FIA Recruitment Test Islamic Studies Syllabus

What was the Battle of the Trench (Ghazwa al-Khandaq / Ahzab), and what tactic was used?

In 627 CE, Madinah was besieged by a confederate army; on Salman al-Farsi's advice, the Muslims dug a trench around the city, repelling the siege.

What was the significance of the Conquest of Makkah (Fath Makkah) in 630 CE?

Makkah was taken almost bloodlessly; the Prophet granted general amnesty and the Kaaba was cleared of idols, marking Islam's triumph in Arabia.

What is the difference between a 'Ghazwa' and a 'Sariyya'?

A Ghazwa is a military expedition led personally by the Prophet Muhammad; a Sariyya is one he dispatched but did not personally attend.

What was the Battle of Hunayn (630 CE)?

A battle shortly after the conquest of Makkah against the Hawazin and Thaqif tribes; after initial disarray the Muslims won decisively.

What was the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (628 CE) and why is it important?

A 10-year peace pact between Muslims and the Quraysh. Though seemingly unfavorable, it brought peace allowing Islam to spread; the Quran called it a 'clear victory' (Fath Mubin).

What was the Charter (Constitution) of Madinah?

An agreement drawn up by the Prophet after the Hijrah establishing rights, duties, and mutual defense among Muslims, Jews, and other tribes of Madinah — an early written constitution.

What were the Pledges of Aqabah?

Two pledges (621 and 622 CE) at Aqabah in which people of Yathrib (Madinah) accepted Islam and pledged loyalty to the Prophet, paving the way for the Hijrah.

What honorific title did Muhammad earn among the Quraysh before prophethood, and what does it mean?

Al-Amin (the Trustworthy) and As-Sadiq (the Truthful), reflecting his honesty and reliability.

Who was Khadijah and what was her significance in the Prophet's life?

The Prophet's first wife, a wealthy merchant, and the first person to accept Islam; she supported him emotionally and financially during the early mission.

What is the Seerah?

The biography and recorded life history of Prophet Muhammad — his conduct, events, and example.

What is the difference between the Quran and Hadith?

The Quran is the literal word of Allah revealed to Muhammad. Hadith are the recorded sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet — explaining and supplementing the Quran.

What is the Sunnah?

The practices, sayings, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad that serve as a model for Muslims; the Hadith are the documentation of the Sunnah.

In Hadith terminology, what are the 'Isnad' and the 'Matn'?

Isnad is the chain of narrators transmitting the report; Matn is the actual text/content of the Hadith.

Classify Hadith by authenticity into its main grades.

Sahih (authentic/sound), Hasan (good/acceptable), and Da'if (weak); a fabricated report is called Mawdu'.

Name the two most authentic Hadith collections in Sunni Islam.

Sahih al-Bukhari (by Imam Bukhari) and Sahih Muslim (by Imam Muslim).

What are the 'Kutub al-Sittah' (the Six Books) of Hadith?

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

How many Surahs are in the Quran, and what is the longest and the shortest?

114 Surahs. The longest is Surah Al-Baqarah (286 verses); the shortest is Surah Al-Kawthar (3 verses).

What is Surah Al-Fatihah and what is its role in prayer?

The opening Surah of the Quran (7 verses); it is recited in every unit (rak'ah) of the obligatory prayers.

Which Surah is called the heart of the Quran and which is described as equal to a third of the Quran?

Surah Ya-Sin (36) is called the heart of the Quran; Surah Al-Ikhlas (112) is described as equal to one-third of the Quran.

What is Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power) and what does the Quran say about its value?

The night the Quran began to be revealed, occurring in the last ten nights of Ramadan; the Quran says it is 'better than a thousand months.'

Over what period was the Quran revealed, and how?

Approximately 23 years, revealed gradually (in stages) to Prophet Muhammad through the angel Jibreel.

List 3 core teachings emphasized in the Quran.

Tawheed (oneness of God), justice and righteousness, accountability on the Day of Judgment, compassion/charity, and obedience to Allah and His Messenger (any 3).

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

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

What is the time span of the Rightly Guided Caliphate?

From 632 CE (death of the Prophet) to 661 CE (death of Ali) — about 30 years.

What were the major achievements of Caliph Abu Bakr?

He fought the Ridda (apostasy) wars to unite Arabia and initiated the first compilation of the Quran into a single written collection.

For what major administrative achievements is Caliph Umar known?

Vast expansion of the empire (conquests of Persia, Syria, Egypt), establishing the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, the Diwan administrative registry, and a systematic judiciary.

What is Caliph Uthman ibn Affan most remembered for regarding the Quran?

Standardizing and compiling the Quran into a single authoritative codex (the Uthmani mushaf) and distributing copies across the empire.

Which Caliph moved the capital to Kufa, and which was the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law?

Ali ibn Abi Talib moved the capital to Kufa; he was also the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law (married to Fatimah).

Through what main means did Islam spread beyond Arabia?

Through conquest/expansion, trade and merchants, the work of Sufi missionaries/scholars, and intermarriage and cultural exchange.

Which dynasty succeeded the Rightly Guided Caliphs, who founded it, and where was its capital?

The Umayyad dynasty, founded by Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan in 661 CE, with its capital at Damascus.

Through whom did Islam primarily spread to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia?

Via Arab traders along coastal trade routes and Sufi missionaries; in South Asia notably through Muhammad bin Qasim's conquest of Sindh (711 CE).