Core Muslim BeliefsCore Muslim BeliefsSCTR 19 – “Religions of the Book”SCTR 19 – “Religions of the Book”

Prepared by Matt PhamPrepared by Matt Pham

IntroductionIntroduction

Six Articles of Islamic FaithSix Articles of Islamic Faith (for the (for the Sunni Sunni majority)majority)– In addition to Five Pillars of Islamic PracticeIn addition to Five Pillars of Islamic Practice– Together, make up Together, make up AqidahAqidah (“creed”) (“creed”)– Sunni/Shi’a beliefs differ: Sunni/Shi’a beliefs differ: http://http://

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqidahen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqidah Having Having Iman Iman (“to fully observe one’s faith”)(“to fully observe one’s faith”)

– Belief in the heartBelief in the heart– Profession by the tongueProfession by the tongue– Performance of the deedsPerformance of the deeds– Caution / Similar words: Caution / Similar words: ImamImam = leader vs. = leader vs. ImanIman = faith = faith

Without the articles of faith, there is Without the articles of faith, there is no context for the pillars of practiceno context for the pillars of practice

To Believe in God (Allah)To Believe in God (Allah)

Monotheism (Monotheism (tawhid = tawhid = “divine unity”)“divine unity”)– God is absolute, a single inseparable unityGod is absolute, a single inseparable unity– One God One God Same God for Jews, Christians, Muslims Same God for Jews, Christians, Muslims– AllahAllah: not a proper name, but the Arabic word for : not a proper name, but the Arabic word for

“God”“God”– ““99 Names of God”: found throughout the Qur’an99 Names of God”: found throughout the Qur’an

God has “no associate or partner”God has “no associate or partner”– Muslims reject the Christian concept of “Trinity”Muslims reject the Christian concept of “Trinity”– God cannot become human; humans cannot be GodGod cannot become human; humans cannot be God– Consider Jesus a great prophet, but not divineConsider Jesus a great prophet, but not divine

To Believe in the To Believe in the UnseenUnseen

AngelsAngels– God’s messengers; reveal messages to God’s messengers; reveal messages to

ProphetsProphets Ex: Angel Gabriel revealed the Qur’an to MuhammadEx: Angel Gabriel revealed the Qur’an to Muhammad

– No free will; sole purpose is serving GodNo free will; sole purpose is serving God– Accompany, guide, and protect people at all Accompany, guide, and protect people at all

timestimes

Spirits (Spirits (JinnJinn))– Spiritual beings, with free willSpiritual beings, with free will– Thus can be good or evilThus can be good or evil– Root of English word/concept: “genie”Root of English word/concept: “genie”

To Believe in To Believe in ProphethoodProphethood

Prophets (Prophets (nabi nabi ) and Messengers () and Messengers (rasul rasul ))– Prophets speak God’s words to people orally.Prophets speak God’s words to people orally.– Messengers record God’s words in book form.Messengers record God’s words in book form.– So, not all prophets are messengers,So, not all prophets are messengers,

but all messengers are also prophets.but all messengers are also prophets.

Muslims believe in 1000’s of prophetsMuslims believe in 1000’s of prophets– ““Chain of Prophets”: Adam was first; Muhammad Chain of Prophets”: Adam was first; Muhammad

was lastwas last Also incl. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, David, Jesus, Also incl. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, David, Jesus,

etc.etc.

– All transmit same basic message throughout historyAll transmit same basic message throughout history Certain prophets were sent to specific groups/nationsCertain prophets were sent to specific groups/nations

To Believe in RevelationTo Believe in Revelation

Holy BooksHoly Books– Revealed scriptures; messages from GodRevealed scriptures; messages from God– Different languages, different cultures, different erasDifferent languages, different cultures, different eras– But same basic message, culminating in the Qur’anBut same basic message, culminating in the Qur’an

Progressive RevelationProgressive Revelation– Books of Moses, Psalms of David, Gospels of JesusBooks of Moses, Psalms of David, Gospels of Jesus– Ultimately the Qur’an, revealed thru MuhammadUltimately the Qur’an, revealed thru Muhammad

– NOTE: NOTE: Most Muslims do Most Muslims do notnot read the present HB or NT, read the present HB or NT,believing ancient Jews & Christians altered the messages believing ancient Jews & Christians altered the messages God had revealed through Moses, David, and JesusGod had revealed through Moses, David, and Jesus

To Believe in the Day of To Believe in the Day of JudgmentJudgment

Resurrection of the DeadResurrection of the Dead– At the end of time, all people will be raisedAt the end of time, all people will be raised– Everyone is held accountable for his/her own Everyone is held accountable for his/her own

deedsdeeds

Judgment / AfterlifeJudgment / Afterlife– Everyone is judged based on one’s life/actions on Everyone is judged based on one’s life/actions on

earthearth– If good deeds outweigh bad deeds:If good deeds outweigh bad deeds:

Reward Reward eternal life with God in eternal life with God in heaven/paradise/gardenheaven/paradise/garden

– If bad deeds outweigh good deeds:If bad deeds outweigh good deeds: Punishment Punishment in everlasting fires of hell in everlasting fires of hell

To Believe in the Divine To Believe in the Divine DecreeDecree

Human Nature / Free WillHuman Nature / Free Will– Everyone has knowledge & ability to choose Everyone has knowledge & ability to choose

between right & wrong, and so is held responsiblebetween right & wrong, and so is held responsible– Yet God has correct fore-knowledge of everyone’s Yet God has correct fore-knowledge of everyone’s

pathpath

Destiny / Fate / PredestinationDestiny / Fate / Predestination– God wrote down our destiny in the “Preserved God wrote down our destiny in the “Preserved

Tablet”Tablet”– God knows what our nature will cause us to doGod knows what our nature will cause us to do

A person’s actions are not caused by what God has writtenA person’s actions are not caused by what God has written But God is omniscient But God is omniscient God knows in advance God knows in advance

ReviewReview Six Articles of FaithSix Articles of Faith (for (for SunniSunni Muslims) Muslims)

– Allah/GodAllah/God– Angels & SpiritsAngels & Spirits– Holy BooksHoly Books– ProphetsProphets– Day of JudgmentDay of Judgment– Destiny or FateDestiny or Fate

Variety of BeliefsVariety of Beliefs– Most Muslims, esp. Sunnis, believe in all the aboveMost Muslims, esp. Sunnis, believe in all the above– Specific explanations may vary, even among Specific explanations may vary, even among

SunnisSunnis– Some similarities & differences for Some similarities & differences for Shi’iShi’i Muslims Muslims