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Core
Beliefs
Islam
Islam began in Arabia and was revealed to
humanity by the Prophet Muhammad. Those who
follow Islam are called Muslims.
The heart of faith for all Muslims is obedience to
Allah's will. Allah is the name Muslims use for the
supreme and unique God, who created and rules
everything.
Although there is general agreement amongst
Muslims about the oneness of God (Allah), the
authority of the Qu’ran and the Prophet
Muhammad, there are different interpretations of
some Islamic laws.
Basic articles of faith
Muslims have six main beliefs:
 Allah as the one and only God
 Belief in Angels
 Belief in the Qu’ran, and the holy
books
 Belief in the Prophets, for example
Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa
(Moses), Isa (Jesus). Muhammad
though is the final prophet.
 Day
of Judgement: the day when
the life of every human being will
be assessed to decide whether
they go to heaven or hell.
 Predestination: Allah has the
knowledge of all that will happen
but this understanding doesn't stop
human beings making free choices.
Allah
Allah is eternal, omniscient, and omnipotent...
 Allah has always existed and will always exist.
 Allah knows everything that can be known.
 Allah can do anything that can be done.
Allah has no shape or form...
 Allah can't be seen.
 Allah can't be heard.
 Allah is neither male nor female.
Allah is just...
 Allah rewards and punishes fairly.
 But Allah is also merciful.
A believer can approach Allah by praying, and by
reciting the Qur'an.
From http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/beliefs/beliefs.shtml
Groups within Islam
The two main groups within Islam are Sunni and Shi’ite.
Sunni is the most widespread form of Islam. Shi’ite Islam is
the predominant religion in Iran and has major
communities in Lebanon and Iraq.
The division between the groups began after the death of
Muhammad who did not make any provision for a
successor. A dispute arose between who would succeed
Muhammad; a close relative of the Prophet or an early
convert to Islam who had worked closely with
Muhammad.
The main community, the Sunni, chose to elect as leader
a member of Muhammad’s tribe ,Abu Bakr, who then
became Caliph. The smaller group, the Shi’ite, chose Ali,
the cousin of Muhammad, as successor as they believed
leadership should run through Muhammad’s family.
In Sunni Islam the ultimate source of authority is
the Muslim community. For Shi’ite Muslims,
authority resides in the divinely appointed leader,
the Imam, rather than the community.
Shi’ite Muslims also hold the view that the caliphs
are empowered with the same spirit that
empowered Muhammad and therefore can
speak authoritatively in new situations. Sunni
Muslims, on the other hand, believe the caliph
has no power to innovate.
Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims agree on the broad
range of Islamic principles, but Shi’ite Muslims
have distinctive practices, such as the celebration
of the tenth day of Muharram. This day
commemorates the death of Ali’s son Husayn,
who died in battle. Husayn’s suffering is seen as
redemptive.
Principal practices of Islam
Muslims must accept and practice the Five Pillars,
which are an expression of their faith and belief in
Allah.
1. Shahadah - Creed
The first pillar of Islam is Shahadah, or Creed.
Muslims recite the single sentence; “There is no
God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger”.
This single sentence makes a person a Muslim.
The Shahadah is whispered into the ear of a
newborn child and is also the last phrase that
Muslims hear before death.
The Shahadah is a simple creed that emphasises
the unity of God and names Muhammad as a
prophet and messenger.
2. Salat - Prayer
Muslims are required to pray five times a day:
before dawn, at midday, mid-afternoon, sunset
and night time.
Traditionally the call to prayer was made by a
Muezzin from the minaret on the mosque, but
today it is broadcast through loudspeakers.
The call to prayer begins with the Allahu akbar
(God is great) and continues with “I witness that
there is no God but Allah; I witness that
Muhammad is the messenger of Allah; hasten to
prayer”.
Call to Prayer youtube clip
3. Zakat – charity to the poor
Islamic practice requires that believers donate a
percentage of their total income and produce to
the poor. The concept of Zakat is based on the
understanding that God is the creator of all and
what a Muslim owns is entrusted to them by God.
The underlying principle of Zakat is Sadaqa which
means “bearing one another’s burdens”. A Muslim is
therefore expected to act generously when called
on in everyday life. Hospitality is also a part of Islamic
society, and Muslims should share their food and
drink when someone visits. Zakat is calculated
annually, and the purpose of Zakat is outlined in the
Qu’ran.
4. Sawm – fasting during
Ramadan
Muslims fast during Ramadan to commemorate the
time when Muhammad received his revelation. The
fast is commanded in the Qu’ran (2:183-187).
During this time of fasting Muslims must avoid all food,
liquid, tobacco and sex from dawn until dusk.
Exceptions are made for travellers, pregnant women,
and the sick, but the days are expected to be made
up at a later time.
The idea of fasting is to learn self-discipline for the rest
of the year. It is meant to be an experience that
Muslims look forward to as a time of spiritual renewal.
5. Hajj – pilgrimage to Mecca
Muslim men and women are expected to visit Mecca
at least once in their lifetime, unless they are prevented
by poverty or illness. Pilgrimage to Mecca was practised
before Muhammad was born, but Muhammad
continued the pilgrimage and included the veneration
of the black meteorite (Ka’bah)found in the area.
During the hajj Muslims circle in an anti-clockwise
direction around the Ka’bah seven times (tawaf).
Before the tawaf Muslims must bathe and put on
special garments which is usually white. Purity and selfdenial is also an important part of the pilgrimage.
Youtube clip of the Hajj
Sharia Law
The Qu’ran is the source of Islamic law and the
text is believed to reveal the will of Allah to
Muslims. Islamic law is called Sharia Law which
includes all laws, religious and secular, personal
and communal. Sharia Law also covers offences
that range from the serious and immoral to
matters of etiquette and personal hygiene.
Muslims consider sharia law to be divine and
therefore it cannot be questioned. Because the
law concerns everyday life though, there is also
an element of human interpretation.
Further Information
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYcNew1KGI
0&feature=related
http://www.woodlandsjunior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/religion/Islam.htm
http://www.reonline.org.uk/ks4/topiclist.php
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/
Reference
Goldburg, Peta. Investigating World
Religions. Cambridge University Press, New
York, 2009.