Islamic Quiz

1. The word 'Aqeedah, in the Islamic Terminology, means a set of firm beliefs that a person has, about which he does not entertain any doubts.

True

False

In Islam,'Aqeedah englobes a complete set of beliefs that caters for all aspects of the life of the muslim. This 'Aqeedah is the building stone upon which the muslim will, God Willing, mould his/her character and personality so as to become an obedient servant of Almighty ALLAH.

Explanation

In Islam,'Aqeedah englobes a complete set of beliefs that caters for all aspects of the life of the muslim. This 'Aqeedah is the building stone upon which the muslim will, God Willing, mould his/her character and personality so as to become an obedient servant of Almighty ALLAH.

2. 'Aqeedah can be sub-divided into two, namely, good and bad. Good 'Aqeedah (as that found in Islam) is the eternal set of unchangeable beliefs that has been brought by all prophets sent by Almighty ALLAH since the creation of mankind. On the other hand, bad 'Aqeedah is that which has been altered, manipulated or invented by man, often from the original divine source.

True

False

Man, from the beginning of his history, has continuously defied divine revelations sent to mankind and indulged in ways that are contrary to the path of righteousness shown by all prophets. Hence, all previously revealed books (e.g. Tablets of Moses (r.a), Injeel (given to Jesus (r.a) ) have been altered by man for his own selfish profit. On the other hand, Almighty ALLAH has given mankind the assurance that He will preserve the integrity of the Holy Quran, the last revelation, from such falsifications (refer to Surah Al-Hijr v 9 ). The good 'Aqeedah is therefore only found in the Holy Quran and the ways of Muhammad (Peace be upon him), the last messenger of Almighty ALLAH.

Explanation

Man, from the beginning of his history, has continuously defied divine revelations sent to mankind and indulged in ways that are contrary to the path of righteousness shown by all prophets. Hence, all previously revealed books (e.g. Tablets of Moses (r.a), Injeel (given to Jesus (r.a) ) have been altered by man for his own selfish profit. On the other hand, Almighty ALLAH has given mankind the assurance that He will preserve the integrity of the Holy Quran, the last revelation, from such falsifications (refer to Surah Al-Hijr v 9 ). The good 'Aqeedah is therefore only found in the Holy Quran and the ways of Muhammad (Peace be upon him), the last messenger of Almighty ALLAH.

3. Based on Islamic 'Aqeedah, 'Islam' means to bear witness that 'There is nothing worthy of worship except ALLAH and that Muhammad is the messenger of ALLAH', to perform Prayers, to give poor-due, to fast during the month of Ramadan and to accomplish the Pilgrimage. It is different from 'Imaan' and 'Ihsaan'.

True

False

Islam is built on 5 pillars (Article of faith, prayers, poor-due, fasting and pilgrimage). It should however be distinguished from Imaan which is to have faith, in one's heart, in ALLAH, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day and in destiny (good or bad). Ihsaan, at a higher level, is for a person to worship Almighty ALLAH as if he/she sees HIM (although the person cannot actually see HIM).

Explanation

Islam is built on 5 pillars (Article of faith, prayers, poor-due, fasting and pilgrimage). It should however be distinguished from Imaan which is to have faith, in one's heart, in ALLAH, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day and in destiny (good or bad). Ihsaan, at a higher level, is for a person to worship Almighty ALLAH as if he/she sees HIM (although the person cannot actually see HIM).

4. Hypocrisy (An-Nifaq) is sub-divided into two, namely, big and small. Big Hypocrisy is related to the 'Aqeedah that a person has while small Hypocrisy is found in the actions that the person performs. Big Hypocrisy is not a very serious sin and a hypocrit who does not fall into Idolatry or Disbelief will not enter Hell.

True

False

Almighty ALLAH has described the punishment of hypocrits (those who falsely proclaim the truth but in fact conceal spite for truth in their hearts) as follows in the Holy Quran : The Hypocrits will be in the deepest part of Hell and they will not find any helpers (Surah An-Nisa v 145). Hypocrisy is therefore deeply disliked by Almighty ALLAH.

Explanation

Almighty ALLAH has described the punishment of hypocrits (those who falsely proclaim the truth but in fact conceal spite for truth in their hearts) as follows in the Holy Quran : The Hypocrits will be in the deepest part of Hell and they will not find any helpers (Surah An-Nisa v 145). Hypocrisy is therefore deeply disliked by Almighty ALLAH.

5. Islamic 'Aqeedah is only important in the life of the muslim when performing acts of worship (e.g. Prayers, pilgrimage, alms-giving, fasting, etc ...).

True

False

The Islamic 'Aqeedah gives a meaning to the whole life of the muslim (i.e. including acts of worship, relations with others, character, etc...). A person who has a wrong 'Aqeedah will display characteristics in aspects of his/her life that are contrary to divine appreciation. A wrong 'Aqeedah will undoubtedly lead a person away from the sweetness of faith to the path of those who are misled.

Explanation

The Islamic 'Aqeedah gives a meaning to the whole life of the muslim (i.e. including acts of worship, relations with others, character, etc...). A person who has a wrong 'Aqeedah will display characteristics in aspects of his/her life that are contrary to divine appreciation. A wrong 'Aqeedah will undoubtedly lead a person away from the sweetness of faith to the path of those who are misled.

6. Idolatry (As-Shirk) means that a person should take anything (living or non-living) as partner with Almighty ALLAH, loves it as he should love Almighty ALLAH, fears it as he should fear Almighty ALLAH and obeys it even though the action dsipleases Almighty ALLAH. As-Shirk can be sub-divided into two classes, namely, big and small. Someone who commits big Shirk (e.g. prays to other than Almighty ALLAH) has crossed outside the limits set by Islam and becomes a non-muslim. If he dies in this condition, he is destined for Hell forever. However, if he repents sincerely before death, his repentance is accepted. Is this true also for small Shirk (e.g. performing acts of worship to please people only) ?

True

False

A person who commits big Disbelief is considered to have crossed the limits of Islam. Consequently he/she needs to repent for the committed sin(s) to Almighty ALLAH.

Explanation

A person who commits big Disbelief is considered to have crossed the limits of Islam. Consequently he/she needs to repent for the committed sin(s) to Almighty ALLAH.

7. Idolatry (As-Shirk) means that a person should take anything (living or non-living) as partner with Almighty ALLAH, loves it as he should love Almighty ALLAH, fears it as he should fear Almighty ALLAH and obeys it even though the action dsipleases Almighty ALLAH. As-Shirk can be sub-divided into two classes, namely, big and small. Someone who commits big Shirk (e.g. prays to other than Almighty ALLAH) has crossed outside the limits set by Islam and becomes a non-muslim. If he dies in this condition, he is destined for Hell forever. However, if he repents sincerely before death, his repentance is accepted. Is this true also for small Shirk (e.g. performing acts of worship to please people only) ?

True

False

Small Shirk does not remove a person from the limits of Islam. However, it is considered to be a very grave sin and as such it decreases the reward of the person, doing such an act.

Explanation

Small Shirk does not remove a person from the limits of Islam. However, it is considered to be a very grave sin and as such it decreases the reward of the person, doing such an act.

8. It is not sufficient for a person to just pronounce the first pillar but he/she needs to understand the important conditions attached to witnessing this article of faith. He will only benefit from this article of faith once he understands and fulfills these conditions. There are six (6) essential conditions that need to be observed by the person for the first pillar to be accepted.

True

False

There are 7 essential conditions, namely, Knowledge, Conviction, Acceptance, Submission, Truthfulness, Sincerely and Love that must be satisfied for the first pillar to be accepted. It is therefore not enough for a person to just pronounce the article of faith but he/she has to understand the attached conditions and implement them.

Explanation

There are 7 essential conditions, namely, Knowledge, Conviction, Acceptance, Submission, Truthfulness, Sincerely and Love that must be satisfied for the first pillar to be accepted. It is therefore not enough for a person to just pronounce the article of faith but he/she has to understand the attached conditions and implement them.

9. The first pillar of Islam (i.e. to bear witness that 'There is nothing worthy of worship except ALLAH and that Muhammad is the messenger of ALLAH') is the most important pillar and also called the 'Pillar of pillars'. Without it, the remaining pillars (acts of worship) are not accepted. Tawheed (i.e. not associating anything with Almighty Allah) can be classified into 2 categories, namely Unicity of His Sovereignty and Unicity of His Divinity.

True

False

Tawheed can be grouped into 3 categories, namely Unicity of Sovereignty (which means that nothing in Creation has the right to be associated with Almighty ALLAH in HIS Sovereignty of the worlds), Unicity of Divinity (which means that none has the right to be worshipped (performing acts of worship) except Almighty ALLAH) and Unicity of His Names and His Attributes (which means that none has the right to be given the perfect Names and Attributes that legitimately belong to Almighty ALLAH.

Explanation

Tawheed can be grouped into 3 categories, namely Unicity of Sovereignty (which means that nothing in Creation has the right to be associated with Almighty ALLAH in HIS Sovereignty of the worlds), Unicity of Divinity (which means that none has the right to be worshipped (performing acts of worship) except Almighty ALLAH) and Unicity of His Names and His Attributes (which means that none has the right to be given the perfect Names and Attributes that legitimately belong to Almighty ALLAH.

10. 'Imaan' is only to believe in ALLAH, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day and in destiny (good or bad).

True

False

Imaan is both to believe in ALLAH, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day and in destiny and to do deeds that reflect this belief. Imaan is thus not restricted only to belief but is concerned with doing deeds to confirm this belief.

Explanation

Imaan is both to believe in ALLAH, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day and in destiny and to do deeds that reflect this belief. Imaan is thus not restricted only to belief but is concerned with doing deeds to confirm this belief.