angels is central to Islam.central to Islam.

In Islam there is a In Islam there is a belief that the Qur’an belief that the Qur’an was dictated to Muhammad was dictated to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel.by the Angel Gabriel.

Angels are said to be Angels are said to be created from light and created from light and are obedient spirits to are obedient spirits to God.God.

There are said to be 4 There are said to be 4 great angels: great angels: Jibrael,Mika’il, Israfil Jibrael,Mika’il, Israfil and Izra’il.and Izra’il.

Muslims also believe that Muslims also believe that each person has 2 each person has 2 guardian angels who guardian angels who record their good and bad record their good and bad deeds.deeds.

The Books of AllahThe Books of Allah The Qur’an is a focal point The Qur’an is a focal point of the Islamic faith.of the Islamic faith.

Muslims see that it is the Muslims see that it is the word of God revealed to word of God revealed to Muhammad through the Angel Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel over a 22 year Gabriel over a 22 year period.period.

The Qur’an contains:The Qur’an contains:a)a) teachingsteachingsb)b) stories of prophets stories of prophets c)c) consequences of good and consequences of good and bad behaviour.bad behaviour.

d)d) Details of the afterlifeDetails of the afterlifee)e) 114 chapters or 114 chapters or suras.suras. The Qur’an is recited and The Qur’an is recited and chanted during prayers. chanted during prayers.

RusulRusul The Qur’an states that God The Qur’an states that God revealed himself to 25 prophets revealed himself to 25 prophets who became God’s messengers.who became God’s messengers.

6 of these prophets received 6 of these prophets received special revelations. They are: special revelations. They are: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.Jesus and Muhammad.

If the prophets deliver a holy If the prophets deliver a holy book they are known as book they are known as Rusul.Rusul.

Muhammad is the last great Muhammad is the last great prophet who brought Allah’s prophet who brought Allah’s revelation to the people. revelation to the people.

Yet, Muslims see that the Yet, Muslims see that the Hebrew and Christian scriptures Hebrew and Christian scriptures are also holy books.are also holy books.

AkhiraAkhira Muslims believe in an afterlife. Muslims believe in an afterlife.

Life on earth is preparation for Life on earth is preparation for it.it.

On the day of reckoning:On the day of reckoning:a)a) Izrail will sound the trumpetIzrail will sound the trumpetb)b) All people will be raised from All people will be raised from

the dead.the dead.c)c) The books of the recording angels The books of the recording angels

will be opened.will be opened.d)d) Allah will weigh up all person’s Allah will weigh up all person’s

good and evil deedsgood and evil deedse)e) The good will go to heaven and The good will go to heaven and

the evil will go to hell.the evil will go to hell. In Islam, God is described as In Islam, God is described as

compassionate and merciful, not compassionate and merciful, not vengeful.vengeful.

Muslims see that only those who Muslims see that only those who believe in the revelation of the believe in the revelation of the prophet will go to heaven.prophet will go to heaven.

Death begins a person’s eternal Death begins a person’s eternal life.life.

PredestinationPredestination Muslims believe that Muslims believe that nothing happens unless nothing happens unless it is the will of God. it is the will of God.

Islamic scholars Islamic scholars identify the mystery of identify the mystery of faith as:faith as:

a)a) Humans are predestined Humans are predestined to enter heaven or hell to enter heaven or hell (divine control) yet,(divine control) yet,

b)b) Humans are also Humans are also responsible for the responsible for the choices they make. choices they make.

With free will comes With free will comes accountability to Allah. accountability to Allah.

If we choose evil, If we choose evil, Allah will impose an Allah will impose an appropriate punishment.appropriate punishment.

Question TimeQuestion Time

In what ways In what ways is Islam is Islam different in different in its belief its belief structure to structure to Judaism and Judaism and Christianity?Christianity?