Edexcel R.S Islam Revision Notes
Edexcel R.S Islam Revision Notes
R.S Islam
Beliefs and values Unit 1
1. The Quran and Islamic beliefs
7 articles of faith
Prophet hood
Allah
Revealed books (torah/psalms/Quran/Gospels)
Angles
Judgement day
Life and death (akhirad)
Predestination
2. The nature and importance of belief in Tawhid
Tawhid means the oneness of Allah
Tawhid is important to Muslims because
Belief god is unique and nothing can be compared
Creator of the universe
God one and only
Muslims show the oneness of god by
Worshipping one god
Looking after creatures
Everything that belongs to god
Do everything for god and making god centre of everything they do
Part of din
3. To know the meaning of shirk and why it is a major sin in Islam
Shirk is major sin in Islam and can never be forgiven, it is when associating god with something or equal as.
Minor shirk e.g. showing off
Why is shirk an unforgiving sin?
Goes against Tawhid-foundation of Islam
Goes against gods wishes
Goes against Shahadah- 1st pillar of Islam
Focus on god
4. Islamic belief in creativity of Allah
Muslims belief that the creativity of the universe
Came from Allah which follows the belief that god is one and nothing can compare with god
Allah made the universe and keeps it going
Allah created life (animal, plant human etc.)
Allah controls the way we live
Muslims dont believe in the world happen by chance
Muslims believe how the universe is created is a matter of faith
Science supports the Quranic teachings about the universe
Why is the belief in the creativity of Allah important for Muslims?
Beauty of nature
Universe under Allah control
All life belongs and comes from Allah
5. Islamic belief in the mercy and compassion of Allah
Compassion and mercy mean forgiving and understanding for god
Muslims believe god is all kind and even if they get into difficulties they still know god is all knowing
The belief on compassion and mercy is important to Muslims
As without it they would feel hopeless, this helps Muslims to repent and ask forgiveness
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This belief gives them courage and worth striving for a good life- they believe god is their judge
Allah will always be fair with them and never astray them
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9. The meaning and importance of belief in Islamic teaching on al-qadar and human freedom
Al-Qadar is important for Muslims; the belief that everything happens to us is in Allahs control and knows what will happen in
the future good or bad
Al-Qadar is important to Muslims because
Stated in the Quran
Taught by the prophet Muhammad
Submitting to the will of Allah is at the heart of being a Muslims
Helps Muslims makes sense of the world
God has given free will, on the day judgement human are responsible for their action and must give an answer to god
10. What is the Islamic teaching on the revelation of the Quran?
Importance of revelation
Send the message about one god
Muhammad prophets seal/chosen one
True religion because of the message being passed from generation to generation
Last and final revelation
Starting point for the religion
11. Islamic belief in akhirah
Life on earth-life is a test from Allah. Nothing can happen without Allah knowledge
Death- death is returned to Allah and is not something to be feared
Barzakh -Barzakh is a place where souls wait until the day of judgement. The word barrier and divides the living form
the death
Judgement- on the day of judgement everyone will stand alone before Allah. what you have done is your responsibility.
Paradise and Jahannam
How does the belief affect the life of Muslims?
Every action god is aware
Able to ask for forgiveness
God is closer to their jugular vein
Akhirah gives a meaning to life and sense of comfort
12. The meaning and importance of belief in Islamic teaching on holy book other than the Quran
The tawrat- this was given by Allah to the prophet Musa. (Jews, Torah)
The zabur- Written by Dawud found biblical book of psalms
The injil- Received by Isa found in Christians bible
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The Quran has supreme authority is because it is the direct word from God
It was brought by the final prophet
Recited exactly word from word by the Prophet
Never been changed
First great miracle- Muhammad (P.B.U.H) could not read or write and therefore when he read the Quran and
memorised it, it was a miracle.
Guidance for Muslim
Follow the right path
Qualities of God
Inspires them to struggle in the cause of God
Offer support and help
Warning to those who do not believe
Framework of belief about God and their lives
3.
How?
Why?
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7.
Functions-
Weddings
Funerals
Aqiqah
Hafiz
Education
Charity
Focus on Quran
Wudu
Prayer
Social event
Importance of mosque
Sense of identity-strong sense of belonging and confidence in being Muslim in a non-Muslim country
A feeling of community-together in a faith binds the community and adds to cohesion of community
An encouragement of faith-face up to difficulties with gods help.seek refuge in a mosque
An opportunity to proclaim Islam-express the message of Islam and share the faith with other non-Muslims
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Iman-one who stands in front, leads the worship
Leads Friday prayers
Guidance
Assist Aqiqah ceremony
Why is the Iman important?
Make sure that children learn about Islam
Spread Islam
Provides faith in non-Muslims country
Represents Ummah
Set an example
9.
4 Califah
Abu Bakr- Sunni- (follow Sunnah) 85%-90%
Umar-Right caliph
Uthman
Ali-Shia (follow by Shia party)-10%-15%
Sunni
Interpreting of Quran by scholars
4 caliph
2.5% for zakat
Pilgrimage Makah, Medinah
Different understanding of the Iman
Accept six books of hadith as accurate six
Shia
Only accept Ali as the first Caliph
Dont accept the other 3 caliph
Each new Muslim community is chosen by pervious
Iman
Emphasis is place on purity
Added to the Shahadah
Different places of pilgrimage Karbala and Makah and
Medinah
20% to zakat
Traditionalist is people keep to their old customs and will past them down
Modernist are people who still follow the tradition but update them to fit nowadays society
A sect is group that have broken away who have distinctive religion
Group
Sunni-barelvi
Sunni- deobandi
Distinguishing features
Revere the prophet and seek his
intercession
Consider the prophet as an
ordinary man and do not seek his
intercession
Practices
Chant the praises of the prophet.
Follow spiritual guidance of phir
Emphasis on removing anything
consider as innovation such as
celebrating birthdays
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Shiah
Ismaili
Sufi
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2) What is the practice of Salah?
Muslims pray 5 times a day
Salah is very important as it shows total submission to Allah and seeks forgiveness
The direction of the prayer is towards the kabah
How does prayer helps Muslims and what does is offer?
Prayer is a form of communicating which allows Muslims to talk to god and focus on god all day
They read god words to understand god
They show they obey gods command
They also follow the prophets example
Feel closer to god
Unites other Muslims
Confirms faith
Command from Quran
The rules of Salah
Perform Wudu
Read 5 times a day
Face Makah
Perform Salah in certain actions-standing up, bowing, prostrating and sitting. Repeat in certain order and certain
number of times
Recite in Arabic
During Salah Muslims praise god and recite verses from the Quran
The place of prayer must be clean
Muslims follow a strict discipline and follow the rules but this helps them to remember Allah
Significance of prayer is
Show total submission to god seeking forgiveness and identifying the worldwide community of Islam
Niyyah is intention, Dua-prayer from the heart done after prayer
3) The practice and significance of Zakah 2.5% saving
Zakah mean purification- it purifies a person from greed and selfishness
Why is Zakah given?
Muslims believe that all men and women and all things are made by god
Everything humans have is a loan and must be looked after carefully as in the afterlife, god will judge how each person uses the
gift given to them
Part of the responsibility of each individual is to share whatever they have with other people.
Advantage
Helps people in need
Not being selfish
Practices the religion
Supports Ummah-creates equality
Disadvantage
Dont know money will go
Dont know how its going to be used
Not having the right intention
8 places Zakah can be used for
o Converts
o Prison
o Poor
o Travellers
o Debt
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o Collectors
o Disabilities
Zakah is significant
o Generosity
o Less self centred
o God conscious called Taqwa
o Show submission
o Acknowledge the greatness of god
o Command in the Quran
o Supports Ummah
o Act of worship
o Reward in the afterlife
o Obedience
4) What is the relationship of Zakah to the Ummah?
Why is Zakah important for Ummah?
Muslim has a duty to help others who are in need.
Zakah makes rich people remember that everyone is part of the Ummah.
Knowing that all Muslims are giving Zakah at the same time show unity with other Muslims
Everyone obeying Allah command unites the Ummah and demonstrates an act of faith
Sharing resources strengthen the Ummah and help people gain spiritual riches
Muhammad taught that whoever eats while his neighbour remains hungry is not a believer
Prophet said just like a building each part supports it like the Ummah should be.
Sadaqah is different to Zakah because it is an actor of voluntary with a right intention to help those
The link between purification of Zakah and practice of Salah, you do it with clear intention and dont think of greed.
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5)
6)
7)
8)
When Muslims go to ihram they do a prayer called Talbiyah which is said over and over again. The intention is made
The first thing they do is go around the Kabah 7 times to symbolise the love for god. The prayer is said to show the
love. People kiss the black stone or wave their arms
The next step is the Say. This is when people go back and forth between Safa and Marwa in memory of Hajar. This
symbolises the patience and perseverance also the love for god
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Why is mina significant?
Pilgrimages are reinforces the promises they made at Arafat. Most of the time mina spends reading the Quran discussing aspects
of Islam.
The meaning and significance of Id-ul-Adha
Id-ul-Adha is based on the story of Ibrahim (sacrificed his son)
Id-ul-Adha is significant
Reminds Muslim Allah is great and worship god is every aspect
Help those who are not on hajj to share the spirit of hajj
Sacrificed of an animal show Muslims they should give up everything just for god just like Ibrahim and his son
History behind various activities of hajj remind Muslims that their faith, famous sermon by the prophet
Unit 4: Living a Muslims life
Categories of Levels of Haraam and Halal
Halal
Haraam
The rules help Muslims to stay on the right path; they live by the commands to please God.
The significance of Halal and Haraam
A. Command by god to please god to lead a good life
B. Taught by the prophet and Muslims should follow the example
C. Observing Halal and Haraam clearly identifies Muslims as Muslims and the strength of fellowship between other
Muslims
D. Observing the Halal and Haraam reminds Muslims constantly of the teaching of Allah and the way of life
1) What is the Islamic teaching on greater and lesser jihad?
Jihad means struggle in the way of Allah
Greater jihad is a personal effort made by every Muslim to devote his life to carry out god will
Lesser jihad-the struggle with the outside world (war)
A war is not jihad if
o War is declared as an attack rather a defence
o War is declared for new land
o Peaceful way have not be used
o Innocent civilians are exposed to danger
o Trees, crops, animals have not be protected
Muslims can only be involved in a collective defence when
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o
o
o
o
o
Sacrificing animals
Week or more
Chitin- Circumcision
Between 3 to 4 years
Significance-what does it
represent?
Welcome the baby to the Ummah
and religion. First words heard by
the baby. Sets the scene for the
rest of their life
Welcome the baby to Islam,
shaving the head follows the
Sunnah of the prophet. Giving
money shares the joy with the
poor
A religious name to acknowledge
the child from the Ummah.
Child name should avoid any
excellent or moral qualities
Offering
Thanksgiving
Obeying the commands of Allah
and showing total submission to
Allah.
Hygiene
Follow the prophets example
Bring child up with religion
Significance
Extra joy in obeying Allah and having children to increase the Ummah
Everything takes place in the first week, Sunnah of the prophet
Draw attention that the child should grow up as a Muslim
Make the community around the baby and its responsibility to grow up as a good Muslim
3) What are the death rituals? (Janazah Prayers)
What happens when we die?
A. When a Muslims about to die, the Muslim or the family should recite the shahadah
B. The body is washed three times by the same sex. First parts of the body is washed the ones washed for prayer. Then
the rest of the body. This shows washing away the sins.
C. The cloth is white to symbolise coming and leaving the world without anything people who have been to hajj are
wrapped with the same cloth
D. Funeral prayers are called Janazah
E. The funeral takes place within 24 hours to pay respects to the dead as it starts to decay. The bereavement is relatively
short period as god's creation is quickly returned. The funeral should be simple.
F. The funeral takes place in a mosque or cemetery. It is attended by men as
G. The men ask forgiveness for the person
H. Cremation is forbidden as Muslims believe that bodies from the grave will be raised on the last day
I. The body is buried so the head is facing Makah
J. Handful soil are thrown into the grave with passages that are said along
K. The mourners should walk away and say the kalimah so the person doesnt forget it religion
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L. Two angles come and as questions regarding their religion
M. Muslims should trust Allah promises of the afterlife. They are taught to trust god goodness and accept death as a stage
in their life and not the end of it. The funeral should remind Muslims of god greatness
4) What are Muslims attitudes to drugs and alcohol?
Drugs and alcohol if forbidden in the Quran and Hadith. There is a Hadith about four things asked on the day of judgement
How the body is used?
How life was spent?
How they earn their wealth?
What did they do with their knowledge?
Khamr is intoxicant which is Haraam. Bother drugs and alcohol
Why do Muslims keep these laws?
To be healthier
Against the law
Allah lent use a body we should look after it
Obey god making god happier
Forbidden in the Quran
Stay on the right path
Does it matter if the Islamic laws are ignored?
Islam is not a belief it is a way of life
To be a Muslim must follow the Shariah law
Not obeying the rules youre not a Muslim
Muslims believe that everything is a test so passing means getting rewards
Apart from the Islamic rules there are other reasons
Causes people to commit more sins
Become addictive
Damage to the body
Forbidden to sell or take drugs
The dangers of drinking
5) What are the implications of Muslims laws on dress when living in a western society?
The key word with regards to Muslim dress laws is modesty. Basically no man or woman should show their body figure
Rules for women-modesty
Cover whole body except face and hands
Loose non-transparent clothing
Not dress like men
Women wear the Hijab for
Creates anonymity
Security
People judge for who you are and not what you look like
Shows their religion
Implication of wearing Muslim dress
Many feminist believe that the Hijab is a oppressive and unfair to women
Wearing the Hijab has become political issue in some countries and become a question of banning against
womens human rights
Dangers of abuse from other people
Best possible way to fulfil gods command of modesty
6)
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Muslims believe that god has given them rules about food in order to protect their health.
The rules encourage discipline and remind Muslims everything they do is part of the Ibada. They praise god every
time they start eating and finishing.
The meat should be killed in the right way in order for Muslims to eat it. This involves cutting the throat of the
animal with a very sharp knife.
In extreme circumstances Muslims are allowed to eat Haraam food.
What are the implications of these rules?
Living a life that pleases god, however laws in other countries affects how Muslims live in non-Muslim countries and
difficulties in keeping them
Some areas do not have Halal butchers
Some schools do not provide Halal food
Many service stations on motorways do not have suitable food for Muslims
Halal restaurants are quite difficult to find in some areas
7) What are the implications of Muslims laws on Riba and gambling when living in a capitalist society?
Reba means interest; in the Arabic language it means excess or increase
2 different types of Riba
Riba Nasiah-interest on debt
Riba Al-Fadl interest on trade
Quran openly prohibited Riba and the Quran is on unquestionable source of guidance and all Muslims agree on prohibition of
Riba
Hadith say if some give you interest you should not accept it
Main reason why prohibition of Riba:
Oppression
Creates division between rich and poor
Source of devils
Allow people not to help those less fortunate
Break families
Causes disunity in the Muslim Ummah
All risk is taken by the borrower
Outline on Islamic teachings on gambling:
Follow the way Allah has taught us to live
Gambling make a person dependant on chance and loses his hard labour
Individual property is sacred and cannot be taken through unlawful exchange
Makes a person develop hatred to another person
It is addictive
Danger to society
Consumes gamblers time and energy, gambler neglects is duties to religion and god.
8) How and why are some Muslims involved in working for social and community cohesion?
Why do Muslims work for social and community cohesion?
A. Muslims are taught in the Quran and by the example of the prophet be tolerant to other rights
B. Quran teaches there should be no compulsion in which religion people should practice
C. When the prophet first went to set up to establish a constitution it also included other religions. He ensured each group
had rights and responsibility
D. Muslims believe that every human is equal, rich or poor, young or old, black or white, disable or physically strong have
an equal status in society
How some Muslims work for social and community cohesion?
Provide space for worship, from sports to leisure activities to healthy living programmes and assistance.
9) Explains how one Muslim organisation helps relieve poverty and suffering in the UK?
It is difficult to define poverty in the UK as its not the same for people living in Africa and Asia without food or shelter. UK
poverty is
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Low paid jobs, due to lack of skill or education
Unemployment
The elderly
Refugees
Muslim organisations working in the UK such as Hussani Islamic Centre do:
Distribute Zakah and Sadaqah locally to support people
Help widows and orphans financially
Organisms unwanted furniture and give it to those who need it
Volunteer service that provides help for those people like elderly who live on their own and people who are ill
The organisation aims are
To improve the conditions of people who live locally
Improve the quality of life through long-term, well paid, employment and self-employment
To encourage young people to become part of the community
10) What are Muslims teachings on charity and the relief of suffering?
Why do Muslims help others?
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o
o
o
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