neco 2023 islamic_religious_studies | Essay

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Question 1 View Details
Answer the following questions about the Qur'an and its classical commentaries.
Question Parts
(a)
State the total number of verses (ayah) in Surah Al‑Fātiḥah and explain why this Surah is commonly referred to as the “Mother of the Book”.
(b)
Choose any one of the first three Meccan Surahs – Al‑‘Alaq, Al‑Muddathir or Al‑Qiyāmah. For the chosen Surah, briefly describe its central theme and illustrate how the theme is reflected in at least two specific verses.
(c)
Using the classical commentary of Ibn Kathir, analyse the meaning of the phrase “ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ” (Al‑Hamdu lillāhi Rabb al‑‘Ālamīn) in Surah Al‑Fātiḥah. Highlight any linguistic or theological points raised by the commentator.
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Question 2 View Details
Answer the following questions about Hadith collections and the teachings they convey.
Question Parts
(a)
Compare the criteria of authenticity employed by Imam Bukhari in compiling Sahih al‑Bukhari with those used by Imam Abu Dawud in his Sunan. In your answer, address (i) the number of narrators required in a chain, (ii) the treatment of isolated (ḍaʿīf) narrators, and (iii) the categorisation of hadiths that are included.
(b)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The truthful person will be with the Prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs.” Discuss the moral teaching contained in this hadith and evaluate its relevance to the conduct of a modern Muslim student.
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Question 3 View Details
Tawhid, the doctrine of the Oneness of Allah, is the foundation of Islamic belief. Answer the following questions in detail, using appropriate Quranic references and logical reasoning.
Question Parts
(a)
Define the three categories of Tawhid – Rububiyyah, Uluhiyyah and Asma wa Sifat – and briefly differentiate them.
(b)
A person attributes his recent business success solely to his own effort and intelligence, saying, “I succeeded because of me alone.” Discuss how this attitude relates to Tawhid al‑Uluhiyyah and propose corrective guidance, citing at least one relevant Quranic verse.
(c)
Analyse how belief in Tawhid influences ethical behaviour in commercial transactions. Illustrate your answer with two specific principles derived from Tawhid.
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Question 4 View Details
The Articles of Faith (Imân) constitute the core beliefs of a Muslim. Answer the following questions with appropriate references and critical analysis.
Question Parts
(a)
List the six articles of faith and give a brief description (one sentence each) of what each article entails.
(b)
Explain how belief in the unseen (ghayb) is reflected in the articles concerning Angels and Divine Decree. Cite two Qur'anic verses that support your explanation.
(c)
A student argues that Qadar means everything is predetermined and humans have no responsibility for their actions. Critically assess this view and state the balanced Islamic doctrine that reconciles divine decree with human free‑will (Kasb).
(d)
Discuss how belief in the Day of Judgment shapes a Muslim’s attitude towards environmental stewardship. Provide two concrete examples of actions motivated by this belief.
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Question 5 View Details
The Five Pillars of Islam constitute the core acts of worship (Ibadah) that shape a Muslim's faith and practice.
Question Parts
(a)
Explain the theological significance of each of the Five Pillars and how they collectively reinforce a Muslim's belief in Allah.
(b)
Analyse the consequences—both spiritual and social—of neglecting each Pillar for an individual Muslim and for the Ummah (Muslim community).
(c)
Propose two practical measures that contemporary Muslim societies can adopt to encourage full observance of the Five Pillars among youth.
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Question 6 View Details
Shariah law has evolved through a hierarchy of sources and scholarly interpretation.
Question Parts
(a)
Identify and briefly describe the primary sources of Shariah, explaining why they are considered supreme.
(b)
Discuss the secondary sources of Shariah—Ijma' and Qiyas—detailing the conditions under which each may be applied.
(c)
Evaluate how the development of Shariah from the classical period to the modern era has been influenced by changing social contexts, giving two specific examples of contemporary issues where scholars have employed Ijma' or Qiyas to derive rulings.
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Question 7 View Details
Ahmed, a Muslim man, intends to marry Fatima. He proposes a mahr of ₦200,000 payable in two instalments: ₦100,000 now and the remaining ₦100,000 after five years. Fatima's wali objects, arguing that the deferred portion creates uncertainty (gharar) and therefore invalidates the contract. In addition, Ahmed previously divorced his first wife by pronouncing "talaq" three times in a single sitting. Evaluate the following:
Question Parts
(a)
Is the proposed marriage contract between Ahmed and Fatima valid under Islamic law? Justify your answer with reference to the Qur'an, Hadith and the views of at least two of the four Sunni schools of thought.
(b)
Assess the enforceability of the deferred portion of the mahr under the same schools of thought.
(c)
Determine the legal status of Ahmed's previous divorce (triple talaq) and its impact on his capacity to contract a new marriage.
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Question 8 View Details
Yusuf, a Muslim trader, sells a quantity of dates to Ali on a deferred‑payment basis, adding an interest clause of 10 % per annum (riba). Later, Ali steals a gold necklace worth ₦150,000 from Yusuf's shop. Analyse the following issues:
Question Parts
(a)
Is Yusuf’s contract of sale with interest permissible under Islamic commercial law? Cite the primary sources and the positions of at least two major schools of thought.
(b)
Identify the conditions that must be satisfied for the hadd punishment of theft to be applicable to Ali, and state whether those conditions are met in this case.
(c)
Discuss the appropriate legal remedy available to Yusuf against Ali, considering both criminal and civil aspects under Islamic law.
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