This mini-lesson works through the AQA GCSE topic Islam: Beliefs and Teachings: Tawhid and the nature of Allah, the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam and the five roots (Usul ad-Din) in Shi'a Islam, prophethood (Risalah), the holy books, the angels (Malaikah), the afterlife (Akhirah) and predestination (al-Qadr).
Work through each screen, answer the questions as you go and collect ⭐ stars. Beliefs here are stated as Muslims teach them, with care to show both Sunni and Shi'a views accurately. Press Start when you're ready.
Tawhid
The Oneness of Allah
The most important belief in Islam is Tawhid — the absolute oneness and unity of Allah. There is only one God, who has no partners and is unlike anything in creation. Associating anything with Allah (shirk) is the gravest sin.
Qur'an: "Say, He is Allah, the One… He neither begets nor is born, and there is nothing comparable to Him." (Surah 112, Al-Ikhlas) — the classic statement of Tawhid.
Allah is one — indivisible, with no equal and no partners.
Allah is the Creator of everything; nothing in creation is like Him.
Belief in Tawhid shapes every other Islamic teaching and act of worship.
The nature of Allah
Merciful, just, near yet beyond
Muslims describe Allah through the qualities revealed in the Qur'an. Allah is omnipotent (all-powerful), beneficent and merciful (ar-Rahman, ar-Rahim) and just — rewarding good and holding wrong to account.
Immanent — close to and involved with creation ("closer than the jugular vein").
Transcendent — utterly beyond and above the created world.
Just (Adalat) — Allah's perfect justice is especially emphasised in Shi'a Islam as one of its roots of faith.
Qur'an: "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful." — the opening line of nearly every surah, showing Allah's mercy.
Quick check
Understanding Tawhid
?Which statement best describes the Islamic belief of Tawhid?
Sunni Islam
The six articles of faith
In Sunni Islam the core beliefs are summed up as the six articles of faith. A Sunni Muslim believes in:
Tawhid — the oneness of God.
Angels (Malaikah) — created beings who serve Allah.
The holy books (Kutub) — the scriptures revealed by Allah.
The prophets/messengers (Nabi, Rusul — Risalah) — sent to guide humanity.
The Day of Judgement / life after death (Akhirah, Yawmuddin).
Predestination (al-Qadr) — Allah's decree over all that happens.
Careful: the six articles are the framework of Sunni belief. Shi'a Muslims express their core beliefs slightly differently — as the five roots, which you'll see next.
Shi'a Islam
The five roots (Usul ad-Din)
In Shi'a Islam the foundational beliefs are the five roots of religion (Usul ad-Din):
Tawhid — the oneness of God.
Adalat (Adl) — the divine justice of Allah.
Nubuwwah — prophethood.
Imamah — the leadership and authority of the Imams (successors to guide the community).
Mi'ad — the Day of Resurrection and Judgement.
Note the difference: both Sunni and Shi'a Muslims share belief in one God, the prophets and the afterlife. The Shi'a five roots add a special emphasis on Adalat (God's justice) and Imamah (the Imams' leadership), which are distinctive to Shi'a Islam.
Match up
Key term → meaning
Tap a term on the left, then its meaning on the right.
Prophethood (Risalah)
The messengers of Allah
Muslims believe Allah sent prophets and messengers (Risalah) throughout history to call people back to worshipping the one God. Prophets named in Islam include Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma'il, Musa (Moses), Dawud (David) and Isa (Jesus).
Muhammad is believed to be the final prophet — the "Seal of the Prophets" — who received the Qur'an. No prophet comes after him.
Careful and important: In Islam Isa (Jesus) is a greatly respected prophet, but he is not the son of God and not divine. Muslims honour him as a messenger of Allah only.
Quick check
Prophethood in Islam
?How does Islam teach that Muslims should regard Isa (Jesus)?
The holy books (Kutub)
The Qur'an and earlier scriptures
The Qur'an is believed to be the literal, revealed word of Allah, given to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Jibril (Gabriel). For Muslims it is Allah's final and perfect revelation.
Muslims also honour earlier holy books revealed to earlier prophets:
Tawrat — the Torah, revealed to Musa (Moses).
Zabur — the Psalms, revealed to Dawud (David).
Injil — the Gospel, revealed to Isa (Jesus).
Sahifah — the Scrolls, given to earlier prophets such as Ibrahim.
Angels (Malaikah)
The servants of Allah
Muslims believe Allah created angels (Malaikah) from light. Angels have no free will — they always obey Allah and carry out his commands. Belief in the angels is one of the articles of faith.
Jibril (Gabriel) — brought Allah's revelation, including the Qur'an, to the prophets.
Mika'il (Michael) — associated with sustenance and mercy.
Izra'il — the angel associated with death.
Qur'an: revelation of the Qur'an came to Muhammad through the angel Jibril, beginning with the command "Read!" (Surah 96).
Quick check
The Qur'an and revelation
?How do Muslims believe the Qur'an was revealed to Muhammad?
Akhirah — life after death
Resurrection, judgement, Paradise and Hell
Muslims believe in Akhirah — life after death. On the Day of Judgement (Yawmuddin) the dead will be resurrected and every person will answer to Allah for how they lived.
Al-Jannah — Paradise, the reward of those who believed and did good.
Jahannam — Hell, the state of separation and punishment for wrongdoing.
Belief in the afterlife encourages Muslims to live righteously and accountably.
Qur'an: "Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your full compensation on the Day of Resurrection." (Surah 3:185)
Sort it
Which belief is this?
Tap a description, then tap the box that matches.
Sort it
Shared belief ↔ Distinctly Shi'a root
Tap a belief, then the box that fits it best.
🤝 Shared by Sunni & Shi'a
☪️ Distinctly Shi'a root
Predestination (al-Qadr)
Allah's decree and human freedom
Al-Qadr is the belief that Allah has knowledge of and decree over everything that happens — nothing occurs outside his will. It is one of the six articles of Sunni faith.
Yet Muslims also teach that humans have real free will and are accountable for their choices. Allah's knowledge of what people will do does not remove their responsibility on the Day of Judgement.
Careful: al-Qadr does not mean people are robots with no choice. Muslims hold both that Allah is in control and that human beings are answerable for their own actions.
Quick check
Sunni articles vs Shi'a roots
?Which belief is one of the five roots (Usul ad-Din) in Shi'a Islam but is not listed among the Sunni six articles?
Quick check
The afterlife (Akhirah)
?In Islamic teaching, what is al-Jannah?
Recap
The beliefs to know
Tawhid: the absolute oneness and unity of Allah (Surah 112) — no partners, nothing comparable.
Nature of Allah: omnipotent, beneficent and merciful, just (Adalat), immanent and transcendent.
Sunni six articles: Tawhid, angels, holy books, prophets, the Day of Judgement, predestination (al-Qadr).
Shi'a five roots (Usul ad-Din): Tawhid, Adalat (justice), Nubuwwah (prophethood), Imamah (the Imams), Mi'ad (resurrection).
Prophethood (Risalah): Adam, Ibrahim, Isma'il, Musa, Dawud, Isa (a prophet, not divine); Muhammad is the final prophet.
Holy books: the Qur'an (via Jibril), plus Tawrat, Zabur, Injil and Sahifah.