Diversity in Islam (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

Sunni & Shi'a Islam The Historical Context

Introduction to Islam

• Pre-Islamic Arabia is referred to as the Age of Jahiliyyah in Islam

• Jahiliyyah may be understood to mean ignorance of Tawhid, Risalah, and Akhirah

• Muslims believe:

  • That Arabia prior to Islam was a hostile and dangerous society, including regular tribal warfare and the poor treatment of women

  • The people of Arabia had forgotten the previous messages sent down by Allah to the Prophet Ibrahim

  • Ibrahim brought Islam to Arabia and rebuilt the Ka’aba which was originally believed to have been built by Adam in Arabia

• The religion of Islam was founded in the 7th century

• People who follow the religion of Islam are called Muslims

• Muslims believe in only one God, Allah. This means that the religion is monotheistic

• The holy book for Islam is the Qur’an

• Muslims also follow the teachings and sayings of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) which can be found in the hadiths

• Muhammad (pbuh) was the founder of Islam. Allah revealed the Qur’an to him

• Islam shares some ideas with the other Abrahamic Religions, Judaism and Christianity
  
  

The Two Main Traditions

• Islam is divided into two main traditions, Sunni and Shi’a

• Between 85-90% of Muslims are Sunni Muslims, most of the rest are Shi’a Muslims

• Their basic beliefs or Articles of Faith are slightly different for Sunni’s and Shi’as but there is a lot in common with their beliefs

  • Both traditions believe in Allah as the one true God

  • They both use the Qur’an as the source of authority

  • The main prophets are the same for both traditions

  • Both believe in the Day of Judgement

• One of the differences relates to the historical leadership of the religion when Muhammad died

• Some Muslims wanted Ali to be the first Caliph and believed that the first three Caliphs should not have been given the role

• Other Muslims believe that Ali should not have been given the role at all