Islam: beliefs & teachings
The six articles of faith and five roots, the nature of Allah, prophethood, holy books, and life after death.
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Islam: beliefs & teachings, explained point by point
Everything the GCSE specification expects you to be able to do, and how to actually do it - the same lesson a signed-in student studies from.
Describe the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam and the five roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi'a Islam
Sunni Muslims summarise faith in six articles: belief in Allah, angels, holy books, prophets, the Day of Judgement and predestination. Shi'a Muslims express it through five roots: Tawhid (oneness of God), divine justice (Adalat), prophethood (Nubuwwah), the imamate (Imamah - divinely appointed leaders after the Prophet) and resurrection (Mi'ad). Knowing where the two traditions overlap and where they differ - the imamate is distinctively Shi'a - is exactly the comparison the exam asks for.
Explain the nature of Allah, especially Tawhid
Tawhid - the absolute oneness of God - is the heart of Islam: Allah is one, with no partners and no equals, as Surah 112 of the Qur'an states with total clarity. Muslims also describe Allah as omnipotent, beneficent (all-loving), merciful, transcendent (beyond the universe) yet immanent (closer to a person than their jugular vein, as the Qur'an puts it). Because nothing compares to Allah, images of God are never used - a belief worth linking to practice.
Explain the role of prophethood (Risalah) and the importance of Muhammad
Muslims believe Allah has communicated with humanity through chosen prophets - Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus) among them - each bringing the same essential message. Muhammad is honoured as the final prophet, the "seal of the prophets", who received the Qur'an through the angel Jibril over 23 years. His words and actions (the Sunnah, recorded in Hadith) guide Muslim life alongside the Qur'an itself.
Describe Muslim beliefs about holy books and angels
The Qur'an is believed to be the direct word of Allah in Arabic, perfectly preserved; Muslims also honour earlier scriptures - the Torah of Musa, the Psalms of Dawud and the Gospel of Isa - though they believe those texts were changed over time while the Qur'an was not. Angels are Allah's messengers, made from light: Jibril brought the revelation to Muhammad, and recording angels note each person's deeds for the Day of Judgement.
Explain beliefs about predestination and life after death (Akhirah)
Predestination (al-Qadr) is the belief that Allah knows and wills everything that happens - held together with human responsibility, since people still choose their actions and answer for them. Akhirah is life after death: on the Day of Judgement each person's deeds are weighed, leading to Jannah (paradise, pictured as beautiful gardens) or Jahannam (hell). Belief in Akhirah shapes daily life - every action matters eternally, which is why Muslims aim to live justly and generously.
Use beliefs accurately in "explain two…" answers (AO1)
The AO1 questions ask you to explain two beliefs, ways or contrasting views - and the method is always the same: make a point, develop it (what it means, why it matters, or a source of authority such as a Qur'an teaching, paraphrased in your own words), then do the same for a second point. "Muslims believe in Tawhid" scores a little; adding "…so worshipping anything alongside Allah (shirk) is regarded as the gravest error, which is why Muslim art avoids images of God" scores the development mark too.
Practice
Try a Islam: beliefs & teachings question
A GCSE-style original task from this topic. Sketch a quick plan of your own before you open what a strong answer covers.
Explain two Muslim beliefs about the prophets of Allah. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Muslim belief and teaching in your answer. [5 marks]
Show what a strong answer covers
The marking points an examiner looks for. Not a model answer - a checklist to plan against.
- AO1: explains a first belief with development, e.g. prophethood (risalah) means Allah communicates through messengers chosen to bring his guidance to humanity - from Adam onwards, including Ibrahim, Musa and Isa, each calling people back to worship of the one God
- AO1: explains a second belief with development, e.g. Muhammad is the final prophet, the “Seal of the Prophets”, through whom Allah revealed the Qur’an - the final and complete revelation, so no further prophet is needed
- AO1: refers accurately to a relevant source of wisdom and authority, e.g. the Qur’an teaches that messengers were sent to every community, that Muslims should honour all the prophets without rejecting any as messengers of God, and that Muhammad is the Seal of the Prophets (paraphrased)