New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Diversity in belief about angels and free will

I can explain different Muslims perspectives on angels and on free will.

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New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Diversity in belief about angels and free will

I can explain different Muslims perspectives on angels and on free will.

Link copied to clipboard

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. There is a diversity of some beliefs within Islam about angels.
  2. There is a diversity of some beliefs within Islam around free will.
  3. Angels are believed to question souls in Barzakh before judgement.
  4. Angels are believed by some Muslims to be at shrines.
  5. There are different understandings of free will and predestination in Sunni and Shi'a Islam.

Keywords

  • Angels - beings of light delivering God’s messages and watching over humans

  • Free will - being able to choose between different actions

  • Predestination - Al Qadr in Arabic is a belief that Allah is in control of actions

  • Shrine - a special site related to someone important in the religion (e.g the Imams)

Common misconception

That all Sunni Muslims do not agree with visiting or praying at the shrines of important Muslims who have died.

This is a view held by some Sunni Muslims but there are others, for example Sufi Sunni Muslims who will visit and pray at the shrines of important Sufi Muslims who have died.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Diversity in belief about angels and free will, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Students can learn more about pilgrimages to important shrines through studying the Shi'a pilgrimage of Abraeen to the shrine of Imam Hussein.
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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6 Questions

Q1.
Muslims believe the angel Izra’il takes each soul to the ...
Correct Answer: afterlife, Afterlife
Q2.
Angels in Islam are believed to be created from and are genderless.
Correct Answer: light, Light
Q3.
What is Israfil’s role in Islam?
recording actions
giving humans food and rain
Correct answer: blowing the trumpet for the start of Judgement Day
Q4.
What do Muslims believe about the nature of angels?
Correct answer: They are genderless and made of light.
They are male and made of fire.
They are human messengers.
Q5.
How does a belief in angels influence Muslims today?
It encourages them to avoid angels.
It helps them become prophets.
Correct answer: It reminds them their actions are being recorded.
Q6.
Why is a belief in Jibril especially important to Muslims?
he brings rain and forgiveness
Correct answer: he revealed the Qur’an to Muhammad
he judges people’s actions

6 Questions

Q1.
A Muslim source of authority that supports the belief that life is a test is the ...
Correct Answer: Qur’an, qur'an
Q2.
Some Muslims, such as Sufis, believe angels are present at shrines.
Correct Answer: Sunni
Q3.
What is Barzakh in Islamic belief?
a reward given in Paradise
Correct answer: a barrier where souls wait before judgement
a place only for prophets
Q4.
Which belief about free will is held by many Shi’a Muslims?
Correct answer: Allah guides people but does not force choices.
Humans cannot choose anything.
Everything is already decided with no choice.
Q5.
Why might Muslims still make good choices if they believe in predestination?
because nothing matters in this life
because angels force them to
Correct answer: because they believe life is a test from Allah
Q6.
Why do some Muslims visit shrines?
Correct answer: they believe angels are present and pray there
to become prophets
to avoid Barzakh