Islam: Beliefs and Teachings
This domain examines Islamic belief (aqidah) and the way it shapes Muslim identity. The Shahada is both the first pillar and a summary of belief.
Core beliefs
- Tawhid: God is one, unique, without partners or equals (Surah 112). The opposite, shirk, is the gravest sin.
- Angels: created beings of light; Jibril brought revelation.
- Books: the Qur'an is the final, literal word of God; earlier books include the Tawrah, Zabur and Injil.
- Prophets: Adam to Muhammad; Muhammad is the final prophet (khatam an-nabiyyin).
- Qadar: God's decree; humans still have responsibility for choices.
- Akhirah: Day of Judgement, resurrection, paradise and hell.
- Iman and ihsan: faith includes belief, speech and action; ihsan is worshipping as though seeing God.
Sunni and Shia Muslims share these core beliefs but differ over leadership after the Prophet and some practices.
Worked example
Question: 'How does belief in qadar affect Muslim life?' Reasoning: explain God's knowledge and decree, then show how it produces trust (tawakkul), patience in hardship and effort rather than fatalism - because humans remain accountable.
Traps
- Saying Muhammad is divine or the author of the Qur'an.
- Treating the Qur'an and Hadith as identical.
- Claiming all Muslims are Arabs or practise identically.