AJKPSC Test Islamiyat Syllabus

What was the occasion and significance of the Prophet's (PBUH) Farewell Sermon (Khutba Hujjat-ul-Wida)?

Delivered during the Farewell Pilgrimage in 10 AH at Arafat, it emphasized human equality, sanctity of life and property, women's rights, abolition of interest (riba) and tribal blood feuds, and adherence to the Quran and Sunnah.

Who were the four Khulafa-e-Rashideen in order, and what is the total span of their rule?

Abu Bakr (RA), Umar (RA), Uthman (RA), and Ali (RA), in that order. Their combined Rightly-Guided Caliphate lasted about 30 years (11 AH / 632 CE to 40 AH / 661 CE).

What were the major achievements of Caliph Abu Bakr (RA)?

Suppressing the apostasy (Ridda) wars, defeating false prophets like Musaylimah, beginning the first compilation of the Quran into one place, and launching conquests against the Persian and Byzantine empires.

List key administrative reforms introduced by Caliph Umar (RA).

Establishing the Hijri calendar, creating the Diwan (state registers/pension system), organizing provinces with governors, founding a judiciary (Qazis), instituting the Bait-ul-Maal, and night patrols for public welfare.

What major religious project was completed under Caliph Uthman (RA), and what was its purpose?

The standardization of the Quran into a single authoritative text (the 'Uthmani' mushaf), with copies sent to major centers and variant copies burned, to prevent disputes over recitation and preserve uniformity.

What internal conflicts marked the caliphate of Ali (RA)?

The First Fitna (civil war), including the Battle of the Camel (against forces with Aisha RA, Talha, Zubair) and the Battle of Siffin (against Muawiyah), and the emergence of the Khawarij who later assassinated him.

Who founded the Umayyad dynasty, what was its capital, and what was its approximate span?

Founded by Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan in 661 CE with its capital at Damascus. The Umayyad Caliphate lasted until 750 CE (about 89 years).

Name two major achievements of the Umayyad period.

Vast territorial expansion (from Spain/Andalusia in the west to Sindh and Central Asia in the east), and Arabization of administration—making Arabic the official language and minting the first Islamic coinage under Abd al-Malik.

Who founded the Abbasid dynasty, in what year, and where was its famous capital?

The Abbasids overthrew the Umayyads in 750 CE, with Abul Abbas as-Saffah as the first caliph. Their famous capital was Baghdad, founded by Caliph Al-Mansur in 762 CE.

Why is the Abbasid era called the 'Golden Age of Islam'?

Because of its flourishing of science, philosophy, medicine, and translation—centered on the Bait-ul-Hikmah (House of Wisdom) in Baghdad—producing scholars like Al-Khwarizmi, Al-Razi, and Ibn Sina, especially under Harun al-Rashid and Al-Ma'mun.

Who led the first Muslim conquest of Sindh, in what year, and against which ruler?

Muhammad bin Qasim, an Umayyad general, conquered Sindh in 711-712 CE, defeating Raja Dahir of the Brahman dynasty.

Name the dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate in chronological order.

The Slave/Mamluk dynasty, the Khilji dynasty, the Tughlaq dynasty, the Sayyid dynasty, and the Lodhi dynasty (collectively the Delhi Sultanate, c. 1206-1526 CE).

Who founded the Mughal Empire in the subcontinent, and in which battle?

Zaheer-ud-Din Babur founded the Mughal Empire by defeating Ibrahim Lodhi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 CE.

Who was Mujaddid Alf Sani, and what was his contribution to Islamic revival in the subcontinent?

Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi (Mujaddid Alf Sani, 'Reviver of the Second Millennium') opposed Akbar's syncretic 'Din-i-Ilahi' and reasserted orthodox Islamic belief, especially the doctrine of Wahdat-ush-Shuhud over Wahdat-ul-Wujud.

What was Shah Waliullah Dehlavi's major contribution to Islamic revival?

He translated the Quran into Persian, wrote 'Hujjatullah-il-Baligha', worked to reconcile Islamic schools of thought, and laid intellectual foundations for later reform movements in the subcontinent (18th century).

Identify two 19th/20th-century Islamic revival movements in the subcontinent and their founders.

The Aligarh Movement, founded by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (promoting modern education for Muslims), and the Deoband Movement, founded by Maulana Qasim Nanautvi and Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (preserving traditional Islamic scholarship).

What is the central message of Surah Al-Ikhlas (112), and why is it important?

It declares the absolute Oneness, eternity, and uniqueness of Allah—He is One (Ahad), Self-Sufficient (Samad), neither begets nor is begotten, and has no equal. It is said to equal one-third of the Quran for summarizing Tauheed.

What does Ayat-ul-Kursi (Al-Baqarah 2:255) describe about Allah?

It describes Allah's absolute sovereignty and attributes: the Ever-Living (Al-Hayy), the Sustainer (Al-Qayyum), free of slumber, owner of the heavens and earth, with all-encompassing knowledge, whose Kursi extends over the heavens and earth.

What is the core teaching of Surah Al-Asr (103)?

It teaches that all of humanity is in loss except those who have faith (Iman), do righteous deeds, and counsel one another to truth and patience—presenting a concise formula for success in this life and the Hereafter.

Describe the stages of the Quran's revelation and compilation during the Prophet's lifetime.

The Quran was revealed gradually over about 23 years. During the Prophet's life it was both memorized by Huffaz and written down by scribes (Kuttab-e-Wahi) on materials like palm leaves, bones, and parchment, arranged by his direction.

How was the Quran compiled into a single book under Abu Bakr (RA), and who led the effort?

After many Huffaz died in the Battle of Yamamah, Umar (RA) urged compilation. Abu Bakr (RA) appointed Zaid bin Thabit (RA) to collect and verify all written and memorized portions into one authenticated copy (Suhuf).

What is Hadith, and what are its two essential structural components?

Hadith is the recorded sayings, actions, and tacit approvals of the Prophet (PBUH). Its two components are the Sanad (chain of narrators) and the Matn (the actual text/content of the report).

Classify Hadith by authenticity and by the number of narrators.

By authenticity: Sahih (sound), Hasan (good), Da'if (weak), and Maudu (fabricated). By number of narrators: Mutawatir (mass-transmitted) and Ahad (single/limited chains).

Name the six canonical books of Hadith (Sihah Sitta).

Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawood, Jami at-Tirmidhi, Sunan an-Nasa'i, and Sunan Ibn Majah.

What are the four primary sources of Islamic law (Shariah) in order of authority?

1) The Quran, 2) the Sunnah (Hadith), 3) Ijma (consensus of scholars), and 4) Qiyas (analogical reasoning).

What is the difference between Ijma and Qiyas as sources of Islamic law?

Ijma is the unanimous consensus of qualified Muslim scholars (Mujtahidin) on a legal ruling. Qiyas is analogical deduction—extending a ruling from an existing text to a new case sharing the same effective cause (illah).

What are the five pillars of Islam (Arkan-e-Islam)?

Shahadah (declaration of faith), Salah (five daily prayers), Zakat (obligatory charity), Sawm (fasting in Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah for those able).

What is the difference between Ibadat and Muamalat in Islamic teachings?

Ibadat refers to acts of worship governing the relationship between a person and Allah (e.g., Salah, Sawm, Hajj). Muamalat refers to social, economic, and civil transactions governing dealings between people (e.g., trade, contracts, marriage).

What are the rates and key categories of Zakat?

Zakat is generally 2.5% on accumulated wealth/savings (gold, silver, cash, trade goods) held for one lunar year above the Nisab; 'Ushr is 10% (or 5% with irrigation costs) on agricultural produce. It is distributed among the eight categories named in Surah At-Tawbah (9:60).

In Muamalat, what is Riba and what is the Islamic ruling on it?

Riba is interest or usury—any unlawful, predetermined increase on a loan or in certain exchanges. It is strictly prohibited (Haram) in Islam, as declared in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:275-279).

What is the book 'Al-Hidaya', who authored it, and what is its subject?

Al-Hidaya is a classical authoritative manual of Hanafi Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) authored by Burhan al-Din al-Marghinani (12th century). It covers Islamic law including worship, transactions, and penalties, and is a core text in subcontinent Islamic studies.

According to Islamic teaching, what are the duties of a Muslim towards Allah (Huquq-Allah)?

To worship Allah alone (Tauheed) without Shirk, obey His commands, perform obligatory acts of worship (Salah, Sawm, Zakat, Hajj), be grateful, place trust (Tawakkul) in Him, and seek His forgiveness.

What are the duties towards society (Huquq-ul-Ibad) in Islam?

Justice and honesty in dealings, kindness to parents, relatives, and neighbors, fulfilling promises and trusts (Amanah), helping the poor, avoiding harm, oppression and backbiting, and enjoining good while forbidding evil (Amr bil Maroof, Nahi anil Munkar).

What are a Muslim's duties towards the self (Huquq-un-Nafs)?

To purify the soul (Tazkiyah), protect the body (which is a trust from Allah), avoid harmful and forbidden things, seek beneficial knowledge, maintain modesty and self-discipline, and develop good moral character (Akhlaq).

What is the difference between Fard, Wajib, Sunnah, and Mubah in Islamic rulings on actions?

Fard is an absolute obligation (denial is disbelief), Wajib is a near-obligatory duty (especially in Hanafi fiqh), Sunnah is a recommended practice of the Prophet (PBUH), and Mubah is a permissible act that is neither rewarded nor punished.