Islamic Religious Knowledge 2018 Jamb Examination

In Islamic jurisprudence, postnatal bleeding is known as Nifās. The maximum period for Nifās is generally considered to be 40 days (or 60 days in some schools of thought like the Maliki school). Once a woman reaches the maximum stipulated timeframe, any bleeding that continues beyond that limit is no longer classified as Nifās, but rather as Istihādah (chronic or non-ritual bleeding due to a physical ailment). In the case of Istihādah, the woman is required to perform a ritual bath (Ghusl) at the end of the maximum Nifās period and resume her daily prayers (Salah) and fasting. She should perform a fresh ablution (Wudu) for each prayer, as the continued bleeding does not prevent her from worshipping once the legal period of impurity has expired.

The historic migration of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and his followers from Makkah to the city of Yathrib (later renamed Madinah) in 622 CE is known as the Hijrah. This event was triggered by the intensifying persecution and a plot to assassinate the Prophet in Makkah. The Hijrah was not merely a flight from danger, but a strategic move to establish a sovereign Islamic community where the faith could be practiced freely. Because of its immense significance in marking the birth of the Islamic state and the beginning of a new era of security and growth, it was later chosen as the starting point for the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.

The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) experienced significant loss early in his life. Having been born an orphan after his father, Abdullah, passed away before his birth, he was raised by his mother, Aminah bint Wahb. At the age of 6, while returning from a visit to Yathrib (Madinah), his mother fell ill and passed away at a place called Abwa. Following her death, he was taken into the care of his grandfather, Abdul-Muttalib, and later his uncle, Abu Talib. These early experiences of hardship and orphanhood are mentioned in the Qur'an as part of Allah's care and preparation for his future role as a compassionate leader and messenger.

Although small communities of Christians, Jews, and Hanifs (monotheists following the tradition of Ibrahim) existed in the Arabian Peninsula, the predominant religion of the Arabs before Islam was pagan polytheism or Idol worshipping. The Ka'bah in Makkah, originally built for the worship of one God, had been filled with 360 idols representing various tribal deities. The Arabs believed that these idols acted as intermediaries between them and a higher deity. This period was characterized by a deep devotion to tribal gods and ancestral traditions, which Islam eventually replaced with the strict monotheistic worship of Allah.

The verse "Fa-salli li-rabbika wan-har" is the second verse of Surah al-Kawthar (Chapter 108). It translates to "So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone]." This command was given to the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) as a demonstration of gratitude for the 'Abundance' (al-Kawthar) that Allah had bestowed upon him. The verse emphasizes the two primary acts of physical and spiritual devotion: the performance of prayer (Salah) and the ritual sacrifice of an animal (Nahr), both of which must be directed exclusively toward Allah, in contrast to the pagan practices of the time.

Ali ibn Abi Talib (R.A), the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) who lived in the Prophet's household, was the first youth and first male to embrace Islam. He was approximately 10 years old when the Prophet received the first revelation. Upon seeing the Prophet and Khadijah (R.A) praying, he inquired about the faith and accepted it shortly thereafter. Ali's early commitment to the faith demonstrated his profound courage and spiritual insight, and he remained one of the closest companions and most valiant defenders of Islam throughout his life.

The Qur'an is referred to by various titles and attributes within its own text. 'Al-Huda' (The Guidance), 'An-Nur' (The Light), and 'Al-Bayyinah' (The Clear Proof) are all used to describe the nature and function of the revelation. 'Ar-Rahmān' (The Most Merciful), however, is one of the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah and is the title of Surah 55, but it is not commonly used as a name for the Qur'an itself. While the Qur'an is a manifestation of Allah's mercy, the specific noun 'Ar-Rahmān' refers to the Creator, whereas the other options are direct descriptors of the scripture.

Tayammum is the Islamic act of dry ritual purification. When water is unavailable, scarce, or when using it would be harmful to a person's health, Allah has provided a facility to maintain ritual purity using clean earth, sand, or stone. The process involves striking the earth with the palms and wiping the face and the hands up to the wrists. This practice ensures that the spiritual requirement for purity before prayer is maintained while providing ease and flexibility for the believer in difficult circumstances. Janabah refers to a state of major impurity, and Janazah refers to a funeral, making Tayammum the only correct answer here.

The era in Arabia before the mission of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) is known as the period of Jahiliyyah, which translates to the 'Age of Ignorance'. This term does not necessarily mean the people were uneducated (as they were famous for their poetry and language), but rather refers to their ignorance of divine guidance, monotheism, and ethical conduct. It was a time characterized by polytheism, tribal warfare, social injustice, and practices like the burying of female infants. Islam came to replace the 'darkness' of Jahiliyyah with the 'light' of monotheism and moral law.

In Islamic tradition, various angels are assigned specific duties in the administration of the universe. Angel Mikail is in charge of rain and sustenance, Israfil is responsible for blowing the trumpet to signal the Day of Judgment, and Azrail (often associated with the term Malakul Maut) is the angel of death. The angel assigned as the gatekeeper and guardian of Jannah (Paradise) is Ridwan. He is described as a pleasant and welcoming angel who greets the righteous as they enter their eternal abode of peace and bliss.