NTS - National Testing Service Islamic Studies Knowledge Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The literal meaning of "Zakat", one of the five pillars of Islam, is:
- To give charity
- To increase
- To purify (Correct answer)
- To worship
Correct answer: To purify
The word "Zakat" literally means 'to cleanse' or 'to purify'. It is understood as a way to purify one's own wealth by giving a portion of it to those in need, thereby cleansing it from any worldly impurity and gaining blessings.
Question 2: Which Surah of the Holy Quran is famously referred to as the 'Qalb-ul-Quran' (the Heart of the Quran)?
- Surah Al-Fatiha
- Surah Yaseen (Correct answer)
- Surah Ar-Rahman
- Surah Al-Baqarah
Correct answer: Surah Yaseen
Surah Yaseen is widely known as the 'Heart of the Quran' based on a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which states, "Everything has a heart, and the heart of the Qur'an is Surah Ya-Sin."
Question 3: The pivotal Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, which established a ten-year truce between the Muslims of Medina and the Quraysh of Makkah, was signed in which Islamic year?
- 2 AH
- 8 AH
- 4 AH
- 6 AH (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 6 AH
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was signed in the month of Dhu al-Qi'dah in the 6th year after Hijra (6 AH), corresponding to March 628 CE. This treaty was a crucial turning point that led to the eventual conquest of Makkah.
Question 4: Which of the following Prophets is distinguished by the title 'Khalilullah' (The Friend of Allah)?
- Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) (Correct answer)
- Prophet Musa (A.S.)
- Prophet Isa (A.S.)
- Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Correct answer: Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.)
Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) is given the title 'Khalilullah' (The Friend of Allah) in the Quran (Surah An-Nisa, 4:125) due to his complete submission, unwavering faith, and deep, intimate relationship with God.
Question 5: Among the early converts to Islam, who is recognized as the first adult free man to embrace the faith?
- Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (R.A.)
- Hazrat Zayd ibn Harithah (R.A.)
- Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.) (Correct answer)
- Hazrat Umar ibn Al-Khattab (R.A.)
Correct answer: Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.)
While Hazrat Khadijah (R.A.) was the first person and Hazrat Ali (R.A.) was the first male (a child), Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.) was the first adult free man to accept Islam. He did so without hesitation due to his close friendship and trust in the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Question 6: During the Hajj pilgrimage, the ritual of 'Rami' involves which specific action?
- Running between the hills of Safa and Marwa
- Symbolically stoning three pillars at Mina (Correct answer)
- Circling the Holy Kaaba seven times
- Drinking water from the Zamzam well
Correct answer: Symbolically stoning three pillars at Mina
The ritual of 'Rami' (or Rami al-Jamarat) is the symbolic stoning of three pillars in Mina. This act commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) who stoned the devil when he tried to tempt him to disobey Allah's command.
NTS - National Testing Service Islamic Studies Knowledge Questions and Answers 1
The literal meaning of "Zakat", one of the five pillars of Islam, is: