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JAMB Islamic Religious Studies Past Questions

Real JAMB Islamic Religious Studies past questions, each with the correct answer and a worked solution. Below are 8 to work through free — no account needed.

8 JAMB Islamic Religious Studies questions with answers

Question 1

According to Islamic beliefs, which of the following is the primary purpose of performing Salat (prayer) five times a day?

  1. a.To seek constant remembrance and closeness to Allah
  2. b.To show off religious devotion to others
  3. c.To compete with fellow Muslims in acts of worship
  4. d.To fulfill family expectations and traditions

Solution

The correct answer is 'To seek constant remembrance and closeness to Allah,' as Salat is intended to keep Muslims connected to their Creator throughout the day. 'To show off religious devotion to others' is tempting, but sincerity (Ikhlas) is required in worship and showing off is discouraged in Islam.

Question 2

During Ramadan, Yusuf owns a restaurant that usually serves food openly throughout the day. This year, he decides to cover the windows and only serve food to non-Muslims during fasting hours. According to Islamic teachings, which principle of Islamic ethics is Yusuf primarily observing?

  1. a.Upholding public observance of fasting (Sawm)
  2. b.Promoting communal charity (Zakat)
  3. c.Encouraging daily congregational prayer (Salat)
  4. d.Demonstrating pilgrimage etiquette (Hajj)

Solution

Yusuf is respecting the outward observance of Sawm by not encouraging public eating during fasting hours, which aligns with Islamic ethics of preserving community respect for Ramadan. The tempting distractor, promoting charity (Zakat), is incorrect here because the action is about maintaining the sanctity of fasting, not giving alms.

Question 3

In his dealings with non-Muslims in Madinah, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) allowed the Jewish tribes to manage their own affairs as long as they abided by the agreed constitution. What principle of Islamic administration does this scenario best illustrate?

  1. a.Respect for religious and communal autonomy
  2. b.Imposing Islamic law on all residents
  3. c.Prioritizing Muslim interests over minority rights
  4. d.Prohibition of treaties with non-Muslims

Solution

The scenario illustrates respect for religious and communal autonomy, as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) permitted non-Muslims to govern themselves within the constitution. The tempting distractor, 'Imposing Islamic law on all residents', is incorrect because the Prophet did not force Islamic law on the Jewish tribes; rather, he honored their existing customs and agreements.

Question 4

Zainab owns a shop where she sometimes allows customers to take goods and pay later, trusting them not to break their promise. According to Islamic teachings on al-amanah, if one of her customers consistently delays payment without genuine reason, which action best aligns with the principle of trust in Islam?

  1. a.Politely remind the customer about their obligation and request prompt payment.
  2. b.Immediately refuse to sell to the customer ever again.
  3. c.Publicly shame the customer in order to pressure them to pay.
  4. d.Ignore the situation and hope the customer will pay eventually.

Solution

The correct answer is to remind the customer, as Islam encourages upholding trust (amanah) while allowing a chance for the debtor to fulfill their promise. The tempting distractor is to refuse selling to the customer, but doing so immediately neglects the value of gentle reminder and forgiveness emphasized in Islamic ethics.

Question 5

Hassan borrowed ₦50,000 from his friend and took an oath before Allah to repay within a month. When the month passed, Hassan was unable to pay back but kept assuring his friend he would repay soon. According to Islamic teachings, what is the consequence for Hassan's repeated unfulfilled promises?

  1. a.He will be counted among the hypocrites if he continues to break promises deliberately.
  2. b.He will be excused due to his financial difficulty and not held accountable.
  3. c.He only needs to ask for forgiveness and is exempt from further action.
  4. d.He can delay repayment as long as he intends to pay in the future.

Solution

Islam considers repeatedly breaking promises, especially after making a solemn oath, as a sign of hypocrisy (nifaq). Option 1 is correct; habitual failure to fulfill one's promise is strongly condemned. The most tempting distractor (option 2) is wrong because, while Islam shows mercy to those in genuine difficulty, deliberate or repeated failure to deliver on one's word without valid reasons is blameworthy.

Question 6

During the Hijrah, Prophet Muhammad and his companion Abu Bakr hid in the cave of Thawr to escape the Quraysh pursuers. Which action did Abu Bakr take in the cave that best reflects true reliance (tawakkul) on Allah during times of fear?

  1. a.He expressed his fear but trusted that Allah would protect them, as the Prophet assured him.
  2. b.He prepared weapons in case the pursuers found them in the cave.
  3. c.He covered the cave's entrance with a large stone to stop their enemies.
  4. d.He sent a message for help to the Muslims already in Madinah.

Solution

Option 0 is correct because Abu Bakr felt anxious but relied on Allah's protection, especially after the Prophet reassured him of Allah's presence (as recorded in Qur'an 9:40). Option 2 is tempting, but the sources recount no attempt to physically block the entrance; true tawakkul is shown through faith and trust, not reliance solely on physical means.

Question 7

During Ramadan, Zainab deliberately continues to eat before the Fajr (dawn) prayer, believing that fasting only becomes obligatory after the sun rises. According to the teachings of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), what is the ruling on the validity of her fast for that day?

  1. a.Her fast is invalid and she must make up for that day after Ramadan.
  2. b.Her fast is valid because she intended to fast, regardless of her eating time.
  3. c.Her fast is valid if she stops eating before the noon (Zuhr) prayer.
  4. d.Her fast is invalid only if she eats after the Fajr (dawn) prayer time has ended completely.

Solution

The fast becomes obligatory from the beginning of Fajr; eating after this time invalidates the fast, so Zainab must make it up. The common confusion is in option 3, but the correct boundary is Fajr, not Zuhr; eating past Fajr breaks the fast regardless of intentions or ignorance.

Question 8

During a business transaction, Ahmad, a Muslim, is tempted to hide a defect in a product to secure a sale. Considering the Prophet Muhammad’s teaching in the Hadith: 'He who deceives is not of us,' and the principle of accountability on the Day of Judgment, what should Ahmad do according to Islamic ethics?

  1. a.Ahmad should disclose the defect to the buyer, prioritizing honesty as required by Shari’ah.
  2. b.Ahmad can proceed if the defect is minor, as business success is encouraged in Islam.
  3. c.Ahmad should pray for forgiveness but can conceal the fault since he needs the income.
  4. d.Ahmad can rely on the buyer's inspection and is not obliged to mention the defect.

Solution

Option 0 is correct: Islamic ethics require honesty in trade, and hiding defects violates both the Prophet’s guidance and accountability before Allah. Option 3 is the most tempting distractor, but in Islam, sellers are obligated to disclose known faults regardless of the buyer's ability to inspect.

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Other JAMB subjects

📖 English Language📐 Mathematics🧲 Physics⚗️ Chemistry🧬 Biology📈 Economics🏛️ Government🛒 Commerce🧮 Accounting🗺️ Geography📚 Literature in English✝️ Christian Religious Studies🤝 Civic Education📰 Current Affairs📜 History

Islamic Religious Studies in other exams

WAEC Islamic Religious StudiesPost-UTME Islamic Religious Studies
JAMB Islamic Religious Studies Past Questions · EasyPoint