KPPSC Test Islamiat Syllabus

What is Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power) and in which part of Ramadan is it sought?

Laylat al-Qadr is the night the Quran began to be revealed, described as better than a thousand months. It is sought in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.

What is Zakat and what is its standard rate?

Zakat is the obligatory annual charity (a pillar of Islam) given to purify wealth. The standard rate is 2.5% (1/40th) of accumulated wealth held for one lunar year above the Nisab.

What is Nisab in relation to Zakat?

Nisab is the minimum threshold of wealth a Muslim must possess for Zakat to become obligatory — traditionally 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver (or equivalent wealth).

Who are the eight categories of people eligible to receive Zakat (per Surah At-Tawbah 9:60)?

The poor (Fuqara), the needy (Masakin), Zakat administrators, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, freeing slaves, those in debt, in the cause of Allah (Fi Sabilillah), and the stranded traveller.

What is the difference between Zakat and Sadaqah?

Zakat is obligatory, fixed in rate and recipients; Sadaqah is voluntary charity with no fixed amount or rate, given any time as a good deed.

What is Hajj and on whom is it obligatory?

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

What are the three Fard (essential) acts of Hajj?

1) Ihram (entering the sacred state with intention), 2) Wuqoof at Arafat (standing at Arafat on 9th Dhul-Hijjah), 3) Tawaf al-Ziyarah (the obligatory circumambulation of the Kaaba).

What is Tawaf and Sa'i in Hajj/Umrah?

Tawaf is circumambulating the Kaaba seven times; Sa'i is walking/running seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, commemorating Hajar's search for water for Ismail (AS).

What is the difference between Hajj and Umrah?

Hajj is the major pilgrimage performed only in Dhul-Hijjah with specific rites (Arafat, Mina, Muzdalifah) and is obligatory; Umrah is the lesser pilgrimage (Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'i) that can be performed any time and is voluntary (Sunnah).

How was the Quran revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?

The Quran was revealed gradually over approximately 23 years through the angel Jibreel (Gabriel), beginning in the cave of Hira with the first verses of Surah Al-Alaq.

During which Caliph's reign was the Quran first compiled into a single written volume (Mushaf)?

During the reign of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), the Quran was first compiled into one volume, prompted by Hazrat Umar (RA) after many Huffaz died in the Battle of Yamama. Zaid bin Thabit (RA) led the task.

During which Caliph's reign were standardized copies of the Quran prepared and distributed?

During the reign of Hazrat Usman (RA), a standardized version (the Uthmanic Mushaf) was compiled and copies were sent to major centres of the Islamic world to unify recitation.

What is the difference between Makki and Madani Surahs?

Makki Surahs were revealed before the Hijrah (in Makkah) — generally shorter, focusing on Tawheed, the Hereafter, and faith. Madani Surahs were revealed after the Hijrah (in Madinah) — generally longer, focusing on law, social order, and community matters.

What themes typically characterize Makki Surahs?

Belief in Tawheed (Oneness of Allah), Risalat (prophethood), the Hereafter and resurrection, moral and spiritual reform, and stories of past prophets and nations.

What themes typically characterize Madani Surahs?

Islamic law and rulings (Shariah), social, economic, and political matters, jihad, treaties, family law, dealings with Jews/Christians/hypocrites, and rules of worship like Zakat and Hajj.

What are the major themes and teachings of the Holy Quran?

Tawheed (monotheism), prophethood and guidance, the Hereafter and accountability, worship (Ibadah), morality and good character, justice and human rights, and stories of previous nations as lessons.

How many Surahs and Ajza (parts) are there in the Holy Quran?

The Quran has 114 Surahs (chapters) and is divided into 30 Ajza (parts/Para).

What was life like during the Makkan Period of the Prophet's mission?

The Makkan period (approx. 13 years) involved secret then open preaching of Tawheed, severe persecution by the Quraysh, the boycott of Banu Hashim, migration to Abyssinia, and the events of Isra and Mi'raj.

Why did Muslims migrate to Abyssinia (Habsha) during the Makkan period?

To escape the persecution of the Quraysh; the Prophet (PBUH) sent them to the just Christian king Negus (Najashi), who granted them protection. This was the first Hijrah in Islam.

What event marks the beginning of the Madinan Period, and in what year did it occur?

The Hijrah — the migration of the Prophet (PBUH) from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE, which marks the start of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.

What was the Charter of Madinah (Mithaq-e-Madina)?

A constitutional agreement drafted by the Prophet (PBUH) establishing rights and duties of Muslims, Jews, and other tribes of Madinah, forming a unified pluralistic community (Ummah) with mutual defence and justice.

What was the first major battle of Islam and its outcome?

The Battle of Badr (2 AH/624 CE). Around 313 Muslims defeated about 1000 Quraysh — a decisive victory considered a divine sign of support for the Muslims.

What happened in the Battle of Uhud (3 AH/625 CE)?

The Quraysh sought revenge for Badr. The Muslims initially gained the upper hand, but archers leaving their post led to a setback; the Prophet (PBUH) was wounded and Hazrat Hamza (RA) was martyred.

What was the Battle of the Trench (Ghazwa-e-Khandaq / Ahzab)?

In 5 AH, a confederate army besieged Madinah. On Salman Farsi's (RA) advice, the Muslims dug a trench around the city, repelling the siege without a major battle. It marked the failure of the Quraysh's offensive against Islam.

What was the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and why is it significant?

A peace treaty in 6 AH between the Muslims and Quraysh establishing a 10-year truce. Though its terms seemed unfavourable, it allowed peace, spread of Islam, and is called a 'clear victory' (Fath-e-Mubeen) in the Quran. It paved the way for the Conquest of Makkah.

What was the Conquest of Makkah (Fath-e-Makkah) and when did it occur?

In 8 AH (630 CE), the Prophet (PBUH) entered Makkah peacefully with around 10,000 Muslims after the Quraysh broke the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. He granted general amnesty and cleansed the Kaaba of idols.

What is the difference between Seerah and Sunnah?

Seerah is the biography/life history of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) — his events and conduct. Sunnah refers to his sayings, actions, and approvals that serve as a legal and moral model for Muslims.

What major reforms and achievements are attributed to Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) as the first Caliph?

Suppression of the apostasy wars (Ridda Wars), defeat of false prophets, first compilation of the Quran, beginning expansion into Iraq and Syria, and preserving the unity of the Muslim Ummah.

What are major administrative achievements of Hazrat Umar (RA) as second Caliph?

Established the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, founded the Diwan (state treasury/registry), organized provinces and judiciary, conquered Persia, Egypt, Syria, and Jerusalem, and introduced policing and public welfare systems.

What are major achievements of Hazrat Usman (RA) as third Caliph?

Standardized and distributed unified copies of the Quran (Uthmanic Mushaf), expanded the Islamic state, built the first Muslim naval fleet, and expanded the Prophet's Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi).