neco 2021 islamic_religious_studies | Essay

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Question 1 View Details
Surah Al‑Fātiḥah is the opening chapter of the Qur’an and is recited in every unit of the Muslim prayer (ṣalāh).
Question Parts
(a)
State the seven verses of Surah Al‑Fātiḥah and explain the main themes presented in the chapter.
(b)
Discuss why Surah Al‑Fātiḥah is often referred to as “Umm al‑Kitāb” (the Mother of the Book).
(c)
Briefly outline Ibn Kathīr’s commentary on the verse “Ihdina ṣ‑ṣirāṭ al‑mustaqīm” (Guide us to the straight path).
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Question 2 View Details
The following hadith is reported: “The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others.” The chain of transmission is: Imam Bukhari → Ahmad ibn Hanbal → Al‑Mughirah ibn Shu‘bah → Abu Hurayrah → Prophet ﷺ. Brief biographical notes are: Imam Bukhari – trustworthy (thiqa); Ahmad ibn Hanbal – trustworthy (thiqa); Al‑Mughirah ibn Shu‘bah – known for weak memory (da‘if fi al‑dhikr); Abu Hurayrah – trustworthy but some scholars note occasional errors in isolated narrations.
Question Parts
(a)
Identify the major hadith collection in which this narration is recorded.
(b)
Using the principles of al‑Jarh wa al‑Taʿdīl, evaluate the reliability of each narrator in the chain.
(c)
State whether the hadith is sahih, ḥasan or daʿīf and justify your conclusion based on the evaluation in part (b).
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Question 3 View Details
Answer the following questions on the concept of Tawhid (Oneness of Allah).
Question Parts
(a)
Define Tawhid al‑Rubūbiyyah (Oneness of Lordship). Provide two Qur'anic verses that support this category and explain its significance for a Muslim's understanding of Allah's relationship to creation.
(b)
Define Tawhid al‑Ulūhiyyah (Oneness of Worship). Cite two authentic Hadiths that illustrate this concept and discuss how it shapes the worship practices of a believer.
(c)
Define Tawhid al‑Asmāʾ wa‑ṣ‑Ṣifāt (Oneness of Names and Attributes). Mention two divine attributes that exemplify this category and analyse the theological consequences of misinterpreting these attributes.
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Question 4 View Details
Answer the following questions on the Articles of Faith (Imān).
Question Parts
(a)
List the six Articles of Faith in Islam and give a brief description of each.
(b)
For three of the Articles (choose belief in Allah, belief in angels, and belief in the Day of Judgment), provide one Qur'anic verse and one authentic Hadith that support each belief.
(c)
Analyse how belief in angels influences the moral conduct of a Muslim. Illustrate your answer with two specific teachings from the primary Islamic sources.
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Question 5 View Details
Salah (the formal prayer) is the second pillar of Islam and occupies a central place in the life of a Muslim. Answer the following questions in detail.
Question Parts
(a)
State the five daily prayers, giving the name of each prayer and the approximate time period during which it is performed.
(b)
Identify and briefly explain the essential components (rukn) of a valid Salah.
(c)
Compare the obligatory (fard) prayers with the voluntary (sunnah) prayers in terms of their legal status and recommended practice.
(d)
Evaluate the possible spiritual and social consequences for an individual and for the Muslim community if Salah is regularly neglected.
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Question 6 View Details
The development of Islamic law (Shariah) relies on a set of primary sources and methodological tools. Answer the following questions comprehensively.
Question Parts
(a)
List the four primary sources of Shariah and give a brief description of each.
(b)
Explain the concepts of Ijma (consensus) and Qiyas (analogical reasoning), illustrating each with a relevant example.
(c)
Discuss how contemporary issues such as bio‑ethical dilemmas (e.g., organ transplantation) and modern financial transactions (e.g., interest‑based loans) are addressed using the primary sources and the tools of Ijma and Qiyas.
(d)
Critically assess the challenges faced by contemporary scholars when applying classical methodology to modern contexts, and suggest possible ways to overcome these challenges.
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Question 7 View Details
Answer the following questions on Islamic Family Law.
Question Parts
(a)
Discuss the essential conditions that must be fulfilled for a marriage (nikah) to be considered valid in Islam, citing the Qur'an and authentic Hadith.
(b)
Analyse the legal consequences if a nikah is performed without the presence of a wali for a virgin female, referring to at least two major Sunni schools of thought.
(c)
Evaluate the effect of a talaq (divorce) pronounced verbally versus in writing, and discuss the concepts of revocable (talaq raj'i) and irrevocable (talaq ba'in) divorce, supporting your answer with Qur'anic verses and scholarly opinions.
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Question 8 View Details
Answer the following questions on Islamic Criminal and Commercial Law.
Question Parts
(a)
Explain the principle of Qisas (retributive justice) and its application in cases of bodily injury, including the role of Diyah (blood money).
(b)
Discuss the conditions under which Diyah can be accepted or waived, and analyse a scenario where the victim’s family refuses Diyah despite the offender’s willingness to pay.
(c)
Examine the Islamic commercial principle of Riba (usury). Differentiate between Riba al‑Fadl and Riba al‑Nasi'ah, and assess the permissibility of modern interest‑based loans, providing arguments from the Qur'an, Hadith and contemporary scholarly opinions.
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