What do Muslims believe about God?

Lesson Objectives:•To know that Muslims believe in one God (Allah) who created everything. •To understand what Muslims believe about the character of Allah and how this might affects their daily life. •To begin to evaluate whether belief in a divine being provides a solution to life’s big questions and offers direction in life.

What is Islam?

• Although Islam draws upon many similar scriptures as found in Judaism and Christianity, the religion as practiced today began in the 7th century following the revelations of the Prophet Muhammad

• It is now the world’s second largest religion, with followers all over the world.

• Muslims believe that Islam is a complete way of life – it defines who they are and what they do

• Islam = ‘to submit’. • Islam is about submitting to the will of Allah,

meaning that in every area of life, Allah must come first.

What do Muslims believe about God?

• Belief in one God is a central belief in Islam

• Muslims believe God, referred to as Allah, created everything: all life comes from Allah and is connected to him.

• Without Allah, nothing could exist. • These beliefs are known as Tawhid,

meaning ‘unity’.

What do Muslims believe about Allah?

• Unlike many of the other religions that we have studied, Muslims do not believe it is right to use images to represent Allah

• Instead, they learn about Allah’s character through the words used to describe him in the Qur’an

• There are 99 names in total. • Some Muslims believe that there are still

more names, but these are beyond human knowledge. Think back to last year: why do

Muslims not believe it is right to draw pictures of Allah and his creation?

The 99 Names of Allah• You have been given a list of some of the

names used to describe Allah in the Qur’an• 1) Choose three of the names of Allah (cut

out and stick in your book) and write, in your own words, what you think it shows about Allah and how knowing this might affect a Muslim’s actions.

• Extension: Are there any names used to describe Allah that you find surprising? Stick these down and, for each one, explain why it is surprising

How does belief in one God affect a Muslim’s life?

• As you watch, create a spider diagram of the different ways in which belief in Allah guides and impacts a Muslim’s life.

Does belief in God provide the answer to life?

• Many of the Muslims interviewed explained how their belief in God makes things ‘fall into place’ and provides ‘direction’ in life

• Do you think that believe in God provides the answer to life’s big questions and provides direction in life? Write an answer to this question making sure that you also consider the other side of the argument.

Bringing it all together

• On your whiteboards, write down:

• One thing you have learnt about Muslims beliefs about Allah from the lesson

• One thing you would like to know more about