AQA GCSE Religious Studies key terms

Divine justice: the belief that Allah is just, particularly emphasised as one of the five roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi’a Islam.

A sexual relationship between a married person and someone who is not their spouse.

Existence after physical death; Jewish beliefs differ about what form this takes.

Selfless love that seeks the good of others, including those who do not return that love.

One of the five interacting aspects that make up a person: form, sensation, perception, mental formations and consciousness. Together they are called the Five Aggregates or skandhas.

The family or household of Prophet Muhammad, through whom the line of Shi’a Imams continued.

The Islamic belief in life after death.

Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, regarded by Shi’a Muslims as the first Imam and rightful successor to Muhammad.

The Arabic word for God, used by Muslims for the one God whom they worship.

Divine decree or predestination: the belief that everything takes place within Allah’s knowledge and will.

The Buddha, also called Amida, in whom Pure Land Buddhists place their faith and whose Pure Land is Sukhavati.

The Buddhist teaching that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul.

A spiritual being created by Allah, understood in Islam to be made of light, who obeys Allah and carries out his commands.

Impermanence: things that arise through causes and conditions change rather than remaining fixed forever.

A Church ruling that a marriage was never valid, rather than the ending of a valid marriage.

The former system of legally enforced racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa that denied Black South Africans equal rights.

A high-ranking angel with a particularly important role.

An enlightened person who has overcome craving and ignorance and attained liberation; an important ideal in Theravada Buddhism.

Preventing pregnancy using a device, medicine or other artificial method, such as a condom or contraceptive pill.

Jesus being taken up to heaven, traditionally understood to have occurred forty days after his resurrection.

A way of life involving strict self-discipline and the denial of physical comforts or pleasures for a spiritual purpose.

The restoration of the relationship between God and humanity through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.

Clinging to people, possessions or experiences as though they could provide permanent satisfaction.

The recognised power of a text, person or teaching to guide beliefs and actions.

Freedom to make decisions about one's own life and body.

The state between death and resurrection in which souls await the Day of Judgement.

Goodness, generosity and loving kindness. Muslims believe Allah is the source of goodness.