JAMB UTME - Islamic Religious Studies - 2025

The first revealed verses of the Qur'an were in Surah Al-'Alaq (Chapter 96), also known as Surah Iqra'. The first five verses of this surah were the very first words of the Qur'an to be revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through the angel Jibril (AS) in the Cave of Hira on Mount Nur, near Makkah, in approximately 610 CE.

These opening verses are: "Recite in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clinging substance ('alaq). Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous. Who taught by the pen. Taught man that which he knew not" (Qur'an 96:1-5). The word 'alaq in the surah's name refers to the clinging clot or clinging substance from which the human being is created, and gives the surah its name.

The event of this first revelation marks the beginning of Prophet Muhammad's prophethood and the start of the 23-year period during which the entire Qur'an was gradually revealed.

The other surahs listed are all short surahs found near the end of the Qur'an: Al-Kawthar (Chapter 108) is about the abundance granted to the Prophet. Al-Falaq (Chapter 113) and Al-Nas (Chapter 114) are the two protective surahs (Al-Mu'awwidhatayn) seeking refuge in Allah. None of these were the first to be revealed.

In Islamic eschatology, the angel Israfil is tasked with blowing the trumpet (Sur) that signals the end of the world and the resurrection of all creation. The trumpet is blown twice: the first blast causes every living being to perish, and the second blast resurrects all souls for the Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Qiyamah).

This role is specific to Israfil and is distinct from the duties of the other major angels. Jibril (Gabriel) is the angel of revelation who brought the Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad. Mikail (Michael) is responsible for provisions and natural phenomena such as rain. Malik is the guardian of Hellfire, as mentioned in Surah Az-Zukhruf (43:77).

The association of Israfil with the trumpet is grounded in well-known hadith literature and is a standard teaching point in Islamic Studies. When revising the roles of the angels, remember that each of the four major angels has a distinct, non-overlapping function.

The Arabic term for permissible actions in Islam is Halal. In Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), halal refers to anything that is lawful and permitted under Islamic law. It applies broadly to food, drink, financial transactions, personal conduct, and any other aspect of life.

Islamic law classifies all human actions into five categories (al-ahkam al-khamsah):

• Wajib/Fard - obligatory (rewarded if done, sinful if omitted)
• Mustahab/Mandub - recommended (rewarded if done, no sin if omitted)
• Mubah/Halal - permissible (no reward or sin either way)
• Makruh - disliked (better to avoid, but no sin if done)
• Haram - prohibited (sinful if done, rewarded if avoided)

Among the options listed, Haram is the direct opposite of Halal, meaning what is forbidden. Mustahab refers to recommended acts that are more than merely permissible. Sunnah refers to the practice of Prophet Muhammad and, in jurisprudential usage, overlaps with recommended acts. The term that specifically denotes general permissibility is Halal.

The Arabic term for the pilgrimage to Makkah is Hajj. It is the fifth pillar of Islam and is obligatory once in a lifetime for every Muslim who is physically and financially able to undertake it. The Hajj takes place annually during the month of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar.

The five pillars of Islam, each with its own Arabic term, are:

• Shahadah - the declaration of faith
• Salat - the five daily prayers
• Zakah - obligatory almsgiving
• Sawm - fasting during the month of Ramadan
• Hajj - the pilgrimage to Makkah

The other options in this question are themselves pillars of Islam but refer to different acts of worship. Salat is prayer, not pilgrimage. Zakah is the obligatory charity. Sawm is fasting. Being able to match each Arabic term to its correct pillar is essential for Islamic Studies examinations.

The migration (Hijrah) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE is one of the most significant events in Islamic history. The Prophet left Makkah because the persecution of Muslims by the Quraysh had become unbearable, and the people of Yathrib (later renamed Madinah, meaning "The City of the Prophet") had pledged allegiance to him and invited him to settle among them.

Madinah is the correct destination of the Hijrah. The other locations listed played different roles in early Islamic history. Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia) was the destination of an earlier, smaller migration where some persecuted Muslims sought refuge under the Christian king Negus, but the Prophet himself did not migrate there. Taif was a city where the Prophet once travelled to seek support but was rejected and stoned. Jerusalem (Al-Quds) is associated with the night journey (Isra and Mi'raj), not the Hijrah.

The Hijrah to Madinah marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar (Hijri calendar) and established the first organised Muslim community (Ummah), making it a turning point for the spread of Islam.

Verse 49:13 of the Qur'an (Surah Al-Hujurat) is the foundational verse on the equality of all human beings in Islam. It states: "O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you."

This verse establishes several key principles:

• All human beings share a common origin (created from a single male and female).
• Ethnic, racial, and tribal differences exist for mutual recognition and cooperation, not for superiority or discrimination.
• The only valid basis for distinction in the sight of Allah is taqwa (righteousness and God-consciousness), not lineage, wealth, colour, or social status.

The other verses address different topics: 5:3 (Surah Al-Ma'idah) discusses the completion and perfection of the religion of Islam; 4:59 (Surah An-Nisa) commands obedience to Allah, the Messenger, and those in authority; and 24:2 (Surah An-Nur) prescribes the punishment for unlawful sexual relations.

Hadith refers to the recorded sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In Islamic scholarship, Hadith encompasses three components: the Prophet's verbal statements (qawl), his actions and practices (fi'l), and his silent approvals of others' actions (taqrir). Together, these form the Sunnah, which is the second primary source of Islamic law after the Qur'an.

The other options describe related but distinct Islamic disciplines. A commentary on the Qur'an is called Tafsir, not Hadith. The stories of early Muslims fall under Sirah (biography of the Prophet) or Tarikh (Islamic history). The rules of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) are derived from the Qur'an and Hadith but are a separate scholarly discipline, not a definition of Hadith itself.

Major Hadith collections include Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawud, Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Sunan an-Nasa'i, and Sunan Ibn Majah.

The Islamic (Hijri) calendar begins from the Hijrah to Madinah - the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE. This event was chosen as the starting point of the Muslim calendar during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab, who recognised the Hijrah as the most transformative event in Islamic history because it marked the establishment of the first Muslim state and community.

The Hijrah was chosen over other significant events for several reasons. The birth of the Prophet, while important, did not immediately change the political or social order. The conquest of Makkah (630 CE) came much later and represented the culmination of the Islamic mission, not its beginning as an organised community. The first revelation of the Qur'an (610 CE) marked the start of prophethood, but the Muslim community was not yet formed as a political entity.

The Hijri calendar is a purely lunar calendar with 12 months, beginning with Muharram. The year of the Hijrah is designated as 1 AH (After Hijrah).

Sumayyah bint Khayyat is recognised as the first martyr (shahidah) in Islam. She was the mother of Ammar ibn Yasir and the wife of Yasir ibn Amir. The family were among the earliest converts to Islam in Makkah and suffered severe persecution by the Quraysh, particularly by Abu Jahl.

Sumayyah refused to renounce her faith despite prolonged torture. Abu Jahl ultimately killed her by stabbing her with a spear, making her the first person - male or female - to give her life for Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would pass by the family while they were being tortured and offer them comfort, saying: "Patience, O family of Yasir, for your appointment is in Paradise."

Her husband Yasir also died under torture shortly after her, becoming the first male martyr. Their son Ammar survived and became a prominent companion of the Prophet. While Bilal ibn Rabah endured extreme torture (being placed on hot sand with heavy stones on his chest), he survived his persecution. Khabbab ibn al-Aratt also suffered greatly but was not the first to die for the faith. Sumayyah's martyrdom holds a special place in Islamic history as a symbol of unwavering faith.

The word Zakah comes from the Arabic root z-k-w, which literally means purification or growth. In its linguistic sense, Zakah refers to the act of purifying or cleansing. When applied as an Islamic obligation, it denotes the purification of one's wealth by setting aside a prescribed portion for those in need.

While Zakah functions as a form of charitable giving, the question specifically asks for its literal meaning, not its practical function. The distinction matters: charity (sadaqah) is a broader voluntary concept, whereas Zakah is an obligatory act of worship whose very name signals that paying it purifies the remainder of a Muslim's wealth and soul. The terms donation and tax describe aspects of how Zakah operates but do not capture the root meaning of the Arabic word itself.

In examinations, pay close attention to whether the question asks for a literal meaning, a technical definition, or a practical description, as these can point to different answers.

The story of the People of the Cave (Ashab al-Kahf) is narrated in Surah Al-Kahf (Surah 18). The surah itself takes its name from this story: Al-Kahf means "The Cave" in Arabic.

The narrative (18:9-26) tells of a group of righteous young men who fled religious persecution in their city. They took refuge in a cave, where Allah caused them to sleep for approximately 309 years. When they awoke, they discovered that the world had changed entirely and the people of their city had become believers. This story illustrates Allah's power over time, His protection of the faithful, and the reality of resurrection.

The other surahs do not contain this narrative. Al-Tin (Surah 95) is a short surah about human nature and creation. Al-Fil (Surah 105) recounts the story of the army of the elephant that attacked Makkah. Al-Hajj (Surah 22) deals with the pilgrimage rites and themes of resurrection but does not contain the cave story.

Prophet Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him) is the Prophet known in the Qur'an for performing healing miracles by Allah's permission. The Qur'an describes these miracles in Surah Al-Imran (3:49), where Isa declares: "I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead, by Allah's permission." This verse makes clear that these healings were not from Isa's own power but were miracles granted to him by Allah as signs of his prophethood.

Isa's miracles also included speaking from the cradle as an infant, fashioning a bird from clay and breathing life into it by Allah's permission, and informing people of what they ate and stored in their homes. These extraordinary signs were given to him to confirm his message to the Children of Israel.

The other Prophets were associated with different miracles and roles. Sulaiman (Solomon) was given dominion over the jinn, wind, and animals. Musa (Moses) was given the staff that transformed into a serpent and the ability to part the sea. Dawud (David) was given the Psalms (Zabur), a powerful voice, and the ability to soften iron.

In Islamic tradition, the wife of Pharaoh (Fir'awn) who believed in Allah is Asiyah bint Muzahim. She is one of the four women identified in hadith as having attained perfection of faith. The Qur'an references her in Surah At-Tahrim (66:11), where Allah presents her as an example for the believers: she prayed to Allah to build her a house in Paradise and to save her from Pharaoh and his deeds.

Asiyah's faith is remarkable because she believed despite living in the household of one of the most tyrannical rulers mentioned in the Qur'an. When she witnessed the miracles of Prophet Musa (AS) and recognised the truth of his message, she accepted faith in Allah, even though it put her life in danger.

The other women listed are important figures in Islamic history but are not the wife of Pharaoh. Sarah was the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Hajar was also a wife of Ibrahim (AS) and the mother of Isma'il (AS). Maryam (Mary) was the mother of Prophet Isa (AS), not married to Pharaoh.

Exam tip: Remember that Asiyah is specifically associated with Pharaoh, while the other women are connected to different prophets.

Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) is the longest surah in the Qur'an. It is the second surah and contains 286 verses (ayat), covering a wide range of topics including faith, law, guidance for the Muslim community, stories of previous prophets, and regulations on matters such as fasting, pilgrimage, financial transactions, and family law.

The other surahs listed are also among the longer chapters of the Qur'an but are shorter than Al-Baqarah:

• Al-Imran (The Family of Imran) is the third surah with 200 verses.
• Al-Nisa (The Women) is the fourth surah with 176 verses.
• Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread) is the fifth surah with 120 verses.

Al-Baqarah was revealed in Madinah and is sometimes called the "peak" of the Qur'an due to its comprehensive coverage of Islamic principles. It contains some of the most well-known verses, including Ayat al-Kursi (the Throne Verse, 2:255) and the final two verses (2:285-286), which are widely recited for protection.

The people of Thamud were the community of Prophet Salih. They lived in the rocky region of Al-Hijr (in present-day northwestern Arabia) and were known for carving homes out of mountains. When they defied Allah's command by hamstringing the miraculous she-camel that had been sent as a sign, they were destroyed by a devastating blast.

The Qur'an describes their punishment using the term sayha (a deafening, overwhelming blast) in Surah Hud (11:67) and sa'iqa (a thunderbolt or lightning-strike) in Surah Fussilat (41:17). The correct answer is therefore a thunderbolt, reflecting the catastrophic sound and force that annihilated them.

It helps to distinguish the punishments of different destroyed nations: the people of Nuh were punished by drowning in the great flood; the people of 'Ad (Prophet Hud's community) were destroyed by a furious, relentless storm; and the people of Lut were struck by a rain of stones. Associating each nation with its specific punishment is a reliable way to answer these questions correctly.

Surah Al-Naas (Chapter 114) is the surah that ends with the word "Mankind." The name Al-Naas itself means "Mankind" or "The People." The final verse of this surah (114:6) reads: "Min al-jinnati wan-naas" - "From among the jinn and mankind." The very last word of this verse, and therefore of the entire surah, is "an-naas" (mankind).

Surah Al-Naas is the last chapter of the Qur'an and is one of the two Mu'awwidhatain (the two surahs of seeking refuge), alongside Surah Al-Falaq. It is a prayer seeking Allah's protection from the whispers of the retreating whisperer (al-waswas al-khannas) who whispers evil into the hearts of mankind.

The other surahs listed do not end with the word "mankind." Al-Zalzalah (The Earthquake) ends with a reference to deeds, Al-Takathur (The Rivalry in Worldly Increase) ends with a reference to being questioned about blessings, and Al-Falaq (The Daybreak) ends with a reference to the envious.

Maryam (Mary) was the mother of Prophet Isa (Jesus). The Qur'an gives Maryam a uniquely honoured position: she is the only woman mentioned by name in the entire Qur'an, and an entire surah (Surah Maryam, Surah 19) is named after her. The Qur'an regularly refers to Isa as "Isa ibn Maryam" (Jesus, son of Mary), emphasising his maternal lineage given the absence of a human father.

Maryam was the daughter of Imran, from a devout family. She was dedicated to worship at the temple from childhood and was under the guardianship of Prophet Zakariyya. The Qur'an describes her as chosen above all women of the worlds: "O Maryam, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds" (Surah Al-Imran, 3:42).

The other women listed have different roles. Hajar was the wife of Prophet Ibrahim and mother of Ismail. Fatima was the daughter of Prophet Muhammad. Aisha was one of the Prophet Muhammad's wives.

The reward for fasting is with Allah alone. This is based on a well-known hadith qudsi (sacred hadith, where Allah speaks through the Prophet) recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim: "Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting; it is for Me, and I shall reward for it."

This hadith highlights the unique status of fasting among all acts of worship. While the rewards of other good deeds are calculated and multiplied by known amounts (for example, a good deed is multiplied tenfold to seven hundred times), the reward for fasting has no specified limit - it is reserved by Allah Himself and is beyond human calculation. Scholars explain that fasting is singled out because it is the most private act of worship: no one can truly verify whether a person is fasting except Allah, since fasting involves abstaining from actions (eating, drinking, and other physical desires) rather than performing visible deeds.

The angels record deeds but do not determine rewards. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) conveyed the message but does not assign rewards. The community benefits from collective worship but does not control divine recompense.

The event of Mi'raj (the Prophet Muhammad's ascension through the heavens) is referenced in Surah Al-Najm (The Star, Surah 53). Verses 53:13-18 describe the second encounter during which the Prophet saw Jibril (Gabriel) in his true form near Sidrat al-Muntaha (the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary), and witnessed the signs of Allah in the highest heavens.

It is important to distinguish the Mi'raj from the Isra. The Isra (the night journey from Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem) is referenced in Surah Al-Isra (17:1). The Mi'raj (the ascension from Jerusalem through the seven heavens) is described in Surah Al-Najm. Since the question specifically asks about the Mi'raj, Al-Najm is the correct answer.

The other surahs listed are unrelated to this event: Al-Ma'un (Surah 107) discusses small acts of kindness and neglect of prayer; Al-Baqarah (Surah 2) covers broad themes of guidance and law; and Al-Nur (Surah 24) deals primarily with social conduct and modesty.

Prophet Isa (Jesus) is the prophet who spoke from the cradle as a newborn infant. This miraculous event is narrated in Surah Maryam (19:29-33). When Maryam (Mary) returned to her people carrying the baby Isa, they accused her of wrongdoing. She pointed to the infant, and he spoke, saying: "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet" (19:30).

This miracle served two purposes: it defended Maryam's honour against the accusations of her people, and it established Isa's prophetic mission from the very moment of his birth. The Qur'an also references this ability in Surah Al-Imran (3:46), where it states that Isa would speak to people in the cradle and in maturity.

None of the other prophets listed are reported to have spoken from the cradle. Prophet Muhammad received revelation at the age of forty. Prophet Musa's early life involved his rescue from the Nile. Prophet Yusuf's story centres on his childhood dreams and later trials in Egypt.

The main theme of Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112) is the oneness of Allah (Tawhid). The surah's very name, Al-Ikhlas, means "Sincerity" or "Purity of Faith," and its four concise verses provide the most concentrated statement of Islamic monotheism in the entire Qur'an:

1. "Qul huwa Allahu ahad" - Say: He is Allah, the One.
2. "Allahu as-samad" - Allah, the Eternal Refuge (the Self-Sufficient).
3. "Lam yalid wa lam yulad" - He neither begets nor is born.
4. "Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad" - Nor is there any equivalent to Him.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that this surah is equivalent to one-third of the Qur'an because it encapsulates the entire concept of Allah's nature and oneness, which is the foundational belief of Islam. The surah negates any form of polytheism, partnership with Allah, or attribution of human qualities such as having children or parents to Allah.

The other options are unrelated to this surah. Inheritance rules are found primarily in Surah Al-Nisa. The punishment of the grave is discussed in hadith literature. The birth of the Prophet is not a Qur'anic theme.

Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) is the prophet associated with the building of Bayt al-Maqdis (the sacred house in Jerusalem, also known as Al-Aqsa or the Temple). A well-known hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim reports that the Ka'bah was built first, and Bayt al-Maqdis was built forty years later. Islamic tradition credits Sulaiman with this construction, continuing the work that his father Dawud (David) had envisioned.

Sulaiman was uniquely equipped for this task because Allah granted him command over the jinn, humans, birds, and the wind, as described in Surah An-Naml (27:17) and Surah Saba (34:12-13). The jinn performed construction and other heavy labour at his command.

While Dawud is also connected to Jerusalem and laid the groundwork, the actual construction of the sacred structure is attributed to Sulaiman. Musa and Isa, though significant prophets in their own right, are not associated with this particular construction in Islamic sources.

Prophet Yusuf (Joseph, peace be upon him) is the Prophet renowned in the Qur'an for his God-given ability to interpret dreams. An entire surah - Surah Yusuf (Chapter 12) - is devoted to his story and is described by the Qur'an as "the best of stories" (ahsan al-qasas).

Yusuf's gift of dream interpretation is demonstrated at several key points in his story. As a child, he told his father Ya'qub (Jacob) about a dream in which eleven stars, the sun, and the moon prostrated to him - a vision that later came true. While imprisoned in Egypt, he correctly interpreted the dreams of two fellow inmates: one would serve wine to the king, and the other would be crucified. Most famously, he interpreted the King of Egypt's dream of seven fat cows being devoured by seven lean cows and seven green ears of grain alongside seven dry ones, predicting seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. This interpretation saved Egypt from disaster and led to Yusuf's appointment as treasurer of Egypt.

The other Prophets listed are associated with different miracles: Musa (Moses) with the staff and parting of the sea, Harun (Aaron) as Musa's assistant and spokesman, and Isa (Jesus) with healing the sick and raising the dead by Allah's permission.

Zakah is the Arabic term for the annual obligatory charity that every qualifying Muslim must pay. It is the third pillar of Islam and is mentioned alongside prayer (Salah) in numerous verses of the Qur'an, emphasising its importance. Zakah literally means "purification" or "growth," reflecting the belief that paying it purifies one's wealth and increases blessings.

Zakah is calculated as 2.5% of a Muslim's accumulated wealth that has been held for one full lunar year and exceeds the minimum threshold (nisab). It is distributed to eight categories of recipients specified in Surah At-Tawbah (9:60), including the poor, the needy, and those in debt.

The other terms have distinct meanings. Sadaqah is voluntary charity given at any time and in any amount - it is not obligatory and has no fixed rate. Jizyah is a tax historically levied on non-Muslim subjects (dhimmis) living under Islamic governance in exchange for protection and exemption from military service. Khums refers to a one-fifth tax, primarily observed in Shia jurisprudence, on certain types of surplus income.

The question asks which person was commanded to sacrifice his son as a test from Allah. However, there is an important distinction to make: the person commanded to perform the sacrifice was Prophet Ibrahim (AS), not one of his sons. The question's options list only the sons, not Ibrahim himself.

In the Qur'an (Surah As-Saffat, 37:102-107), Allah tested Ibrahim (AS) by commanding him in a dream to sacrifice his son. When Ibrahim and his son both submitted to Allah's will, Allah ransomed the son with a great sacrifice (a ram), demonstrating that the test was about obedience, not the actual taking of a life.

Among the options given, the question appears to be asking which son was the one to be sacrificed. In mainstream Islamic scholarship, the son whom Ibrahim was commanded to sacrifice was Isma'il (AS). This is the predominant view based on the Qur'anic narrative in Surah As-Saffat, where the story of the sacrifice appears in the context of Isma'il's birth narrative, and the birth of Ishaq is mentioned separately afterwards as additional glad tidings.

Yusuf (AS) was the son of Yaqub, not Ibrahim, and is known for the story of being cast into a well by his brothers. Yaqub (AS) was the son of Ishaq and grandson of Ibrahim. Ishaq (AS) was Ibrahim's second son through Sarah, and while a minority of scholars hold he was the sacrificial son, the majority position identifies Isma'il.

Ayatul Kursi (the Verse of the Throne) is found in Surah Al-Baqarah. It is specifically verse 255 of the second chapter of the Qur'an. Ayatul Kursi is one of the most well-known and frequently recited verses in the Qur'an, and it is considered the greatest verse in the entire Qur'an according to an authentic hadith narrated by Ubayy ibn Ka'b.

The verse describes Allah's absolute sovereignty, power, and knowledge. It begins with "Allahu la ilaha illa Huwa, Al-Hayyul-Qayyum" (Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining). It affirms that Allah's Kursi (Throne/Footstool) extends over the heavens and the earth, and that preserving them does not tire Him. The verse encapsulates core aspects of Tawhid (the oneness of Allah).

Surah Al-Baqarah is the longest surah in the Qur'an with 286 verses. The other surahs listed - Al-Nisa (Chapter 4), Al-Imran (Chapter 3), and Al-Tawbah (Chapter 9) - do not contain Ayatul Kursi, although they each contain important verses on other aspects of Islamic law and belief.

The Prophet who received the Torah (Tawrat) was Musa (Moses, AS). This is established in the Qur'an in multiple verses. In Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:44), Allah states: "Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light." Surah Al-Isra (17:2) also confirms: "And We gave Musa the Scripture and made it a guidance for the Children of Israel."

The Torah was the divine scripture revealed to Musa for the guidance of the Bani Isra'il (Children of Israel). It contained laws, commandments, and moral teachings that formed the religious and legal foundation for the Israelite community.

In Islamic belief, there are four major revealed scriptures, each given to a specific prophet:

• The Tawrat (Torah) was given to Musa (AS)
• The Zabur (Psalms) was given to Dawud (AS)
• The Injil (Gospel) was given to Isa (AS)
• The Qur'an was given to Muhammad (SAW)

Ibrahim (AS), while one of the greatest prophets, received Suhuf (scrolls/scriptures) rather than one of the four major books.

Wahshi ibn Harb is the person who killed Hamzah ibn Abdul-Muttalib (RA) at the Battle of Uhud in 3 AH, and who later accepted Islam. Wahshi was an Abyssinian slave renowned for his skill with the javelin. He was tasked by Hind bint Utbah (wife of Abu Sufyan) and his master Jubayr ibn Mut'im to kill Hamzah in exchange for his freedom, as Hamzah had killed Hind's father and uncle at the Battle of Badr.

During the Battle of Uhud, Wahshi found an opportunity and struck Hamzah with his javelin, killing him. After the conquest of Makkah in 8 AH, Wahshi eventually accepted Islam. The Prophet forgave him but reportedly asked him not to show his face, as it reminded him of his beloved uncle's death. Wahshi later participated in the Riddah Wars and is credited with killing the false prophet Musaylimah at the Battle of Yamama.

While Hind bint Utbah was the instigator and also later accepted Islam, she is not the one who physically killed Hamzah. Abu Sufyan was the overall Quraysh commander and also later became Muslim, but he did not kill Hamzah. Suhayl ibn Amr was another prominent Quraysh figure unrelated to this event.

Surah Al-Imran refers to the family of 'Imran, which includes Maryam (mother of Isa), as seen in Qur'an 3:33: "Indeed, Allah chose
Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham and the family of 'Imran."

The blowing of the trumpet (As-Sur) will be performed by the angel Israfil. This is a well-established belief in Islamic eschatology. Israfil is specifically assigned the duty of blowing the trumpet to signal the end of the world and the beginning of the Day of Judgement (Yawm al-Qiyamah).

According to Islamic teaching, there will be two blows of the trumpet. The first blow will cause all living creatures in the heavens and on earth to fall unconscious and die (except those whom Allah wills to spare), as referenced in Surah Az-Zumar (39:68). The second blow will resurrect all of creation for judgement before Allah.

Each of the other angels mentioned has a distinct role: Mikail (Michael) is responsible for managing provisions, sustenance, and natural phenomena like rainfall. Malik is the angel appointed as the guardian and keeper of Hellfire, as mentioned in Surah Az-Zukhruf (43:77). Jibril (Gabriel) is the angel of revelation, responsible for delivering Allah's messages to the prophets.

Exam tip: Associate each major angel with a single key role - Jibril with revelation, Mikail with provisions, Israfil with the trumpet, and Malik with Hellfire.

The Prophet who was thrown into the fire but saved by Allah was Ibrahim (Abraham, AS). This event is narrated in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:68-69) and Surah As-Saffat (37:97-98).

Ibrahim (AS) challenged the idol worship of his people by destroying their idols to prove their powerlessness. When his people discovered what he had done, they were enraged and decided to punish him by throwing him into a great fire. They built a massive bonfire and catapulted Ibrahim into it.

However, Allah commanded the fire: "O fire, be coolness and safety upon Ibrahim" (Ya naru kuni bardan wa salaman 'ala Ibrahim) (Qur'an 21:69). By Allah's miraculous intervention, the fire did not burn Ibrahim at all. He emerged from it completely unharmed. This miracle demonstrated Allah's absolute power over the natural elements and vindicated Ibrahim's monotheistic message.

This event is one of the defining moments in Ibrahim's life and demonstrates why he is regarded as Khalilullah (the friend of Allah) and one of the Ulul-Azm (Prophets of Strong Determination).

The other prophets listed had different trials: Isa (AS) was raised up to Allah and was not crucified according to Islamic belief. Musa (AS) confronted Pharaoh and parted the sea. Yusuf (AS) was thrown into a well by his brothers and later imprisoned in Egypt, but was not thrown into fire.

The angel responsible for bringing divine revelations to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is Jibril (Gabriel). This is one of the most fundamental facts in Islamic belief. Jibril (AS) is the chief of the angels and the one entrusted by Allah with the delivery of His messages to all prophets, with the final and most significant being the revelation of the Qur'an to Muhammad (SAW).

The first revelation came through Jibril in the Cave of Hira on Mount Nur, when Jibril appeared to the Prophet and commanded him to read (Iqra'), as described in Surah Al-'Alaq (96:1-5). Jibril continued to bring revelations over approximately 23 years until the Qur'an was complete. The Qur'an itself refers to Jibril's role in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:97): "Say, whoever is an enemy to Jibril - it is he who has brought it (the Qur'an) down upon your heart by permission of Allah."

The other angels have different roles: Mikail (Michael) is responsible for provisions, sustenance, and natural phenomena such as rain. Israfil is the angel assigned to blow the trumpet (As-Sur) on the Day of Judgement. Malik is the keeper (guardian) of Hellfire, mentioned in Surah Az-Zukhruf (43:77).

The Qur'an was first revealed on Laylat al-Qadr, meaning "The Night of Power" or "The Night of Decree." This is confirmed in the Qur'an itself: Surah Al-Qadr (97:1) states, "Indeed, We sent it [the Qur'an] down during the Night of Decree." Similarly, Surah Al-Dukhan (44:3) states, "Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night."

Laylat al-Qadr occurs during the last ten nights of Ramadan, and the Qur'an describes it as "better than a thousand months" (97:3), meaning worship on this single night is more valuable than worship over a thousand months. The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged Muslims to seek it in the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.

The other nights have different significance. Laylat al-Miraj is the night of the Prophet's ascension to the heavens, during which the five daily prayers were prescribed. Laylat al-Tahajjud is not a specific historical night but refers to the time of voluntary night prayers. Laylat al-Bara'ah (the Night of Salvation) is observed in the middle of the month of Sha'ban and is associated with forgiveness.

Some of Musa's people who violated the Sabbath were transformed into apes, as recorded in Qur'an 2:65: "Be you apes, despised."

The Prophet who received the Zabur (Psalms) was Dawud (David, AS). This is stated in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Isra (17:55): "And your Lord is most knowing of whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And We have made some of the prophets exceed others [in favour], and to Dawud We gave the Zabur." The same is confirmed in Surah An-Nisa (4:163).

The Zabur is one of the four major divine scriptures in Islam. It consisted primarily of hymns, praises, supplications, and words of wisdom revealed to Dawud (AS). Dawud was known for his exceptionally beautiful voice, and when he recited the Zabur, the mountains and birds would join him in glorifying Allah, as described in Surah Saba (34:10) and Surah Sad (38:18-19).

Each of the four major scriptures was given to a specific prophet:

• Tawrat (Torah) - revealed to Musa (AS)
• Zabur (Psalms) - revealed to Dawud (AS)
• Injil (Gospel) - revealed to Isa (AS)
• Qur'an - revealed to Muhammad (SAW)

Ibrahim (AS) received Suhuf (scrolls) rather than one of the four major books.

The father of Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist, AS) was Zakariyyah (Zechariah, AS). This is clearly stated in the Qur'an in Surah Maryam (19:7), where Allah gave Zakariyyah the glad tidings of a son named Yahya: "O Zakariyyah, indeed We give you good tidings of a boy whose name will be Yahya. We have not assigned to any before him that name."

Zakariyyah (AS) was an elderly prophet who served as a guardian of Maryam (Mary) in the temple. He and his wife had been childless for many years, and his wife was barren. Despite his advanced age, Zakariyyah prayed earnestly to Allah for an heir, as described in Surah Maryam (19:2-6). Allah answered his prayer miraculously, granting him Yahya - a son who would be a prophet, noble, chaste, and righteous.

The other prophets listed are not the father of Yahya: Musa (AS) and Harun (AS) were brothers, both prophets sent to the Children of Israel and to Pharaoh. Sulaiman (AS) was the son of Prophet Dawud (AS) and was known for his kingdom and wisdom, not as the father of Yahya.

The prayer referred to as "Salat al-Wusta" (the Middle Prayer) is the Asr prayer, according to the majority of Islamic scholars and the most widely accepted interpretation. The Qur'an commands special attention to this prayer in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:238): "Guard strictly your prayers, especially the Middle Prayer (Salat al-Wusta), and stand before Allah in devout obedience."

Several authentic hadiths identify the Asr prayer as Salat al-Wusta. In one narration recorded by Muslim, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said on the day of the Battle of the Trench (Al-Khandaq): "They have kept us from the Middle Prayer, the Asr prayer." This is considered the strongest textual evidence for the identification.

The term "al-Wusta" means "the middle" and Asr falls in the middle of the five daily prayers chronologically: Fajr and Dhuhr come before it, while Maghrib and Isha come after it. The Qur'an singles it out because it occurs during a busy time of the day when people are occupied with work and trade, making it the prayer most likely to be neglected or delayed.

Prophet Isa (Jesus) is the prophet who was born without a father. The Qur'an states that Isa was born to Maryam (Mary) through a miraculous conception by Allah's command alone, without any human father. In Surah Al-Imran (3:47), when Maryam asked how she could have a child when no man had touched her, the angel replied: "Such is Allah; He creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is."

The Qur'an draws a parallel between this miracle and the creation of Adam in Surah Al-Imran (3:59): "Indeed, the example of Isa to Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, 'Be,' and he was." Both were created through extraordinary divine acts, but Isa's birth is specifically characterised by the absence of a father.

The other prophets listed all had fathers. Ibrahim's father was Azar. Is-haq (Isaac) was the son of Ibrahim. Musa (Moses) was the son of Imran (a different Imran from Maryam's father).

In Islamic jurisprudence, different Arabic terms describe distinct categories of fasting. Nafl (also spelled Nawafil in the plural) refers to voluntary or supererogatory acts of worship - those performed beyond what is obligatory. Voluntary fasting falls under this category because it is not required but is highly recommended and earns additional reward from Allah.

The other terms have different meanings. Qada refers to making up missed obligatory fasts, such as those missed during Ramadan due to illness or travel. Iftar is the meal eaten to break the fast at sunset, not a type of fasting itself. Kaffarah is an act of expiation or atonement required when an obligatory fast is deliberately broken without a valid reason; it typically involves fasting for 60 consecutive days, feeding 60 poor people, or freeing a slave.

Examples of Nafl fasting include fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, the white days (13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month), the Day of Arafah, and six days in the month of Shawwal.

Prophet Isa (Jesus) was given the Gospel, known in Arabic as the Injil. The Qur'an states in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:46): "And We sent, following in their footsteps, Isa, the son of Maryam, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Injil, in which was guidance and light."

In Islamic belief, each of the major divine scriptures was revealed to a specific prophet. The four commonly referenced scriptures and their recipients are:

• The Suhuf (Scrolls) were given to Ibrahim (Abraham)
• The Tawrah (Torah) was given to Musa (Moses)
• The Zabur (Psalms) was given to Dawud (David)
• The Injil (Gospel) was given to Isa (Jesus)
• The Qur'an was given to Muhammad

Knowing which scripture was revealed to which prophet is a foundational topic in Islamic Studies and is frequently tested in examinations.