PMA Long Course Islamic Studies Syllabus

Islamic Studies syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Islamic Studies in PMA Long Course, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Beliefs (Aqaid)

   3 topics

   • Tauheed
   • Risalat
   • Aakhirat
2. 2

   Pillars of Islam

   4 topics

   • Salah
   • Saum (Fasting)
   • Zakat
   • Hajj
3. 3

   Holy Quran

   3 topics

   • Revelation and Compilation
   • Important Surahs
   • Teachings of the Quran
4. 4

   Seerat-un-Nabi

   3 topics

   • Life in Makkah
   • Life in Madinah
   • Important Events and Battles
5. 5

   Hadith

   2 topics

   • Importance of Hadith
   • Famous Ahadith
6. 6

   Khulafa-e-Rashideen

   4 topics

   • Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA)
   • Hazrat Umar (RA)
   • Hazrat Usman (RA)
   • Hazrat Ali (RA)

Islamic Studies flashcards for PMA Long Course

21 of 50 cards from the Islamic Studies deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the literal and theological meaning of Tauheed?

   Tauheed literally means 'making one' or 'asserting oneness'. Theologically, it is the belief in the absolute Oneness of Allah in His being, attributes, and worship, with no partner, equal, or associate.

2. What are the three main categories (aspects) of Tauheed?

   1) Tauheed al-Rububiyyah (Oneness of Lordship/Creation), 2) Tauheed al-Uluhiyyah (Oneness of Worship), and 3) Tauheed al-Asma wa al-Sifat (Oneness of Names and Attributes).

3. What is the opposite of Tauheed, and why is it the gravest sin in Islam?

   Shirk (associating partners with Allah). It is the one sin Allah will not forgive if a person dies upon it, because it negates the very foundation of Islamic belief.

4. Which Surah of the Quran is considered the essence of Tauheed?

   Surah Al-Ikhlas (Surah 112), which describes Allah as One, Eternal/Absolute (As-Samad), who neither begets nor is begotten, and has no equal.

5. What is Risalat in Islamic belief?

   Risalat is the belief in the Prophethood and Messengership of Allah, i.e., that Allah sent prophets and messengers to guide humanity. Belief in all of them is obligatory.

6. What is the difference between a Nabi and a Rasul?

   A Nabi (Prophet) receives revelation and follows the law of a previous messenger, while a Rasul (Messenger) is given a new divine law/scripture (Shariah) to convey. Every Rasul is a Nabi, but not every Nabi is a Rasul.

7. Who is the last (Seal) of the Prophets, and what term describes this finality?

   Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last prophet. This finality is called 'Khatm-e-Nabuwwat' (Khatam an-Nabiyyin), meaning no prophet will come after him.

8. How many prophets are named in the Quran, and which five are the 'Ulul Azm' (those of strong resolve)?

   Twenty-five prophets are named in the Quran. The five Ulul Azm are Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Isa (Jesus), and Muhammad (peace be upon them all).

9. What is Aakhirat (the Hereafter) in Islamic belief?

   Aakhirat is the belief in the life after death, including resurrection, the Day of Judgement (Yaum al-Qiyamah), accountability for deeds, and eternal reward (Jannah) or punishment (Jahannam).

10. What is Yaum al-Qiyamah and what major events occur on it?

    Yaum al-Qiyamah is the Day of Judgement, when all are resurrected, deeds are weighed on the Mizan (scale), accounts are settled, the Pul-Sirat (bridge) is crossed, and people enter Paradise or Hell.

11. What is the role of the angel Israfil regarding the Hereafter?

    Israfil will blow the Trumpet (Soor). The first blast destroys all creation; the second blast resurrects all beings for the Day of Judgement.

12. What is Salah, and what is its status among the pillars of Islam?

    Salah is the obligatory ritual prayer. It is the second pillar of Islam and the first deed for which a person will be questioned on the Day of Judgement.

13. How many obligatory (Fard) daily prayers are there, and name them?

    Five daily prayers: Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha.

14. How many Fard (obligatory) rakats are in each of the five daily prayers?

    Fajr: 2, Zuhr: 4, Asr: 4, Maghrib: 3, and Isha: 4 Fard rakats.

15. What are the preconditions (Shuroot) that must be met before Salah is valid?

    Tahaarah (ritual purity/wudu), covering the body (Satr al-Awrah), facing the Qibla, correct prayer time, and the intention (Niyyah).

16. What is Saum (fasting), and during which month is it obligatory?

    Saum is abstaining from food, drink, and marital relations from dawn (Subh Sadiq) to sunset (Maghrib) with intention. It is obligatory during the month of Ramadan, the fourth pillar of Islam.

17. What is Suhoor and Iftar in relation to fasting?

    Suhoor (Sehri) is the pre-dawn meal taken before the fast begins; Iftar is the meal that breaks the fast at sunset (Maghrib).

18. What is Laylat al-Qadr, and what is its significance?

    Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power/Decree) falls in the last ten nights of Ramadan (often the 27th). The Quran says worship in it is better than a thousand months; the Quran's revelation began on this night.

19. What is Zakat, and what is its standard rate?

    Zakat is the obligatory annual charity (third pillar of Islam) paid on wealth held for one lunar year above the Nisab. The standard rate on cash, gold, and trade goods is 2.5%.

20. What is Nisab in the context of Zakat?

    Nisab is the minimum threshold of wealth a Muslim must possess before Zakat becomes obligatory: equivalent to 85 grams (7.5 tola) of gold or 595 grams (52.5 tola) of silver.

21. Who are the eligible recipients (Masarif) of Zakat according to the Quran (Surah At-Tawbah 9:60)?

    Eight categories: the poor (Fuqara), the needy (Masakin), Zakat collectors, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, freeing slaves, those in debt (Gharimin), in the cause of Allah (Fi Sabilillah), and the stranded traveller (Ibn as-Sabil).

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