Islamic ‘Articles of Faith’

1. Islamic ‘Articles of Faith’ Principal Beliefs the articles of faith explained in the Aqida as: • Tawhid • Angels • Books of Allah • Rusul • Akhira • Fate / predestination

2. IDEAL OF TAWHID There is only one God (Allah) and Muhammad is his last prophet (true prophet of Allah) There are 99 names in the Qur’an related to Allah. These names say he is “indescribable divine being”. No one is allowed to represent Allah in any form including visual form. The names are sometimes used to decorate a Mosque. Some names have different feelings/ characteristics. For example: ‘the most gracious’ and ‘the most merciful’. “There is no deity but God and Muhammad is his prophet”, this is the Shahada(Islamic declaration)

3. Angels and Jinn Angels and Jinn are another important factor of Islam. Angels are known to be messengers, influencing humans of Allah and his will. They are known to be the purest beings made by Allah. A well known example of an Angel is Gabriel. He was believed to have been the messenger to Muhammad, when revealing to him the Qur’an. Jinn however are spirits created by Allah, which are believed to be living in a world parallel to mankind. They were created before mankind, by a ‘smokeless fire’ It states this in the Qur’an “We created man from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape; And the Jinn race, We had created before, from the fire of a scorching wind” Qur’an 15:26-27 The Angel Gabriel with the Prophet Muhammad.

4. Books of Allah Mulims belive in scriptures that date back to the start of humanity these include some Hebrew and Christian scriptures. Muslims also belive that Allah revealed himself through scriptures including scrolls of Abraham which is now lost, the Torah of Moses, the psalms of David, the gospel of Jesus and the Qur’an revealed to Mohammed. Most Muslims belive that most of the scriptures revealed to Muhammad are now lost or distorted.

5. Rusel (prophets) • Rusel means messengers of prophets. • The idea of Allah has sent prophets to different societies at different times is central to Muslims beliefs. • The Prophet (Muhammad) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers.  Each one believes in God, His Angels, His Books, and His prophets.  (They say,) ‘We make no distinction between one another of His prophets...’” (Quran 2:285) • “And ask (O Muhammad) those of Our prophets whom We sent before you: ‘Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Merciful (God)?’” (Quran 43:45)

6. After life, the Qu’ran mentions that for each soul there is an intermediate period. Souls wait suspended between death and resurrection. When the resurrection (or qiamah) is called by Allah, souls will be dragged out of this state. Each human will be brought to judgment and punished or rewarded depending on their actions. From numerous references, it is apparent that punishment is not meant to exceed the crime which has been perpetrated. It would contradict the spirit of the Qur'anic message and the Mercy of Allah if a sinner were to be punished for eternity for sins committed over a lifetime of 60-80 years. Al Akhira – Life after death, heaven, hell, resurrection of the body and the Day of Judgement • The Sura states the following about Akhira: • “The fire is the abode wherein you shall abide, except as Allah pleases. Certainly thy Lord is Most Wise, All-Knowing" (Qur'an 6:129). • “[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed” (Surah 67:2)

7. Fate and Predestination Fate and Predestination are two ideas often seen strongly in Islam. The idea of everything coming down to fate, and your will from Allah is seen to be acommonbelief in Islam. “We hold the store of every thing and we send it down in an appointed measure”. (Surah al-Hijri, 15:21 “Every affliction that falls on the earth or yourselves, already exists in a Book before it is brought into being by us. No doubt that is easy for Allah to accomplish”. (Surah al-Hadid, 57:22)