New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

The five roots of Shi'a Islam

I can explain the five roots of Usul ad-Din, their importance and how they link to Twelver and Sevener Shi'a Islam.

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New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

The five roots of Shi'a Islam

I can explain the five roots of Usul ad-Din, their importance and how they link to Twelver and Sevener Shi'a Islam.

Link copied to clipboard

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The five roots of Usul ad-Din are foundational beliefs for Shi'a Muslims.
  2. There is crossover between the five roots and the six articles of faith.
  3. Tawhid, prophets and the last day are common to Sunni and Shi'a Muslims.
  4. The five roots also include divine justice and the Imamah.
  5. Two groups within Shi'a Islam are the Sevener and Twelver branches.

Keywords

  • Adalat - God’s justice, one of the five roots of Usul ad-Din

  • Imamah - the authority of the Imams as Allah's chosen guides after the prophets, starting from Ali as a member of the Prophet’s household

  • Resurrection - when someone is raised again after death

  • Shi'a Islam - Muslims who believe in the successorship of Imam Ali and other Imams from the Prophet Muhammad's bloodline

  • Tawhid - belief in Allah’s oneness and unity

Common misconception

That Sevener Shi'a Muslims believe there have only been seven Imams.

The name Sevener comes from the recognition in Sevener Shi'a Islam of Imam Ismail as an Imam. Twelver Shi'a Islam recognises his brother, Musa, as the seventh Imam in contrast.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: The five roots of Shi'a Islam, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

If students have not covered the different narratives about the succession of a leader for the Muslim community after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, then teachers are advised to cover this before this content is taught.
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Lesson video

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5 Questions

Q1.
Which belief in Sunni Islam is the foundation of the Islamic faith?
Correct answer: belief in Allah (One God)
belief in Books of God
belief in Prophets of God
Q2.
Who do Sunni Muslims believe are messengers of God, created from light, who are always obedient and serve God's will?
Prophets
Correct answer: angels
Muslims
Q3.
Who is the final prophet in Islam?
Adam
Correct answer: Muhammad
Jesus
Q4.
What two things do Muslims believe will happen on the Last Day?
Correct answer: everyone will be resurrected
everyone will go to Paradise
everyone will go to Hell
Correct answer: everyone will be judged for their deeds
Q5.
Which of the following statements are true?
Correct answer: Sunni Muslims believe everything happens according to God's knowledge and will.
Sunni Muslims believe humans have no free will.
Correct answer: Sunni Muslims believe humans have free will.

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:adalat,God’s justice, one of the five roots of Usul ad-Din

God’s justice, one of the five roots of Usul ad-Din

Correct Answer:Imamah,the authority of Allah's chosen guides, from the Prophet’s house

the authority of Allah's chosen guides, from the Prophet’s house

Correct Answer:resurrection,when someone is raised again after death

when someone is raised again after death

Correct Answer:nubbuwah,belief in the line of prophets

belief in the line of prophets

Q2.
Which of these statements are true for Sevener Shi’a Muslims?
Sevener Shi'a Muslims believe there have only been seven Imams.
Correct answer: Sevener Shi'a Muslims believe Aga Khan is a living Imam today.
There are exactly 12 Imams.
Q3.
What does Usul ad-Din translate as?
articles of faith
Correct answer: roots of the religion
Five Pillars
Q4.
Which of the Five Roots of Usul ad-Din is supported by Surah 112?
Correct Answer: Tawhid, tawhid, the oneness of Allah, The oneness of Allah, The Oneness of Allah
Q5.
Muhammad is reported to have said he was leaving two things behind. One was the book of Allah, the other was the members of his …
community
religion
Correct answer: household
Q6.
How would a belief in adalat influence Shi’a Muslims today?
they will pray to one God
they will go on a pilgrimage
Correct answer: they will help those facing injustice