New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

Muslim teachings about good, evil and suffering

I can explain different views, including Muslim ones, on good, evil and suffering.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

Muslim teachings about good, evil and suffering

I can explain different views, including Muslim ones, on good, evil and suffering.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Muslims believe people are born pure (fitrah) and are guided by Islam but judged by their choices and intentions.
  2. For an action to be good, the intention (niyyah) must be sincere, not done for attention or personal benefit.
  3. Suffering is sometimes seen as a test with spiritual value, though some suffering results from the misuse of free will.
  4. Many non-religious perspectives see suffering as a problem to solve, not something that serves a higher purpose.
  5. Opinions differ on whether suffering leads to good, with some seeing benefits, while others focus on the harm it causes.

Keywords

  • Evil - that which is considered extremely immoral, wicked and wrong

  • Good - that which is considered right according to moral standards

  • Suffering - an effect of evil; undergoing pain and hardship

Common misconception

Islam teaches that people are born sinful or evil.

Islam teaches that all people are born pure (in a state of fitrah), and have the ability to choose between right and wrong.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Muslim teachings about good, evil and suffering, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use real-life examples, such as Islamic charity work or personal stories from Muslims, to show how beliefs about suffering influence actions.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Crime can be caused by social conditions, mental health, and personal .

Correct Answer: choices, Choices

Q2.
What guides Islamic responses to crime?

revenge and fear
Correct answer: scripture, legal tradition and moral reasoning
personal emotions

Q3.
Responsibility in Islam depends on a person’s reasons and their of the act.

Correct Answer: awareness, Awareness

Q4.
What are Muslims taught about the law?

To always break it.
Correct answer: To follow the law.
To ignore it when angry.

Q5.
What does Islam consider when judging a crime?

only the victim’s opinion
Correct answer: harm, intention and context
the weather at the time

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Muslims believe people are born in a state of .

Correct Answer: fitrah, Fitrah

Q2.
What is the Arabic word for intention in Islam?

Correct answer: Niyyah
Salah
Halal

Q3.
Some suffering is seen as a test, but some results from the misuse of free .

Correct Answer: will, Will

Q4.
Why do views on suffering differ?

religions all disagree
Correct answer: people’s beliefs and experiences vary
suffering doesn't really exist

Q5.
How is suffering sometimes viewed in Islam?

As something to avoid at all costs.
As punishment only.
Correct answer: As a test with spiritual value