Islam (Second Religion): Beliefs and Teachings — Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies

Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, and in the Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies course, you will study its core beliefs and teachings. This topic covers the nature of God (Tawhid), the role of prophets, holy books, angels, and the concept of life after death (Akhirah). Understanding these beliefs is essential because they shape the daily lives and moral decisions of Muslims worldwide. The topic also explores how these teachings influence Muslim practices, such as prayer, charity, and pilgrimage, which you will study in the Practices unit.

This topic is part of the 'Beliefs and Teachings' section of Paper 1 (Religion and Ethics) or Paper 2 (Religion, Peace and Conflict), depending on your school's choice. It is worth about 25% of the total GCSE marks. You will be expected to explain key beliefs, use specialist vocabulary, and evaluate different viewpoints. Mastering this topic will help you understand not only Islam but also how religion addresses big questions about God, purpose, and the afterlife.

The content is divided into several key areas: the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam and the five roots of religion in Shi'a Islam, the nature of God (including omnipotence, beneficence, and mercy), prophethood (Risalah), holy books (including the Qur'an, Torah, Psalms, and Gospel), angels (Malaikah), and life after death (Akhirah). Each area requires you to know specific teachings, quotes from the Qur'an, and how these beliefs affect Muslims today.

• →Tawhid: The oneness of God – the most fundamental belief in Islam. God is unique, eternal, and has no partners or equals. This concept shapes all other beliefs and practices.
• →Risalah: Prophethood – the belief that God chose prophets to guide humanity. Key prophets include Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Isa (Jesus), and Muhammad (the final prophet).
• →Akhirah: Life after death – Muslims believe in a Day of Judgement where everyone will be resurrected and judged by God. This belief motivates moral behaviour and explains suffering.
• →Angels (Malaikah): Created from light, angels carry out God's commands. Important angels include Jibril (Gabriel) who revealed the Qur'an, and Mika'il (Michael) who provides nourishment.
• →Holy Books: Muslims believe in four revealed books: the Torah (Tawrat), Psalms (Zabur), Gospel (Injil), and the Qur'an. The Qur'an is the final and most authoritative word of God.

• Understanding of the Six Beliefs of Islam
• Understanding of the Five Roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi'a Islam
• Characteristics of Allah (Tawhid, immanence, transcendence, omnipotence, beneficence, mercy, fairness, justice, Adalat)
• The role and importance of Risalah and the prophets (Adam, Ibrahim, Isma'il, Musa, Dawud, Isa, Muhammad)
• Significance of Muslim holy books (Qur'an, Tawrat, Zabur, Injil, Sahifah)
• Role and importance of Malaikah (Jibril, Izra'il, Mika'il)
• Belief in al-Qadr and its relationship to human freedom and the Day of Judgement
• Beliefs about Akhirah, judgement, paradise, and hell

• 💡Ensure you can explicitly compare and contrast beliefs about the afterlife with Christianity as required by the specification
• 💡Use specialist terminology such as Tawhid, Risalah, and Akhirah accurately
• 💡Reference Qur'anic surahs or Hadith where appropriate to support explanations
• 💡Be prepared to explain how these beliefs influence the daily life of a Muslim
• 💡Use specialist vocabulary: In your answers, use terms like Tawhid, Risalah, Akhirah, and Malaikah. This shows the examiner you have a deep understanding. For example, instead of saying 'God is one', say 'Tawhid is the belief in the oneness of God.'
• 💡Include quotes from the Qur'an: Memorise key quotes such as 'He is Allah, the One and Only' (Surah 112) or 'Every soul will taste death' (Surah 3:185). Using quotes accurately can boost your marks in the 12-mark evaluation questions.
• 💡Evaluate different viewpoints: In evaluation questions, consider both Sunni and Shi'a perspectives. For example, when discussing predestination, explain that Sunni Muslims believe in al-Qadr (divine decree) while Shi'a Muslims emphasise human free will alongside God's justice.

• Confusing Sunni Six Beliefs with Shi'a Five Roots
• Failing to distinguish between Sunni and Shi'a perspectives on predestination
• Generalizing beliefs without acknowledging divergent views within Islam
• Misunderstanding the role of specific prophets in Islamic theology
• Misconception: Muslims worship Muhammad. Correction: Muslims worship only God (Allah). Muhammad is a prophet and messenger, but he is not divine. The Shahadah (declaration of faith) states 'There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.'
• Misconception: The Qur'an was written by Muhammad. Correction: Muslims believe the Qur'an is the literal word of God, revealed to Muhammad through the angel Jibril. Muhammad was illiterate, which Muslims see as evidence of its divine origin.
• Misconception: All Muslims believe the same things about God. Correction: While all Muslims believe in Tawhid, there are differences between Sunni and Shi'a Islam. For example, Sunni Muslims follow the six articles of faith, while Shi'a Muslims follow the five roots of religion (Usul ad-Din), which include belief in divine justice and the imamate.