BPSC Test Islamic Studies Syllabus

On what occasion did the Prophet deliver the Farewell Sermon (Khutbat-ul-Wada)?

During his final Hajj in 10 AH (632 CE) at Arafat, before a large gathering of pilgrims.

What are the key messages of the Farewell Sermon?

Sanctity of life and property, abolition of interest (riba) and blood feuds, equality of all humans (no superiority of Arab over non-Arab except by piety), rights of women, and holding fast to the Quran and Sunnah.

What is Tawheed?

The belief in the absolute oneness of Allah in His essence, attributes, lordship (Rububiyyah), and the right to be worshipped alone (Uluhiyyah). It is the foundational principle of Islam.

What is Risalat?

Belief in prophethood: that Allah sent prophets and messengers to guide humanity, with Muhammad being the final prophet (Khatam-an-Nabiyyin).

What is the Islamic belief in the Hereafter (Akhirah)?

Belief in life after death, resurrection, the Day of Judgment, accountability for deeds, and reward in Paradise (Jannah) or punishment in Hell (Jahannam).

What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

(1) Shahada (declaration of faith), (2) Salah (prayer), (3) Zakat (almsgiving), (4) Sawm (fasting in Ramadan), and (5) Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah).

How many obligatory daily prayers (Salah) are there, and name them.

Five: Fajr (dawn), Zuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night).

What is Zakat and what is its standard rate?

Zakat is the obligatory annual almsgiving to the poor and needy. The standard rate is 2.5% of accumulated wealth held for one lunar year above the nisab (minimum threshold).

What is Sawm and during which month is it obligatory?

Sawm is fasting from dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib), abstaining from food, drink, and other prohibitions. It is obligatory during the month of Ramadan.

What is Hajj and on whom is it obligatory?

Hajj is the pilgrimage to the Kaaba in Makkah, obligatory once in a lifetime on every adult Muslim who is physically and financially able. It is performed in the month of Dhul-Hijjah.

What is the concept of Ibadah in Islam?

Ibadah is worship and obedience to Allah. Beyond ritual acts, it encompasses all lawful deeds done with the intention of pleasing Allah, making every aspect of life potential worship.

Who were the four Rightly Guided Caliphs (Khulafa-e-Rashideen) in order?

(1) Abu Bakr, (2) Umar ibn al-Khattab, (3) Uthman ibn Affan, and (4) Ali ibn Abi Talib.

What were the major achievements of Caliph Abu Bakr?

He suppressed the apostasy (Ridda) wars, preserved the unity of the Muslim state, initiated the compilation of the Quran, and began expansion into Persia and Byzantine territories.

What are notable administrative achievements of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab?

He established the Hijri calendar, organized the Diwan (state register/treasury), created administrative provinces, founded judiciary and policing systems, and oversaw major conquests of Persia, Syria, and Egypt.

What is Caliph Uthman ibn Affan best remembered for?

Standardizing the Quran into a single authoritative text, expanding the naval forces, and continued territorial expansion of the Islamic state.

What is Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib known for?

His deep knowledge, justice, eloquence, and piety. His caliphate faced internal civil strife (the First Fitna), including the battles of Jamal and Siffin.

Name notable Muslim contributions to mathematics and the scholars associated with them.

Al-Khwarizmi developed algebra (the word 'algebra' comes from his work 'Al-Jabr') and introduced the decimal system and algorithms (named after him).

Which Muslim scholar is known as the 'father of modern medicine' for his Canon of Medicine?

Ibn Sina (Avicenna), whose 'Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb' (Canon of Medicine) was a standard medical text in Europe for centuries.

Which Muslim scientist made pioneering contributions to optics?

Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen), whose 'Book of Optics' (Kitab al-Manazir) laid foundations for the scientific method and the modern understanding of vision and light.

Which Muslim scholar is considered the founder of sociology and the philosophy of history?

Ibn Khaldun, author of the 'Muqaddimah', which pioneered theories of social cohesion (asabiyyah) and the rise and fall of civilizations.

What are the defining features of Islamic art?

Use of geometric patterns, arabesque (floral designs), calligraphy, and avoidance of figurative depictions of living beings in religious contexts, reflecting the principle of Tawheed.

What are characteristic features of Islamic architecture?

Domes, minarets, arches (including horseshoe and pointed arches), courtyards, mihrabs (prayer niches), and intricate tile and calligraphic decoration. Famous examples include the Dome of the Rock and the Alhambra.

By what main means did Islam spread across the world?

Through trade and merchants, the work of preachers and Sufi mystics, conquests and just governance, and the appeal of its teachings on monotheism, equality, and justice.

How did Islam primarily spread to South Asia and Southeast Asia?

Largely through Muslim traders and Sufi missionaries (such as in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Indian subcontinent), rather than primarily through conquest.

What are the basic categories of rights in Islam?

Huqooq Allah (rights of Allah, e.g., worship) and Huqooq-ul-Ibad (rights of fellow humans, e.g., justice, kindness, fulfilling obligations). Both must be observed.

What rights does Islam grant to women?

Right to education, ownership of property, inheritance, mahr (dowry), consent in marriage, dignity, and protection. The Farewell Sermon specifically emphasized the rights of women.

What duties do Muslims owe toward parents, neighbors, and the poor?

Kindness and obedience to parents, good treatment of neighbors, and charity/support for the poor and needy. These are emphasized repeatedly in the Quran and Sunnah.

What is the difference between Halal and Haram?

Halal refers to what is lawful and permissible in Islam; Haram refers to what is forbidden. They cover food, conduct, finance, and all areas of life.

Give examples of Haram (forbidden) things in Islam.

Pork, intoxicants (alcohol and drugs), carrion, blood, meat not slaughtered in Allah's name, interest (riba), gambling, and earnings from theft or fraud.

What is the concept of 'Halal earning' (rizq-e-halal) in Islam?

Earning a livelihood through lawful, honest means free of interest, fraud, theft, and prohibited goods. Consuming halal income is considered essential for accepted worship and a righteous life.