Refresher & Advanced · Aqeedah Refresher

Core Beliefs and Actions in Islam

Test your knowledge of essential Islamic beliefs and prescribed actions.

5 questions · Hard · about 4 minutes

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5 questions, about 4 minutes.

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Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 5 questions.

1. What should a Muslim do after uttering the Shahaadatayn?

  • Show commitment to Tawheed and Islamic teachings. (correct answer)
  • Assume that no actions or beliefs matter afterward.
  • Judge other people’s hearts and hidden sincerity.
  • Memorize scholarly lists before practicing Islam.

Why

A person is treated outwardly as a Muslim when he utters the Shahaadatayn and shows the outward signs of Islam. After that, he should demonstrate commitment to the requirements of Tawheed by adhering to Islamic teachings. True faith includes understanding and acting upon Tawheed inwardly and outwardly, but people are judged in this world by what they outwardly show; hidden sincerity and the true state of hearts are for Allah to judge. Memorizing scholarly classifications of the conditions of Tawheed is not required of ordinary Muslims, though they must believe in and act upon their meanings.

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2. What should a Muslim do if he is unsure whether his speech will be good and rewarded?

  • Refrain from speaking. (correct answer)
  • Speak first and regret it later.
  • Discuss every doubtful matter publicly.
  • Speak freely as long as the words are not clearly haram.

Why

A Muslim should control his tongue and speak only when he expects the speech to be good and rewarded, whether obligatory or recommended. If he is unsure that the speech is good, then silence is safer, even if the speech appears merely permissible, because permissible talk may lead to disliked or forbidden speech. The source also warns against harmful speech concerning the Companions, astrology, and speculative argument about the divine decree.

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3. When does ruling by something other than what Allah revealed become major kufr?

  • When a person regards Allah’s ruling as insignificant or believes another ruling is better or more beneficial. (correct answer)
  • Whenever a Muslim commits any act of disobedience.
  • Only when the ruler is unjust in worldly matters.
  • Never, because rulings are unrelated to Tawheed.

Why

Ruling by what Allah revealed is part of Tawheed and submission to Allah’s Lordship and sovereignty. Whoever rejects Allah’s ruling, looks down on it, regards it as insignificant, or believes that another law is better or more beneficial has fallen into major kufr. But if someone rules by other than what Allah revealed out of wrongdoing, vengeance, bribery, or worldly desire while still believing Allah’s ruling is superior and obligatory, then the source distinguishes this from major kufr and describes it as wrongdoing or fisq, depending on the case.

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4. What is a consequence of using belief in qadar as an excuse not to take appropriate means?

  • It leads to laziness, inaction, and weakness. (correct answer)
  • It perfects reliance on Allah.
  • It strengthens the ummah against its enemies.
  • It proves that effort has no role in Islam.

Why

Belief in the divine decree should not be used as an excuse for laziness or abandoning effort. Allah’s decree is hidden from us, but what Allah commands us to do is known. Therefore Muslims must take prescribed and permissible means, strive to do good, enjoin what is right, oppose wrong, seek knowledge, and work for success while relying upon Allah. Taking the proper means does not contradict belief in qadar; rather, it is part of perfecting that belief.

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5. What does it mean to bear witness that there is no god except Allah?

  • To deny that anyone besides Allah has the right to be worshipped and affirm that worship belongs to Allah alone. (correct answer)
  • To affirm that many beings may be worshipped if they are righteous.
  • To believe only that Allah created the universe.
  • To say the words while accepting worship of others.

Why

Bearing witness that there is no god except Allah means negating worship from everything besides Allah and affirming worship for Allah alone, with no partner or associate. The words “laa ilaaha” deny that anything worshipped besides Allah has the right to worship, and “illa Allah” affirms that all worship belongs only to Allah. This testimony is inseparable from bearing witness that Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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