Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies Study of Islam Beliefs and teachings: a complete C120 overview
A complete overview of Eduqas (WJEC) GCSE Religious Studies (C120) Component 3 Islam Beliefs and teachings: Tawhid and the nature of Allah, the six beliefs and five roots, Risalah and the holy books, angels and predestination, and Akhirah, plus the a, b, c, d question ladder and the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.
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What this module demands
The Study of Islam, Beliefs and teachings is the first half of Eduqas Component 3, the Study of a World Faith. It asks you to explain the core beliefs of Islam accurately and to evaluate them, always supported by sources of wisdom and authority (the Qur'an, the Sunnah and the Hadith). Everything in Islam begins from the oneness of Allah, and the other beliefs (angels, books, prophets, judgement, the decree) all serve the worship of the one God. This overview ties the dot-point pages together.
Tawhid and the nature of Allah
The foundation of Islam is Tawhid, the absolute oneness of Allah: one God, with no partner, equal or division, declared in the Shahadah and Surah 112. Muslims believe Allah is transcendent (beyond understanding), the omnipotent creator, merciful and just, described by the 99 names. Because Allah is unlike anything created, no image is made of him, and the worst sin is shirk (associating partners with God).
The six beliefs and five roots
Sunni Muslims hold six beliefs: Tawhid, angels (Malaikah), the holy books (Kutub), the prophets (Nubuwwah), the Day of Judgement (Yawm ad-Din) and predestination (Al-Qadr). Shia Muslims set out five roots of Usul ad-Din: Tawhid, Adl (the justice of God), Nubuwwah, Imamah (the leadership of the Imams from Ali's line) and Mi'ad (resurrection and judgement). The split began over leadership after Muhammad, but both share the same God, Prophet, Qur'an and Five Pillars.
Risalah and the holy books
Risalah is the belief that Allah sends prophets, from Adam through Ibrahim to Muhammad, the final prophet (the "Seal of the Prophets"). Allah revealed holy books: the Tawrat, Zabur, Injil and, supremely, the Qur'an, his literal word, revealed through Jibril and unchanged. Muslims also follow the Sunnah and Hadith, which explain and apply the Qur'an.
Angels and predestination
Angels (Malaikah) are beings created from light who always obey Allah: Jibril (revelation), Mika'il (provision), Izra'il (death) and the recording angels. Al-Qadr is predestination: Allah, being omniscient, knows and has decreed all that happens. But this is not fatalism, because humans still have free will and are responsible, which is why there is a Day of Judgement.
Akhirah, the afterlife
Akhirah is life after death. This life is a test; at the end of time all are resurrected and judged on Yawm ad-Din, their deeds weighed, and sent to Jannah (Paradise) or Jahannam (Hell). These beliefs give Muslims a strong reason to live well, though many stress that taqwa (love of and submission to Allah), not just fear of Hell or hope of reward, is the deeper motive.
Check your knowledge
A mix of recall questions covering the whole module. Attempt them, then check the solutions.
- What does Tawhid mean? (2 marks)
- What is the gravest sin in Islam, the opposite of Tawhid? (2 marks)
- Name two of the six beliefs of Sunni Islam. (2 marks)
- Which two roots are distinctive to Shia Islam? (2 marks)
- Who is the "Seal of the Prophets"? (2 marks)
- How was the Qur'an revealed to Muhammad? (2 marks)
- What does Al-Qadr mean? (2 marks)
- Name the Islamic terms for Paradise and Hell. (2 marks)
Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies specification (C120, from 2016) — WJEC Eduqas (2016)