Muslim beliefs and the Qur'an
Islam means submission to God. At the centre of Muslim belief is tawhid: that God is one, without partner or image.
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Describe core Muslim beliefs and the place of the Qur'an in Islam
Key learning points
- • Tawhid and the prophets
- • The Qur'an
- • The five pillars
This lesson at a glance
- 25 minutes
- 20 parts to scroll through
- 4 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
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Part 1 of 20
Visual introductionPicture this
Muslim beliefs and the Qur'an
Islam means submission to God. At the centre of Muslim belief is tawhid: that God is one, without partner or image.
In a nutshell
Describe core Muslim beliefs and the place of the Qur'an in Islam
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 20
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Tawhid and the prophets
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 20
Learn
Tawhid and the prophets
Muslims believe in one God, Allah, who has sent prophets throughout history, including Abraham, Moses and Jesus, with Muhammad as the final prophet. Because God is beyond representation, Islamic art developed calligraphy and pattern rather than images of God.
Reset break
Part 4 of 20
Pause
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Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 20
Learn
The Qur'an
Muslims believe the Qur'an is the word of God revealed in Arabic to Muhammad over about twenty-three years. It is memorised, recited aloud and treated with great physical respect. Translations are described as interpretations of the meaning, because the Arabic text itself is regarded as the revelation.
Quick check
Part 6 of 20
Quick check
Part 7 of 20
Reset break
Part 8 of 20
Pause
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Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 20
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · The five pillars
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 20
Learn
The five pillars
Shahadah, the declaration of faith; salah, prayer five times daily; zakat, giving a set share of wealth; sawm, fasting in Ramadan; and hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca for those able. The pillars turn belief into a daily and annual rhythm.
Quick check
Part 11 of 20
Reset break
Part 12 of 20
Pause
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Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 13 of 20
Explore the idea
Part 14 of 20
Worked example
Worked example: explaining a practice
Question: why do many Muslims memorise the Qur'an? Answer: because it is believed to be the exact words of God, memorisation preserves the text precisely and makes it available in prayer anywhere. The practice follows directly from the belief about what the text is.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 20
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Reset break
Part 16 of 20
Pause
That's sitting 4 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 17 of 20
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
Muslims believe in one God, Allah, who has sent ____ throughout history, including Abraham, Moses and Jesus, with Muhammad as the final prophet.
The ____ turn belief into a daily and annual rhythm.
Challenge round
Part 18 of 20
Game · Recall cards
What does tawhid mean?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 19 of 20
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Muslim beliefs and the Qur'an
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. What does tawhid mean?
2. Why are translations called interpretations of the meaning?
3. Which pillar involves fasting?
4. Why did Islamic art develop calligraphy and pattern?
Lesson round-up
Part 20 of 20
Lesson round-up
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