AQA GCSE Religious Studies A key terms

Severe deprivation of basic necessities such as food, clean water and shelter.

Having more resources than are needed to live on. Jesus contrasts giving from abundance with the widow’s giving from poverty.

Being answerable for one’s beliefs, intentions and actions; in Islam, ultimately before Allah.

Something a person does, as distinct from what they think about or intend to do.

Deliberately taking action to end another person’s life, for example by administering a lethal injection.

The justice of Allah: God always acts fairly and rightly. It is one of the Five Roots of faith in Shi’a Islam.

Dependence on a substance or activity, such as alcohol, drugs or gambling, that a person finds difficult to control or stop despite harmful consequences.

The Islamic call announcing prayer.

A legal process through which someone becomes the parent of a child born to other parents.

Prayer that praises God and acknowledges his greatness and goodness.

Sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their spouse.

The period of preparation for Christmas, beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas.

Existence after physical death.

Unconditional, selfless love that seeks another person’s good without expecting a reward.

The age at which a person is legally old enough to agree to sexual activity. In the UK, this is 16.

The principle of not harming living beings, important in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

An uninterrupted reading of the entire Guru Granth Sahib, normally completed by a team of readers over about 48 hours.

The Islamic belief in life after death.

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

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

A story in which particular characters, objects or events represent other things, giving it a deeper meaning.

Divine decree or predestination: belief that everything is within Allah's knowledge and sovereign will.

Selfless concern for other people’s welfare, rather than acting for personal benefit.

A Buddha associated with the western Pure Land, towards which the deceased’s head may be positioned in Japanese Pure Land funerals. Also known as Amitabha Buddha.

The ‘Standing Prayer’: a central Jewish prayer consisting of blessings of praise, requests and thanksgiving, recited standing and facing Jerusalem.

The Buddha on whom Pure Land Buddhists place their faith, believed to reside in Sukhavati and help beings towards enlightenment; also called Amida.

The Shi'a obligatory act of encouraging others to do what is right according to Islam.