Islam: Beliefs and Teachings

What you'll learn

This guide covers the essential Islamic beliefs and teachings required for the Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies exam. You'll master the core principles of Islam including the six articles of faith (Sunni) and five roots of Usul ad-Din (Shi'a), the nature of Allah, prophethood, angels, sacred texts, and life after death. These topics form the foundation of Paper 1 Section 2 and are essential for achieving top grades.

Key terms and definitions

Tawhid — the oneness and unity of Allah; the fundamental belief that there is only one God who is indivisible and has no partners or equals

Prophethood (Risalah) — the belief that Allah communicates with humanity through prophets who deliver his message and guidance

Akhirah — life after death; the belief in resurrection, judgement, and eternal life in either paradise (Jannah) or hell (Jahannam)

Predestination (Al-Qadr) — the belief that Allah knows everything that will happen and has already determined all events, though humans have free will

Angels (Mala'ikah) — spiritual beings created from light who carry out Allah's commands and have no free will

Imam — in Shi'a Islam, a divinely appointed spiritual leader descended from Muhammad's family; in Sunni Islam, simply a prayer leader

Shirk — the sin of associating partners with Allah or worshipping anything alongside him; considered the greatest sin in Islam

Qur'an — the holy book of Islam containing the exact words of Allah as revealed to Prophet Muhammad through Angel Jibril

Core concepts

The nature of Allah and Tawhid

Tawhid is the most important belief in Islam. It means the absolute oneness of Allah — that he is the only God, has no partners, and cannot be divided. This concept shapes every aspect of Muslim life and worship.

The 99 Names of Allah describe his characteristics and help Muslims understand his nature:

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

Key characteristics of Allah include:

Transcendence: Allah is beyond and outside his creation. He is not limited by time, space, or physical form. Muslims believe Allah cannot be compared to anything in creation.

Immanence: Despite being transcendent, Allah is close to his creation. The Qur'an states he is "closer to man than his jugular vein" (Surah 50:16). Muslims experience this through prayer and signs in nature.

Omnipotence: Allah is all-powerful. He created the universe and sustains it. Nothing happens without his will.

Beneficence: Allah is all-loving and merciful. Every surah in the Qur'an (except one) begins "In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful."

Fairness and Justice: Allah is perfectly just. He will judge all people fairly on the Day of Judgement according to their actions.

The importance of Tawhid is demonstrated in the Shahadah (declaration of faith): "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the prophet of Allah." This statement rejects shirk — the unforgivable sin of associating partners with Allah or worshipping anything besides him.

Angels (Mala'ikah)

Belief in angels is one of the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam. Angels are spiritual beings created from light who have no free will and exist only to serve and worship Allah.

Key angels and their roles:

Jibril (Gabriel): The most important angel who brought Allah's revelations to the prophets. He revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad over 23 years.

Mika'il (Michael): Responsible for providing nourishment to human bodies and knowledge to minds. He controls the weather and ensures crops grow.

Izra'il: The Angel of Death who takes souls from bodies at the moment of death.

Israfil: Will blow the trumpet on the Day of Judgement to signal the end of the world and resurrection of the dead.

Kiraman Katibin: The recording angels who write down every person's good and bad deeds. These records will be presented on Judgement Day.

Angels also:

• Carry Allah's throne
• Guard the gates of Jannah and Jahannam
• Protect believers
• Ask forgiveness for people on earth

The existence of angels shows Muslims that:

• Allah's power extends beyond the physical world
• There is an unseen spiritual dimension to reality
• Their actions are being recorded and have consequences
• They have support and protection in their daily lives

Prophethood (Risalah) and the Qur'an

Muslims believe Allah has sent prophets throughout history to guide humanity. Prophets are human beings chosen by Allah to receive and communicate his message. They demonstrate how to live according to Allah's will.

Key prophets in Islam:

Adam: The first human and first prophet. He and his wife Hawwa (Eve) lived in paradise but were sent to earth after disobeying Allah. Adam sought forgiveness and taught Tawhid.

Ibrahim (Abraham): Known as the father of monotheism. He destroyed idols and submitted completely to Allah, even preparing to sacrifice his son Isma'il when commanded. The Ka'bah in Makkah was built by Ibrahim and Isma'il.

Musa (Moses): Received the Tawrat (Torah) and led the Israelites out of Egypt. He is mentioned more than any other prophet in the Qur'an.

Isa (Jesus): A highly respected prophet in Islam who performed miracles. Muslims believe he was not crucified but raised to heaven by Allah, and will return before the Day of Judgement. However, Muslims reject the belief that Isa is the son of God.

Muhammad: The final prophet (Seal of the Prophets). He received the final revelation, the Qur'an, and is considered the perfect example for all Muslims to follow.

The Qur'an is the holy book of Islam containing Allah's exact words revealed to Muhammad through Angel Jibril between 610-632 CE. Muslims believe:

• It is the literal, unchanged word of Allah
• It supersedes all previous revelations
• It is the final guidance for humanity
• It can only truly be understood in Arabic
• It should be treated with utmost respect

The Qur'an contains:

• Teachings about Allah's nature and Tawhid
• Stories of previous prophets
• Guidance on worship and moral behaviour
• Laws governing Muslim life
• Descriptions of paradise and hell

Muslims learn the Qur'an from childhood, memorise sections (those who memorise the entire Qur'an are called hafiz), and recite it in daily prayers.

Sunni and Shi'a Islam

Islam has two main branches with different beliefs about leadership after Muhammad's death in 632 CE.

Sunni Muslims (approximately 85-90% of Muslims):

Believe the six articles of faith (Usul al-Iman):

1. Tawhid (oneness of Allah)
2. Angels (Mala'ikah)
3. Holy books
4. Prophets (Risalah)
5. Day of Judgement (Akhirah)
6. Predestination (Al-Qadr)

Sunnis accept that leadership should be elected from Muhammad's companions. The first four caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali) are called the Rightly Guided Caliphs.

Shi'a Muslims (approximately 10-15% of Muslims):

Believe in the five roots of Usul ad-Din:

1. Tawhid (oneness of Allah)
2. Adalah (divine justice) — Allah is perfectly just and expects justice from humans
3. Nubuwwah (prophethood)
4. Imamah (leadership) — divinely appointed leaders descended from Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah and son-in-law Ali
5. Mi'ad (Day of Judgement)

Shi'a Muslims believe Ali should have succeeded Muhammad immediately. They follow twelve Imams who they believe were divinely guided and infallible. The twelfth Imam is believed to be in hiding and will return as the Mahdi (guided one).

Key differences in beliefs:

• Shi'a Muslims emphasise Allah's justice (Adalah) as a separate principle
• Shi'a belief in Imamah means spiritual authority comes through Muhammad's family line
• Both accept predestination, but Shi'a Islam places greater emphasis on human free will
• Prayer practices and some Islamic laws differ slightly between the traditions

Predestination (Al-Qadr) and human freedom

Al-Qadr is the belief that Allah knows everything that will happen and has determined all events. This creates a tension with human free will.

Muslims believe:

• Allah is omniscient (all-knowing) and knows the past, present, and future
• Allah has recorded everything that will happen in "al-Lawh al-Mahfuz" (the Preserved Tablet)
• Nothing happens without Allah's permission
• Humans have been given free will to choose between right and wrong
• Humans are responsible for their choices and will be judged accordingly

This apparent contradiction is understood through several perspectives:

Allah's knowledge is not causation: Allah knows what choices people will make, but this knowledge doesn't force people to make those choices. Humans still make genuine decisions.

Different levels of causation: Major events (birth, death, natural disasters) are determined by Allah, but daily choices are free. Some Muslims believe Allah creates the ability to act, but humans choose how to use that ability.

Test of faith: Life is a test. Allah knows the outcome, but humans must still make choices to demonstrate their faith and character.

The practical impact on Muslims:

• Acceptance of hardship as part of Allah's plan
• Gratitude for blessings, recognising them as gifts from Allah
• Responsibility for moral choices and actions
• Trust (tawakkul) in Allah's wisdom
• Continued effort in worship and good deeds

Life after death (Akhirah)

Belief in Akhirah is fundamental to Islam. Muslims believe earthly life is temporary and everyone will face judgement and eternal life.

The process of death and judgement:

1. Death: Angel Izra'il takes the soul from the body. Good souls are removed gently; evil souls are removed painfully.

2. Barzakh: The barrier between death and resurrection. Souls wait in their graves until the Day of Judgement. Some Muslims believe souls experience a foretaste of their final destination.

3. Day of Judgement (Yawm ad-Din): Angel Israfil will blow the trumpet, signalling the end of the world. All people will be resurrected in physical form to stand before Allah.

4. Judgement: Each person's book of deeds (recorded by the Kiraman Katibin angels) will be presented. Those receiving their book in their right hand will enter paradise; those receiving it in their left hand will face hell.

5. The Bridge (As-Sirat): A bridge over hell that all must cross. The righteous will cross easily; sinners will struggle and may fall into hell.

6. Final destination:

   • Jannah (Paradise): A place of eternal bliss with gardens, rivers, and peace. Muslims will be reunited with loved ones and be in Allah's presence.
   • Jahannam (Hell): A place of punishment with fire and suffering for those who rejected Allah or committed grave sins.

Intercession: Some Muslims believe Muhammad and other prophets may intercede (ask Allah to show mercy) for believers on Judgement Day.

The belief in Akhirah affects Muslims by:

• Providing purpose and meaning to life
• Encouraging moral behaviour and worship
• Offering comfort during suffering
• Promoting justice (wrongdoers will be punished, the oppressed will be compensated)
• Creating accountability for actions

Worked examples

Example 1: 4-mark question

Question: Explain two ways in which belief in Tawhid influences Muslims today.

Answer:

One way belief in Tawhid influences Muslims is in their worship (1 mark). Muslims only worship Allah and refuse to worship anything else, such as idols or other gods, because Tawhid teaches that Allah is the only God and associating partners with him (shirk) is the worst sin (1 mark for development).

A second way is in their daily decision-making (1 mark). Muslims try to live according to Allah's guidance in all aspects of life, seeking to please only Allah rather than other people, because Tawhid emphasises that Allah alone deserves obedience and is the ultimate authority (1 mark for development).

Examiner note: Each way needs to be stated clearly (1 mark) then developed with explanation or example (1 mark). Avoid simply listing beliefs without showing how they influence behaviour.

Example 2: 5-mark question

Question: Explain two Muslim beliefs about angels. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Muslim belief and teaching in your answer.

Answer:

Muslims believe angels are spiritual beings created from light who have no free will and serve Allah (1 mark). Angel Jibril is particularly important as he brought Allah's revelations to the prophets, including revealing the Qur'an to Muhammad (1 mark). The Qur'an describes how Jibril appeared to Muhammad in the cave of Hira, commanding him to "Read in the name of your Lord" (1 mark for reference to sacred text).

Muslims also believe angels record all human actions (1 mark). The Kiraman Katibin angels write down every good and bad deed that a person does throughout their life, and these records will be used on the Day of Judgement to determine whether someone enters paradise or hell (1 mark for development).

Examiner note: One mark is awarded for referring to sacred writings or sources of authority. This can be a direct quotation or paraphrase from the Qur'an, Hadith, or reference to Muslim teachings.

Example 3: 12-mark evaluation question

Question: "Belief in Al-Qadr (predestination) means Muslims are not responsible for their actions." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should:

• Refer to Muslim teaching
• Give developed arguments to support this statement
• Give developed arguments to support a different point of view
• Reach a justified conclusion.

Model answer structure:

Introduction: State what Al-Qadr means and acknowledge both sides of the debate.

Arguments supporting the statement:

• Al-Qadr teaches that Allah has predetermined everything, which could suggest humans have no real choice
• The Qur'an states nothing happens except by Allah's will
• If everything is written in al-Lawh al-Mahfuz, human actions might already be determined
• Some Muslims emphasise submission to Allah's will, suggesting limited human agency

Arguments against the statement:

• The Qur'an repeatedly commands humans to choose between right and wrong, which implies genuine free will
• Muslims believe life is a test — a test is meaningless without real choices
• The Day of Judgement holds people accountable for their actions, which requires free will
• Al-Qadr refers to Allah's knowledge, not control — Allah knows what choices people will make but doesn't force them
• Humans experience making genuine decisions daily
• Both Sunni and Shi'a teachings emphasise human responsibility for moral choices

Conclusion: Provide a balanced judgement. For example: "While Al-Qadr teaches Allah's complete knowledge and power, this doesn't eliminate human responsibility because Muslims believe Allah has given humans free will specifically so they can be tested and judged fairly. The strongest position is that Allah knows all choices but humans make genuine decisions for which they are accountable."

Examiner note: Top band (10-12 marks) requires well-developed arguments on both sides, references to Muslim teachings, logical chain of reasoning, and a justified conclusion that weighs up the arguments presented.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Confusing Islamic and Christian beliefs about prophets: Remember Muslims respect Isa (Jesus) as a prophet but do not believe he is the son of God or that he was crucified. Always present the Islamic perspective in your answers.

• Mixing up Sunni and Shi'a beliefs: Be clear which tradition you're discussing. Don't say "all Muslims believe" when referring to concepts like Imamah (Shi'a) or the six articles of faith (Sunni).

• Stating beliefs without explaining influence: Questions asking how beliefs "influence" Muslims today require you to explain practical effects on behaviour, not just describe the belief itself. Connect belief to action.

• Providing vague Qur'an references: When asked to refer to sacred writings, be as specific as possible. Instead of "the Qur'an says Allah is one," write "the Qur'an states 'He is Allah, the One' (Surah 112)" or reference specific teachings even if you don't know exact chapter numbers.

• Weak evaluation in 12-mark questions: Don't just present two viewpoints — analyse them, explain why arguments are convincing or unconvincing, and reach a justified conclusion that weighs the evidence.

• Ignoring command words: "Explain" requires reasons and development; "evaluate" requires arguments on different sides and a conclusion. Answer the specific question asked, not what you wish had been asked.

Exam technique for "Islam: Beliefs and Teachings"

• Know your command words: "Explain" = give reasons/causes (2, 4, or 5 marks); "Evaluate/Assess" = weigh up different views and reach a conclusion (12 marks). Each command word requires a different approach.

• Use the mark scheme to structure answers: For 4-mark questions, make two clear points with development. For 5-mark questions, ensure you include a reference to sacred texts or sources of authority. For 12-mark questions, dedicate roughly equal space to both sides before concluding.

• Learn specific examples and quotations: Generic answers earn fewer marks. Know key Qur'anic references (even paraphrased), specific names of angels and their roles, and particular examples of how beliefs influence Muslim life.

• Practice evaluation skills: For 12-mark questions, develop the habit of presenting arguments for both sides, using phrases like "Some Muslims would argue..." and "However, others believe..." Always justify your conclusion by explaining which arguments you find most convincing and why.

Quick revision summary

Islam's core belief is Tawhid — Allah's absolute oneness. Sunni Muslims follow six articles of faith: Tawhid, angels, holy books, prophets, Day of Judgement, and predestination. Shi'a Muslims follow five roots: Tawhid, divine justice, prophethood, Imamah, and Day of Judgement. Angels carry out Allah's commands; Jibril revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad. Prophets including Adam, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and Muhammad guided humanity. Al-Qadr teaches Allah's complete knowledge alongside human free will. Akhirah involves resurrection, judgement, and eternal life in Jannah or Jahannam. These beliefs shape Muslim worship, morality, and daily life.