Religion Assignment Task 1 Research Scaffold
Syllabus ‘learn to’ statements
Define Tawhid
Define Akhira
Describe Sharia
Describe TWO of the Five Pillars…
Points for…
Provide an understanding and
explanation, with support from
examples, of how Tawhid and
Akhira inform the Ethical
Teachings and Expressions of Faith
of Islam.
• Outline the implications of Tawhid for Muslim belief
• Outline the principal beliefs about Angels, life after death and fate/predestination
• Outline the principal ethical teachings within Islam
• Outline each of the Five Pillars
Tawhid is the indivisible oneness of God in Islam (Allah) as our creator where he is the centre point of life.
Akhira is the belief in everlasting life after death where individuals will be judged based on their actions in the
present life on the ‘Day of Judgement’.
Sharia, also known as Islamic law, is a set of moral and religious principles that guide Muslims in various aspects of
their lives, including human behaviour, morals, social issues, and relationships. It is derived from the Quran,
Hadith, Qiyas, and Ijma, and reflects the holistic nature of Islamic jurisprudence, which intertwines religious and
secular teachings. Sharia emphasises the absolute submission to the will of Allah, shaping all aspects of Muslim
life, from personal behaviours to social and political engagements. To make Sharia an easier concept in daily life
adherents must follow the five categories of behaviour: Mubah, Makruh, Haraam, Fard and Mustahab.
Shahada - Shahada is the central tenet and profession of the Islamic faith that is the nature of the principle belief
of Islam that there is one God and that Prophet Muhammad has been given Allah’s revelation. It reads: “There is
no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”. Muslims are constantly reminded of the Shahada
where its recital occurs during each of the five daily prayers as well as many pivotal moments in a Muslim's life.
Every Muslim must say this creed with conviction at least once in their lifetime.
Sawm - Sawm is an obligatory act of worship in which Muslims must refrain from food, drink and smoking from
dawn to sunset during the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar (Ramadan). During this month, Muslims fast
to purify their souls, increase discipline, empathise with the poor and increase their devotion to Allah. Fostering a
sense of unity and fraternity within the Umma, the world community of Islam as well as affirming pivotal historic
events that occurred during the ninth month.
Tawhid
- The belief in the unity and monotheistic oneness of Allah linking to Shahada, the declaration of faith (No
God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet).
- The transcendence of Allah and his absolute sovereignty over all.
- Informs morality in Muslims to live their lives in accordance with the Tawhid, a central concept in Islamic
theology and jurisprudence that shapes Muslims' understanding of Allah’s will.
- An obligation for Muslims is that it’s a sin to compare anything to Allah and that all other deities and
objects of idolatry such as drugs, money etc must be dismissed.
- Shahada affirms Tawhid. The declaration of faith in Islam through the Shahada is an expression of the
Muslim adherent's belief in the Oneness of Allah.
- Tawhid teaches Muslim adherents that Allah is the only one worthy of worship, and the practice of
Sawm is an expression of this belief.
Akhira
- Emphasis on honesty and integrity in undertaking acts of worship that will be accounted for on the ‘Day
of Judgement’.
- The belief in Akhira emphasises the importance of adherents’ behaviour in determining their position in
the afterlife, which in turn shapes the ethical conduct and expressions of faith of Muslims.
- The belief in Akhira reminds Muslims of Allah's mercy to all, which encourages them to be merciful,
compassionate, and forgiving to others.
- Akhira changes the perspective on material possessions, as Muslims are encouraged to prioritize
spiritual wealth, such as taking part in Salat five times a day over material possessions.
- The belief in Akhira reinforces the importance of the Shahada, as Muslim adherents believe that the
declaration of faith is necessary for achieving salvation in the afterlife.
- Akhira helps Muslims cope with difficulties and injustices in this world, as it reminds them of the reward
in the afterlife for those who endure hardships and remain steadfast in their faith.
- Akhira reinforces the importance of self-discipline and self-control during Sawm to be rewarded in the
afterlife.
Points for…
Provide an understanding and
explanation, with support from
examples, of how Tawhid and
Akhira. the Ethical Teachings and
Expressions of Faith of Islam,
provide meaning and purpose for
a Muslim Adherent.
How will you use the directive
term ‘Demonstrate’ in your
response?
Locate TWO quotes from the
Quran and TWO quotes from the
Hadith that could be used to
support your response.
Explain the meaning of the
stimulus:
“The purpose of life is to achieve
real happiness by worshipping the
one true God in everything we do”.
Dr Bilal Philips
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Reference in APA 7
- Akhira provides the framework for understanding the purpose of humane existence by worshipping
Allah and being rewarded with Jannah, the eternal abode of righteous believers. Hence providing
meaning for Muslim adherents.
- Akhira encourages Muslims to focus on long-term consequences rather than immediate gratification to
be rewarded in the afterlife
- Tawhid serves as a moral compass for Muslim adherents guiding them with a set of values and principles
by which they must abide to lead a virtuous and ethical life to submit perfectly to the will of Allah.
- Tawhid offers a sense of security and comfort to Muslim adherents, as they believe that Allah is the only
source of power and control in the universe and that he is always watching over them.
- The ethical system helps provide meaning for Muslim adherents and helps them to distinguish between
right and wrong in their daily conduct informing Sharia law.
- Jurisprudence provides a detailed framework for Muslim adherents to understand and apply the ethical
teachings of Islam in their daily lives.
- The declaration of Shahada provides a sense of identity and purpose for Muslim adherents, as it marks
them as members of the Muslim community and reminds them of their commitment to Allah.
- Sawm is a time of spiritual reflection and introspection, where Muslim adherents are encouraged to
reflect on their relationship with Allah, repent for their sins, and increase their devotion to Him.
I will use the directive term ‘demonstrate’ to show the interaction between the principal beliefs of Tawhid and
Akhira, the ethical system and the chosen pillars of Shahada and Sawm on how they provide meaning and
purpose for a Muslim adherent with the support of examples from sacred texts and writings.
- "Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him… He who associates others with Allah has certainly
fabricated a tremendous sin". (Quran 4:48)
- "Fasting is a shield; so when one of you is fasting, he should not use foul or foolish talk." (Sahih Bukhari,
Book 31, Hadith 118).
- “Whoever disbelieves in Allah after his belief... except for one who is forced while his heart is secure in
faith. But those who open their breasts to disbelief… for them is a great punishment."(Quran 16:106).
- "When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed…" (Sahih
al-Bukhari, Book 31, Hadith 123).
This stimulus implies that the ultimate goal of human life is to worship one God to attain true happiness. It reveals
that one’s entire life should be devoted to Allah not just in religious frames and circumstances, but in all aspects
of everyday life. In essence, it emphasises the centrality of a holistic life and that through submitting to the will of
Allah, true fulfilment and happiness will be unveiled providing meaning and purpose in life.
El Shamsy Ahmed. (2023, March 29). Sharia | definition, law, & countries. Retrieved April 20, 2023 from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shariah
Assunnah Muslims Association. (2021, November 17). Chapter 2 the 5 pillars of islam. Mosqueofmercy. Retrieved
April 20, 2023 from https://www.mymasjid.ca/beginners-guide-understand ing-islam/chapter-2/
Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai. (2014, February 22). Religion.
Retrieved April 20, 2023 from https://www.al-islam.org/islamic-teachings-brief-s
ayyid-muhammad-husayn-tabatabai/religion#2-ethics
John L. Esposito. (n.d.). The five pillars of islam. Retrieved April 20, 2023 from
https://global.oup.com/us/companion.websites/97801 99381456/five_pillars/
Quran Ayat Institute. (2020, June 20). The 5 pillars of islam | quran ayat.
Retrieved April 20, 2023 from https://quranayat.com/the-5-pillars-of-islam/
BBC. (2023). Akhirah - key beliefs in islam - gcse religious studies revision - eduqas - bbc bitesize. Retrieved April
20, 2023 from https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zjx7xfr/revi sion/4