Islam: Beliefs and Teachings

What you'll learn

This revision guide covers the fundamental beliefs and teachings of Islam as required for CIE IGCSE Religious Studies. You will explore the Six Articles of Faith (Iman), the nature of Allah, prophethood, sacred texts, angels, predestination and life after death. Understanding these core concepts will enable you to answer both short-answer and extended-response questions with precision and depth.

Key terms and definitions

Tawhid — the oneness and unity of Allah; the fundamental principle that Allah is one, unique and without partners

Shirk — associating partners with Allah or worshipping anything alongside Allah; the most serious sin in Islam

Risalah — prophethood; the belief that Allah communicates with humanity through chosen messengers

Akhirah — life after death; belief in resurrection, judgement and eternal existence in paradise or hell

Qadr — predestination or divine decree; the belief that Allah knows and controls everything that happens

Malaikah — angels; spiritual beings created from light who obey Allah's commands perfectly

Kutub — holy books; the divine scriptures revealed by Allah to guide humanity

Ummah — the worldwide Muslim community united by faith

Core concepts

The nature of Allah (Tawhid)

Tawhid is the central belief in Islam. Muslims believe Allah is:

• One and unique — there is no god except Allah (La ilaha illa Allah)
• Eternal — without beginning or end, the creator of time itself
• Omnipotent — all-powerful, able to do anything
• Omniscient — all-knowing, aware of everything past, present and future
• Transcendent — beyond human understanding and physical form
• Immanent — close to creation and involved in the world

The 99 Names of Allah (Asma ul-Husna) describe Allah's attributes. Key names include:

• Al-Rahman (The Most Compassionate)
• Al-Rahim (The Most Merciful)
• Al-Malik (The King)
• Al-Quddus (The Holy)
• Al-Alim (The All-Knowing)

Muslims avoid depicting Allah in any form to prevent shirk. Images and statues are forbidden as they might lead to idolatry. The emphasis on Tawhid shapes every aspect of Islamic belief and practice.

Angels (Malaikah)

Muslims believe angels are created from light and exist to serve Allah. Unlike humans, angels have no free will and cannot disobey. Key angels include:

Jibril (Gabriel)

• Chief angel who revealed the Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad
• Brought messages to all prophets
• Appeared to Muhammad in the Cave of Hira

Mika'il (Michael)

• Responsible for providing nourishment and rain
• Controls natural phenomena

Izra'il

• Angel of death who takes souls at the appointed time

Israfil

• Will blow the trumpet on the Day of Judgement to signal resurrection

Angels also record human deeds. Two recording angels (Kiraman Katibin) accompany each person, noting good and bad actions for judgement.

Prophethood (Risalah)

Risalah refers to Allah's communication through chosen messengers. Muslims believe Allah sent approximately 124,000 prophets throughout history, though only 25 are named in the Qur'an.

Key prophets include:

• Adam — the first prophet and human being
• Ibrahim (Abraham) — rebuilt the Ka'bah; willingness to sacrifice his son demonstrated total submission
• Musa (Moses) — received the Tawrat; led the Israelites from Egypt
• Isa (Jesus) — born of the virgin Maryam; performed miracles; Muslims believe he was not crucified but raised to heaven
• Muhammad — the final prophet (Seal of the Prophets); received the complete and final revelation

Prophet Muhammad holds special significance:

• Born in Makkah c.570 CE
• Received first revelation aged 40 in 610 CE
• Migrated to Madinah in 622 CE (Hijrah) — year zero of the Islamic calendar
• Established the first Muslim community
• His Sunnah (example) and Hadith (sayings) guide Muslims alongside the Qur'an

All prophets share common characteristics:

• Chosen by Allah
• Trustworthy and truthful
• Brought same core message: worship one God
• Human, not divine

Holy books (Kutub)

Muslims believe Allah revealed scriptures to guide humanity:

Sahifah — scrolls given to Ibrahim Tawrat (Torah) — revealed to Musa for the Jewish people Zabur (Psalms) — given to Dawud (David) Injil (Gospel) — revealed to Isa for Christians

Muslims believe previous scriptures became corrupted over time through human error or deliberate change. This is why the Qur'an was revealed as the final, complete and protected revelation.

The Qur'an:

• Revealed to Muhammad over 23 years (610-632 CE)
• Contains 114 chapters (Surah) and over 6,000 verses (Ayah)
• Written in Arabic; translations are interpretations, not the true Qur'an
• Covers belief, worship, law, morality and guidance
• Muslims believe it is the unchanged word of Allah
• Memorised by millions (Hafiz — one who has memorised the entire Qur'an)

Key themes include Tawhid, prophethood, social justice, worship and life after death.

The Hadith collections complement the Qur'an:

• Records of Muhammad's words and actions
• Compiled by scholars like Bukhari and Muslim
• Graded by authenticity (sahih = authentic, hasan = good, da'if = weak)
• Used alongside Qur'an to derive Islamic law (Shari'ah)

Predestination (Al-Qadr)

Qadr is belief in divine decree and predestination. Muslims hold that:

• Allah knows everything that will happen
• Nothing occurs without Allah's knowledge and permission
• Humans have limited free will within Allah's ultimate plan
• Allah has recorded all events in the Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh al-Mahfuz)

This belief creates tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Islamic teaching maintains that:

• Humans genuinely make choices and are accountable
• Allah's knowledge doesn't force human actions
• Both predestination and free will coexist through Allah's wisdom

Qadr affects Muslim attitudes:

• Acceptance — Muslims say "Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to Allah) in all circumstances
• Responsibility — humans will be judged for their choices
• Trust — reliance on Allah's plan (Tawakkul)

The phrase "Insha'Allah" (if Allah wills) reflects this belief when discussing future events.

Life after death (Akhirah)

Belief in Akhirah fundamentally shapes Muslim behaviour. The sequence of events:

Death and Barzakh:

• Soul separated from body by Izra'il
• Body buried, preferably within 24 hours
• Enter Barzakh — barrier state between death and resurrection
• Two angels (Munkar and Nakir) question the deceased about faith

Day of Judgement (Yawm ad-Din):

• Israfil sounds the trumpet
• All humans resurrected with bodies
• Book of deeds presented (recording angels' records)
• Deeds weighed on scales (Mizan)
• Prophet Muhammad intercedes for believers
• Crossing the Sirat — bridge over hell (fine as hair, sharp as sword)

Paradise (Jannah):

• Eternal gardens with rivers, shade and joy
• Spiritual closeness to Allah
• Described in physical terms but beyond human imagination
• Different levels based on faith and deeds

Hell (Jahannam):

• Punishment for those who rejected Allah or committed grave sins
• Fire, torment and separation from Allah
• Some Muslims may be purified in hell before entering paradise
• Only shirk is unforgivable without repentance

This belief encourages:

• Moral living to earn paradise
• Accountability for all actions
• Justice — wrongdoers will be punished, righteous rewarded
• Equality — all judged by faith and deeds, not wealth or status

The Six Articles of Faith (Iman)

These represent the foundation of Islamic belief:

1. Belief in Allah (Tawhid)
2. Belief in angels (Malaikah)
3. Belief in holy books (Kutub)
4. Belief in prophets (Risalah)
5. Belief in Day of Judgement (Akhirah)
6. Belief in predestination (Al-Qadr)

The Shahadah (declaration of faith) encapsulates core beliefs: "There is no god except Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah."

These beliefs interconnect:

• Tawhid underlies everything
• Angels deliver Allah's message to prophets
• Prophets bring holy books
• Accountability in Akhirah motivates righteous living
• Qadr provides context for Allah's ultimate control

Worked examples

Example 1: Short-answer question (4 marks)

Question: Describe Muslim beliefs about angels.

Mark-scheme answer:

Muslims believe angels are spiritual beings created from light who serve Allah without question. Jibril revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad and brought messages to other prophets. Mika'il controls natural phenomena like rain. Izra'il takes souls at death. Two recording angels document human deeds for judgement. Angels have no free will and always obey Allah perfectly.

Examiner guidance: Four developed points earn full marks. Each point must show understanding beyond simple listing. Naming specific angels and their roles demonstrates knowledge.

Example 2: Extended response (8 marks)

Question: Explain why belief in Akhirah (life after death) is important for Muslims.

Mark-scheme answer:

Belief in Akhirah is central to Islamic faith and practice. Muslims believe this life is a test, and actions have eternal consequences. This motivates moral behaviour—Muslims strive to follow Shari'ah to earn paradise and avoid hell. The Day of Judgement ensures ultimate justice; wrongdoers who escape punishment in this life will face accountability. This provides comfort to those suffering injustice.

Akhirah belief emphasises equality before Allah. Regardless of worldly status, all face the same judgement based on faith and deeds. This encouraged early Muslims facing persecution to remain steadfast. The concept of Barzakh and questioning by angels makes death significant and encourages preparation through righteous living.

The detailed descriptions of paradise and hell in the Qur'an make Akhirah vivid and real. Paradise promises eternal joy and closeness to Allah, the ultimate reward for believers. Fear of separation from Allah in hell discourages sin. Prophet Muhammad's role as intercessor offers hope. Overall, Akhirah gives meaning and purpose to earthly existence.

Examiner guidance: For 8 marks, provide sustained explanation with developed reasoning. Link beliefs to their impact on Muslim life. Use religious terminology accurately. Three well-developed paragraphs with clear examples demonstrate excellent understanding.

Example 3: Evaluation question (12 marks)

Question: "The Qur'an is the only source of authority Muslims need." Discuss this statement, showing you have considered more than one point of view.

Mark-scheme answer:

Arguments supporting the statement:

The Qur'an is Allah's direct, unchanged word, making it the supreme authority. It covers all essential beliefs, from Tawhid to Akhirah, and provides comprehensive moral guidance. Muslims believe it is perfectly preserved in Arabic, unlike previous scriptures which became corrupted. The Qur'an itself claims to be complete guidance: "We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things" (16:89). Many Muslims argue that sincere study of the Qur'an provides sufficient direction for faith and practice.

Arguments against the statement:

However, most Muslims consider the Hadith essential alongside the Qur'an. The Sunnah demonstrates how Muhammad applied Qur'anic principles to daily situations, providing practical guidance the Qur'an doesn't detail—such as how to perform Salah precisely. The Qur'an commands Muslims to obey the Prophet (4:59), suggesting his example carries authority. Islamic law (Shari'ah) develops from both sources together; using only the Qur'an would leave many legal and ethical questions unresolved.

Additionally, scholarly interpretation (ijtihad) and consensus (ijma) help apply eternal principles to modern contexts not explicitly mentioned in the Qur'an, like medical ethics or digital technology. Different schools of thought (madhabs) provide frameworks for understanding. For most Muslims, the Qur'an remains primary but functions best alongside other sources.

Conclusion:

While the Qur'an holds supreme authority as Allah's word, Islamic tradition demonstrates that Hadith, scholarly interpretation and community consensus work together to provide comprehensive guidance. The Qur'an's primacy doesn't negate the value of these supplementary sources.

Examiner guidance: For 12 marks, present balanced arguments with evidence, use religious concepts accurately, and offer a justified conclusion. Address both sides substantively before concluding. Personal evaluation strengthens the response.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Confusing Islamic and Christian beliefs about Jesus — Muslims believe Isa was a prophet, not divine, and was not crucified. Always specify the Islamic perspective clearly.

• Treating the Qur'an and Hadith as interchangeable — The Qur'an is Allah's direct word; Hadith record Muhammad's words and actions. They have different status and authority.

• Oversimplifying predestination — Avoid stating Muslims have no free will. Explain the balance: Allah knows everything, but humans make genuine choices for which they're accountable.

• Providing only lists without explanation — Naming the Six Articles of Faith earns minimal marks. Explain what each belief means and why it matters to Muslims.

• Using vague language — Replace "Muslims think" with "Muslims believe" and support claims with Qur'anic references or specific examples from Islamic tradition.

• Ignoring the question focus — If asked about importance or impact, don't just describe beliefs. Explain their consequences for Muslim life and practice.

Exam technique for "Islam: Beliefs and Teachings"

• Command words matter: "Describe" requires factual detail; "Explain" needs reasons and development; "Discuss" or "Evaluate" demands balanced arguments with supporting evidence and a conclusion.

• Use Point-Evidence-Explanation structure — State your point, provide a Qur'anic reference or Islamic concept, then explain its significance. For 4-mark questions, aim for two developed points or four simple ones.

• Demonstrate breadth and depth — In extended responses, cover multiple aspects (e.g., different angels, various prophets) while explaining each sufficiently. Quality outweighs quantity.

• Balance evaluation questions — Spend roughly equal time on both viewpoints before concluding. Use phrases like "Some Muslims argue..." and "However, others believe..." to signal different perspectives.

Quick revision summary

Islam's core beliefs centre on Tawhid—Allah's absolute oneness. The Six Articles of Faith encompass belief in Allah, angels (including Jibril and Izra'il), holy books (especially the Qur'an), prophets (particularly Muhammad), predestination (Qadr) and life after death (Akhirah). Angels serve Allah without free will. Prophets communicate Allah's message, with Muhammad as the final messenger. The Qur'an represents Allah's complete, unchanged revelation. Belief in judgement, paradise and hell motivates moral living and provides ultimate justice.