Predestination
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what a belief in predestination is and different perspectives on how this can relate to the idea of human freedom in Islam.
Key learning points
- Muslims believe that Allah is all powerful and all knowing.
- Most Muslims believe that Allah has predestined what will happen.
- Some Muslims view total predestination as in conflict with the idea of free will.
- There are different solutions to the issue of predestination and free will in Islam.
Keywords
Decree - a command or order that must be followed
Free will - being able to choose between different actions
Omnipotent - Allah is all powerful
Omniscient - Allah is all knowing
Predestination - Allah has pre-decided everything that happens
Common misconception
That Sunni Muslims believe we have no free will due to predestination, or that Shi'a Muslims believe there is no predestination due to free will.
Most Muslims take a middle ground between them when considering the relationship between free will and predestination in Islam.
Teacher tip
Students can consider the development of Islamic thought as scholars considered the relationship between predestination and free will in the past through reseaching the positions of the Asharite and Mutazilite schools of thought.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Muslims believe angels deliver Allah’s to humans.
Q2.Some Muslims believe the angel Izra’il gave to Allah to create humans.
Q3.What is the key role of the angel Izra’il?
Q4.Why is Jibril important?
Q5.What is Mika’il’s role in Islam?
Q6.Why do angels record human actions?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Muslims believe Allah is , meaning He has unlimited power.
Q2.What does the term “al-Qadr” refer to in Islam?
Q3.Why do many Muslims say “insha’Allah” when making plans?
Q4.How do many Muslims reconcile free will with predestination?
Q5.Why is belief in predestination important for many Muslims?
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Predestination, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Predestination, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Muslim beliefs unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.