CSS Islamiat Introduction to Islam Syllabus

What is the Islamic belief regarding Angels (Malaika)?

Angels are pure beings created by Allah from light (noor), who do not disobey Him and carry out His commands. Belief in them is an article of faith. They are sinless and have no free will to disobey.

Name four well-known angels and their primary duties.

Jibreel (Gabriel) — conveying revelation; Mikael (Michael) — sustenance and rain; Israfeel — blowing the Trumpet at Qiyamah; Izraeel (Malak al-Mawt) — taking souls at death.

What is the Islamic belief regarding Divine Books (Kutub)?

Belief that Allah revealed scriptures to His Prophets for guidance. Muslims must believe in all of them, with the Quran being the final, complete, and preserved revelation that supersedes the previous books.

Name the four major revealed Books and the Prophets to whom they were given.

Tawrat (Torah) — Prophet Musa; Zaboor (Psalms) — Prophet Dawud; Injeel (Gospel) — Prophet Isa; Quran — Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Why is the Quran considered superior to all previous Divine Books?

Because it is the final and complete revelation, addressed to all mankind for all times, preserved in its original form (Allah Himself guarantees its protection — 15:9), and it confirms and supersedes earlier scriptures.

List the six Articles of Faith (Iman-e-Mufassal).

Belief in: 1) Allah, 2) His Angels, 3) His Books, 4) His Messengers, 5) the Last Day (Akhirah), 6) Divine Destiny/Decree (Taqdeer) — both good and bad — from Allah.

How does faith (Iman) influence an individual's character?

It produces honesty, humility, patience, self-discipline, truthfulness, justice and God-consciousness (taqwa); frees a person from fear of others; and creates inner peace and a strong sense of moral responsibility.

How do shared Islamic beliefs promote social cohesion?

Common beliefs (Tawheed, Risalat, Akhirah) create unity, brotherhood (Ukhuwwah), equality regardless of race or status, mutual accountability, and a shared moral framework that binds the Muslim community (Ummah) together.

What are the "Arkan-e-Islam" (Fundamentals/Pillars of Islam)?

The five practical pillars: 1) Shahada (declaration of faith), 2) Salah (prayer), 3) Zakat (obligatory charity), 4) Sawm (fasting in Ramadan), 5) Hajj (pilgrimage for those able).

What is the Shahada (first pillar of Islam) and its wording?

The declaration of faith: "La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur Rasool Allah" — "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." It affirms Tawheed and Risalat and is the gateway to Islam.

What is Salah and how many obligatory daily prayers are there?

Salah is the prescribed ritual prayer, the second pillar. There are five obligatory (fard) daily prayers: Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha.

How many Rakat (units) are in each of the five obligatory (fard) daily prayers?

Fajr: 2; Zuhr: 4; Asr: 4; Maghrib: 3; Isha: 4 fard rakat.

What is Sawm (fasting) and during which month is it obligatory?

Sawm is abstaining from food, drink, and marital relations from dawn (Subh Sadiq) to sunset (Maghrib) with the intention of worship. It is obligatory throughout the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

What is Zakat and what is its standard rate?

Zakat is the obligatory annual charity on wealth held for a lunar year above the Nisab. The standard rate is 2.5% (1/40) on savings, cash, gold, silver, and trade goods.

What is "Nisab" in relation to Zakat?

Nisab is the minimum threshold of wealth a Muslim must possess for one lunar year before Zakat becomes obligatory — traditionally 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver (or equivalent value).

What is Hajj and when is it performed?

Hajj is the pilgrimage to the Kaaba in Makkah, obligatory once in a lifetime for every Muslim who is physically and financially able. It is performed in the month of Dhul-Hijjah (8th to 12th/13th).

Name the main rites (manasik) of Hajj.

Ihram, Tawaf (circling the Kaaba seven times), Sa'i (walking between Safa and Marwah), standing at Arafat (Wuquf), Muzdalifah stay, Rami (stoning the Jamarat), animal sacrifice (Qurbani), and Tawaf al-Ifadah.

Which act is considered the essential pillar (Rukn-e-Azam) of Hajj, without which Hajj is invalid?

Wuquf-e-Arafat — standing/staying at the plain of Arafat on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah. "Hajj is Arafat" (Hadith); missing it invalidates the Hajj.

What is the difference between Zakat and Sadaqah?

Zakat is obligatory (fard), fixed at 2.5%, due annually on wealth above Nisab, for specified recipients. Sadaqah is voluntary charity, with no fixed amount or time, given to anyone in need.

What is the spiritual and moral impact of Salah on a Muslim?

Salah builds constant remembrance of Allah, discipline and punctuality, humility, and God-consciousness. The Quran (29:45) states it restrains a person from indecency and evil (Fahsha and Munkar).

What is the spiritual and moral impact of Sawm (fasting)?

Fasting develops taqwa (God-consciousness — Quran 2:183), self-restraint and willpower, empathy for the poor and hungry, control over desires, and purification of the soul.

What is the spiritual and moral impact of Zakat on the giver?

Zakat purifies wealth and the soul from greed and miserliness, cultivates generosity and gratitude, and detaches the heart from materialism (the word "Zakat" itself means purification and growth).

What is the spiritual and moral impact of Hajj?

Hajz fosters complete devotion and submission to Allah, humility and equality (all wear simple Ihram), repentance and spiritual renewal, patience, and remembrance of the Day of Judgment through its rituals.

How does Salah promote social cohesion when performed in congregation?

Congregational (Jama'ah) prayer gathers people regardless of rank, wealth, or race in straight equal rows, building brotherhood, equality, discipline, community bonds, and collective identity.

What is the social impact of Zakat in society?

Zakat redistributes wealth from the rich to the poor, reduces poverty and economic inequality, prevents hoarding, strengthens social solidarity, and fosters care and mutual responsibility within the community.

What is the social impact of Sawm (fasting) on the community?

Collective fasting and Iftar create unity and shared experience, increase empathy and charity toward the poor, strengthen family and community bonds, and reduce social vices during Ramadan.

What is the social impact of Hajj as a global gathering?

Hajj unites Muslims from all nations, races, and classes in one place wearing identical Ihram, demonstrating equality and universal brotherhood (Ummah), and fostering international Muslim unity.

Name the eight categories of recipients (Masarif) of Zakat mentioned in the Quran (9:60).

The poor (Fuqara), the needy (Masakeen), Zakat collectors (Amileen), those whose hearts are to be reconciled (Mu'allafat al-Quloob), freeing slaves (Riqab), debtors (Gharimeen), in the cause of Allah (Fi Sabilillah), and the stranded traveler (Ibn as-Sabil).

What is the meaning of "Iman" and its relationship to Islam?

Iman is inner faith/belief in the heart, confirmed by tongue and action. Islam is the outward submission and practice. Iman is the foundation; true Islam combines correct belief (Iman) with righteous practice (Amal).

How does Islam establish the equality of all human beings?

Islam declares all humans descend from Adam, with no superiority of race, color, or wealth — only by piety (taqwa) does one excel (Quran 49:13). This principle, reinforced in the Farewell Sermon, underpins Islamic social justice.