LAT Islamiat Syllabus

How many obligatory (fard) daily prayers are there, and name them with their rakah counts of fard?

Five: Fajr (2 fard), Zuhr (4 fard), Asr (4 fard), Maghrib (3 fard), and Isha (4 fard).

Define Salah and state when it became obligatory.

Salah is the prescribed five-times-daily ritual prayer. It was made obligatory during the event of Mi'raj (the Prophet's ascension to the heavens).

Define Sawm (fasting) and in which month is it obligatory?

Sawm is abstaining from food, drink, and other invalidating acts from dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib) with intention. It is obligatory in the month of Ramadan.

Define Zakat and what is its standard rate on accumulated wealth?

Zakat is the obligatory annual charity purifying one's wealth. The standard rate is 2.5% on savings/wealth held for one lunar year above the nisab threshold.

What is 'Nisab' in relation to Zakat?

Nisab is the minimum threshold of wealth a Muslim must possess (e.g., equivalent to 87.48g gold or 612.36g silver) before Zakat becomes obligatory on them.

Who are the eight categories of people eligible to receive Zakat?

The poor, the needy, Zakat administrators, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, freeing captives/slaves, those in debt, in the cause of Allah (fi sabilillah), and the stranded traveler.

Define Hajj and how often is it obligatory in a Muslim's life?

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

What is the difference between Hajj and Umrah?

Hajj is the major pilgrimage performed only during specific days of Dhul-Hijjah with prescribed rites (e.g., Arafat, Mina). Umrah is the lesser pilgrimage that can be performed any time of year and has fewer rites.

What is 'Ihram' in Hajj?

Ihram is the sacred state a pilgrim enters before Hajj/Umrah, marked by special unstitched white garments and intention, during which certain acts (cutting hair, perfume, hunting, marital relations) are prohibited.

What is the significance of standing at Arafat during Hajj?

Wuquf-e-Arafat (standing at the plain of Arafat on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah) is the most essential rite of Hajj; the Hajj is invalid without it. It commemorates the Prophet's Farewell Sermon.

What is Tawaf in the context of Hajj/Umrah?

Tawaf is circling the Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise direction, beginning and ending at the Hajar-al-Aswad (Black Stone).

What ritual of Hajj commemorates Hajar's search for water, and what is the related well?

Sa'i — walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah — commemorates Hajar's search for water for Ismail; it is linked to the miraculous well of Zamzam.

In which year was Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) born, and what is that year commonly called?

He was born in 570 CE, the 'Year of the Elephant' (Aam-ul-Feel), referring to Abraha's failed attack on the Kaaba.

What titles were given to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by the Makkans before prophethood, reflecting his character?

'Al-Sadiq' (the truthful) and 'Al-Ameen' (the trustworthy), recognizing his honesty and reliability.

Who was the first wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the first person to accept Islam?

Hazrat Khadijah (RA), a respected businesswoman, was his first wife and the first person (and first woman) to embrace Islam.

Name the first male, first young person, and first freed slave to accept Islam.

First adult male: Abu Bakr (RA); first young person/child: Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA); first freed slave: Zaid ibn Harithah (RA). (Bilal RA was among the first enslaved persons to convert.)

What was the period and nature of persecution faced by Muslims in Makkah?

The early Makkan Muslims faced severe persecution — torture, social boycott, and economic sanctions — for about 13 years before the migration to Madina.

What was the 'Boycott of Banu Hashim' and how long did it last?

The Quraysh imposed a social and economic boycott on the Prophet's clan (Banu Hashim) in the Shi'b Abi Talib valley, lasting about three years, cutting off trade and marriage with them.

What was the event of 'Aam-ul-Huzn' (Year of Sorrow)?

The year (around 619 CE) in which both the Prophet's wife Khadijah (RA) and his uncle and protector Abu Talib died, leaving him without key personal and tribal support.

What was the first migration of Muslims, and to where?

The first migration (Hijrah) was to Abyssinia (Habsha), where the Christian king Najashi (Negus) gave the persecuted Muslims refuge.

What is the Hijrah, and why is it historically significant?

The Hijrah is the migration of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Makkah to Madina in 622 CE. It marks the start of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar and the establishment of the first Muslim state.

What is the Charter (Constitution) of Madina?

An agreement drafted by the Prophet (PBUH) establishing rights and duties of the Muhajirun, Ansar, and Jewish tribes — guaranteeing mutual defense, religious freedom, and recognizing Madina as a unified community (Ummah).

Who were the 'Muhajirun' and the 'Ansar'?

Muhajirun were the Muslims who migrated from Makkah to Madina. Ansar ('helpers') were the Muslims of Madina who welcomed and supported them. The Prophet established brotherhood (Mu'akhat) between them.

When and where was the Battle of Badr fought, and what was its outcome?

Fought in 2 AH (624 CE) near Badr. Despite being outnumbered (about 313 Muslims vs ~1000 Quraysh), the Muslims won a decisive victory — the first major battle of Islam.

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

The Quraysh sought revenge for Badr. The Muslims initially had the upper hand, but suffered a setback when the archers left their post; the Prophet (PBUH) was injured and his uncle Hamza (RA) was martyred.

What was the Battle of the Trench (Ghazwa-e-Khandaq), and what strategy was used?

Fought in 5 AH, the Quraysh and allies besieged Madina. On the advice of Salman al-Farsi, the Muslims dug a defensive trench (khandaq) around the city, repelling the confederate army.

What was the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH) and why is it called a 'clear victory'?

A 10-year peace treaty between Muslims and Quraysh. Though its terms seemed unfavorable, it brought peace allowing Islam to spread rapidly; the Quran called it a 'manifest victory' (Fath-um-Mubin).

What was significant about the Conquest of Makkah (8 AH / 630 CE)?

The Prophet (PBUH) entered Makkah almost without bloodshed, granted general amnesty to former enemies, and cleansed the Kaaba of idols — a turning point that established Islam's dominance in Arabia.

What key messages did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) deliver in his Farewell Sermon (Hajjat-ul-Wida)?

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

What is meant by the 'Day of Judgement' (Yawm-ud-Din / Qiyamah) in Islam?

The final day when all creation is resurrected and held accountable before Allah; deeds are weighed, and people are rewarded with Paradise (Jannah) or punished in Hell (Jahannam) based on their faith and actions.

What events are believed to occur on the Day of Judgement according to Islamic belief?

The blowing of the trumpet by Israfeel, resurrection of all (Ba'th), gathering (Hashr), handing out books of deeds, weighing of deeds on the scale (Mizan), crossing the bridge (Sirat), and final reward or punishment.