Tawhid and Risalah (1RB0)

A belief is not the answer. It is the reason

On this paper Islam sits inside Religion, Peace and Conflict. The questions are not "what do Muslims believe?" so much as "what should a Muslim do, and why?" That changes what a belief is for. Tawhid and Risalah are where the arguments start: they are the grounds a Muslim reasons from about forgiveness, justice and how to treat an enemy. This module is about turning a belief you know into evidence you can use.

What each attribute gives you to argue with

You already know the attributes. Here is what a Muslim can build on each of them, which is what this paper actually asks for. The specification names Surah 112 on Tawhid:

Match each attribute to what a Muslim might argue from it

Mercy and justice, held together

The strongest answers on this paper resist a simple line. Muslims hold both of these, and an argument that uses only one is easy to knock down in the evaluation.

Assert, or evidence?

Here is the difference between a mid-mark answer and a top one on this paper. Asserting: "Muslims believe Allah is merciful, so they should forgive." True, and it goes nowhere. Evidencing: "Muslims believe Allah is the Most Merciful, the phrase that opens nearly every surah of the Qur'an. A believer who hopes to receive that mercy has a reason to extend it, which is why many Muslims argue for reconciliation rather than revenge." The second one names the belief, shows where it comes from, and draws the consequence. Three moves, one sentence each. Do that and the evaluation almost writes itself, because you have something an opposing view has to answer.

Which sentence uses the belief as evidence?

Three sentences from an invented student answer, written for this module. Tap the one that uses a belief as evidence rather than simply stating it.

• Muslims believe that Allah is merciful.
• Because Muslims believe Allah is the Most Merciful, a believer hoping to receive that mercy has a reason to extend it, which is why many argue for reconciliation rather than revenge.
• Personally I think forgiveness is usually the best approach.

Which sentence stops too early?

Same invented answer. Tap the sentence that states a belief without doing anything with it.

• Muslims believe that Allah is merciful.
• Because Muslims believe Allah is the Most Merciful, a believer hoping to receive that mercy has a reason to extend it, which is why many argue for reconciliation rather than revenge.
• Others would argue that mercy without justice leaves the victim with nothing, which is why the two are held together.

Risalah: not just a list

Risalah is prophethood. On this paper what matters is that Muslims regard the prophets as examples to follow, so a question about conduct can be answered from them. The specification names Surah 2:136, in which believers affirm the prophets without distinguishing between them:

Which would gain the most credit?

A question asks whether a Muslim should forgive someone who has wronged them. Which answer opening would gain most credit?

• Muslims believe Allah is the Most Merciful, so a believer hoping for that mercy has a reason to extend it to others
• Muslims believe Allah is merciful and forgiving
• Forgiveness is generally the right thing to do
• Muslims believe in Tawhid, Risalah, Akhirah, al-Qadr, the angels and the holy books

What does Risalah give a Muslim?

Select the TWO statements that accurately describe the role of Risalah in guiding how a Muslim acts.

• Guidance about conduct comes through prophets Allah has sent, rather than being left to individual opinion
• The prophets, and Muhammad above all, are regarded as examples of how to behave
• Only Muhammad is regarded as a prophet, so only his example counts
• The prophets are believed to share in the divine nature

Order the answer

Put the moves of an evaluation answer that uses a belief as evidence into a workable order.

• Name the belief precisely, and say which tradition holds it if that matters
• Show where it comes from, by referring to a named source
• Draw the consequence: what it gives a Muslim a reason to do
• Give the strongest view on the other side, using a belief rather than an opinion
• Weigh the two, saying which is stronger and why
• State a judgement that answers the question actually asked

Three decisions

Three moments in an evaluation answer on this paper. Choose what you would do.

• You have written "Muslims believe Allah is merciful." What comes next?
• Your whole answer argues from mercy towards forgiveness. What is the weakness?
• You want to use Risalah in a question about how a Muslim should treat an opponent. How?

Belief as a reason, not an answer

On this paper a belief is _____, not the answer itself. _____, the oneness of Allah, grounds arguments about one human family; the _____ of Allah grounds arguments for forgiveness; and His justice grounds arguments for a fair response. Muslims hold mercy and justice _____ rather than choosing between them. _____ matters here because Muslims regard the prophets as examples to follow, so a question about conduct can be answered from them.

Should forgiveness always follow?

Evaluate this statement: "A Muslim should always forgive someone who has wronged them." Give reasoned arguments on both sides and reach a judgement.

• Argue one side using a named belief, showing where it comes from and what it gives a Muslim reason to do
• Argue the other side using a belief as well, not merely an opinion
• Refer to at least one named source, and be clear about which tradition holds a belief if it matters
• Reach a judgement that answers the statement, and say what the strongest objection to your judgement would be