Islamic Studies
Islamic Studies in the Pak Army Soldier Test checks basic beliefs, the five pillars, Quranic knowledge, Seerah, and everyday Islamic ethics. Items are usually direct and test exact terms rather than long interpretation.
Core rules
- The five pillars are Shahadah, Salah, Sawm, Zakat, and Hajj.
- The Quran has 114 surahs. The first revelation was Iqra, received in the Cave of Hira.
- The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was born in Makkah and migrated to Madinah in 622 CE.
- Zakat is an annual obligatory charity on qualifying wealth, commonly calculated at 2.5 percent when the nisab is met.
- Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime for a Muslim who is physically and financially able.
Worked example
A person has saved Rs 100,000 for a full lunar year, the wealth is above nisab, and there is no immediate debt. Zakat = 2.5 percent of 100,000 = Rs 2,500. Reasoning: multiply by 0.025, or divide by 40. The nisab condition must be checked before calculating.
Traps
Do not confuse Zakat with Sadaqah: Zakat is obligatory and rate-based, while Sadaqah is voluntary. Do not count the five pillars as six by adding a separate item. For Seerah dates, keep the Makkan and Madinan periods distinct. Avoid guessing Quranic verse numbers unless they are firmly known.
Exam focus
Learn the pillars in order, the number of surahs, key Seerah places, and the conditions of Zakat and Hajj. For ethics questions, choose the answer that matches honesty, justice, and respect for parents and neighbors.