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
- 16 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
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 16
Watch first
Muslim beliefs and the Qur'an
An English teaching video on this topic from CrashCourse. Watch it, then scroll down for the lesson.
In a nutshell
Describe core Muslim beliefs and the place of the Qur'an in Islam
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 16
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 16
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.
Explore the idea
Part 4 of 16
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 5 of 16
Quick check
What does tawhid mean?
Quick check
Part 6 of 16
Quick check
Why are translations called interpretations of the meaning?
Reset break
Part 7 of 16
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 2 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.
Learning cycle
Part 8 of 16
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 9 of 16
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 10 of 16
Quick check
Which pillar involves fasting?
Quick check
Part 11 of 16
Quick check
Why did Islamic art develop calligraphy and pattern?
Explore the idea
Part 12 of 16
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 13 of 16
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
Challenge round
Part 14 of 16
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.
Mastery quiz
Part 15 of 16
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 16 of 16
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
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Your written work for this lesson
This is the part you'd do in your book at school. Pick the pieces below, write here or on paper, and photograph anything you draw or work out.
Two teachings on forgiveness
In Christian teaching, Jesus is asked how many times a person should forgive. He answers not seven times but seventy-seven — meaning forgiveness should not be counted at all. The Lord's Prayer links the two directions together: forgive us as we forgive others.
In Islamic teaching, one of the names of God is al-Ghaffar, the Ever-Forgiving. Muslims are taught that God's mercy is greater than any wrong a person can do, and that those who pardon others are closer to God than those who take revenge.
Both traditions distinguish forgiving from forgetting. A person may forgive and still expect justice, and may seek safety from someone who has harmed them.
Original paraphrases written for Good Learning Co.
Reading questions
- What does each teaching say about how far forgiveness should go?
- Explain how a believer might use one of these teachings after being hurt by a friend.
- "Forgiving someone means letting them off." Give two views on this and say which is stronger, with reasons.
Reading and response
ReadingRead the lesson text again — especially any scripture, story or quotation — then write what it teaches and how a believer would use it.
2 paragraphs (PEE)
Extended writing
WritingAnswer the lesson's big question as an exam answer would: a clear view, a reason, a teaching or example as evidence, and a different view weighed against yours.
250–350 words
Belief in your own words
WritingExplain what this belief means and give one example of how it changes what people do.
8–10 sentences
Different views
WritingWrite two different views on this question and say which you find stronger, and why.
2 paragraphs
Symbol or belief diagram
DiagramDraw the symbol, place of worship or idea from this lesson with labels explaining what each part means, then photograph it.
1 labelled drawing
Saved as you type.
Part 1 of 16 · Watch & discover