Heaven and hell in Islam
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain Muslim teachings on life after death, their importance and different perspectives on this within Islam.
Key learning points
- Heaven (Jannah) is also known as paradise.
- Hell (Jahannam) is described in the Qur'an as an abyss, a place of fire.
- On the Day of Judgement, humans will be judged by Allah and sent to either Heaven or Hell for the afterlife.
- There are different interpretations of what Heaven and Hell are like in Islam.
Keywords
Akhirah - beliefs about life after death in Islam
Heaven - paradise, Allah’s reward for the faithful and repentant
Hell - place of suffering for sinners and those who reject the Qur’an
Jahannam - an Arabic term used for ‘hell’
Jannah - an Arabic term used for ‘heaven’
Common misconception
That Muslims believe hell (Jahannam) is a place where all sinners will remain in eternal pain and punishment.
The majority of Muslims believe that those who die without faith in God (Allah) will be punished eternally but sinners who fell short of good deeds will eventually enter paradise unless they committed the gravest of sins like shirk.
Teacher tip
Students could write the full evaluation response to the statement, "A belief in the afterlife is the most important belief for a Muslim".
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What do Muslims believe about Allah's attributes?
Q2.According to many Muslims, what does Allah’s knowledge of the future imply?
Q3.What is the belief that Allah decrees what will happen called?
Q4.What issue arises when considering both predestination and free will in Islam?
Q5.Many Muslims believe that Allah’s knowledge of the future means He what happens in the universe.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Islam, those who reject faith or live sinful lives without repentance will go to .
Q2.In Islam, what is the purpose of Heaven (Jannah)?
Q3.In Islam, which of the following is believed to be found in Heaven (Jannah)?
Q4.In Islam, Heaven (Jannah) is a place of eternal , where believers enjoy endless peace, joy and closeness to Allah.
Q5.What is the purpose of Hell (Jahannam) in Islam?
Q6.According to the majority of Muslims, what is the fate of someone who dies with faith in Allah but has committed sins?
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Heaven and hell in Islam, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Heaven and hell in Islam, 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.