The JAMB Islamic Religious Knowledge Syllabus is Out! This article is painstakingly written to justify the fact that the JAMB Syllabus for Islamic Studies 2024 and Recommended Texts have been officially released.
We have properly penned down a breakdown of questions and answers you might likely see in the 2024 JAMB Islamic Religious Knowledge Syllabus which is targeted at preparing candidates for the upcoming JAMB Post UTME.
Using the JAMB syllabus to study for your examination is the open secret to getting a high score.
Objectives
The 2024 JAMB Islamic Religious Knowledge Syllabus, course objectives are as follows:
1. Master the Qur’an and Sunnah as foundations of Islamic and social life;
2. Be familiar with Islamic heritage, culture, and civilization;
3. Be acquainted with the tradition of Islamic scholarship and intellectual discourse;
4. Demonstrate knowledge of Islamic moral, spiritual, political, and social values;
5. Be prepared to face the challenges of life as good practicing Muslims.
The syllabus is divided into Three Consecutive Parts as given below
JAMB Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) Syllabus 2024
Part I: The Qur’an and Hadith
1. Revelation of the Glorious Qur’an
Topics:
a. Visits of the Prophet (SAW) to Cave Hira
b. His reaction to the first revelation and its importance
c. Different modes of revelation (Q.42:51): the inspiration behind the veil, through an angel, etc.
d. Piecemeal revelation (Q.17:106) (Q.25:32)
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
a. Analyze the Prophet’s (SAW) visits to Cave Hira and the purpose;
b. Describe the Prophet’s reaction to the first revelation and its importance;
c. Differentiate between the modes of revelation;
d. Explain why the Glorious Qur’an was revealed piecemeal.
1b. Preservation of the Glorious Qur’an
Topics:
a. Complete arrangement
b. Differences between Makkah and Madinan Suwar
c. Recording, compilation, and standardization of the Glorious Qur’an
d. The role played by the Companions of the Prophet (SAW)
Objectives:
a. Identify the personalities involved in the arrangement of the Glorious Qur’an;
b. Differentiate between Makkan and Madinan suwar
c. Analyze how the Glorious Qur’an was recorded, compiled, and standardized;
d. Evaluate the role played by the companions of the Prophet (SAW)
e. Examine the importance of the Glorious Qur’an
1c. Importance of the Glorious Qur’an
Topics:
a. As a source of guidance in spiritual, moral, economic, political, and socio-cultural matters.
Objectives:
examine the importance of the Glorious Qur’an
1d. Proof of the Divine authenticity of the Glorious Qur’an (Q.4:82) (Q.41:42)
Topics:
The uniqueness of the Glorious Qur’an (Q.39:27) (Q.17:88) (Q.75:16-19)
Divine preservation of the Glorious Qur’an (Q.15:9)
Objectives:
Evaluate the proof of the divine authenticity of the Glorious Qur’an;
Evaluate the uniqueness of the Glorious Qur’an;
Examine the ways by which the Glorious Qur’an was preserved.
2. Tafsir
Topics:
Historical development of Tafsir
Importance of Tafsir
Types of Tafsir
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
trace the origin and sources of Tafsir;
evaluate the importance of Tafsir
compare the types of Tafsir.
3. Introduction to Tajwid (Theory and Practice)
Topics:
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
Examine the meaning and importance of Tajwid
4. Study of the Arabic text of the following suwar/ayats with tajwid
Topics:
1. al-Fatihah (Q.1)
2. al -Adiyat (Q.100)
3. al -Qari’ah (Q.101)
4. at -Takathur (Q.102)
5. al-Asr ((Q.103)
6. al -Humazah (Q.104)
7. al -Maun ((Q.107)
8. al -Kawthar (Q.108)
9. al – Kafirun (Q. 109)
10. al-Nasr (Q. 110)
11. al -Masad ((Q.111)
12. al -Ikhlas (Q.112)
13. al -Falaq ((Q.113)
14. an-Nas (Q.114)
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
recite with correct tajwid the Arabic texts of the suwar;
translate the verses;
deduce lessons from them;
evaluate the teachings of the verses.
5. Study of the Arabic text of the following suwar/ayats with tajwid
Topics:
al-A’ala (Q.87)
ad-Duha (Q.93)
al-Inshirah (Q.94)
at-Tin (Q.95)
al-Alaq (Q.96)
al-Qadr (Q.97)
al-Bayyinah (Q.98)
al-Zilzal (Q.99)
Ayatul-Kursiy (Q.2:255)
Amanar-Rasul (Q.2:285-6)
Laqad jaakun (Q.9:128-129)
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
Recite with correct tajwid the Arabic texts of the suwar;
Deduce lessons from them;
Evaluate their teachings;
6. Hadith
Topics:
History of Hadith literature – Collection of Hadith from the time of the Prophet(SAW) to the period of the six authentic collectors of Hadith
Authentication of Hadith
(i) Isnad (Asma’ur-rijal)
(ii) Matn
(iii) Classification of Hadith into Sahih Hassan and Da’if
The relationship between Hadith and the Glorious Qur’an
(i) The importance of Hadith
(ii) The similarities and differences between Hadith and the Glorious Qur’an
The six sound collectors of Hadith – biographies and their works.
Muwatta and its author – The Biography of Imam Malik and the Study of his book
The study of the Arabic texts of the following ahadith from an-Nawawi’s collection: 1,3,5,6,7,9,10,11,12,13,15,16, 18,19,21, 22,25,27,34, and 41
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
1. Evaluate the history of Hadith from the time of the Prophet (SAW) to the period of six authentic collectors.
Analyze the Isnad;
Analyze the Matn;
Distinguish between Hadith Sahih, Hassan, and da’if.
Candidates should be able to:
Examine the importance of Hadith;
Distinguish between Hadith and the Glorious Qur’an.
Evaluate their biographies and works
Evaluate his biography;
Analyze his work.
Interpret the ahadith in Arabic
Apply them in their daily lives.
7. Moral lessons in the Glorious Qur’an and Hadith
Topics:
General moral lessons are contained in the admonition of Sage Luqman to his son (Q.31:18-20).
Goodness to parents (Q.17:23-24)
Honesty (Q.2:42)(Q.61:2-3)
Prohibition of bribery and corruption (Q:2:188), alcohol and gambling (Q.2:219) (Q.5:93-94), stealing and fraud (Q.5:41) (83:1-5), smoking, drug abuse and other intoxicants (Q.2:172-173, 195 and 219) (Q.4:43) (Q.5:3) (Q.6:118-121) arrogance (Q.31:18-19) and extravagance (Q.17:26-27) (Q.31:18-19)
The dignity of labor (Q.62:10) (Q.78:11) Hadith from Bukhari and Ibn Majah: “that one of you takes his rope…….” “never has anyone of you eaten…..”.
Behavior and modesty in dressing (Q.24:27-31) (Q.33:59)
Adultery and fornication (Q.17:32) (Q.24:2), homosexuality (Q.11:77-78), and obscenity (Q:4:14-15) Hadith – “No one of you should meet a woman privately …… “Bukhari
Leadership (Q.2:124) and justice (Q.4:58 and 135) (Q.5:9) Hadith – ‘take care every one of you is a governor …… concerning his subjects” (al-Bukhari and others)
Trust and obligations (Q:4:58) (Q.5:1) and promises (Q.16:91) Hadith ‘he has (really) no faith ….. Not fulfilled his promise” (Baihaqi)
Piety (Taqwa) (Q:2:177) (Q.3:102) (Q.49:13) Hadith 18 and 35 of an Nawawi
Tolerance, perseverance, and patience (Q.2:153-157) (Q.3:200) (Q.103:3) Hadith 16 of an-Nawawi
Unity and brotherhood (Q.3:103) (Q.8:46) (Q.49:10) Hadith 35 of an-Nawawi
Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is wrong (Q.3:104 and 110) (Q.16:90) Hadith 25 and 34 of a Nawawi
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
1. Use the teachings of the verses in their daily lives;
2. Apply the teachings of the verses to their daily lives;
3. Demonstrate the teachings of the verses in their daily lives.
4. Use the teachings of the verses in their daily lives
5. Apply the teachings of the verses in their daily lives.
6. Demonstrate the teachings of the verses in their daily lives.
7. Apply the teachings of the verses in their daily lives.
8. Apply the teachings of the verses and the al-Hadith to their daily lives.
9. Demonstrate the teachings of the verses and the Hadith in their daily lives.
10. Apply the teachings of the verses and the ahadith in their daily lives.
11. Interpret the teachings of the verses and the Hadith in their daily lives.
12. Demonstrate the teachings of the verses and the Hadith in their daily lives.
n/b: apply the teachings of the verses and the ahadith in their daily lives.
Part II: Tawhid and Fiqh
8.
Topics:
Faith
(i) Tawhid Its importance and lessons
Kalimatush-Shahadah
(i) It is meaning and importance
(ii) The Oneness of Allah as contained in the following verses: (Q.3:19) Q.2:255) (Q.112:1-4)
(iii) The servanthood and messengers of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as contained in the following verses (Q.3:144) (Q.18:110) (Q.48:29) and (Q.34:28)
(iv) Universality of his message (Q.7:158) (Q.34:28)
(v) Finality of his Prophethood (Q.33:40)
Shirk
Beliefs that are incompatible with the Islamic principles of Tawhid:
Worship of Idols (Q.4:48) (Q.22:31)
Ancestral worship (Q.4:48 and 116) (Q.21:66-67)
Trinity (Q.4:171) (Q.5:76) (Q.112:1-4)
Atheism (Q.45:24) (Q.72:6) (Q.79:17-22)
(d) General practices which are incompatible with Islamic principles of Tawhid:
Superstition (Q.25:43) (Q.72:6)
Fortune-telling (Q.15:16-18)(Q.37:6-10)
Magic and witchcraft (Q.2:102) (Q.20:69) and 73) (Q.26:46)
Cult worship (Q.17:23) (Q.4:48)
Innovation (Bid’ah) (Q.4:116) and Hadith 5 and 28 of a Nawawi
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
1. Analyze the concepts of Tawhid
2. Evaluate the significance of kalimatush-shahadah;
3. Identify the verses dealing with the Oneness of Allah;
4. Determine the significance of the servanthood of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW);
5. Evaluate the significance of the universality of Prophet Muhammad’s message;
6. Examine the significance of the finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad (SAW)
Candidates should be able to:
determine what actions and beliefs constitute shirk;
Determine the implications of beliefs and actions of shirk;
avoid such actions.
Candidates should be able to:
Identify those practices that are incompatible with the Islamic principles of Tawhid;
Determine those practices that are incompatible with Tawhid;
Shun off those actions;
Demonstrate the teachings of the verses and the ahadith in their daily lives.
9. Article of faith
Topics:
Belief in Allah
(i) Existence of Allah (Q.2:255)
(Q.52:35-36)
(ii) Attributes of Allah (Q.59:22-24)
(iii) The works of Allah (Q.27:59:64)
Belief in Allah’s angels (Q.2:177 and 285) (Q.8:50) (Q.16:2)
His books (Q.2:253) and 285) (Q.3:3)
His Prophets: Ulul-Azmi (Q.4:163-164)
The Last Day: Yawm-al-Ba’th
(Q.23:15-16) (Q.70:4)
Destiny: the distinction between Qada and Qadar (Q.2:117) (Q.16:40) (Q.36:82)
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
Examine the significance of the article of faith;
Examine the attributes of Allah;
Examine the works of Allah;
Examine the belief in Allah’s books;
Identify the verses in Allah’s books;
Identify the belief in the Prophets of Allah and its significance;
Analyze the belief in the Last Day and its significance
Evaluate the belief in destiny and its
significance.
10. Ibadat and their types
Topics:
Good deeds (Q.3:134) (Q.6:160) (Q.2:177) (Q.31:8) (Q.103:1-3) 26th Hadith of an-Nawawi
Taharah, its types and importance (al-istinja’/stigma, alwudu’, at-tayammum and al-ghusl (Q.2:222) (Q.5:7) Hadith 10 and 23 of an-Nawawi.
Salah
(i) Importance: (Q.2:45) (Q.20:132) (Q.29:45) and Hadith 23rd of an-Nawawi
(ii) Description and types of salah
(iii) Things that vitiate salah
Zakah
(i) Its types and importance (zakatul-fitr, zakatul mal, al-an-am and al-harth (Q.2:267) (Q.9:103) 3rd Hadith of an-Nawawi
(ii) Collection and disbursement (Q.9:60)
(iii) Difference between Zakah and sadaqah
Sawm
(i) Its types and importance (fard, sunnah, qada and kaffarah) (Q.2:183-185) 3rd Hadith of an-Nawawi
(ii) People exempted from sawm
(iii) Things that vitiate sawm
Hajj
(i) Its importance (Q.2:158 and 197) (Q.3:97) (Q.22:27-28)
(ii) Type (Ifrad, Qiran and Tamattu)
(iii) Essentials of Hajj (Arkan al-Hajj)
(v) Conditions for the performance of Hajj
(iv) Differences between Hajj and Umrah
Jihad: Concept, kinds, manner, and Lessons (Q.2:190-193) (Q.22:39-40)
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
Determine what constitutes acts of ibadah;
Distinguish between the different types of taharah;
Assess the importance of salah to a Muslim’s life;
Analyze different types of salah;
Identify things that vitiate salah.
Differentiate between the various types of Makkah and the time of giving them out;
Determine how to collect and distribute zakah;
Distinguish between zakah and sadaqah
Compare the various types of sawm;
Determine the people who are exempted from fasting;
Determine things that vitiate fasting.
Examine the importance of Hajj;
Differentiate between the types of Hajj;
Determine the essentials of Hajj;
Evaluate the conditions for the performance of Hajj;
Differentiate between Hajj and Umrah.
Examine the concepts of jihad and its type;
Evaluate the manner of carrying out jihad and its lessons.
11. Family Matters
Topics:
Marriage
(i) Importance (Q.16:72) (Q.24:32) (Q.30:20-21)
(ii) Prohibited categories (Q.2:221) (Q.4:22-24)
(iii) Conditions for its validity (Q.4:4) (Q.4:24-25)
(iv) Rights and duties of husbands and wives (Q.4:34-35) (Q.20:132) (Q.65:6-7)
(v) Polygamy (Q.4:3 and 129)
Idrar’s ill-treatment of wife (Q. 65:1-3)
Divorce
(i) Attitude of Islamic to divorce (Q.2:228) (Q.4:34-35) Hadith “of al things lawful ….. most hateful to Allah..” (Abu Daud 15:3)
(ii) Kinds (Talaq, Khul;, Faskh, Mubara’ah and Lian) (Q.2:229-230) (Q.24:6-9)
(iii) Iddah, kinds, duration, and importance (Q.2:228 and 234)
(iv) Prohibited forms of dissolution of marriage. (Ila and Zihar) (Q.2:226-227) (Q.58:2-4)
(v) Custody of children (Hadanah)
Inheritance
(i) Its importance
(ii) Heirs and their shares (Q.4:7-8, 11-12 and 176)
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
1. Analyze the importance of marriage;
2. Determine the category of women prohibited from a man marrying;
3. examine the conditions for the validity of marriage;
4. Determine the rights and duties of the spouse;
5. Evaluate polygamy and its significance.
6. Examine the ill-treatment of the wife in marriage
7. Analyze the attitude of Islam to divorce
8. Examine the different types of divorce;
9. differentiate between the various kinds of iddah;
10. analyze its duration and significance;
11. determine the prohibited forms of ending marriage;
12. determine who has the right to custody of children;
13. evaluate the significance of inheritance;
14. identify the categories of the Qur’anic heirs;
15. determine the share of each heir;
12. Sources and Schools of Law
Topics:
- The four major sources (the Qur’an, Sunnah, Ijma, and Qiyas)
- The four Sunni Schools of law
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
1. analyze the four major sources of Islamic law;
2. examine the biography of the Sunni schools of law;
3. examine their contributions.
13. Islamic Economic System
Topics:
1. Islamic attitude to Riba (Q.2:275-280) (Q.3:130) (Q.4:161) Hadith 6th of an-Nawawi
2. At-tariff (Q.83:1-6)
3. Hoarding (shikar) (Q.9:34)
4. Islamic sources of revenue: Zakah, Jizyah, Kharaj, and Ghanimah
5. Baitul-mal as an institution of socio-economic welfare
6. Difference between the Islamic economic system and the Western economic system
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
1. Analyze Islamic attitude to Riba;
2. Relate at-tariff and its negative consequences;
3. Examine ihtikar and its implications on society;
4. Identify the sources of revenue in Islam;
5. Evaluate the disbursement of the revenue;
6. Determine the uses of baitul-mal in the Ummah;
7. Differentiate between the Islamic and Western economic systems.
Candidates should be able to:
1. Analyze the concept of Allah’s sovereignty;
2. Examine the concept of shurah in Islam
3. Evaluate the concept of justice and accountability
4. Examine the rights of non-Muslims in an Islamic state
5. Differentiate between the Islamic and Western political systems.
Part III: Islamic History and Civilization
15. Pre-Islamic Arabia (Jahiliyyah)
Topics:
Jahiliyyah practices: idol worship, infanticide, polyandry, gambling, usury, etc.
Islamic reforms
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
Distinguish the different types of practices common to the Arabs of al-Jahiliyyah;
Trace the reforms brought about by Islam to the Jahiliyyah practices
16. The Life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
Topics:
His birth and early life
His call to Prophethood
Da’wah in Makkah and Madinah
The Hijrah
Administration of the Ummah and the Role of the mosque (Q.3:159) (Q.4:58 and 135)
The Battles of Badr, Uhud, and Khandaq: Causes and Effects
The Treaty of al-Hudaibiyyah and the conquest of Makkah
Hijjatul-wada (the farewell pilgrimage) sermon, and lessons.
Qualities of Muhammad (SAW) and lessons learned from Them
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
1. Account for the birth and early life of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW);
2. Provide evidence for the call of Muhammad (SAW) of Prophethood;
3. Analyze the Da’awah activities of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to Madinah
4. Account for the Hijrah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in Makkah and Madinah.
5. Analyze the administration of the Muslim Ummah in Madinah.
6. Account for the causes and effects of the Battles of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq;
7. Trace the circumstances leading to the formulation of the Treaty of Hudaibiyya;
8. Account for the Conquest of Makkah;
9. Examine for the farewell pilgrimage and its lessons;
10. Analyse the qualities of Muhammad (SAW) and their relevance to the life of a Muslim.
17. The Rightly Guided Caliphs (al-Khulafa’u rashidun)
Topics:
- the lives and contributions of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
1. Trace the biographies of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs;
2. (ii) evaluate their contributions to the development of Islam.
18. Early contact of Islam with Africa
Topics:
1. Hijrah to Abyssinia
2. The spread of Islam to Egypt
3. The role of traders, teachers, preachers, Murabitun, Sufi orders, and Mujaddidun in the spread of Islam in West Africa.
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
1. Evaluate their circumstances leading to the Hijrah to Abyssinia;
2. Give reasons for the spread of Islam in Egypt;
3. Account for the roles of traders, teachers, preachers, Murabitun, Sufi orders, and Mujaddidun in the spread of Islam in West Africa.
19. The Impact of Islam in West Africa
Topics:
The influence of Islam on the socio-political life of some West African Empires: Ghana, Mali, Songhai, and Borno
The impact of Islam on the economic life of some West African states: Timbuktu, Kano, and Borno
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
1. Analyze the influence of Islam on the socio-political system of some West African States;
2. Evaluate the impact of Islam on the economic life of Timbuktu, Kano, and Borno.
20. Contributions of Islam to Education
Topics:
1. The Aims and Objectives of Islamic Education
2. The Glorious Qur’an and Hadith on Education (Q.96:1-5) (Q.39:9)
3. The search for knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim” (Ibn Majah)
4. Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave”
5. The words of wisdom are a lost property of the believer ….. a better right to it …..“ (Tirmidhi)
6. Intellectual activities of Islam in West Africa (development of written history in Arabic and the establishment of Sankore University)
7. Intellectual activities of Ahmad Baba of Timbuktu, Sheikh al-Maghili, sheik Usman Danfodio, Sultan Muhammad Bello, and Ibn Battuta
8. Islamic Education Institutions: House of Wisdom in Baghdad, al-Azhar University in Cairo, and Nizamiyyah University in Baghdad.
9. The lives and contributions of Ibn Sina, Al-Ghazali, Ibn Rushdi, ar-Razio, and ibn Khaldun to education.
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
Classify the aims and objectives of Islamic Education;
Assess the position of the Glorious Qur’an and Hadith in education;
Examine the importance of seeking knowledge in Islam;
Analyze the intellectual activities of Islam in West Africa.
Assess the contributions of Sheikh al-Maghili, sheik Uthman Dan Fodio, Sultan Muhammad Bello, and Ibn Battuta;
Account for the development of intellectual centers in Baghdad and Cairo;
Examine the contributions of Ibn Sina to the development of Medicine;
Asses al-Ghazali’s contribution to Islamic education;
Analyze Ibn Rushd’s contribution to philosophy and fiqh;
Assess ar-Razi’s contribution to philosophy;
Analyze Ibn Khaldun’s contribution to modern sociology and method of writing history.
JAMB Islamic Religious Knowledge Syllabus Textbooks
Now you have gotten the complete JAMB Islamic Religious Knowledge Syllabus above. Go through the JAMB-recommended textbooks below.
1. Abdul, M.O.A. (1976) Studies in Islam Series Book 3, Lagos: IPB
2. Abdul, M.O.A. (1982) Studies in Islam Series Book 2, Lagos: IPB
3. Abdul, M.O.A. (1988)The Classical Caliphate, Lagos: IPB
4. Abdulrahman and Canham (n.d) The Ink of the Scholar, OUP
5. Ali, A.Y. (1975) The Holy Qur’an Text: Translation and Commentary Leicester: The Islamic Foundation
6. Ali, M.M. (Undated) The Religion of Islam, Lahore
7. Doi, A. R. I (1997) Shariah: The Islamic Law; Kuala Lumpur: Noordeen
8. Hay Lal, M. (1982) The Life of Muhammad (SAW), Academic Press
9. Lemu, A. (1992) Methodology of Primary Islamic Studies, Lagos: IPB
10. Lemu, A. (1993) Islamic Studies for SSS Book 1, Lagos: IPB
More…
11. Lemu, A. (1993) Islamic Studies for SSS Books, Minna: IET
12. Muhammad, S. Q. (2010) al-Burhanu fi tajwidil Qur’an Cairo: Shirkatul-Qudus
13. Opeloye, M.O. (1996) A Dictionary of Peoples and Places in the Qur’an, Lagos: Academic Press
14. Philips, A. A. B. (1997) Usool at-Tafseer, Kuala Lumpur: Noordeen
15. Quadri, Y.A. et al (1990) Al-Iziyyah for the English Audience, Ijebu Ode: Shebiotiom Publication
16. Rahim, A. (1992) Islamic History, Lagos: IPB
17. Sambo, M.B. et. Al (1984) Islamic Religious Knowledge for WASC Book 1, Lagos: IPB
18. Sambo, M.B. et. Al (1984) Islamic Religious Knowledge for WASC Book 3, Lagos: IPB
19. Trimingham, J.S. (1993) A History of Islam in West Africa, Oxford, OUP