Higher RMPS: Essential Islam Revision Notes

These notes were provided by a former Higher RMPS student as a summary to aid with their revision. With his permission, I am sharing them here to help you consolidate your own understanding of the World Religions: Islam unit!

1. The Nature of God (Allah) & Submission

Core Beliefs About God

• Tawhid: The fundamental belief in the unity and absolute oneness of God.
• The 99 Names: These names show Allah’s different qualities (e.g., Al-Khaliq – The Creator).
• Omnipotence: Allah is all-powerful.
• Omniscience: Allah knows all things.
• Omnibenevolence: Allah is all-merciful.

How These Beliefs Affect Daily Life

• Submission: Acknowledging Allah’s exceptional power encourages Muslims to submit to His will on a daily basis.
• Environmental Respect: Giving to environmental charities or doing voluntary work with “green” organisations out of respect for God’s creation.
• Humanitarian Concern: Showing respect for humanity through a concern for human rights, alleviating suffering, and a strict commitment to giving charity (Zakat).

Why is Submission Important?

• Allah is placed above all worldly things, including school, family, and friends.
• The declaration of faith (Shahadah) requires a lifelong commitment to submit to the will of Allah.
• Submission is the path to gaining access to Paradise (al Jannah) on the Day of Judgement.
• It follows the perfect example set by the Prophet Muhammad.
• Allah is the creator of all things, including humanity, so submission is owed to Him.

2. Humanity, Free Will, and Sin

The Nature of Human Beings

• The Pinnacle of Creation: Humans are considered higher even than angels.
• Fitrah: Humans are born with an inbuilt moral compass guiding them toward God.
• Separation: Humanity was separated from Allah by the original actions of Adam and Hawwah (Eve).
• The Unforgivable Sin: Humans must avoid shirk (idolatry/worshipping anything other than Allah), which is the one unforgivable sin.

Khaliphas (Stewardship)

Muslims believe they have a stewardship role as guardians of the planet on Allah’s behalf.

• The Role: To make the most of creation and sustain the earth’s resources and other species.
• The Impact: Muslims must actively look after the planet (avoiding litter or pollution) and care for the less fortunate.
• Why it matters: Being a Khalipha shows submission to Allah, respects His creation, sets a good example, and is a direct commandment demonstrating true faith.

Free Will & Sin

• Responsibility: While aspects of life are predestined, Allah gives humans the free will to choose how they respond. The ability to make choices proves humans have a conscience and a moral law within.
• Defining Sin: Muslims see sin as an act, not a permanent state of being.
• Forgiveness: Islam teaches that God is deeply merciful. Minor sins will be forgiven if a person repents, but major sins (like shirk) weigh heavily.
• Daily Impact: Belief in sin means Muslims strive to avoid dishonesty, diligently keep the Five Pillars, follow Muhammad’s example, and practice Ihsan (living every moment as though you can see Allah right there with you).

3. The Prophet Muhammad & The Qur’anThe Qur’an on a traditional wooden stand. Source: MASTER / Getty Images

Muhammad: The Seal of the Prophets

• The Messenger: Muhammad was chosen by God as both a prophet (Nabi) and a messenger (Rasul). His mission was to restore the monotheistic truth previously revealed through earlier prophets like Adem, Ibrahim, and Musa.
• The Final Word: Muslims call him the “Seal of the Prophets” because the messages he received were the final, complete words from Allah to humanity. There will be no prophets after him.
• The Role Model: Muhammad is the ultimate spiritual example. He showed absolute trust, patience, and faith in Allah’s will. He was a fearless preacher and a great leader in Madina, setting the standard for how all Muslims should live.

The Revelation of the Qur’an

• The Process: The Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad by Allah over a period of 23 years. Because Muhammad was illiterate, he memorised the divine messages.
• The Final Guide: Each passage was memorised by his followers and later written down to form the Qur’an. It is considered the exact, unaltered word of Allah and the ultimate guide to salvation.
• Living by the Book: The Qur’an dictates how to live on the right path. It sets out the Five Pillars, mandates charity for the poor, requires fasting to build empathy and purity, and forbids harmful substances like alcohol (khamr) and drugs permanently.

4. The Day of Judgement (Yawm al-din)

Most Muslims believe that after death, they remain in their graves until the Day of Judgement. On that day, all will be raised and brought before Allah to be judged on their earthly lives.

• Al Jannah (Paradise): Those whose good deeds outweigh their bad will enter Jannah—an eternal place of peace in the presence of Allah where all desires are met.
• Jahannam (Hell): Those whose evil deeds outweigh their good will face Jahannam—a place of continuous torment and fire, separated from Allah.
• Importance: Belief in judgement ensures Muslims understand that all actions have consequences. It provides the ultimate motivation to live a good life, submit to Allah, and seek forgiveness for mistakes.

5. The Five Pillars of Islam & Worship

The Five Pillars hold up and strengthen the Islamic faith. They teach self-discipline, sacrifice, and obedience while helping Muslims overcome greed.

Pillar	Name	Key Details
1. Faith	Shahadah	“I believe there is one God and that Muhammad is his Messenger.” Whispered into the ears of newborns; stating it three times with sincerity is all it takes to become a Muslim.
2. Prayer	Salat	Praying five times a day facing the Ka’aba in Makkah. Requires Wudu (ritual washing) beforehand. Can be done in a mosque or any clean place.
3. Charity	Zakat	A compulsory annual donation of 2.5% of surplus wealth to help the poor. Those below the Nisab(wealth threshold) are exempt.
4. Fasting	Saum	Fasting during daylight hours for the 29/30 days of Ramadan. Exemptions exist for the elderly, ill, or pregnant. Ends with the festival of Eid ul Fitr.
5. Pilgrimage	Hajj	A pilgrimage to Mecca required once in a lifetime (if physically and financially able). Pilgrims wear seamless white Ihram garments. Ends with Eid ul Adha.

Pilgrims gathered at the Kaaba during Hajj. Source: Sony Herdiana / Getty Images

The Impact of Worship

Alongside the Five Pillars, the daily recitation of the Qur’an (read in its original Arabic) provides a steady rhythm to a Muslim’s day. Regular worship creates a deep sense of closeness to Allah, builds spiritual strength, and fosters a constant appreciation for God’s creation.