Islamic Religious Knowledge 2018 Jamb Examination

Tamattu‘ is one of the three types of Hajj. A pilgrim who chooses this method is called a Mutamatti‘. This individual performs 'Umrah during the months of Hajj (Shawwal, Dhul-Qi'dah, or the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah), then exits the state of Ihram and enjoys a period of normal life in Makkah until the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah. On that day, the pilgrim re-enters the state of Ihram specifically for Hajj. This type of Hajj is highly recommended and requires the sacrifice of an animal (Hadi) as a token of gratitude to Allah for allowing the pilgrim to perform both 'Umrah and Hajj in a single journey with a period of ease in between.

The Muslims of Madinah who welcomed the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and the Makkan emigrants (Muhajirun) are known as the Ansar, which means 'The Helpers'. They belonged primarily to the tribes of Aus and Khazraj. The Ansar played a critical role in the success of the early Islamic state by sharing their homes, wealth, and resources with the Muhajirun and providing the military and political support necessary for Islam to flourish. Their selflessness and devotion are praised in the Qur'an as a model for all believers.

Zakat, the obligatory charity and one of the five pillars of Islam, is due on wealth that has met the minimum threshold (Nisab) and has been in the owner's possession for one full lunar year (Hawl). Therefore, Zakat is calculated and paid once every lunar year. This ensures a consistent redistribution of wealth to the eight categories of recipients mentioned in the Qur'an, such as the poor and the needy, while preventing the hoarding of wealth within a small segment of society.

Surah al-Ikhlās (Chapter 112) is one of the most significant chapters in the Qur'an despite its brevity. It provides the definitive definition of Tawhid (the Oneness and Unity of Allah). The surah states that Allah is One, Eternal, Absolute, neither begetting nor begotten, and that there is nothing comparable to Him. It serves as a pure declaration of monotheism, stripping away any anthropomorphic or polytheistic conceptions of the Divine. The Prophet (S.A.W) described this surah as being equivalent to one-third of the Qur'an because it encapsulates the core essence of Islamic belief.

Salat Al-Maghrib consists of three rak'ahs. If a person joins the congregation and misses two rak'ahs, they have only caught the final rak'ah with the Imam. This includes the final sitting for Tashahud with the Imam (Sitting 1). After the Imam gives the Salam, the person rises to complete the remaining two rak'ahs. After completing their first individual rak'ah (which is the second for the prayer overall), they must sit for the middle Tashahud (Sitting 2). Finally, after completing their second individual rak'ah (the third for the prayer), they sit for the final Tashahud (Sitting 3) before giving their own Salam. Thus, the person performs a total of three sittings.

Surah al-Kāfirūn was revealed in response to an offer by the Makkan polytheists to compromise by worshipping Allah for one year if the Prophet (S.A.W) would worship their idols for a year. The surah provides a firm and uncompromising declaration of Monotheism (Tawhid). It draws a clear line between the worship of the One True God and the worship of false deities, concluding with the statement, 'To you be your religion, and to me my religion.' The primary lesson is that in matters of fundamental creed and worship, there can be no compromise or syncretism; the purity of monotheism must be maintained.

While Islamic tradition holds that thousands of prophets were sent to different nations throughout history, the Qur'an mentions only twenty-five of them by name. These include figures such as Adam, Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). These specific prophets are highlighted because their stories contain vital lessons, legal precedents, and spiritual guidance necessary for the Muslim community. Believing in all of them—both those mentioned and those not mentioned—is a mandatory Article of Faith (Iman) in Islam.

Subh (also known as Fajr) is the dawn prayer and is the first of the five daily obligatory prayers in Islam. It consists of exactly two obligatory (Fard) rak'ahs. These rak'ahs are recited aloud (Jahri) by the Imam in a congregational setting. While there are two highly recommended Sunnah rak'ahs performed before the Fard, the core obligatory component of the Subh prayer is two rak'ahs.

Following the Battle of Yamama, where many Huffaz (memorisers of the Qur'an) were martyred, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab became concerned about the preservation of the revelation. He persuaded the first Caliph, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, to order the official compilation of the Qur'an into a single book (Mushaf). Abu Bakr commissioned Zaid ibn Thabit, the Prophet's primary scribe, to collect the verses from various materials (parchment, stones, date palms) and the hearts of men. This initial compilation was kept with Abu Bakr, then 'Umar, and later Hafsah (R.A) before the final standardization occurred during 'Uthman's caliphate.

In Islamic jurisprudence (Usul al-Fiqh), the Hadith (the sayings, actions, and silent approvals of the Prophet) is the second most important source of guidance after the Qur'an. Its primary importance lies in its role as a supplement and an explanation of the Qur'anic text. While the Qur'an provides general principles and commands (such as the order to pray), the Hadith provides the specific details on how to implement those commands (such as the timings and movements of prayer). It serves as the living application of the Divine Word, making it an indispensable foundation for Islamic law, ethics, and lifestyle.