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What are the six beliefs of Sunni Islam and the five roots of Shia Islam?

The six beliefs of Sunni Islam (Akidah) and the five roots of Usul ad-Din of Shia Islam, and the differences between the two traditions.

An Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (C120) Component 3 answer on the six beliefs of Sunni Islam and the five roots of Usul ad-Din of Shia Islam, covering each foundation of faith and the Sunni-Shia difference, with the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.

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  1. What this dot point is asking
  2. The six beliefs of Sunni Islam
  3. The five roots of Usul ad-Din (Shia Islam)
  4. The Sunni-Shia difference
  5. Common and divergent views
  6. Try this

What this dot point is asking

Eduqas wants you to explain the six beliefs of Sunni Islam (Akidah) and the five roots of Usul ad-Din of Shia Islam: the foundations of faith that the two main traditions set out. Knowing both, and how they differ, matters because Component 3 can be studied from a Sunni or Shia perspective. The topic feeds the 15-mark evaluation question on how important the Sunni-Shia differences are, so you need the content, the contrast, and the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.

The six beliefs of Sunni Islam

These beliefs run through the Qur'an and shape everything a Sunni Muslim does. Several are explored in their own right in this module (Tawhid, the prophets and books, angels and predestination, and the afterlife).

The five roots of Usul ad-Din (Shia Islam)

The roots show what makes Shia Islam distinct: it adds Adl as its own root (emphasising God's justice) and includes Imamah (the special, God-given authority of the Imams), which Sunni Islam does not hold in the same way.

The Sunni-Shia difference

This shared foundation but real difference is exactly what the evaluation question probes: whether the unity of Islam outweighs the historic and theological split.

Common and divergent views

The common view is that Sunni and Shia Muslims are one faith: they share Tawhid, the Prophet, the Qur'an, the Day of Judgement and the Five Pillars. The divergences are over leadership and authority: Shia Islam holds Imamah and treats Adl as a separate root, while Sunni Islam accepts the chosen caliphs and lists six beliefs. For the exam, show both the deep unity and the genuine difference, since the evaluation question turns on which weighs more.

Try this

Q1. Name three of the six beliefs of Sunni Islam. [a-style recall]

  • Cue. Any three of: Tawhid (oneness of Allah), Malaikah (angels), Kutub (holy books), Nubuwwah/Risalah (prophets), Yawm ad-Din (Day of Judgement), Al-Qadr (predestination).

Q2. Explain what makes the five roots of Shia Islam different from the six Sunni beliefs. [b-style short explanation]

  • Cue. Shia Islam treats Adl (the justice of God) as a separate root and adds Imamah (the rightful, God-given leadership of the Imams from Ali's line), which Sunni Islam does not hold in the same way; both still share Tawhid, prophethood and the resurrection.

Exam-style practice questions

Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.

Eduqas C120 2019 (style)2 marks[a] What is meant by Akidah?
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This is the 2-mark (a) AO1 definition question. Define the term precisely: Akidah means the foundational beliefs or articles of faith of a Muslim. A short developed phrase secures both marks, for example "the core beliefs a Muslim must hold; for Sunni Muslims these are the six beliefs, beginning with Tawhid". A single word risks only one mark.

Eduqas C120 2021 (style)8 marks[c] Explain the five roots of Usul ad-Din in Shia Islam. Refer to sources of wisdom and authority in your answer.
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This is the 8-mark (c) extended AO1 question, and referring to sources is required for the top band. Explain the five roots: Tawhid (the oneness of Allah), Adl (the justice of God, treated as a separate root), Nubuwwah (prophethood, ending with Muhammad), Imamah (the rightful leadership of the Imams from the Prophet's family, beginning with Ali) and Mi'ad (the resurrection and Day of Judgement). Develop what makes Shia Islam distinct (Adl as its own root and Imamah). Anchor in sources: the Shahadah and the Qur'an for Tawhid and Nubuwwah, and the Shia belief that Ali and his descendants were the rightful Imams. The top band rewards developed points with accurate sources.

Eduqas C120 2023 (style)15 marks[d] "The differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims are not very important." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should refer to religious beliefs and teachings, give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, and reach a justified conclusion.
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This is the 15-mark (d) AO2 evaluation question, where SPaG is assessed, so write in continuous prose with specialist terms. Arguments to support: Sunni and Shia Muslims share the same God (Tawhid), the same Prophet, the same Qur'an, the same Day of Judgement and the same Five Pillars, so the unity of the faith matters far more than the differences. Arguments for a different view: the split over leadership is deep; Shia Islam holds Imamah (the divine authority of the Imams from Ali's line) and makes Adl a separate root, and these shape Shia identity and practice (reverence for Ali, the commemoration of Ashura); historically the divide has caused real conflict. Use specialist terms (Sunni, Shia, Imamah, Usul ad-Din). A justified conclusion weighs whether the shared foundations outweigh the historic and theological split.

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