Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A key terms

The Muslim festival of sacrifice, remembering Ibrahim’s and his son’s willingness to obey Allah.

The Muslim festival marking the completion of fasting during Ramadan.

A Shi’a Muslim festival celebrating the belief that Muhammad appointed Ali as his successor at Ghadeer Khumm.

The meal that breaks the daily Ramadan fast at sunset.

Failure to understand spiritual reality or right conduct; it can involve mistaking temporary things for lasting sources of happiness.

The sacred state entered by a pilgrim for Hajj, associated with simple clothing and a focus on worship.

Consensus; in Sunni legal reasoning, the agreement of qualified scholars on a religious ruling.

The disciplined effort of a qualified scholar to derive a ruling from Islamic sources.

‘There is only one God’: the opening expression of the Mool Mantar, affirming the oneness of God.

Divine inspiration, through which Shi’a Muslims believe Imams receive guidance; distinguished from the prophetic revelation received by Muhammad.

The Christian belief that human beings are created to reflect God and have God-given worth; Genesis 1:27 applies this to both male and female.

Visual representations used to communicate ideas or beliefs, such as pictures and symbolic designs in religious art.

A religious experience perceived inwardly, such as an awareness of a divine presence or a vivid dream carrying a message.

A person who leads Muslim congregational prayer; the term can have other meanings in Islam.

The belief in the authority of divinely appointed Imams who guide the Muslim community after Muhammad, beginning with Ali.

The institution of leadership and religious authority exercised by the Imams in Shi’a Islam.

God’s presence and activity within the world.

Being present and active within creation.

Making judgements fairly, without favouring someone because of personal interests, relationships or prejudice.

The teaching that things arise, change and pass away rather than remaining permanently the same.

The Christian belief that God the Son became human in Jesus Christ.

Enabling people experiencing poverty to participate fully in society, with their needs, voices, cultures and contributions respected.

Three claims argued to be incompatible: God is all-powerful, God is perfectly loving, and evil and suffering exist.

The quality of a marriage bond that cannot be dissolved. Catholic teaching holds that a ratified and consummated marriage between baptised people cannot be dissolved by human power.

Worship carried out by a person on their own, for example through silent prayer or Bible reflection.

Teaching beliefs in a way that discourages questioning or considering alternatives.

In Catholic teaching, the remission of temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, granted through the Church under prescribed conditions.