Q1.
What does the term 'Islam' mean?
Explanation: The word 'Islam' is an Arabic word that means 'submission' or 'surrender' to the will of the one and only God, Allah.
Q2.
What is the literal meaning of 'Islam'?
Explanation: The root word 'S-L-M' in Arabic gives rise to meanings such as safety, peace, submission, and obedience, which are all integral to the concept of Islam.
Q3.
In terms of followers, Islam is the world's ____ largest religion.
Explanation: With approximately 1.9 billion followers, Islam is the second-largest religion in the world after Christianity.
Q4.
What is a person who submits to Allah and follows the teachings of Islam called?
Explanation: A follower of Islam is called a Muslim, which means 'one who submits' to the will of God.
Q5.
Approximately how many people in the world are Muslims?
Explanation: As of the early 2020s, the global Muslim population is estimated to be around 1.9 billion people, making up about 25% of the world's population.
Q6.
Which country has the largest Muslim population in the world?
Explanation: Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, followed by Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.
Q7.
How many fundamental pillars (Arkan-e-Islam) are there in Islam?
Explanation: Islam is built upon five fundamental pillars: Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj.
Q8.
Who was the first prophet in Islam?
Explanation: Hazrat Adam (A.S) is considered the first human being and the first prophet in Islam.
Q9.
Who is the last prophet in Islam?
Explanation: Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is revered as the final prophet and messenger of God, known as the 'Seal of the Prophets' (Khatam-un-Nabiyyin).
Q10.
According to Islamic tradition, what is the estimated total number of prophets sent by God?
Explanation: While 25 prophets are mentioned by name in the Quran, Islamic tradition holds that God sent approximately 124,000 prophets to guide humanity.
Q11.
What is the first pillar of Islam?
Explanation: The first and most important pillar is the Shahada, the declaration of faith: 'There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger'.
Q12.
What is the third pillar of Islam?
Explanation: The third pillar is Zakat, the obligatory charity given to the poor and needy, calculated as a percentage of a Muslim's wealth.
Q13.
What does the 'Sunnah' refer to in Islam?
Explanation: The Sunnah refers to the traditional practices, sayings, and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which serve as a model for Muslims.
Q14.
In which century did Islam emerge in the Arabian Peninsula?
Explanation: Islam began in the 7th century in the city of Makkah with the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) around 610 AD.
Q15.
Action (amal) depends on____?
Explanation: The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) famously stated 'Actions are but by intentions' (Innamal amalu bin niyyat). Every deed's value in Islam is determined by the underlying sincere intention (Niyyah) of the person.
Q16.
From which matter Allah created the first human?
Explanation: According to the Quran, Allah created Adam from 'Salsalin min hama’in masnun' (clay from altered mud) and 'Tin' (clay/dust). While the soul was breathed into him later to bring him to life, the primary physical matter of his creation was clay. Fire is associated with the creation of Jinn, and light with the creation of Angels.
Q17.
How many essential beliefs are there in 'Iman-e-Mufassal' (the Detailed Faith)?
Explanation: Iman-e-Mufassal outlines seven essential articles of faith: Belief in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, Fate (Qadr), and Resurrection after death.
Q18.
What is the old name of Makkah?
Explanation: The name 'Bakkah' is mentioned in the Quran (Surah Al-Imran, Verse 96) as the location of the first House of Worship established for mankind. While Makkah is the modern name, Bakkah is considered its ancient name.
Q19.
What was the name of Madinah before it was changed after the Hijrah?
Explanation: Before the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated to the city, it was known as Yathrib. Following the Hijrah, it became known as Madinat al-Nabi (City of the Prophet), or simply Madinah.
Q20.
Which country is often called the 'Land of Prophets'?
Explanation: Palestine is known as the 'Land of Prophets' as many prophets mentioned in the Quran, such as Ibrahim (A.S), Dawud (A.S), Sulaiman (A.S), and Isa (A.S), lived and preached there.
Q21.
What was the old name of Islam?
Explanation: The original, pure monotheistic faith is referred to as 'Deen-e-Haneef', the primordial religion of submission to one God.
Q22.
What was the first educational institution in Islam?
Explanation: The 'Suffah' at Masjid-e-Nabawi in Madinah was the first learning center in Islam, where companions of the Prophet (PBUH) dedicated themselves to study.
Q23.
How many major schools of thought (madhhabs) are there in Sunni Islam?
Explanation: There are four major schools of jurisprudence in Sunni Islam: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali.
Q24.
Where is the 'Jannat-ul-Baqi' cemetery located?
Explanation: Jannat-ul-Baqi is a historic cemetery in Madinah, located next to Masjid-e-Nabawi. Many of the Prophet's (PBUH) family and companions are buried there.
Q25.
In which location is 'Masjid-e-Khayf' situated?
Explanation: Masjid-e-Khayf is located in Mina, near Makkah. It is reported that numerous prophets prayed at this site.
Q26.
What does 'Laylat-ul-Qadr' mean?
Explanation: Laylat-ul-Qadr means 'The Night of Power' or 'The Night of Decree'. It is the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed and is considered the most blessed night in Islam.
Q27.
What is the meaning of 'Kiram-an-Katibin'?
Explanation: 'Kiram-an-Katibin' refers to the two angels who record a person's good and bad deeds. The term means 'Honorable Recorders' or 'Illustrious Writers'.
Q28.
What was the first mosque built on the surface of Earth?
Explanation: According to Islamic tradition, the Kaaba within Masjid-al-Haram in Makkah was the first house of worship established for humanity.
Q29.
What was the first mosque built by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) after migrating to Madinah?
Explanation: The first mosque built in the history of Islam by the Prophet (PBUH) himself was Masjid-e-Quba, on the outskirts of Madinah.
Q30.
What is the name of the Fourth Kalima?
Explanation: The Fourth Kalima is known as 'Tauheed', which is a declaration of the Oneness of Allah.
Q31.
What is the name of the Sixth Kalima?
Explanation: The Sixth Kalima is known as 'Rad-de-Kufr', which is a declaration rejecting disbelief and affirming faith.
Q32.
What does 'Qiblah' mean?
Explanation: Qiblah refers to the direction that Muslims face during prayer (Salah), which is towards the Kaaba in Makkah.
Q33.
What is 'Sidrat al-Muntaha'?
Explanation: 'Sidrat al-Muntaha' is a celestial Lote Tree that marks the end of the seventh heaven, the boundary which no creation can pass.
Q34.
What is the opposite of 'Tauheed' (monotheism)?
Explanation: The opposite of Tauheed (the belief in One God) is Shirk, the sin of associating partners with Allah.
Q35.
Which angel is known as the greatest of all angels in Islam?
Explanation: Jibrael (Gabriel) is considered the archangel in Islam, tasked with revealing the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Q36.
Which angel is assigned to blow the trumpet on the Day of Judgment?
Explanation: Israfil (A.S) is the angel who will blow the trumpet (Sur) to signal the beginning of the Day of Resurrection.
Q37.
Which angel is assigned the duty of taking souls at the time of death?
Explanation: Azrael (A.S), also known as Malak-ul-Maut (Angel of Death), is responsible for parting the soul from the body.
Q38.
Which angel is in charge of rainfall and sustenance?
Explanation: Mikail (Michael) is the angel responsible for managing natural phenomena, such as rain, and distributing sustenance to God's creation.
Q39.
What is 'Shari'ah'?
Explanation: Shari'ah is the divine law of Islam, derived from the Quran and the Sunnah, that governs all aspects of a Muslim's life.
Q40.
What is the religious leader who leads the prayer in a mosque called?
Explanation: The person who leads the congregational prayer is called an Imam. The one who calls to prayer is a Muezzin.
Q41.
What is the term for something that is lawful and permitted in Islam?
Explanation: Halal is an Arabic term meaning 'permissible' or 'lawful' according to Islamic law. Its opposite is Haram ('forbidden').
Q42.
At what age did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) receive the first revelation?
Explanation: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was 40 years old when he received the first divine revelation from the angel Jibrael in the Cave of Hira.
Q43.
What is a person who has completely memorized the Quran known as?
Explanation: A Hafiz is a person who has memorized the entire Quran. A Qari is one who recites it beautifully, and an Alim is a scholar.
Q44.
What is the literal meaning of the word 'Jihad'?
Explanation: The word 'Jihad' literally means 'to struggle' or 'to strive'. It refers to any effort to please God, with the 'greater jihad' being the internal struggle against one's own evil inclinations.
Q45.
The Islamic calendar (Hijri) began in which year of the Gregorian calendar?
Explanation: The Islamic calendar started from the year of the Hijra (migration) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Makkah to Madinah, which corresponds to 622 AD.
Q46.
In which holy book were the 'Ten Commandments' revealed?
Explanation: In Islam, it is believed that the Ten Commandments were part of the revelations given to Prophet Musa (Moses) in the holy book, the Taurat (Torah).
Q47.
What is the Arabic term for the Islamic call to prayer?
Explanation: The Adhan is the Islamic call to worship, recited by the muezzin from the mosque's minaret to announce the time for the five daily prayers.
Q48.
To which tribe did the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) belong?
Explanation: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born into the Banu Hashim clan of the respected and powerful Quraysh tribe of Makkah.
Q49.
What does the term 'Ummah' refer to in Islam?
Explanation: The 'Ummah' is a term for the collective community of Islamic peoples, transcending national, racial, and class divisions.
Q50.
What is the first month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar?
Explanation: The Islamic calendar begins with the month of Muharram, which is one of the four sacred months in Islam.
Q51.
In which cave did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) receive the first revelation of the Quran?
Explanation: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to meditate in the Cave of Hira on the mountain Jabal al-Nour, where he received the first divine revelation from the angel Jibrael.
Q52.
What does the title 'Khatam-un-Nabiyyin' signify for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
Explanation: The title 'Khatam-un-Nabiyyin' (Seal of the Prophets) affirms the core Islamic belief that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last and final messenger of God, with no prophet to come after him.