Principal Beliefs and Sacred Texts of Islam
Living Religious Traditions
- Islam's main principles have changed very little over time
- Over its history, people like Al Ghazali and Aisha Bint Abu Bakr made sure Islam is in the hearts of its adherent
- The Five Pillars e.g. Hajj ensures that Islam will continue to be a living religious tradition
- It's Growth, Expansion and its ability for interpretation enable to be one of the strongest religions today
Variants of Islam
- Sunni Islam
- Largest denomination of Islam
- Comes from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
- Belief that Muhammad did not appoint a leader after death
- A community chose Muhammad's father in law as the first caliph of Islam
- They believed that the caliph can also be chosen democratically
- Shia Islam
- Second largest denomination of Islam
- Comes from the Qur'an and the Hadith
- Belief that his family, the Ah al-Bayt including his descendents (Immans) have special rule over the community
- Muhammad's cousin was the first Imman and the rightful leader of the Islam community
Principal Beliefs of Islam
- Islam teaches the importance of both Belief and Practice, stated in both The Qur'an and The Hadith. Basic Beliefs include:
- The Oneness of God
- Muslims believe that Allah is the only one, supreme God
- The Oneness of Lordship
- Belief that Allah is the only Creator, Provider and the Commander
- The Oneness of Worship
- Belief that Allah is The Only God who should be worshiped and obeyed
- Oneness of Allah's Names and Attributes
- To believe that Allah, His Names and Attributes are perfect
- Allah says "And Allah makes none to share in His decision and rule." (Holy Quran 18:26)
Principal Beliefs of Islam
Foundations of Islam
- Oneness of Man
- Prophet Muhammad said: "Surely Allah does not look at your faces or your bodies, but looks at your hearts and your deeds".
- The 6 Pillars of Faith
1. Belief in God (Allah)
2. Belief in Mala-eka (Angels)
- Belief that Allah created unseen creatures
3. Belief in the books of Allah
- Allah revealed his books to mankind through his prophets, originating from the same divine source
4. Belief in the Prophets of Allah
- Sent to mankind as messengers for guidance
5. Belief in Yawm al Qiyama (Day of Judgement)
- That everything will come to an end and all will be judged by Allah
6. Qada-wal Qada (Destiny, Divine, Decree)
- That the whole universe is directly under the control of Allah
- The Hadith
- Non-Violence
- ‘Forgive him who wrongs you; join him who cuts you off; do good to him who does evil to you, and speak the truth although it be against yourself.’ :Inscribed on the hilt of the Prophet’s sword
- Mercy
- Assist your brother or sister Muslim, whether he be an oppressor or an oppressed. ‘But how shall we do it when someone is an oppressor?’ Muhammad said, ‘Assisting an oppressor is by forbidding and withholding that person from oppression.’ :The Prophet
- Peace
- 'It is unworthy of a Mu’min [a person with faith] to injure people’s reputations; and it is unworthy to curse any one; and it is unworthy to abuse any one; and it is unworthy of a Mu’min to talk arrogantly.' :The Prophet
Introduction
Foundations of Islam
Why are sacred texts important in relation to Islam?
- Illustrated Islamic Beliefs
- Provided Guidance
What are the examples of Sacred Texts?
- The Qur'an (word of God)
- 5 Pillars of Islam
- 6 Pillars of Faith
- The Hadith (words of Muhammad (Pbuh)
What are the different variation of Islam?
Recorded in the Qur'an
- Interpreted through the 5 Pillars of Islam
1. Testimony of Faith (Shahada)
2. The Prayer (Salah)
3. Fasting (Seyam)
4. Charity (Zakat)
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)
- It is a Reflection of what is contained and authorised in the Qur'an
- God's words state:
- "Shall I seek other than God as a source of law, when He has brought down to you this book fully detailed?" 6:114
- "Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord" 33:2
- "Or do they have partners who legislate for them religious laws which were not authorized by God? If it were not for a preordained decree, they would have been judged immediately. Indeed the transgressors shall have a painful punishment." 42:21