Islamic Studies / Ethics
The Islamic Studies paper (or Ethics for non-Muslim candidates) tests beliefs, worship, Seerat, Islamic history, and moral conduct. Muslim candidates should know the five pillars, six articles of faith, the Quran's structure, and key events of the Prophet's life. Non-Muslim candidates answer Ethics items on honesty, justice, tolerance, and civic responsibility. Both groups need exact numbers and names.
Core rules
- Five pillars: Shahadah, Salah, Sawm, Zakat, Hajj.
- Six articles of faith: Allah, angels, books, prophets, the Day of Judgment, and divine decree.
- The Quran has 114 surahs; the first revealed surah is Al-Alaq (96), and the longest is Al-Baqarah (2).
- Zakat is 2.5% of qualifying wealth held for one lunar year above the nisab.
- Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime for a Muslim who is physically and financially able.
Worked example
A person saves Rs 200,000 for a full lunar year and the nisab is met. Zakat is 2.5% × 200,000 = Rs 5,000. The rate is not 10%; that rate applies to certain agricultural produce.
Traps
- Confusing 30 paras with 114 surahs.
- Naming Al-Fatiha as the first revealed surah; it is first in the mushaf.
- Mixing the Hijrah (622 CE) with the birth year (570 CE).
- Using the Gregorian year for Zakat instead of the lunar year.
- Treating Ethics as mere opinion; answers need principled reasoning.