What are the Six Articles of Faith in Sunni Islam?

The Six Articles of Faith are the core beliefs in Sunni Islam: belief in Allah (Tawhid), belief in angels (Malaikah), belief in holy books (including the Qur’an, Torah, Gospel, and Psalms), belief in prophets (Risalah), belief in the Day of Judgment (Akhirah), and belief in predestination (Al-Qadr). These are based on the Qur’an and Hadith.

How do Sunni and Shi’a Muslims differ in their beliefs?

Sunni and Shi’a Muslims share core beliefs like Tawhid and the Five Pillars, but differ on leadership. Sunnis believe leaders (caliphs) should be elected, while Shi’as believe leadership should stay in the Prophet’s family, starting with Ali. Shi’as also have the Five Roots of Usul ad-Din, which include Tawhid, prophethood, justice of Allah, imamate, and resurrection.

Why is the Qur’an important in Islam?

The Qur’an is the final and most authoritative holy book in Islam, believed to be the literal word of Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad. It contains guidance for all aspects of life, including worship, morality, and law. Muslims treat it with great respect, often performing wudu (ablution) before touching it.

What is the significance of Hajj?

Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim must undertake at least once if physically and financially able. It commemorates the trials of Prophet Ibrahim and his family. Key rituals include circling the Ka’aba, running between Safa and Marwah, and standing at Arafat. Hajj promotes unity, humility, and spiritual renewal.

How does Islam view life after death?

Islam teaches that after death, the soul enters a state called Barzakh until the Day of Judgment. On that day, all people will be resurrected and judged by Allah based on their deeds. Those who believed and did good works will enter Jannah (paradise), while those who rejected faith and did evil will go to Jahannam (hell). This belief encourages moral responsibility.

What is Jihad in Islam?

Jihad means 'struggle' in Arabic. The greater Jihad is the internal spiritual struggle to live a good Muslim life, resist temptation, and improve oneself. The lesser Jihad is an external struggle, which can include defending the faith or community in a just war, but it has strict rules about proportionality and protecting civilians. Jihad does not mean 'holy war' in the sense of indiscriminate violence.

Islam

AQA

GCSE

The Islam component of the AQA GCSE Religious Studies A specification covers the core beliefs, teachings, and practices of Islam, including the differences between Sunni and Shi'a traditions. It explores the nature of God, the role of prophets and holy books, and the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam alongside the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi'a Islam.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

Islam is one of the six major world religions studied in AQA GCSE Religious Studies. This topic explores the core beliefs, teachings, and practices of Islam, focusing on the Six Articles of Faith in Sunni Islam and the Five Roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi’a Islam. Students examine the nature of Allah (Tawhid), prophethood (Risalah), holy books, angels, predestination (Al-Qadr), and the Day of Judgment. Understanding Islam is essential for appreciating the diversity of religious traditions and their impact on individuals and societies, especially in modern Britain.

The topic also covers the Five Pillars of Islam—Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, and Hajj—which are the foundation of Muslim life. Students explore how these practices shape a Muslim’s identity and devotion, as well as the significance of festivals like Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha. Additionally, the course examines ethical issues such as the sanctity of life, wealth and poverty, and the role of the Ummah (global community). This knowledge helps students engage with contemporary debates about religion, ethics, and multiculturalism.

Islam is a living faith with over 1.8 billion followers worldwide. Studying it within GCSE Religious Studies allows students to develop empathy, critical thinking, and respect for different worldviews. It also prepares them for exams by linking beliefs to practices and ethical teachings. MasteryMind’s resources break down complex concepts into manageable chunks, using real-life examples and exam-style questions to build confidence.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Tawhid: The oneness of Allah – the most fundamental belief in Islam. Allah is unique, eternal, and the sole creator and sustainer of the universe.
→Risalah: Prophethood – belief that Allah sent prophets (including Adam, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and Muhammad) to guide humanity. Muhammad is the final prophet (Seal of the Prophets).
→The Five Pillars: Shahadah (declaration of faith), Salah (prayer five times daily), Zakah (charity), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). These are obligatory acts of worship.
→Al-Qadr: Predestination – the belief that Allah has decreed all things, but humans still have free will to choose good or evil. This is a key difference between Sunni and Shi’a interpretations.
→Akhirah: Life after death – belief in the Day of Judgment, where souls are judged by Allah and sent to Jannah (paradise) or Jahannam (hell). This belief motivates moral behaviour.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Knowledge of the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam and five roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi'a Islam.
Understanding of Tawhid (the Oneness of God) and the nature of God (omnipotence, beneficence, mercy, fairness, justice/Adalat).
Role and nature of angels (Jibril and Mika'il).
Concepts of predestination, human freedom, and the Day of Judgement.
Significance of Risalah (Prophethood) including Adam, Ibrahim, and Muhammad.
Authority of the Qur'an and other holy books (Torah, Psalms, Gospel, Scrolls of Abraham).
Role and significance of the Imamate in Shi'a Islam.
Practice of the Five Pillars and Ten Obligatory Acts, including Shahadah, Salah, Sawm, Zakah, and Hajj.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Knowledge of the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam and five roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi'a Islam.
Understanding of Tawhid (the Oneness of God) and the nature of God (omnipotence, beneficence, mercy, fairness, justice/Adalat).
Role and nature of angels (Jibril and Mika'il).
Concepts of predestination, human freedom, and the Day of Judgement.
Significance of Risalah (Prophethood) including Adam, Ibrahim, and Muhammad.
Authority of the Qur'an and other holy books (Torah, Psalms, Gospel, Scrolls of Abraham).
Role and significance of the Imamate in Shi'a Islam.
Practice of the Five Pillars and Ten Obligatory Acts, including Shahadah, Salah, Sawm, Zakah, and Hajj.
Understanding of Jihad (greater and lesser) and its conditions.
Significance of festivals: Id-ul-Adha, Id-ul-Fitr, and Ashura.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Ensure you can explicitly state the differences between Sunni and Shi'a beliefs where required.
💡Use key terminology such as 'Tawhid', 'Risalah', 'Akhirah', and 'Adalat' accurately.
💡Refer to the Qur'an or Hadith to support your answers where appropriate.
💡Structure your 12-mark evaluation questions by presenting a balanced argument with a clear, reasoned conclusion.
💡Use precise religious terminology (e.g., Tawhid, Risalah, Al-Qadr) to show depth of knowledge. Define each term clearly in your answer.
💡For 12-mark 'evaluate' questions, always present both sides of an argument (e.g., 'Some Muslims believe... However, others argue...') and reach a justified conclusion. Use teachings from the Qur’an or Hadith to support points.
💡Link beliefs to practices. For example, when explaining Salah, connect it to Tawhid (worship of one God) and submission (Islam means 'submission'). This shows synoptic understanding.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam with the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi'a Islam.
Failing to distinguish between Sunni and Shi'a perspectives on specific beliefs like the Imamate or Adalat.
Generalizing Islamic practice without acknowledging the diversity of interpretation.
Misunderstanding the concept of Jihad as solely 'holy war' without addressing the significance of greater jihad.
Misconception: All Muslims are Arabs. Correction: Only about 20% of Muslims are Arab. The largest Muslim populations are in Indonesia, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Islam is a global faith.
Misconception: The Five Pillars are the only important practices. Correction: While the Five Pillars are fundamental, Muslims also follow other duties like Jihad (struggle), which can be internal (spiritual struggle) or external (defence of faith).
Misconception: Sunni and Shi’a Muslims worship different gods. Correction: Both believe in the same Allah and follow the Qur’an. Their differences are about leadership after Muhammad’s death and some theological emphases, not the nature of God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Basic understanding of the concept of religion and belief systems.
•Familiarity with the idea of monotheism (belief in one God) from earlier studies or general knowledge.
•No prior knowledge of Islam is required, but an open mind and willingness to learn about different cultures is helpful.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Explain

Evaluate

Describe

Outline

Compare

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Islam

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Key Terminology

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA GCSE Religious Studies

Authority

Beliefs about the nature of human life

Beliefs and teachings

Buddhism

How to Revise Islam — AQA GCSE Religious Studies

Examiner Tips for Islam

Common Mistakes in Islam

Key Marking Points

Islam

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Six Articles of Faith in Sunni Islam?

How do Sunni and Shi’a Muslims differ in their beliefs?

Why is the Qur’an important in Islam?

What is the significance of Hajj?

How does Islam view life after death?

What is Jihad in Islam?

Before You Start

Key Terminology

Tawhid and the Nature of God

Authority and Leadership

Social Justice and the Ummah

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA GCSE Religious Studies

Authority

Beliefs about the nature of human life

Beliefs and teachings

Buddhism