OCR GCSE Religious Studies Islam Beliefs and Teachings: a complete J625 overview
A complete overview of OCR GCSE Religious Studies (J625) Islam Beliefs and teachings. Covers Tawhid and the nature of Allah, the six beliefs of Sunni Islam and the five roots of Shia Islam, Risalah and the holy books, angels and predestination, and Akhirah, plus the 1, 2, 3, 6 and 15 mark question pattern and sources of wisdom and authority.
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What this module demands
Islam Beliefs and teachings is the first half of the OCR J625/02 paper. It asks you to explain the core beliefs of Islam accurately and to evaluate them, supported by sources of wisdom and authority (the Qur'an, the Sunnah and Hadith). Everything begins with Tawhid, the oneness of Allah, from which the other beliefs flow: the angels and prophets who deliver Allah's guidance, the books that record it, and the judgement and afterlife to which it leads. This overview ties the dot-point pages together. Use the Arabic terms precisely: they earn the SPaG marks.
Tawhid and the nature of Allah
Tawhid is the belief in the absolute oneness of Allah: one God, with no partner. It is declared in the Shahadah and Surah 112, and its opposite, shirk (associating partners with God), is the gravest sin. Allah is transcendent (beyond human understanding, never pictured), omnipotent, merciful (al-Rahman) and just (al-Adl), described by the 99 names. Tawhid is the foundation of the whole faith.
The six beliefs and five roots
Sunni Muslims base faith on 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 use five roots of Usul ad-Din: Tawhid, Adl (the justice of God), Nubuwwah, Imamah (the leadership of the Imams from the Prophet's family) and Mi'ad (the resurrection). The two traditions share the same God, Prophet, Qur'an and Pillars, but split historically over leadership after Muhammad.
Risalah, prophethood and the holy books
Risalah is the belief that Allah sends prophets to guide humanity, from Adam through Ibrahim to Muhammad, the final prophet (the "Seal of the Prophets"). Allah revealed holy books: the Tawrat, Zabur, Injil and, finally and supremely, the Qur'an, the literal word of Allah revealed through Jibril (Surah 96). Muslims also follow the Sunnah and Hadith to apply the Qur'an, which is why "is the Qur'an the only authority?" is a strong evaluation question.
Angels and predestination
Angels (Malaikah) are beings created from light who always obey Allah: Jibril brings revelation, Mika'il provides for creation, Izra'il is the angel of death, and the recording angels note each person's deeds. Al-Qadr (predestination) is the belief that Allah, being omniscient, knows and has decreed everything, but this is not fatalism: humans have free will and remain responsible and accountable at judgement.
Akhirah, the afterlife
Akhirah is the belief in life after death: this life is a test, and at the end of time all are resurrected and judged on the Day of Judgement (Yawm ad-Din), their deeds weighed in the balance (Surah 21:47), and sent to Jannah (Paradise) or Jahannam (Hell). These beliefs give Muslims a strong reason to live well, though many stress taqwa (love of Allah), not just fear or reward, as the true motive.
Check your knowledge
A mix of recall questions covering the whole module. Attempt them, then check the solutions.
- What does Tawhid mean? (1 mark)
- What is the gravest sin in Islam, the opposite of Tawhid? (1 mark)
- Name two of the six beliefs of Sunni Islam. (2 marks)
- Name the two roots that make Shia Islam distinctive. (2 marks)
- Who is the final prophet in Islam? (1 mark)
- Which angel brought the Qur'an to Muhammad? (1 mark)
- What does Al-Qadr mean, and is it the same as fatalism? (2 marks)
- Name the Islamic terms for Paradise and Hell. (2 marks)