Tawhid: Identical to the Sunni belief in the absolute oneness of God. It is the root from which all other beliefs grow.
Adalat (Divine Justice): The belief that Allah is perfectly just and wise. He does not do wrong and holds humans accountable for their actions based on their free will.
Nubuwwah: Belief in prophethood. Shi'as emphasize that prophets were sent to provide a 'right path' of peaceful submission to Allah.
Imamate (Al-Imamah): The belief in the twelve Imams as the divinely appointed leaders of Islam. These Imams are considered infallible protectors of the faith who prevent the corruption of the message.
Ma'ad (Resurrection): The belief that all humans will be physically resurrected on the Day of Judgement to account for their intentions and deeds.
| Feature | Sunni Perspective | Shi'a Perspective |
|---|---|---|
| Imam | An educated male leader of prayer chosen by the community. | A divinely appointed, infallible successor of Muhammad from his lineage. |
| Authority | Derived from the Qur'an and the Sunnah (consensus of the community). | Derived from the Qur'an, Sunnah, and the divine wisdom of the Imams. |
| Human Agency | Al-Qadr: God has written all decrees; human choice exists within God's plan. | Adalat: Emphasis on free will; God knows the future but humans are responsible for choices. |
| Justice | Part of God's nature but not a separate 'Article' of faith. | Adalat is a core 'Root'; God's justice is a fundamental pillar of the universe. |
Terminology is Critical: Always use the Arabic terms (e.g., Tawhid, Adalat, Imamate) alongside English translations to secure higher marks in descriptive questions.
Identify the Overlap: When asked about similarities, focus on Tawhid, Nubuwwah, and the Day of Judgement. These are the 'common ground' between both traditions.
Contrast the Imams: A frequent exam trap is the definition of an 'Imam'. Be prepared to explain that for Sunnis, it is a functional role (prayer leader), while for Shi'as, it is a theological status (divinely appointed successor).
Check the Numbers: Remember Sunni = 6 Articles; Shi'a = 5 Roots. Do not confuse these with the Five Pillars (practices).
Confusing Articles with Pillars: Students often mix up the Six Articles of Faith (beliefs) with the Five Pillars of Islam (actions). The Articles are what you think/believe; the Pillars are what you do.
Misunderstanding Al-Qadr: It is a mistake to think Al-Qadr means humans have no choice. Sunni theology teaches that while God knows and decrees the outcome, humans still exercise agency and are responsible for their intentions.
The 'Lost' Books: Note that while Muslims believe in the Torah and Gospels, they believe these were altered over time. Only the Qur'an is considered the direct, preserved word of Allah.
