Diversity in belief about angels and free will
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain different Muslims perspectives on angels and on free will.
Key learning points
- There is a diversity of some beliefs within Islam about angels.
- There is a diversity of some beliefs within Islam around free will.
- Angels are believed to question souls in Barzakh before judgement.
- Angels are believed by some Muslims to be at shrines.
- 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.
Teacher tip
Students can learn more about pilgrimages to important shrines through studying the Shi'a pilgrimage of Abraeen to the shrine of Imam Hussein.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Muslims believe the angel Izra’il takes each soul to the ...
Q2.Angels in Islam are believed to be created from and are genderless.
Q3.What is Israfil’s role in Islam?
Q4.What do Muslims believe about the nature of angels?
Q5.How does a belief in angels influence Muslims today?
Q6.Why is a belief in Jibril especially important to Muslims?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A Muslim source of authority that supports the belief that life is a test is the ...
Q2.Some Muslims, such as Sufis, believe angels are present at shrines.
Q3.What is Barzakh in Islamic belief?
Q4.Which belief about free will is held by many Shi’a Muslims?
Q5.Why might Muslims still make good choices if they believe in predestination?
Q6.Why do some Muslims visit shrines?
To help you plan your 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...
To help you plan your 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.
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 Islam: Beliefs and teachings unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.