Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 1
The waiting period after divorce is
- A. Ṭalāq
- B. 'IddahCorrect
- C. Ẓihār
- D. Faskh
Explanation
The 'Iddah is the mandatory waiting period a divorced woman observes before remarrying.
WAEC Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective Past Questions
All 50 questions from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.
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Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 2
The first revelation to the Prophet highlights the significance of
- A. power
- B. marriage
- C. wealth
- D. knowledgeCorrect
Explanation
The first revelation (Q96:1-5) begins with 'Iqra' (Read), emphasizing the importance of knowledge.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 3
La Taghdab in Hadith 16 means
- A. avoid vain talk
- B. do not get angryCorrect
- C. mind your own business
- D. do not be jealous
Explanation
'La Taghdab' literally translates to 'do not become angry', the Prophet's repeated counsel.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 4
The two tribes that met Muhammad (S.A.W) at the valley of 'Aqabah were
- A. Aws and KhazrajCorrect
- B. Ansar and Muhajirūn
- C. Nadir and Qurayzah
- D. Ghattafān and Qaynuqah
Explanation
The Aws and Khazraj were the two dominant Arab tribes of Yathrib (Madinah) who pledged allegiance to the Prophet at 'Aqabah.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 5
On the 8th of Dhul-Ḥijjah, pilgrims are expected to reach Mīnā before noon in order to
- A. observe ẒuhrCorrect
- B. take a rest
- C. perform Sa'y
- D. sacrifice a ram
Explanation
Reaching Mīnā before noon on the 8th allows pilgrims to observe the Ẓuhr prayer there, following the Prophet's practice.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 6
The unity of Allah is emphasized in Sūratul
- A. IkhlāṣCorrect
- B. Nās
- C. Naṣ
- D. Kāfirūn
Explanation
Sūratul Ikhlāṣ ('Say He is Allah, the One') is the chapter that most directly declares the oneness (Tawḥīd) of Allah.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 7
The weakest form of correcting evil according to Hadith 34 of an-Nawawī's collection is
- A. hand
- B. tongue
- C. admonition
- D. heartCorrect
Explanation
The Hadith ranks changing evil with the heart as the weakest level of faith, below acting with the hand or speaking against it.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 8
The predominant bad practice during Jāhiliyyah is
- A. gambling
- B. alcoholism
- C. idol worshippingCorrect
- D. infanticide
Explanation
Idol worship was the defining and most widespread practice of the pre-Islamic Jāhiliyyah period, with hundreds of idols in the Ka'bah.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 9
A person who forgets to recite Sūratul-Fātiḥah in his prayer should
- A. discard that Rak'ahCorrect
- B. observe Sujūd Qablī
- C. observe Sujūd Ba'di
- D. observe the two Sujūdus-Sahwī
Explanation
Since Sūratul-Fātiḥah is obligatory in every Rak'ah, forgetting it invalidates that Rak'ah, which must be discarded/repeated.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 10
The total works compiled by Imām Muslim contained
- A. 200,000 traditions
- B. 300,000 traditionsCorrect
- C. 400,000 traditions
- D. 600,000 traditions
Explanation
Imām Muslim is reported to have collected about 300,000 Hadith traditions from various narrators.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 11
Which of the following suwar is among the Mu'awwidhatayn?
- A. An-NāsCorrect
- B. A-Kāfirūn
- C. A-Qadr
- D. At-Tīn
Explanation
The Mu'awwidhatayn ('the two chapters of refuge') are Sūratul Falaq (113) and Sūratun-Nās (114).
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 12
One of the significance of the Hijrah of 622 C.E. was the
- A. beginning of the Muslim calendar which dates from that yearCorrect
- B. conquering of all the enemies of Islam
- C. signing of the pledge at 'Aqabah
- D. sending of envoys to different groups around Madinah
Explanation
The Hijrah marked a new dawn for Muslims, and the Islamic (Hijri) calendar dates its start from this migration year.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 13
Voluntary fasting is also called
- A. Fidyah
- B. Makruh
- C. Suhur
- D. Taṭawwu'Correct
Explanation
Taṭawwu' refers to voluntary, non-obligatory acts of worship such as optional fasting.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 14
Which of the following is a lesson of Sūratul Kāfirūn (Q.109)?
- A. Believers are advised to shun the doctrine of trinity
- B. The unity of Allah is well pronounced
- C. Idol worshippers were regarded as infidels
- D. There can be no compromise between Islam and PolytheismCorrect
Explanation
Sūratul Kāfirūn teaches that Islam is a complete, distinct religion with no compromise between monotheism and polytheism.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 15
In which Hadith did the Prophet (S.A.W.) admonish a Muslim not to follow his personal desire?
- A. 41Correct
- B. 18
- C. 16
- D. 15
Explanation
In Hadith 41 (an-Nawawī's collection), the Prophet said none truly believes until his desires are subservient to what he brought.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 16
The Umayyad Caliph who gave orders for the collection of Hadith was
- A. Mu'awiyyah b. Abū-Safyān
- B. Abū-Bakr b. Muḥammad b. Ilazm
- C. 'Umar b. 'Abdul-'AzīzCorrect
- D. Anās b. Mālik
Explanation
'Umar b. 'Abdul-'Azīz, an Umayyad Caliph, was the first to formally order the systematic collection of Hadith.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 17
One of the special lessons of a congregational Ṣalāt is that it
- A. teaches mutual respect
- B. guarantees obedience to the Imām
- C. demonstrates the equality of men before AllahCorrect
- D. makes one responsible before Allah
Explanation
Standing shoulder to shoulder in congregational prayer, regardless of social status, demonstrates the equality of all before Allah.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 18
The mother of Faithful in Hadith 5 of an-Nawawī refers to
- A. Khadījah
- B. Asma'
- C. 'ĀishahCorrect
- D. Ḥafṣah
Explanation
'Āishah, a wife of the Prophet and renowned scholar, is referred to as 'Mother of the Faithful' (Umm al-Mu'minīn) in Hadith 5.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 19
One of the characteristics of a Makkan Sūrah is that it
- A. has lengthy sentences
- B. contains criminal laws
- C. is in poetic formCorrect
- D. deals with historical events
Explanation
Makkan Sūrahs are noted for their short, rhythmic, poetic style with straightforward messages.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 20
The 'Year of Elephant' is remembered in Islam for the
- A. migration to Abyssinia
- B. opposition of the Muslims
- C. birth of the Prophet (S.A.W.)Correct
- D. attack on the city of Ṭaif
Explanation
The Prophet Muhammad was born in the Year of the Elephant (570/571 C.E.), named after Abraha's failed elephant-led attack on the Ka'bah that same year.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 21
Mahr is to Marriage as Ila is to
- A. a feast
- B. justice
- C. divorceCorrect
- D. bribery
Explanation
Just as Mahr (dowry) is a component of marriage, Ila is a form of divorce (an irrevocable vow of abstention).
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 22
The Qur'ān is divided into sixty parts called
- A. Juz'
- B. Tayammum
- C. ḤizbCorrect
- D. Nisf
Explanation
The Qur'ān is divided into 60 Ḥizb (parts); a Juz' is 30 parts, so a Ḥizb is the sixty-part division.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 23
War-rūh fihā (Q.97:4) refers to Angel
- A. Mīkā'īl
- B. Asrā'īl
- C. Isrāfīl
- D. JibrīlCorrect
Explanation
This verse of Sūratul-Qadr references the spirit (Rūḥ), understood as the Angel Jibrīl, who descends with revelation.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 24
Cave Thawr is to Hijrah as Cave Hira is to
- A. battle of Uhud
- B. revelation of the Qur'ānCorrect
- C. treaty of Hudaybiyyah
- D. end of revelation
Explanation
Just as Cave Thawr is associated with the Hijrah, Cave Ḥira is where the revelation of the Qur'ān to the Prophet began.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 25
Water ablution is to Wuḍū as Sand ablution is to
- A. Ghusl
- B. TayammumCorrect
- C. Istinja
- D. Ṭahārah
Explanation
Tayammum (dry ablution with clean earth/sand) is the sand-based counterpart to Wuḍū (water ablution).
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 26
Ṣaḥīḥ is to Muslim as Sunnan is to
- A. At-Tirmidhī
- B. Abū-Ḥanīfah
- C. Abū-Dāwūd
- D. Ibn-MājahCorrect
Explanation
Ibn Mājah's collection, though also called Sunan by some, is the one most distinctly referred to as 'Sunan Ibn Mājah' in this analogy, unlike Abu Dawud who is more commonly labelled Sunan.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 27
Compilation of the Qur'ān was carried out due to the death of
- A. ḤuffazCorrect
- B. the Prophet (S.A.W.)
- C. Abū-Bakr aṣ-Ṣadīq
- D. 'Umar b. al-Khaṭṭāb
Explanation
The death of many Ḥuffaz (Qur'ān memorizers) in the Riddah wars prompted 'Umar to urge Abū Bakr to compile the Qur'ān.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 28
Who among the Khulafā 'ur-Rashidūn was given the title Dhu-Nūrayn?
- A. 'Ali b. Abī Ṭalib
- B. 'Uthmān b. AffānCorrect
- C. Abū-Bakr Aṣ-Ṣadiq
- D. 'Umar b. al-Khaṭṭāb
Explanation
'Uthmān b. Affān was called Dhu-Nūrayn ('possessor of two lights') for marrying two of the Prophet's daughters successively.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 29
Ṣalātul-Janāzah is special prayer performed
- A. when there is a drought
- B. on a Muslim's corpseCorrect
- C. when there is an eclipse
- D. in the time of war
Explanation
Ṣalātul-Janāzah is the funeral prayer performed over the corpse of a deceased Muslim before burial.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 30
The Matn of a Hadith is invalidated if it
- A. violates the text of another Hadith
- B. does not support the chain of an Hadith
- C. is not couched in a clear language
- D. contradicts a text of the Qur'ānCorrect
Explanation
A Hadith's Matn (text) is rejected as invalid when it contradicts a clear text of the Qur'ān.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 31
'Min Shari Mā Khalaqa' (Q.113) is followed by
- A. 'malikin-Nās'
- B. min shari waswasil khannās
- C. wa min sharri ghāsiqin idhā waqabaCorrect
- D. wa min sharri hāsidin idhā hasada
Explanation
In Sūratul-Falaq, 'Min sharri mā khalaq' is followed by 'wa min sharri ghāsiqin idhā waqab' (from the evil of darkness when it settles).
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 32
The Prophet's (S.A.W.) uncle who died in the battle of Uhud as
- A. Abbās
- B. Abū-Sufyān
- C. Abū-Jahl
- D. ḤamzahCorrect
Explanation
Ḥamzah, the Prophet's uncle, was martyred at the Battle of Uhud, killed by a spear thrown by Waḥshī.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 33
Shirk as an Islamic terminology means
- A. the unity of Allah
- B. belief in the unseen
- C. equating partner with AllahCorrect
- D. the beautiful names of Allah
Explanation
Shirk refers to associating or equating partners with Allah, regarded as the most heinous sin in Islam.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 34
The Qur'ān is referred to as al-Ḥukm because it
- A. provides directions to JudgementCorrect
- B. is revealed from Allah
- C. reminds one of his duties to God
- D. is a cure for all ailments
Explanation
Al-Ḥukm ('the judgement/ruling') refers to the Qur'ān's role in providing directions and guidance for judgement.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 35
Battle of Siffin was fought during the reign of
- A. 'Uthmān b. Affān
- B. 'Umar b. al-Khaṭṭāb
- C. Abū-Bakr b. Abī Quhhafah
- D. Ali Abī ṬālibCorrect
Explanation
The Battle of Siffin (657 C.E.) was fought between Caliph 'Ali b. Abī Ṭālib and Mu'āwiyah b. Abī Sufyān.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 36
Which of the following is a criterion for testing the authenticity of Hadith?
- A. IsnādCorrect
- B. Mawdū'
- C. Sunan
- D. Musnad
Explanation
The Isnād (chain of transmitters) is examined to test the authenticity/reliability of a Hadith.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 37
The last 7 Ṭawāf performed by a pilgrim at Makkah is Ṭawaful
- A. Qudūm
- B. Ziyarah
- C. Umrah
- D. WadaCorrect
Explanation
Ṭawaful-Wada' (the farewell Ṭawāf) is the last Ṭawāf performed by a pilgrim before leaving Makkah.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 38
Which of the following are the two parts of Hadith?
- A. Ṣaḥīḥ and Matn
- B. Matn and IsnādCorrect
- C. Isnād and Ijma'
- D. Ṣaḥīḥ and Ijma'
Explanation
A Hadith consists of two parts: the Matn (actual text) and the Isnād (chain of transmitters).
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 39
The number of verses contained in Sūratul-'Alaq is
- A. 21
- B. 19Correct
- C. 17
- D. 15
Explanation
Sūratul-'Alaq (chapter 96) contains 19 verses.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 40
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) first disclosed his Cave Hira experience to
- A. Fāṭimah
- B. 'A'ishah
- C. Zaynab
- D. KhadījahCorrect
Explanation
The Prophet first disclosed his experience in Cave Ḥira to his wife Khadījah, who comforted and supported him.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 41
Disapproved actions in Islam are classified as
- A. Mawḍū'
- B. MakruhCorrect
- C. Fard
- D. Halāl
Explanation
Makruh refers to actions that are disapproved/disliked in Islam, though not strictly forbidden.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 42
Goodness to parents is emphasized in the Qur'ān chapter
- A. 17:23-24Correct
- B. 19:21-22
- C. 21:19-20
- D. 31:15-18
Explanation
Q17:23-24 (Sūratul-Isrā') contains explicit instructions on kindness and good treatment of parents.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 43
One of the lessons that can be inferred from Hadith 18 is to
- A. be a keeper of one's brother
- B. ignore that about which one is in doubt
- C. follow up an evil deed with a good oneCorrect
- D. make intentions before any work
Explanation
Hadith 18 teaches believers to follow up a bad deed with a good deed, which will erase/wipe it out.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 44
One of the results of persecution of early Muslims in Makkah was the
- A. migration to Madinah
- B. visit to Ṭaif
- C. death of Abū-Lahab
- D. migration to AbyssiniaCorrect
Explanation
Persecution in Makkah led the Prophet to instruct some early companions to migrate to Abyssinia for asylum.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 45
The opinion of an Islamic jurist is known as
- A. 'Urf
- B. Istiḥsān
- C. Ijmā'
- D. IjtihādCorrect
Explanation
Ijtihād refers to the independent reasoning/opinion a qualified Islamic jurist uses to extract a ruling using his knowledge of Sharī'ah.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 46
A Muslim can disobey his parents according to (Q.31:15) if they
- A. did not feed him well
- B. fail to give him moral and spiritual training
- C. are too harsh on him
- D. force him to equate partner with GodCorrect
Explanation
Q31:15 permits disobedience only when parents command associating partners with Allah (shirk), the gravest sin.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 47
The first African Muslim to suffer persecution of the Quraysh was
- A. BilālCorrect
- B. Ammar
- C. Zubayr
- D. Abdullah
Explanation
Bilāl (b. Rabāh), an African companion, was among the first and most severely persecuted early Muslims by the Quraysh.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 48
The Mahr in Islamic marriage belongs to the
- A. father of the bride
- B. mother of the bride
- C. brideCorrect
- D. guardian
Explanation
The Mahr (bridal gift) belongs exclusively to the bride herself in Islamic marriage.
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 49
One of the similarities between the collection of Bukhārī and at-Tirmidhī is that both
- A. contained the same type of IsnādCorrect
- B. contained some Mawḍū'
- C. are referred to as al-Jāmi'
- D. have chapters on tasawwuf
Explanation
Both Bukhārī's and at-Tirmidhī's collections contained the same type/style of Isnād (chain of narrators).
Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2023 Objective — Question 50
Salamum hiya hattā matla'il fajr is in sūratul
- A. 'Alaq
- B. QadrCorrect
- C. Naṣr
- D. Falaq
Explanation
This phrase ('Peace it is until the break of dawn') is the closing verse of Sūratul-Qadr (chapter 97).
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