Component 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices
Islam Differences
Key beliefs
Sunni
The six articles of faith in Sunni Islam
-believe in Allah Adalat - Allah shows justice by judging the small actions
-believe in angels people make
-believe books Prophets -Become perfect when they become prophets
-believe in messengers Imams- The Imam is someone who leads the prayers
-believe in day of judgement
-believe in predestination Shi’a
Adalat - Allah is just in judging every part of your life
five roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi’a Islam, Prophets Are born perfect
-prophethood Imams - The Imam is one of 12 men who come from
-tawhid Muhammed’s family, is perfect and has divine wisdom.
-the justice of god
-the imamate
-resurrection
-Tawhid (the Oneness of God), Qur’an Surah 112.
-The nature of God: omnipotence, beneficence, mercy, fairness and justice/Adalat in Shi’a
Islam, including different ideas about God’s relationship with the world: immanence and
transcendence. 99 names of allah also teach muslims about allah
-Angels are immortal , are made of light and have wings. They are pure and cannot sin. They obey and
serve Allah at all times. Angels can appear in human form and there are some who have specific roles,
including guardian angels.
Jibrael – carries allahs message
Mikael – controls weather and sustenance
Israfil – blows trumphet to end the world
Izrael -
Authority
-Risalah (Prophethood)
Role and importance of Ibrahim - Ibrahim is regarded in Islam as the father of the Arab people. In
Ibrahim's time, people practised idolatry . Ibrahim refused to worship idols and would only worship one
God, Allah. It is believed that Ibrahim rebuilt the Ka'ba following the great flood.
showed great faith in Allah by completing the tests, eg sacrificing his son
role and importance of adam - Adam was the first human being and he is believed to have been the first
prophet. Muslims believe he was createdro from clay by Allah and given the ability to think logically as well
as the role of khalifah . Muslims learn about their role on Earth from the example of Adam, who was
forgiven for his sin . "We created man from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape..."
(15:26). And, "He began the creation of man from clay, and made his progeny from a quintessence
of fluid
role and importance of Muhammad- Muhammad is the final prophet in Islam, known as the 'Seal of the
Prophets'. This means that Muslims regard Muhammad as Allah's final messenger. was the chosen
recipient and messenger of the word of God through the divine revelations, Muslims from all walks of life
strive to follow his example.
-quran -word of god he received the first revelation of the Qur'an from Allah. Muslims know this as the Night of
Power Muslims believe that the Qur’an must be respected since it is the word of Allah. For example, it cannot touch
the ground and it must be kept on a higher shelf than all other books.
Many Muslims perform ritual washing (Wudu) before handling or reading the pages of the Qur’an
, The imamate in Shi'a Islam
-Imamate is the Shi'a belief that all modern imams should be spiritual descendants of the Prophet
Muhammad. Shi'a Muslims believe that imams protect the religion and help to guide Muslims along the
right path. Today, Shi'a Muslim communities are led by imams, who are seen as having been chosen by
God.
-Shi’as believe that Muhammad named Ali as his successor ; ‘There is no God but Allah. the prophet Muhammad is
his messenger and Ali is the friend of Allah / and so Ali became the first imam.
-Some Shi’as believe there have been twelve imams/ others believe there have been seven / ‘Islam will continue to
prevail through twelve caliphs.’ (hadith)
-Belief in the imamate is one of the five roots of Usul ad-Din
Practises
Five Pillars of Sunni Islam
-shahadah
-zakat
-salaah
-Fasting
-hajj
Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam
-Salah – committing to daily prayers.
Sawm – fasting from just before dawn until sunset.
Zakah – giving a proportion of your wealth to help the poor.
Hajj – pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca).
Jihad – the struggle to keep belief in Allah and follow his rules, to follow the Five Pillars of Islam successfully and to
defend Islam.
Khums – 20 per cent annual tax. This tax is paid on any profit earned by Shi’a Muslims. The money is split between
charities supporting Islamic education and anyone who is descended from Muhammad who is in need.
Amr-bil-Maroof – encouraging people to do what is good: Enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong (Surah 9:71).
Maruf is anything that has been approved in Shari’ah law.
Nahil Anril Munkar – forbidding evil by discouraging people from doing what is wrong.
Tawalia – showing love. This includes both love for God and love for those who follow him.
Tabarra – disassociation. Shi’a Muslims should not associate with God’s enemies
Shahadah - The Shahadah is the declaration of faith or the key statement of belief of Muslims.
Muslims are expected to know the declaration of faith.
For Sunni Muslims the Shahadah is: "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Prophet of
Allah." Shi’a Muslims add an extra phrase to the Shahadah: "And Ali is the friend of God." This shows their
belief that Ali, Muhammad’s cousin, was the true successor of Muhammad.
The Shahadah is usually said a few times each day. It is said at birth as the first words a baby
hears, and Muslims aim for these to be the last words they say before death. The Shahadah forms
the foundation of the other four pillars
A non-Muslim can convert to Islam by saying the Shahadah and meaning it sincerely.
Differences between Sunni and Shi’a practices
Sunni Muslims only combine the five daily prayers if they have a good reason to, for example if they are travelling.
Shi'a Muslims have more freedom to combine certain prayers, such as the midday and afternoon prayers. Therefore
they may only pray three times a day.
Shi’a Muslims also often use natural elements when praying. For example, some place a piece of clay at the spot
where their head will rest.
The movements that Sunni and Shi’a Muslims make during prayer can also differ.
Islam Differences
Key beliefs
Sunni
The six articles of faith in Sunni Islam
-believe in Allah Adalat - Allah shows justice by judging the small actions
-believe in angels people make
-believe books Prophets -Become perfect when they become prophets
-believe in messengers Imams- The Imam is someone who leads the prayers
-believe in day of judgement
-believe in predestination Shi’a
Adalat - Allah is just in judging every part of your life
five roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi’a Islam, Prophets Are born perfect
-prophethood Imams - The Imam is one of 12 men who come from
-tawhid Muhammed’s family, is perfect and has divine wisdom.
-the justice of god
-the imamate
-resurrection
-Tawhid (the Oneness of God), Qur’an Surah 112.
-The nature of God: omnipotence, beneficence, mercy, fairness and justice/Adalat in Shi’a
Islam, including different ideas about God’s relationship with the world: immanence and
transcendence. 99 names of allah also teach muslims about allah
-Angels are immortal , are made of light and have wings. They are pure and cannot sin. They obey and
serve Allah at all times. Angels can appear in human form and there are some who have specific roles,
including guardian angels.
Jibrael – carries allahs message
Mikael – controls weather and sustenance
Israfil – blows trumphet to end the world
Izrael -
Authority
-Risalah (Prophethood)
Role and importance of Ibrahim - Ibrahim is regarded in Islam as the father of the Arab people. In
Ibrahim's time, people practised idolatry . Ibrahim refused to worship idols and would only worship one
God, Allah. It is believed that Ibrahim rebuilt the Ka'ba following the great flood.
showed great faith in Allah by completing the tests, eg sacrificing his son
role and importance of adam - Adam was the first human being and he is believed to have been the first
prophet. Muslims believe he was createdro from clay by Allah and given the ability to think logically as well
as the role of khalifah . Muslims learn about their role on Earth from the example of Adam, who was
forgiven for his sin . "We created man from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape..."
(15:26). And, "He began the creation of man from clay, and made his progeny from a quintessence
of fluid
role and importance of Muhammad- Muhammad is the final prophet in Islam, known as the 'Seal of the
Prophets'. This means that Muslims regard Muhammad as Allah's final messenger. was the chosen
recipient and messenger of the word of God through the divine revelations, Muslims from all walks of life
strive to follow his example.
-quran -word of god he received the first revelation of the Qur'an from Allah. Muslims know this as the Night of
Power Muslims believe that the Qur’an must be respected since it is the word of Allah. For example, it cannot touch
the ground and it must be kept on a higher shelf than all other books.
Many Muslims perform ritual washing (Wudu) before handling or reading the pages of the Qur’an
, The imamate in Shi'a Islam
-Imamate is the Shi'a belief that all modern imams should be spiritual descendants of the Prophet
Muhammad. Shi'a Muslims believe that imams protect the religion and help to guide Muslims along the
right path. Today, Shi'a Muslim communities are led by imams, who are seen as having been chosen by
God.
-Shi’as believe that Muhammad named Ali as his successor ; ‘There is no God but Allah. the prophet Muhammad is
his messenger and Ali is the friend of Allah / and so Ali became the first imam.
-Some Shi’as believe there have been twelve imams/ others believe there have been seven / ‘Islam will continue to
prevail through twelve caliphs.’ (hadith)
-Belief in the imamate is one of the five roots of Usul ad-Din
Practises
Five Pillars of Sunni Islam
-shahadah
-zakat
-salaah
-Fasting
-hajj
Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam
-Salah – committing to daily prayers.
Sawm – fasting from just before dawn until sunset.
Zakah – giving a proportion of your wealth to help the poor.
Hajj – pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca).
Jihad – the struggle to keep belief in Allah and follow his rules, to follow the Five Pillars of Islam successfully and to
defend Islam.
Khums – 20 per cent annual tax. This tax is paid on any profit earned by Shi’a Muslims. The money is split between
charities supporting Islamic education and anyone who is descended from Muhammad who is in need.
Amr-bil-Maroof – encouraging people to do what is good: Enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong (Surah 9:71).
Maruf is anything that has been approved in Shari’ah law.
Nahil Anril Munkar – forbidding evil by discouraging people from doing what is wrong.
Tawalia – showing love. This includes both love for God and love for those who follow him.
Tabarra – disassociation. Shi’a Muslims should not associate with God’s enemies
Shahadah - The Shahadah is the declaration of faith or the key statement of belief of Muslims.
Muslims are expected to know the declaration of faith.
For Sunni Muslims the Shahadah is: "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Prophet of
Allah." Shi’a Muslims add an extra phrase to the Shahadah: "And Ali is the friend of God." This shows their
belief that Ali, Muhammad’s cousin, was the true successor of Muhammad.
The Shahadah is usually said a few times each day. It is said at birth as the first words a baby
hears, and Muslims aim for these to be the last words they say before death. The Shahadah forms
the foundation of the other four pillars
A non-Muslim can convert to Islam by saying the Shahadah and meaning it sincerely.
Differences between Sunni and Shi’a practices
Sunni Muslims only combine the five daily prayers if they have a good reason to, for example if they are travelling.
Shi'a Muslims have more freedom to combine certain prayers, such as the midday and afternoon prayers. Therefore
they may only pray three times a day.
Shi’a Muslims also often use natural elements when praying. For example, some place a piece of clay at the spot
where their head will rest.
The movements that Sunni and Shi’a Muslims make during prayer can also differ.
