JAMB Islamic Religious Studies Syllabus
This is the JAMB UTME syllabus for Islamic Religious Studies, covering 17 topics. Each topic lists what you are expected to study and the objectives — what you should be able to do — based on the official JAMB syllabus.
General Objectives
The Islamic Religious Studies syllabus is designed to enable candidates to:
- Master the Qur'an and Sunnah as the foundations of Islamic and social life.
- Become familiar with Islamic heritage, culture and civilization.
- Be acquainted with the tradition of Islamic scholarship and intellectual discourse.
- Demonstrate knowledge of Islamic moral, spiritual, political and social values.
- Be prepared to face the challenges of life as good practising Muslims.
Detailed Islamic Religious Studies Syllabus
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Revelation, Preservation and Authenticity of the Glorious Qur'an
Contents
- Revelation of the Glorious Qur'an: visits of the Prophet (SAW) to Cave Hira; his reaction to the first revelation and its importance; modes of revelation (Q.42:51) — inspiration, behind the veil, through an angel, etc.; piecemeal revelation (Q.17:106, Q.25:32)
- Preservation of the Glorious Qur'an: complete arrangement; differences between Makkan and Madinan suwar; recording, compilation and standardization; the role of the Companions of the Prophet (SAW)
- Importance of the Glorious Qur'an as a source of guidance in spiritual, moral, economic, political and socio-cultural matters
- Proof of the divine authenticity of the Glorious Qur'an (Q.4:82, Q.41:42); its uniqueness (Q.39:27, Q.17:88, Q.75:16-19); divine preservation (Q.15:9)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Analyse the Prophet's (SAW) visits to Cave Hira and their purpose
- Describe the Prophet's reaction to the first revelation and its importance
- Differentiate between the modes of revelation
- Explain why the Glorious Qur'an was revealed piecemeal
- Identify the personalities involved in the arrangement of the Glorious Qur'an
- Differentiate between Makkan and Madinan suwar
- Analyse how the Glorious Qur'an was recorded, compiled and standardized
- Evaluate the role played by the Companions of the Prophet (SAW)
- Examine the importance of the Glorious Qur'an
- Evaluate the proof of the divine authenticity and uniqueness of the Glorious Qur'an
- Examine the ways by which the Glorious Qur'an was preserved
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Tafsir and Tajwid
Contents
- Tafsir: historical development, importance and types of Tafsir
- Introduction to Tajwid (theory and practice): meaning and importance
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Trace the origin and sources of Tafsir
- Evaluate the importance of Tafsir
- Compare the types of Tafsir
- Examine the meaning and importance of Tajwid
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Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Suwar with Tajwid
Contents
- First set: al-Fatihah (Q.1), al-Adiyat (Q.100), al-Qari'ah (Q.101), at-Takathur (Q.102), al-Asr (Q.103), al-Humazah (Q.104), al-Maun (Q.107), al-Kawthar (Q.108), al-Kafirun (Q.109), al-Nasr (Q.110), al-Masad (Q.111), al-Ikhlas (Q.112), al-Falaq (Q.113), an-Nas (Q.114)
- Second set: 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.2:285-286), Laqad jaakun (Q.9:128-129)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Recite the Arabic texts of the suwar with correct tajwid
- Translate the verses
- Deduce lessons from them
- Evaluate the teachings of the verses
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Hadith
Contents
- History of Hadith literature: collection of Hadith from the time of the Prophet (SAW) to the period of the six authentic collectors
- Authentication of Hadith: Isnad (Asma'ur-rijal), Matn, and classification into Sahih, Hassan and Da'if
- Relationship between Hadith and the Glorious Qur'an: importance of Hadith; similarities and differences between the two
- The six sound collectors of Hadith — their biographies and works
- Muwatta and its author: biography of Imam Malik and the study of his book
- 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:
- Evaluate the history of Hadith from the time of the Prophet (SAW) to the period of the six authentic collectors
- Analyse the Isnad and the Matn
- Distinguish between Hadith Sahih, Hassan and Da'if
- Examine the importance of Hadith
- Distinguish between Hadith and the Glorious Qur'an
- Evaluate the biographies and works of the six collectors
- Evaluate the biography of Imam Malik and analyse his work
- Interpret the ahadith in Arabic and apply them in daily life
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Moral Lessons in the Glorious Qur'an and Hadith
Contents
- General moral lessons 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, Q.83:1-5); smoking, drug abuse and other intoxicants (Q.2:172-173, 195, 219; Q.4:43; Q.5:3; Q.6:118-121); arrogance and extravagance (Q.31:18-19, Q.17:26-27)
- Dignity of labour (Q.62:10, Q.78:11) with supporting Hadith from Bukhari and Ibn Majah
- Behaviour 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) with related Hadith
- Leadership (Q.2:124) and justice (Q.4:58, 135; Q.5:9) with related Hadith
- Trust, obligations and promises (Q.4:58, Q.5:1, Q.16:91) with related Hadith
- Piety/Taqwa (Q.2:177, Q.3:102, Q.49:13) — an-Nawawi Hadith 18 and 35
- Tolerance, perseverance and patience (Q.2:153-157, Q.3:200, Q.103:3) — an-Nawawi Hadith 16
- Unity and brotherhood (Q.3:103, Q.8:46, Q.49:10) — an-Nawawi Hadith 35
- Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is wrong (Q.3:104, 110; Q.16:90) — an-Nawawi Hadith 25 and 34
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Use and apply the teachings of the verses in daily life
- Demonstrate the teachings of the verses and ahadith in daily life
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Tawhid, Kalimatush-Shahadah and Shirk
Contents
- Tawhid: its concept, importance and lessons
- Kalimatush-Shahadah: meaning and importance; Oneness of Allah (Q.3:19, Q.2:255, Q.112:1-4); servanthood and messengership of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) (Q.3:144, Q.18:110, Q.48:29, Q.34:28); universality of his message (Q.7:158, Q.34:28); finality of his Prophethood (Q.33:40)
- Shirk — beliefs incompatible with Tawhid: idol worship (Q.4:48, Q.22:31), ancestral worship (Q.4:48, 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)
- Practices incompatible with 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, 73; Q.26:46), cult worship (Q.17:23, Q.4:48), innovation/Bid'ah (Q.4:116; an-Nawawi Hadith 5 and 28)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Analyse the concept of Tawhid
- Evaluate the significance of Kalimatush-Shahadah
- Identify the verses dealing with the Oneness of Allah
- Determine the significance of the servanthood and messengership of the Prophet (SAW)
- Evaluate the universality of the Prophet's message and the finality of his Prophethood
- Determine what actions and beliefs constitute shirk and their implications, and avoid them
- Identify and shun practices incompatible with the Islamic principles of Tawhid
- Demonstrate the teachings of the verses and ahadith in daily life
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Articles of Faith
Contents
- Belief in Allah: existence (Q.2:255, Q.52:35-36), attributes (Q.59:22-24) and works of Allah (Q.27:59-64)
- Belief in Allah's angels (Q.2:177, 285; Q.8:50; Q.16:2)
- Belief in His books (Q.2:253, 285; Q.3:3)
- Belief in His Prophets — Ulul-azmi (Q.4:163-164)
- Belief in the Last Day — Yawm-al-Ba'th (Q.23:15-16, Q.70:4)
- Belief in destiny — 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 articles of faith
- Examine the attributes and works of Allah
- Examine the belief in Allah's books and identify the relevant verses
- Identify the belief in the Prophets of Allah and its significance
- Analyse the belief in the Last Day and its significance
- Evaluate the belief in destiny and its significance
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Ibadat: Taharah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj and Jihad
Contents
- Ibadat and good deeds (Q.3:134, Q.6:160, Q.2:177, Q.31:8, Q.103:1-3; an-Nawawi Hadith 26)
- Taharah, its types and importance: al-istinja'/istijmar, al-wudu', at-tayammum and al-ghusl (Q.2:222, Q.5:7; an-Nawawi Hadith 10 and 23)
- Salah: importance (Q.2:45, Q.20:132, Q.29:45; an-Nawawi Hadith 23); description and types; things that vitiate salah
- Zakah: types and importance (zakatul-fitr, zakatul-mal, al-an'am, al-harth) (Q.2:267, Q.9:103; an-Nawawi Hadith 3); collection and disbursement (Q.9:60); difference between zakah and sadaqah
- Sawm: types and importance (fard, sunnah, qada, kaffarah) (Q.2:183-185; an-Nawawi Hadith 3); people exempted; things that vitiate sawm
- Hajj: importance (Q.2:158, 197; Q.3:97; Q.22:27-28); types (Ifrad, Qiran, Tamattu); essentials (Arkan al-Hajj); conditions; 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, analyse its types and identify things that vitiate it
- Differentiate the types of zakah and the times for giving them, and how to collect and distribute it
- Distinguish between zakah and sadaqah
- Compare the types of sawm, identify those exempted and things that vitiate fasting
- Examine the importance of Hajj, differentiate its types, determine its essentials and conditions, and distinguish it from Umrah
- Examine the concept, kinds, manner and lessons of jihad
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Family Matters: Marriage, Divorce and Inheritance
Contents
- Marriage: importance (Q.16:72, Q.24:32, Q.30:20-21); prohibited categories (Q.2:221, Q.4:22-24); conditions for validity (Q.4:4, 24-25); rights and duties of spouses (Q.4:34-35, Q.20:132, Q.65:6-7); polygamy (Q.4:3, 129)
- Idrar — ill-treatment of wife (Q.65:1-3)
- Divorce: Islamic attitude to divorce (Q.2:228, Q.4:34-35; Abu Daud Hadith); kinds (Talaq, Khul', Faskh, Mubara'ah, Lian) (Q.2:229-230, Q.24:6-9); Iddah — kinds, duration and importance (Q.2:228, 234); prohibited forms of dissolution (Ila and Zihar) (Q.2:226-227, Q.58:2-4); custody of children (Hadanah)
- Inheritance: its importance; heirs and their shares (Q.4:7-8, 11-12 and 176)
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Analyse the importance of marriage and determine the prohibited categories of women
- Examine the conditions for validity of marriage and the rights and duties of spouses
- Evaluate polygamy and its significance
- Examine the ill-treatment of a wife in marriage
- Analyse the Islamic attitude to divorce and examine its different kinds
- Differentiate the kinds of iddah and analyse their duration and significance
- Determine the prohibited forms of ending a marriage
- Determine who has the right to custody of children
- Evaluate the significance of inheritance, identify the Quranic heirs and determine the share of each heir
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Sources and Schools of Law
Contents
- The four major sources of Islamic law: the Qur'an, Sunnah, Ijma and Qiyas
- The four Sunni schools of law
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Analyse the four major sources of Islamic law
- Examine the biographies of the founders of the Sunni schools of law
- Examine their contributions
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Islamic Economic and Political Systems
Contents
- Islamic economic system: attitude to Riba (Q.2:275-280, Q.3:130, Q.4:161; an-Nawawi Hadith 6); at-tatfif (Q.83:1-6); hoarding/ihtikar (Q.9:34); Islamic sources of revenue — Zakah, Jizyah, Kharaj and Ghanimah; Baitul-mal as an institution of socio-economic welfare; difference between Islamic and Western economic systems
- Islamic political system: Allah as the Sovereign (Q.3:26-27); concept of Shurah/consultation (Q.3:159, Q.42:38); concept of Adalah/justice and Mas'uliyah/accountability (Q.5:9, Q.17:13-14, 36; Q.4:58, Q.102:8); rights of non-Muslims in an Islamic state (Q.2:256, Q.6:108); difference between Islamic and Western political systems
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Analyse the Islamic attitude to Riba
- Relate at-tatfif and its negative consequences
- Examine ihtikar and its implications on society
- Identify the sources of revenue in Islam and evaluate their disbursement
- Determine the uses of baitul-mal in the Ummah
- Differentiate between the Islamic and Western economic systems
- Analyse the concept of Allah's sovereignty
- Examine the concept of Shurah in Islam
- Evaluate the concepts of justice and accountability
- Examine the rights of non-Muslims in an Islamic state
- Differentiate between the Islamic and Western political systems
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Pre-Islamic Arabia (Jahiliyyah)
Contents
- Jahiliyyah practices: idol worship, infanticide, polyandry, gambling, usury, etc.
- Islamic reforms of the Jahiliyyah practices
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
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The Life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
Contents
- 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 learnt from them
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Account for the birth and early life of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
- Provide evidence for the call of Muhammad (SAW) to Prophethood
- Analyse the Da'wah activities of the Prophet in Makkah and Madinah
- Account for the Hijrah of the Prophet
- Analyse the administration of the Muslim Ummah in Madinah and the role of the mosque
- Account for the causes and effects of the Battles of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq
- Trace the circumstances leading to the Treaty of al-Hudaibiyyah and account for the conquest of Makkah
- Examine the farewell pilgrimage and its lessons
- Analyse the qualities of Muhammad (SAW) and their relevance to the life of a Muslim
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The Rightly Guided Caliphs (Al-Khulafaa'u Rashidun)
Contents
- The lives and contributions of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs
Objectives — candidates should be able to:
- Trace the biographies of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs
- Evaluate their contributions to the development of Islam
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Early Contact of Islam with Africa
Contents
- Hijrah to Abyssinia
- The spread of Islam to Egypt
- 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:
- Evaluate the circumstances leading to the Hijrah to Abyssinia
- Give reasons for the spread of Islam in Egypt
- Account for the roles of traders, teachers, preachers, Murabitun, Sufi orders and Mujaddidun in the spread of Islam in West Africa
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The Impact of Islam in West Africa
Contents
- 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:
- Analyse the influence of Islam on the socio-political system of some West African states
- Evaluate the impact of Islam on the economic life of Timbuktu, Kano and Borno
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Contributions of Islam to Education
Contents
- The aims and objectives of Islamic education
- The Glorious Qur'an and Hadith on education (Q.96:1-5, Q.39:9)
- 'The search for knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim' (Ibn Majah)
- 'Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave'
- 'The words of wisdom are a lost property of the believer ... a better right to it ...' (Tirmidhi)
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
Recommended Texts
- Abdul, M.O.A. (1976). Studies in Islam Series Book 3. Lagos: IPB.
- Abdul, M.O.A. (1982). Studies in Islam Series Book 2. Lagos: IPB.
- Abdul, M.O.A. (1988). The Classical Caliphate. Lagos: IPB.
- Abdulrahman and Canham (n.d.). The Ink of the Scholar. OUP.
- Ali, A.Y. (1975). The Holy Qur'an Text: Translation and Commentary. Leicester: The Islamic Foundation.
- Ali, M.M. (Undated). The Religion of Islam. Lahore.
- Doi, A.R.I. (1997). Shariah: The Islamic Law. Kuala Lumpur: Noordeen.
- Haykal, M. (1982). The Life of Muhammad (SAW). Academic Press.
- Lemu, A. (1992). Methodology of Primary Islamic Studies. Lagos: IPB.
- Lemu, A. (1993). Islamic Studies for SSS Book 1. Lagos: IPB.
- Lemu, A. (1993). Islamic Studies for SSS. Minna: IET.
- Muhammad, S.Q. (2010). al-Burhanu fi tajwidil Qur'an. Cairo: Shirkatul-Qudus.
- Opeloye, M.O. (1996). A Dictionary of Peoples and Places in the Qur'an. Lagos: Academic Press.
- Philips, A.A.B. (1997). Usool at-Tafseer. Kuala Lumpur: Noordeen.
- Quadri, Y.A. et al. (1990). Al-Iziyyah for the English Audience. Ijebu Ode: Shebiotimo Publication.
- Rahim, A. (1992). Islamic History. Lagos: IPB.
- Sambo, M.B. et al. (1984). Islamic Religious Knowledge for WASC Book 1. Lagos: IPB.
- Sambo, M.B. et al. (1984). Islamic Religious Knowledge for WASC Book 3. Lagos: IPB.
- Trimingham, J.S. (1993). A History of Islam in West Africa. Oxford: OUP.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is the JAMB Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) syllabus structured?
- The syllabus is organised into three broad parts: Part I — The Qur'an and Hadith; Part II — Tawhid and Fiqh; and Part III — Islamic History and Civilization. Across these parts it covers roughly 17 study areas spanning revelation, Qur'anic and Hadith study, creed, worship, family and economic/political law, and Islamic history.
- What are the main focus areas of the syllabus?
- Major focus areas are the revelation, preservation and authenticity of the Qur'an; Tafsir and Tajwid; the study of selected suwar and an-Nawawi's forty hadith in Arabic; Tawhid and shirk; the articles of faith; the pillars of worship (Taharah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj and Jihad); family law (marriage, divorce, inheritance); the sources and schools of Islamic law; Islamic economic and political systems; and Islamic history from the Prophet's life through the spread of Islam in West Africa.
- Which Qur'anic chapters do candidates study in Arabic?
- Candidates study two sets of suwar with tajwid. The first set runs through al-Fatihah, al-Adiyat, al-Qari'ah, at-Takathur, al-Asr, al-Humazah, al-Maun, al-Kawthar, al-Kafirun, al-Nasr, al-Masad, al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and an-Nas. The second set includes al-A'ala, ad-Duha, al-Inshirah, at-Tin, al-Alaq, al-Qadr, al-Bayyinah, al-Zilzal, Ayatul-Kursiy (Q.2:255), Amanar-Rasul (Q.2:285-286) and Q.9:128-129.
- How much Hadith is required, and from which collection?
- Candidates must study the history and authentication of Hadith (Isnad, Matn, and the Sahih/Hassan/Da'if classification), the six canonical collectors and Imam Malik's Muwatta. They also study specific Arabic texts from Imam an-Nawawi's collection — hadith numbers 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 27, 34 and 41.
- How is the subject tested in the UTME?
- Like other JAMB UTME subjects, Islamic Religious Studies is examined as a computer-based test of multiple-choice questions drawn directly from the topics, contents and objectives in this syllabus. Questions test recall, interpretation of verses and ahadith, and application of Islamic teachings, so candidates should be able to translate and draw lessons from the prescribed texts, not just memorise them.
- Is 'Islamic Studies' the same as 'Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK)'?
- Yes. The subject appears under several near-identical names — Islamic Religious Studies (IRS), Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) and simply Islamic Studies — but they refer to the same JAMB UTME syllabus with the same three-part structure and content.
- Does the syllabus cover Islamic law and governance?
- Yes. Part II covers the four sources of Islamic law (Qur'an, Sunnah, Ijma and Qiyas) and the four Sunni schools, family law (marriage, divorce, inheritance), the Islamic economic system (Riba, zakah, jizyah, kharaj, ghanimah and the Baitul-mal) and the Islamic political system (sovereignty of Allah, Shurah, Adalah, accountability and the rights of non-Muslims), often compared with Western systems.
- What history topics should candidates prepare?
- Part III covers pre-Islamic Arabia (Jahiliyyah) and Islamic reforms, the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) including the major battles and the conquest of Makkah, the four Rightly Guided Caliphs, the early contact of Islam with Africa (Abyssinia and Egypt), the impact of Islam on West African empires (Ghana, Mali, Songhai, Borno) and centres such as Timbuktu and Kano, and the contributions of Islam to education.
Source: the official JAMB UTME syllabus (jamb.gov.ng / IBASS). Always confirm details against the official syllabus.