Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A key terms

A Jewish declaration of faith and collection of Torah passages affirming that God is one and expressing commitment to God’s commandments.

The branch of Islam which recognises divinely appointed Imams after Muhammad as authoritative spiritual guides.

Associating partners or equals with Allah, contrary to the belief in Tawhid.

The first seven-day period of mourning following burial, traditionally observed at home with support from visitors.

A ram's horn sounded during Jewish worship, particularly at Rosh Hashanah and at the end of Yom Kippur.

A sacred area set aside for worship, often containing an image of a deity and offerings.

A room containing a shrine, used for activities such as meditation and devotion.

A Jewish prayer book containing prayers used in regular worship.

The weekly portion of the Torah read during synagogue worship.

Ethical conduct: training in behaviour that avoids harm, including right speech, right action and right livelihood.

A chain of spiritual teaching passed from teacher to disciple within a Sufi tradition.

Remembrance of God, often practised through meditation on God’s Name.

A thought, action or failure to act that goes against God's will and damages a person's relationship with God.

Meaning ‘lion’, a name given to Sikh boys at naming and used by male members of the Khalsa, expressing courage and shared identity.

A family consisting of one parent and their child or children.

An ethical approach that judges an action by whether it is the most loving response to the particular circumstances.

A Tibetan funeral practice in which a deceased person’s body is offered to vultures, expressing generosity, impermanence and the interdependence of living things.

Participation in community life without exclusion because of social background or status.

Fairness within society, including challenging oppression and the conditions that keep people disadvantaged.

The Protestant principle that justification, being made right with God, is received through faith alone rather than earned through human merit.

The Protestant principle that the Bible is the ultimate authority for Christian belief and practice.

Recognising responsibility for other people and standing alongside them through practical support and action against unjust structures, particularly those causing poverty or exclusion.

A title linking Jesus with King David and the expectation of a ruler from David’s royal line.

A title expressing Jesus’ divine identity and his relationship with God the Father. Most Christians believe that the Son is the second person of the Trinity.

A title Jesus uses for himself in Mark, including when explaining his mission of service and sacrifice.

The spiritual aspect of a person, which many Jews believe can continue to exist after the body dies.

The development of a person’s moral and spiritual character through responding to challenges and difficulties.