WAEC Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2018 Theory Past Questions

Model answer

Transliteration: Idha jaa nasrul-lahi wal fathu, wa ra,aitan nasa yadukhuluna fi dinil-lahi afwajaa, fasabih bihamdi rabbika wastaghfirhu innahu kaana tawwaaba. Translation: When there comes the help of Allah (to you, O Muhammad) and the conquest (of Makkah), and you see that people enter Allah's religion (Islam) in crowds, then glorify the praises of your Lord, and ask His forgiveness; verily, He is the One who accepts repentance and forgives. Comment: This surah is one of the signs that the death of the Prophet is near; it shows that Allah is oft-forgiving to His slave when he seeks forgiveness; it shows that Allah accepts the repentance of His slaves.

Model answer

This title was earned as a result of his marrying two of the Prophet's daughters. He first married Ruqayyah, who died on the night of the Battle of Badr while 'Uthman's wife (then sick) was being nursed by him; the Prophet, upon calling Muslims to go out and intercept the Quraysh caravan before Badr, did not allow 'Uthman to join the battle but instead ordered him to stay and nurse Ruqayyah, promising him the same reward and share (of booty) as those who participated in Badr. Ruqayyah still died from her illness, and when the Prophet's messenger returned from the battle, 'Uthman married Ruqayyah's sister, Umm Kulthum. This is what earned him the title Dhu-Nurayn (possessor of two lights).

Model answer

Conditions necessitating Ghusl: when couples have sexual intercourse; when a woman finishes her menstruation; when the blood of nifas (childbirth) stops; when someone intends to enter the state of pilgrimage (Ihram); at times, on Friday before going for Jum'ah Salah; when a person accepts Islam. Performance: Ghusl is performed by making the intention (niyyah), washing both hands, washing the private parts, performing wudu (ablution) as for prayer, then pouring water over the whole body ensuring every part, including the hair roots, is thoroughly wetted, starting with the right side then the left.

Model answer

(a) Shirk can be defined as the act of associating partner(s) (in worship) with Allah. (b) Shirk is divided into two: Shirk Asghar (minor shirk) — associating partners with Allah without the real belief that the partner is truly worthy of worship, e.g. performing prayer to be seen/praised by people (riya'), wearing a charm/ring believing it prevents evil, or fearing something other than Allah. Shirk Akbar (major shirk) — associating partners with Allah with the belief that those partners are worthy of worship, e.g. prostrating (sujud) to something other than Allah, sacrificing an animal for something other than Allah, or performing circumambulation (tawaf) around a house other than the Ka'bah.

Model answer

The Huffaz (those who memorise the Qur'an) help in the retention of the whole Qur'an; they help in the preservation of the correct way the Qur'an should be recited; they help in knowing the different authentic ways the Qur'an can be recited; they help in teaching the Qur'an to those who do not know it; and they assist one another in correcting recitation mistakes.

Model answer

(a) Translation: Verily, the lawful is clear and the unlawful is clear, and between them are matters unclear (ambiguous), which many people do not know (whether they are lawful or unlawful). (b) Comment: From this Hadith it can be derived that lawful things are clearly established in Islam; it can also be deduced that unlawful things are equally clearly established; it teaches that there are matters that are not clear — are they lawful or unlawful; these unclear matters are not known by many people; and few people know/understand these unclear matters, so a cautious Muslim avoids them.