neco 2018 islamic_religious_studies | Essay

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Question 1 View Details
Examine the themes of Surah Al‑Māʿūn (verses 1‑7) and Surah Al‑Ḥujurāt (verses 9‑13) and discuss their application to social behaviour in present‑day Nigeria.
Question Parts
(a)
Summarise the main message of Surah Al‑Māʿūn verses 1‑7, highlighting the Qur'anic condemnation of neglecting the needy.
(b)
Explain how the commentary of Ibn Kathir interprets the phrase “the one who repels the orphan” in these verses.
(c)
Compare the ethical guidance in Surah Al‑Māʿūn with that in Surah Al‑Ḥujurāt verses 9‑13 concerning the treatment of others, and illustrate with two practical examples relevant to Nigerian society.
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Question 2 View Details
Using the methodology of hadith criticism, analyse the following narration and assess its authenticity.
Question Parts
(a)
State the three principal criteria used by scholars to classify a hadith as sahih, hasan, or daʿīf.
(b)
Apply these criteria to the following narration: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Actions are judged by their intentions, and a person will be rewarded according to the sincerity of his heart.’”
() Examine the chain of narrators (isnad) assuming it passes through three transmitters: A (known for precision), B (weak memory), and C (renowned for integrity).
() Assess the text (matn) for any hidden defects or contradictions with other established reports.
(c)
Conclude the overall classification of the narration and discuss its impact on the development of Islamic ethical teachings on intention.
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Question 3 View Details
Tawhid (Oneness of Allah) is the foundation of Islamic belief. Answer the following questions, providing clear explanations and relevant examples where appropriate.
Question Parts
(a)
Define Tawhid and briefly describe its three categories (Tawhid al-Rububiyyah, Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah, and Tawhid al-Asma' wa al-Sifat).
(b)
Explain how the belief in Tawhid influences the moral conduct of a Muslim in daily life.
(c)
Discuss two common misconceptions about Tawhid and clarify why they are incorrect according to Islamic teachings.
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Question 4 View Details
The Articles of Faith (Iman) constitute the core beliefs of a Muslim. Answer the following questions, giving detailed explanations and appropriate examples.
Question Parts
(a)
List the six pillars of Iman and give a brief description of each.
(b)
Analyse how belief in the Day of Judgment influences a Muslim’s attitude towards worldly life and social responsibilities.
(c)
Discuss the relationship between belief in divine decree (Qadar) and the concept of free will in Islam, providing examples to illustrate how a Muslim reconciles the two.
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Question 5 View Details
The Five Pillars of Islam provide the framework for a Muslim's worship and moral conduct.
Question Parts
(a)
Explain the significance of Salat (prayer) in a Muslim's daily life, citing at least two Qur'anic verses or authentic Hadith that support your explanation.
(b)
Discuss how the observance of Zakat contributes to social welfare in an Islamic society. Then, using the following data, calculate the Zakat due for a merchant: - Trade goods worth ₦2,000,000 - Cash on hand ₦500,000 - Debts owed to the merchant ₦300,000 - Liabilities (debts payable) ₦200,000 Assume the nisab is met and Zakat is 2.5% of net zakatable assets.
(c)
Compare the spiritual objectives of Hajj with those of Umrah, highlighting at least two differences in rites and in the intended outcomes.
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Question 6 View Details
Understanding the sources of Islamic law and its historical development is essential for interpreting contemporary legal issues.
Question Parts
(a)
Identify the primary sources of Shariah and briefly describe the role of each in deriving legal rulings.
(b)
A modern issue: the permissibility of using digital (interest‑free) banking in Islamic finance. Using the principles of Ijtihad and Qiyas, outline how a scholar might derive a ruling on this issue. Provide at least one analogy used in Qiyas.
(c)
Trace the historical development of the four major Sunni schools of thought (Madhahib). Summarize in a table the founder, century of emergence, and one distinctive methodological feature for each school.
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Question 7 View Details
A Muslim man, Ahmad, wishes to divorce his wife, Fatima, after five years of marriage. Fatima informs Ahmad that she is pregnant and they have two children aged 3 and 5 years. Ahmad has already pronounced three separate talaqs (divorces) in different circumstances, but Fatima argues that the third talaq is invalid because she was pregnant at the time. Ahmad also claims that the mahr (dowry) he paid at the time of marriage should be returned to him, and that he is not obliged to provide any further financial support after the divorce. Fatima, on the other hand, seeks to retain the mahr, claim maintenance for herself and the children, and wishes to know whether the divorce can be revoked. Answer the following: a) Analyse, with reference to the Qur'an and authentic Hadith, the validity of Ahmad’s third talaq in view of Fatima’s pregnancy. Include the relevant evidences and the ruling of the major Sunni schools of thought. b) Discuss the rights and obligations of both parties concerning the mahr and maintenance (nafaqah) after a valid divorce, especially when the wife is pregnant and there are minor children. c) Explain the concept of revocation (raḍʿ) of a divorce in Islam. Under what conditions can Ahmad revoke the divorce, and what procedural steps must be followed according to Islamic jurisprudence?
Question Parts
(a)
Analyse, with reference to the Qur'an and authentic Hadith, the validity of Ahmad’s third talaq in view of Fatima’s pregnancy. Include the relevant evidences and the ruling of the major Sunni schools of thought.
(b)
Discuss the rights and obligations of both parties concerning the mahr and maintenance (nafaqah) after a valid divorce, especially when the wife is pregnant and there are minor children.
(c)
Explain the concept of revocation (raḍʿ) of a divorce in Islam. Under what conditions can Ahmad revoke the divorce, and what procedural steps must be followed according to Islamic jurisprudence.
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Question 8 View Details
In a commercial dispute, a Muslim merchant, Yusuf, sold a used motorbike to a buyer, Bilal, for ₦150,000. After two weeks, Bilal discovered that the motorbike’s engine was severely damaged, rendering it unsafe for road use. Yusuf claims that the defect was not disclosed because the motorbike was sold "as is" and that Bilal had the opportunity to inspect it before purchase. Bilal argues that Yusuf breached the contract and demands a full refund. Separately, Yusuf had taken a loan of ₦200,000 from a money‑lender, Aisha, with an agreement that he would repay ₦250,000 after six months. The loan contract explicitly states the interest amount. Answer the following: a) Evaluate the validity of Bilal’s claim for a full refund under Islamic commercial law. Discuss the concepts of "bayʿ al‑muʿaqqab" (sale with defects) and the rights of the buyer when a sold item is found to be defective. b) Analyse the loan agreement between Yusuf and Aisha in the context of the prohibition of riba (usury). State the ruling of the major Sunni schools on the enforceability of such a contract and the possible penalties. c) Propose a solution that reconciles both disputes in accordance with the principles of Islamic jurisprudence, ensuring justice (ʿadl) and the prevention of harm (darar).
Question Parts
(a)
Evaluate the validity of Bilal’s claim for a full refund under Islamic commercial law. Discuss the concepts of "bayʿ al‑muʿaqqab" (sale with defects) and the rights of the buyer when a sold item is found to be defective.
(b)
Analyse the loan agreement between Yusuf and Aisha in the context of the prohibition of riba (usury). State the ruling of the major Sunni schools on the enforceability of such a contract and the possible penalties.
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