Welcome to Your Guide to Islam!
Hi there! Welcome to your study notes for Islam in Paper 2: Area of Study 2 (Study of Second Religion). For Paper 2, you only study two sections: Section 1 (Beliefs and Teachings) and Section 2 (Practices). We will break down every essential topic clearly to help you prepare effectively for your 50-minute exam.
Quick Tip: In the exam, you must demonstrate understanding of both Sunni and Shi’a perspectives, as well as synoptic comparisons with Christianity for the two asterisked topics: the afterlife and worship.
Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings
1.1 & 1.2 The Foundations: Six Beliefs and Five Roots
Think of these as the essential foundations of faith.
The Six Beliefs (Sunni Islam):
1. Tawhid: Belief in the oneness of Allah.
2. Malaikah: Belief in angels.
3. Kutub: Belief in holy books (such as the Qur'an).
4. Risalah: Belief in prophets.
5. Akhirah: Belief in the Day of Judgement and the afterlife.
6. Al-Qadr: Belief in predestination and Allah's supreme will.
The Five Roots of Usul ad-Din (Shi’a Islam):
1. Tawhid: Oneness of Allah.
2. Adl: Divine justice (Allah is inherently just).
3. Nubuwwah: Prophethood.
4. Imamah: God-given leadership of the Imams after Muhammad.
5. Mi'ad: The Day of Resurrection and Judgement.
Memory Aid: For the Shi'a roots, remember T.A.N.I.M (Tawhid, Adl, Nubuwwah, Imamah, Mi'ad).
1.3 The Nature of Allah
Muslims believe Allah is One (Tawhid) with no partners, equals, or children. The Qur'an reveals His nature through the 99 Beautiful Names.
• Immanence: Allah is present and close to humans.
• Transcendence: Allah is beyond the physical universe and outside time.
• Omnipotence: All-powerful Creator.
• Beneficence & Mercy: All-loving and compassionate (e.g. Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem).
• Adalat: Divine justice in Shi'a theology, demonstrating that Allah acts with perfect fairness.
1.4 & 1.5 Prophets (Risalah) and Holy Books (Kutub)
Risalah: The system of communication through chosen human messengers.
• Adam: First human and first prophet.
• Ibrahim: Monotheist who showed absolute obedience to Allah.
• Isma’il: Son of Ibrahim, associated with building the Ka'ba.
• Musa (Moses): Received the Tawrat (Torah).
• Dawud (David): Received the Zabur (Psalms).
• Isa (Jesus): Received the Injil (Gospel).
• Muhammad: The Seal of the Prophets, who received the final, uncorrupted revelation of the Qur'an.
The Kutub: Muslims respect original revelations given to previous messengers, but hold that the Qur'an alone remains preserved in its exact divine wording.
1.6 & 1.7 Angels (Malaikah) and Predestination (Al-Qadr)
Malaikah: Created from light, angels obey Allah without free will.
• Jibril: Delivered divine revelation to the prophets.
• Mika’il: Guardian of nature and provision.
• Izra’il: Angel of death appointed to reclaim souls.
Al-Qadr: Predestination and human responsibility.
• Sunni view: Emphasises Allah's complete foreknowledge and ultimate sovereignty over all outcomes.
• Shi’a view: Emphasises human moral responsibility and free choice within Allah's framework.
1.8* Akhirah: Life After Death (Synoptic Comparison Point)
Islam teaches that earthly life is a test leading to bodily resurrection, divine judgement, and eternal destination in Jannah (Paradise) or Jahannam (Hell). Belief in judgement encourages Muslims to follow the Five Pillars and treat others well because they are accountable to Allah.
• Synoptic comparison with Christianity: Both Islam and Christianity teach accountability before God, bodily resurrection, and eternal reward or punishment in heaven or hell. However, Islam grounds salvation in faith and righteous deeds weighed on the Day of Judgement, whereas Christian traditions emphasise the saving role of Jesus's death and resurrection (atonement and grace), with Catholic Christianity also teaching purgatory.
Section 2: Practices
2.1 & 2.2 Framework of Action: Five Pillars and Ten Obligatory Acts
The Five Pillars (Sunni Islam): Shahadah (the declaration of faith), Salah, Zakah, Sawm, and Hajj.
The Ten Obligatory Acts (Shi’a Islam): Salah, Sawm, Zakah, Khums, Hajj, Jihad, Amr-bil-Maroof (directing others towards good), Nahi-anil-Munkar (forbidding evil), Tawalla (loving the family of the Prophet), and Tabarra (disassociating from enemies of Allah).
2.3* Salah (Prayer) and Worship (Synoptic Comparison Point)
Salah is obligatory prayer performed five times daily in Sunni practice: at dawn, after midday, in the afternoon, after sunset and at night (often combined into three sessions in Shi’a practice). It requires ritual purification (Wudu), facing the Qibla (Makkah), and performing physical cycles of prayer (Rak'ah), including bowing and prostration to show submission to Allah.
• Synoptic comparison with Christianity: Both faiths see prayer as essential for devotion, thanksgiving, and guidance. Salah has fixed times, mandatory Arabic recitations, and prescribed physical prostrations, whereas Christian worship includes liturgical services (like the Mass or Holy Communion), spontaneous prayer, and fellowship hymns without fixed daily directions or prostration cycles.
2.4 Sawm (Fasting)
Observed during daylight hours throughout Ramadan, abstaining from food, drink, and marital relations to build self-discipline (taqwa), obey Allah, and show compassion for the needy. Ramadan includes Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power), commemorating the first revelation of the Qur'an.
2.5 Zakah and Khums
• Zakah: Obligatory giving of 2.5% of surplus wealth above the nisab threshold to assist the poor and needy.
• Khums: An additional obligatory Shi’a tax of 20% on annual surplus savings/profits, split between religious causes and supporting descendants of the Prophet or those in poverty.
2.6 Hajj (Pilgrimage)
Annual pilgrimage to Makkah required once in a lifetime for Muslims who are physically and financially able. Key rites include wearing Ihram garments (signifying equality), circling the Ka'ba (Tawaf), running between Safa and Marwah (Sa'i), standing at Mount Arafat to pray for forgiveness, and stoning the pillars at Mina to reject temptation.
2.7 Jihad: The Struggle
• Greater Jihad: The internal, personal struggle to obey Allah, overcome selfish desires, and live righteously.
• Lesser Jihad: The external struggle in defence of Islam or the oppressed, governed by strict ethical rules forbidding harm to non-combatants, livestock, and the environment.
2.8 Festivals and Commemorations
• Id-ul-Fitr: The celebration marking the end of Ramadan, focusing on communal prayer, charity (Zakat-ul-Fitr), and family.
• Id-ul-Adha: The festival of sacrifice marking the end of Hajj, commemorating Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah. Muslims may sacrifice an animal and share its meat with people in need.
• Ashura: Commemorated by Shi’a Muslims as a day of solemn mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Husayn at Karbala (Sunni Muslims observe it primarily as a voluntary fast commemorating Musa's deliverance from Pharaoh).
• Id-ul-Ghadeer: Celebrated by Shi’a Muslims to honour the appointment of Ali ibn Abi Talib by the Prophet Muhammad at Ghadir Khumm.
Final Quick Review Box
• Paper 2 Scope: Study Section 1 (Beliefs and Teachings) and Section 2 (Practices) only.
• Core Distinctions: Six Beliefs (Sunni) vs Five Roots of Usul ad-Din (Shi'a); Five Pillars (Sunni) vs Ten Obligatory Acts (Shi'a).
• Asterisked Synoptic Comparisons: Compare Muslim and Christian perspectives on Akhirah (afterlife/resurrection) and Salah/worship.