PPSC Subject Specialist Test Islamic Studies Syllabus

How many Surahs and how many Juz (Paras) are in the Quran?

The Quran contains 114 Surahs (chapters) and is divided into 30 Juz (Paras/parts).

What is the difference between Makki and Madani Surahs?

Makki Surahs were revealed before the Hijrah (in Makkah) and focus on Tawheed, faith, the Hereafter, and stories of past nations; Madani Surahs were revealed after the Hijrah (in Madinah) and focus on laws, social order, jihad, and community matters.

What are the typical characteristics of Makki Surahs?

Generally shorter verses, emphasis on belief in Allah's Oneness, resurrection and the Hereafter, warnings to disbelievers, and often address people as 'O mankind' (Ya ayyuhan-naas).

What are the typical characteristics of Madani Surahs?

Generally longer verses dealing with legislation, worship, family, finance, jihad, and treaties; they often address believers as 'O you who believe' (Ya ayyuhal-lazina amanu).

Which Surah is called the 'Mother of the Quran' (Umm al-Quran) and how many verses does it have?

Surah Al-Fatihah is called Umm al-Quran; it has seven verses and is recited in every unit (rakah) of every prayer.

Which is the longest Surah in the Quran, and what is its central theme?

Surah Al-Baqarah (286 verses) is the longest; it covers faith, laws, guidance for the believers, stories of Bani Israel, and contains Ayat al-Kursi.

Which is the shortest Surah in the Quran?

Surah Al-Kawthar (Chapter 108), consisting of only three verses.

What is the theme of Surah Yaseen, and what is it called?

Surah Yaseen is called the 'Heart of the Quran' (Qalb al-Quran); its central themes are Tawheed, Prophethood, resurrection, and the Day of Judgment.

What is Ayat al-Kursi and where is it located?

Ayat al-Kursi (verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah) is the 'Verse of the Throne,' describing Allah's supreme power, knowledge, and sovereignty over the heavens and earth; it is regarded as the greatest verse of the Quran.

What is the main message of Surah Al-Kafirun?

It declares the complete separation between the worship of Muslims and disbelievers, ending with 'For you is your religion, and for me is my religion,' emphasizing pure Tawheed.

What are the 'Mu'awwidhatayn' and what is their purpose?

Surah Al-Falaq (113) and Surah An-Nas (114), the two final Surahs recited for protection (refuge) from evil, harm, jealousy, and the whisperings of Shaytan.

State three core teachings of the Quran regarding human conduct.

Justice (Adl) and fairness; truthfulness and honesty; and kindness to parents, relatives, neighbors, and the needy, along with prohibition of injustice, usury, and oppression.

What does the Quran teach about the purpose of human creation?

The Quran states in Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:56) that mankind and jinn were created solely to worship Allah ('I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me').

In which year (Gregorian) was the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) born, and where?

He was born in 570 CE (the Year of the Elephant) in Makkah.

At what age did the Prophet (PBUH) receive his first revelation, and what title was he known by before that?

He received the first revelation at age 40. Before Prophethood, the people of Makkah called him 'Al-Sadiq' (the Truthful) and 'Al-Amin' (the Trustworthy).

What is the Hijrah, and in which year did it occur?

The Hijrah was the migration of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE; it marks the start of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.

What was the significance of the Charter (Constitution) of Madinah?

It was the first written constitution establishing a multi-religious state in Madinah, defining rights and duties of Muslims, Jews, and other tribes, ensuring mutual defense, justice, and religious freedom.

Name three key battles fought during the Madinah period.

The Battle of Badr (2 AH), the Battle of Uhud (3 AH), and the Battle of the Trench / Khandaq (5 AH).

What were the main moral qualities (character) of the Prophet (PBUH)?

Truthfulness, trustworthiness, humility, patience, mercy, justice, forgiveness, generosity, and simplicity. The Quran describes him as having 'an exalted standard of character' (68:4).

What did Hazrat Aisha (RA) say when asked about the character of the Prophet (PBUH)?

She said, 'His character was the Quran' (Kana khuluquhu al-Quran), meaning he embodied and practiced the entire teaching of the Quran.

What is the Khutbah Hujjat-ul-Wida (Farewell Sermon), and when was it delivered?

It is the final sermon delivered by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during his Farewell Hajj in 10 AH (632 CE) at the plain of Arafat, summarizing the core principles of Islam.

State three key teachings from the Farewell Sermon (Khutbah Hujjat-ul-Wida).

(1) The sanctity of life, property, and honor of Muslims; (2) abolition of interest (riba) and blood feuds of the era of ignorance; (3) equality of all humans regardless of race, with superiority based only on piety (Taqwa).

What did the Prophet (PBUH) say about the rights of women in the Farewell Sermon?

He emphasized treating women with kindness and fulfilling their rights, reminding believers that women are partners and helpers and that men have duties toward them just as women have duties toward men.

What two things did the Prophet (PBUH) leave for Muslims as guidance in the Farewell Sermon?

He left the Book of Allah (the Quran) and his Sunnah (his example/traditions), stating Muslims will never go astray as long as they hold firmly to both.

What are the five pillars of Islam?

Shahadah (declaration of faith), Salah (prayer), Sawm (fasting), Zakat (almsgiving), and Hajj (pilgrimage).

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

Five daily prayers: Fajr (dawn), Zuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night).

What is Sawm (Zakat al-fitr aside), and in which month is it obligatory?

Sawm is fasting from dawn (Suhur/Fajr) to sunset (Iftar/Maghrib), abstaining from food, drink, and marital relations; it is obligatory during the month of Ramadan.

What is the standard rate (Nisab percentage) of Zakat on wealth?

Zakat is paid at 2.5% (one-fortieth) annually on savings and wealth that reach the Nisab threshold and have been held for one lunar year.

What is Nisab in relation to Zakat?

Nisab is the minimum threshold of wealth a Muslim must possess (equivalent to about 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver) before Zakat becomes obligatory.

What is Hajj, when is it performed, 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.

Name three core rituals (Arkan) performed during Hajj.

Ihram (entering the sacred state), Wuquf at Arafat (standing at the plain of Arafat), and Tawaf (seven circuits around the Kaaba); also Sa'i between Safa and Marwah and Rami (stoning of the pillars).