Islamic Studies / Ethics (Non-Muslim Candidates)
This portion rewards exact, source-based facts: Qur'anic structure, Seerat, the Khulafa-e-Rashideen, pillars of Islam and Iman, and basic fiqh terminology. Non-Muslim candidates attempt the Ethics alternative, which tests universal moral values - honesty, justice, tolerance, civic responsibility and human rights - rather than Islamic ritual detail. Either way the paper demands precision, not opinion.
Facts to lock down
- The Qur'an has 114 surahs, 30 juz, revealed over roughly 23 years; the first revelation was Surah Al-Alaq (96:1–5) in the cave of Hira.
- Longest surah: Al-Baqarah (286 verses); shortest: Al-Kausar (3 verses).
- Hijra to Madinah: 622 CE, the start of the Hijri calendar. Battle of Badr: 2 AH.
- Five pillars: Shahadah, Salah, Sawm, Zakat, Hajj. Zakat rate on cash/savings above nisab is 2.5%.
- Khulafa-e-Rashideen: Abu Bakr (632–634), Umar (634–644), Uthman (644–656), Ali (656–661).
Worked example
"Which surah is called the heart of the Qur'an?" Reasoning: the well-known hadith designation applies to Surah Ya-Sin; if the option set instead offers Al-Fatihah, note that Al-Fatihah is called Umm al-Kitab (mother of the Book) - a different title. Match the exact title in the stem to the exact title in the option.
Ethics alternative
The Ethics paper typically asks you to identify the virtuous course of action in a workplace or civic dilemma - for example, a clerk offered a gift to expedite a file. The examinable answer is the one that upholds impartiality, written procedure and refusal of personal gain.
Traps
- Mixing Makki and Madani surahs.
- Confusing the number of surahs (114) with juz (30) or paras.
- Swapping the titles Umm al-Kitab and Ya-Sin.
- Answering Ethics questions with personal opinion instead of a stated principle.