Social and Religious Studies

Key unit competence: Be able to live with faith according to two of the six pillars of Islamic faith. 

To perform works of submissiveness to Allah among people.

                                                                      Learning objectives

At the end of this unit, you should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

•  Explain the 1st Pillar of Islamic Faith (Belief in the Oneness of Allah).
•  Classify Shirk (polytheism) as the opposite of Tawheed (monotheism) into two main categories: 

              major Shirk and minor Shirk.

• Explain the 2nd Pillar of Islamic Faith (Belief in Angels).
• List some names of Angels. 
•  Classify the Angels according to their responsibilities.

Skills

•  Explain the oneness of God, his Beautiful names and his attributes.
•  Explain reasons why Angels were created.
•  Explain some duties of Angels.

Attitudes and values

•  Avoid any worshiping of other deities (Shir’ki) as greater sin in Islam. 
• Obey message from God as conveyed by his Angels to the disciples.

Introductory activity

Look at the pictures below and answer the questions:

1. What faith do the pictures represent?

2. Why are the men kneeling in picture B?

3. What is shown in picture A?

4. What is the name of the building in picture D?

    All these pictures show faith in Islam.

1 The six pillars of Iman

The six pillars of Iman are the six most important beliefs in Islam. Iman means faith. These beliefs are:

• Belief in Allah alone
•  Belief in His angels
•  Belief in His books
•  Belief in His messengers 
•  Belief in the Last Day
•  Belief in the pre-ordainment of all things (Al-Qadr).

In this unit we will study the first two pillars.

• Belief in Allah 
• Belief in His angels.

Activity 

Draw the six pillars of Iman and label them correctly.

1.1 Belief in one God

Believing in Allah and Allah alone is the most important pillar of faith. 

This also means believing in the way He is described through the Qur’an and the Sayings of Prophet Mohammad 

(peace be upon him). 

There are three important aspects of belief in Allah:

• The oneness of the lordship of Allah 
•  The oneness of the Worship 
•  The oneness of the names and the qualities of Allah.

The most beautiful names of Allah

Allah has described Himself in the Qur’an through His names and attributes. 

There are 99 names for Allah. Each of the names of Allah describes a different attribute.

For example, Al-Ghaffar means ‘The Ever Forgiving’. If you were asking for forgiveness for a sin you have committed, 

you would use this name to call on Allah.Here are the first ten most beautiful names of Allah and their meanings.

Activity

Draw a table like the one on below. Choose three of the names of Allah and write them down. 

Next to each name explain what this name means to you.

The name of Allah in Arabic.

The meaning of Shirk

Shirk means worshipping something other than Allah. If we behave or think in a way that is not in keeping 

with believing only in Allah, then we are committing shirk, or sin. Islam is a monotheistic religion. 

Monotheistic means a belief in only one God. In Islam this is known as Tawheed or oneness. 

Some religions believe that there are many gods. These religions are known as polytheistic religions. 

Polytheism is known as shirk, the worship of other gods and of having a rival to Allah.

There are two main categories of shirk:

• Major shirk 
•  Minor shirk

Major shirk occurs when we worship other gods. This includes praying to things such as pictures,

 prophets, religious people or praying to the dead. Idol worship is major shirk. 

Major shirk cannot be forgiven if you die without first asking Allah for forgiveness.

Minor shirk includes boasting or showing off, because you are making yourself more important than you really are. 

Shirk can also be hidden. This happens when our intentions are not pure. 

For example, when we help other people just so that we will look good in the eyes of other people. 

Minor shirk can be forgiven by Allah.

Activity 

1. Look at the following pictures and talk about what forms of shirk are being shown.

2. Discuss how these forms of shirk are committed in Rwanda. 

3. Using examples, show the existence of other types of shirk in Rwanda and explain their consequences.

Exercise

  1. Explain the three aspects of the first pillar of Iman: belief in Allah.

  2. What is the meaning of the oneness of worship?

  3. List the first four names of Allah and their meanings.

  4. Explain why shirk is not acceptable to Allah.

Homework

Obedience to parents is obedience to Allah. Allah’s command to serve Him is immediately followed by

 His command to treat parents with gentleness and humility.

Make a list of all the ways that you can show obedience to your parents.

1.2 Belief in the angels

Allah created the angels to worship Him and carry out His commands. 

They were created out of light before humans were created from earth. Angels are genderless and do not require sleep, 

food or drink. The angels never get bored or tired of worshipping Allah.

Angels can take on many forms.

     • “They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever slacken.” (Quran 21:20)

     • The angels possess great powers given to them by Allah and can take on different forms. T

         he Qur’an describes how at the moment of Jesus’ conception, Allah sent Gabriel to Mary in the form of a man:

     • “…Then We sent to her Our Angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects.” (Qur’an 19:17)

The duties and responsibilities of angels

Angels are obedient to the will of Allah, worshipping Him and obeying His commands. 

Angels have no free choice, so they cannot disobey. Angels have different jobs, including:

• taking care of human beings
•  executing Allah’s commands around the universe
•  serving Allah in the hereafter.

The three greatest angels are Mikail, Israfeel and Jibreel. These angels are also mentioned in the Bible.

 Mikail (Michael) is responsible for rain, directing it wherever Allah wishes.

 Israfeel (Raphael) is responsible for blowing the Horn, which will be blown at the onset of the Day of Judgment.

 Jibreel (Gabriel) is Allah’s heavenly messenger to mankind. He conveys the revelation from

Allah to His human messengers.

The Keepers of Paradise

When we die our souls will either go to Jannah (Paradise) or to Jahannam (Hell-fire), depending on 

how we have lived our life whilst on Earth.

The angels Munkar and Nakeer will question souls in the grave about their faith and deeds. Malak Al-Maut is 

the Angel of Death. He is in charge of taking possession of souls after death.

The keepers of paradise are angels that guard the doors of Jannah and serve the people inside. 

Angel Ridwan is the guardian of Jannah.

There are also nineteen ‘guards’ of Hell whose leader is named Malik. The Keepers of Hell oversee the punishment of disbelievers.

Activity

Make a poster showing the responsibilities of angels. You can decorate this and

put it on your classroom wall.

Exercise

1. What is common to Christian and Islamic beliefs about life after death?

2. Name two angels that appear in both Islamic and Christian literature.

Homework

Describe how angels can help you in your everyday life.

End unit assessment

Make sure you are able to answer the following questions on your own.

1. How many names are there for Allah?

2. Match the name of the angel with the correct description.

3. The correct name for sin in Islam is _______.

4. What are the first and second pillars of Islam?

5. From what substance are angels created?