The aim of this JAMB IRK Islamic Religious Studies Syllabus for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) 2025, is to prepare the candidates for the Board’s examination. It is designed to test their achievement of the course objectives, which are to:
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.
PART 1: THE QUR’AN AND HADITH
1. Revelation of the Glorious Qur’an
Topics:
i. Visits of the Prophet (SAW) to Cave Hira
ii. His reaction to the first revelation and its importance
iii. Different modes of revelation (Q.42:51): inspiration behind the veil, through an angel, etc.
iv. Piecemeal revelation (Q.17:106) (Q.25:32)
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
i. analyse the Prophet’s (SAW) visits to Cave Hira and the purpose;
ii. describe the Prophet’s reaction to the first revelation and its importance;
iii. differentiate between the modes of revelation;
iv. explain why the Glorious Qur’an was revealed piecemeal.
1b. Preservation of the Glorious Qur’an
Topics:
i. Complete arrangement
ii. Differences between Makkah and Madina suwar
iii. Recording, compilation and standardization of the Glorious Qur’an
iv. The role played by the Companions of the Prophet (SAW)
Objectives:
i. identify the personalities involved in the arrangement of the Glorious Qur’an;
ii. differentiate between Makkan and Madinan suwar
iii. analyse how the Glorious Qur’an was recorded, compiled and standardized;
iv. evaluate the role played by the companions of the Prophet (SAW)
1c. Importance of the Glorious Qur’an
Topics:
i. as a source of guidance in spiritual, moral, economic, political and socio-cultural matters.
Objectives:
i. 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:
i.Uniqueness of the Glorious Qur’an (Q.39:27) (Q.17:88) (Q.75:16-19)
ii. Divine preservation of the Glorious Qur’an (Q.15:9)
Obejectives:
i. evaluate the proof of the divine authenticity of the Glorious Qur’an;
ii. evaluate the uniqueness of the Glorious Qur’an;
iii. examine the ways by which the Glorious Qur’an was preserved.
2. Tafsir
Topics:
i. Historical development of Tafsir
ii. Importance of Tafsir
iii. Types of Tafsir
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
i. trace the origin and sources of Tafsir.;
ii. evaluate the importance of Tafsir
iii. compare the types of Tafsir.
3. Introduction to Tajwid (Theory and Practice)
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
i. examine the meaning and importance of Tajwid
4. Study of the Arabic text of the following suwar/ayats with tajwid
Topics:
(a) al-Fatihah (Q.1)
(b) al -Adiyat (Q.100)
(c) al -Qari’ah (Q.101)
(d) at -Takathur (Q.102)
(e) al -Asr ((Q.103)
(f) al -Humazah (Q.104)
(g) al -Maun ((Q.107)
(h) al -Kawthar (Q.108)
(i) al – Kafirun (Q. 109)
(j) al- Nasr (Q. 110)
(k) al -Masad ((Q.111)
(l) al -Ikhlas (Q.112)
(m) al -Falaq ((Q.113)
(n) an-Nas (Q.114)
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
i. recite with correct tajwid the Arabic texts of the suwar;
ii. translate the verses;
iii. deduce lessons from them;
iv. evaluate the teachings of the verses.
5. Study of the Arabic text of the following suwar/ayats with tajwid
Topics:
a. al-A’ala (Q.87)
b. ad-Duha (Q.93)
c. al-Inshirah (Q.94)
d. at-Tin (Q.95)
e. al-Alaq (Q.96)
f. al-Qadr (Q.97)
g. al-Bayyinah (Q.98)
h. al-Zilzal (Q.99)
i. Ayatul-Kursiy (Q.2:255)
j. Amanar-Rasul (Q.2:285-6)
k. Laqad jaakun (Q.9:128-129)
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
i. recite with correct tajwid the Arabic texts of the suwar;
ii. deduce lessons from them;
iii. evaluate their teachings;
6. Hadith
Topics:
a. History of Hadith literature – Collection of Hadith from the time of the Prophet(SAW) to the period of the six authentic collectors of Hadith
b. Authentication of Hadith
i. Isnad (Asma’ur-rijal)
ii. Matn
iii. Classification of Hadith into Sahih Hassan and Da’if
c. 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
d. The six sound collectors of Hadith – biographies and their works.
e. Muwatta and its author – The biography of Imam Malik and the study of his book
f. 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:
i. evaluate the history of Hadith from the time of the Prophet (SAW) to the period of six authentic collectors.
ii. analyse the Isnad;
iii. analyse the Matn;
iv. distinguish between Hadith Sahih, Hassan and da’if.
Candidates should be able to:
i. examine the importance of Hadith;
ii. distinguish between Hadith and the Glorious Qur’an.
iii. evaluate their biographies and works
iv. evaluate his biography;
v. analyse his work.
vi. interpret the ahadith in Arabic
vii. apply them in their daily lives.
7. Moral lessons in the Glorious Qur’an and Hadith
Topics:
a. General moral lessons contained in the admonition of Sage Luqman to his son (Q.31:18-20).
b. Goodness to parents (Q.17:23-24)
c. Honesty (Q.2:42)(Q.61:2-3)
d. 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)
e. Dignity of labour (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…..”.
f. Behaviour and modesty in dressing (Q.24:27-31) (Q.33:59)
g. 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
h. Leadership (Q.2:124) and justice (Q.4:58 and 135) (Q.5:9) Hadith – ‘take care everyone of you is a governor …… concerning his subjects” (al-Bukhari and others)
i. 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)
j. Piety (Taqwa) (Q:2:177) (Q.3:102) (Q.49:13) Hadith 18 and 35 of an Nawawi
k. Tolerance, perseverance and patience (Q.2:153-157) (Q.3:200) (Q.103:3) Hadith 16 of an-Nawawi
l. Unity and brotherhood (Q.3:103) (Q.8:46) (Q.49:10) Hadith 35 of an-Nawawi
m. Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is wrong (Q.3:104 and 110) (Q.16:90) Hadith 25 and 34 of an Nawawi
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
a. use the teachings of the verses in their daily lives;
b. apply the teachings of the verses to their daily lives;
c. demonstrate the teachings of the verses in their daily lives.
d. use the teachings of the verses in their daily lives
e. apply the teachings of the verses in their daily lives.
f. demonstrate the teachings of the verses in their daily lives.
g. apply the teachings of the verses in their daily lives.
h. apply the teachings of the verses and the al-Hadith to their daily lives.
i. demonstrate the teachings of the verses and the Hadith in their daily lives.
j. apply the teachings of the verses and the ahadith in their daily lives.
i. Interpret the teachings of the verses and the Hadith in their daily lives.
m. demonstrate the teachings of the verses and the Hadith in their daily lives.
n. apply the teachings of the verses and the ahadith in their daily lives.
8. PART II: TAWHID AND FIQH
Faith
Topics:
i. Tawhid Its importance and lessons
Candidates should be able to:
i. analyse the concepts of Tawhid.
Kalimatush-Shahadah
Topics
i. Its 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 messengership 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)
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i. evaluate the significance of kalimatush-shahadah.
ii. identify the verses dealing with the Oneness of Allah
iii. determine the significance of the servanthood of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
iv. evaluate the significance of the universality of Prophet MuhammadÂ’s message.
v. examine the significance of the finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad (SAW).
Shirk
i. Beliefs which 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)
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i. determine what actions and beliefs constitute shirk.
ii. Determine the implications beliefs and actions of shirk.
iii. avoid such actions.
General practices which are incompatible with Islamic principles of Tawhid:
i. Superstition (Q.25:43) (Q.72:6)
ii. Fortune-telling (Q.15:16-18)(Q.37:6-10)
iii. Magic and witchcraft (Q.2:102) (Q.20:69) and 73) (Q.26:46)
iv. Cult worship (Q.17:23) (Q.4:48)
v. Innovation (Bid’ah) (Q.4:116) and Hadith 5 and 28 of an-Nawawi
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
i. identify those practices that are incompatible with the Islamic principles of Tawhid;
ii. determine those practice that are incompatible with Tawhid;
iii. shun off those actions;
iv. demonstrate the teachings of the verses and the ahadith in their daily lives.
9. Article of faith
Topics:
a. 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)
b. Belief in Allah’s angels (Q.2:177 and 285) (Q.8:50) (Q.16:2)
c. His books (Q.2:253) and 285) (Q.3:3)
d. His Prophets: Ulul-azmi (Q.4:163-164)
e. The Last Day: Yawm-al-Ba’th (Q.23:15-16) (Q.70:4)
f. Destiny: distinction between Qada and Qadar (Q.2:117) (Q.16:40) (Q.36:82)
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
i. examine the significance of the article of faith;
ii. examine the attributes of Allah;
iii. examine the works of Allah;
iv. examine the belief in Allah’s books;
v. identify the verses on Allah’s books;
vi. identify the belief in the Prophets of Allah and its significance;
vii. analyse the belief in the Last Day and its significance
viii. evaluate the belief in destiny and its significance.
10. Ibadat and their types
Topics:
a. Good deeds (Q.3:134) (Q.6:160) (Q.2:177) (Q.31:8) (Q.103:1-3) 26th Hadith of an-Nawawi
b. Taharah, its types and importance (al-istinja’/istijmar, alwudu’, at-tayammum and al-ghusl (Q.2:222) (Q.5:7) Hadith 10 and 23 of an-Nawawi.
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i. determine what constitutes acts of ibadah;
ii. distinguish between the different types of taharah;
Salah
Topics:
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
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i. assess the importance of salah to a Muslim’s life;
ii. analyse different types of salah;
iii. identify things that vitiate salah
Zakah
Topics
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
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i. differentiate between the various types of zakkah and the time of giving them out;
ii. determine how to collect and distribute zakah;
iii. distinguish between zakah and sadaqah
Sawm
Topics
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
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i. compare the various types of sawm;
ii. determine the people who are exempted from fasting;
iii. determine things that vitiate fasting.
Hajj
Topics
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)
iv Conditions for the performance of Hajj
v. Differences between Hajj and Umrah
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
(i. examine the importance of Hajj;
(ii) differentiate between the types of Hajj;
(iii) determine the essentials of Hajj;
(iv) evaluate the conditions for performance of Hajj;
(v) differentiate between Hajj and Umrah.
Jihad: Concept, kinds, manner and Lessons (Q.2:190-193) (Q.22:39-40)
Candidates should be able to:
(i) examine the concepts of jihad and its type;
(ii) evaluate the manner of carrying out jihad and its lessons.
11. Family Matters
Topics:
(a) 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)
b. Idrar ill-treatment of wife (Q. 65:1-3)
Candidates should be able to:
i. analyse the importance of marriage.
ii. determine the category of women prohibited to a man to marry.
iii. examine the conditions for validity of marriage.
iv. determine the rights and duties of the spouse.
v. evaluate polygamy and its significance.
vi examine the ill-treatment of wife in marriage.
Divorce
Topics
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)
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i. analyse the attitude of Islam to divorce
ii. examine the different types of divorce;
iii. differentiate between the various kinds of iddah;
iv. analyse its duration and significance;
v. determine the prohibited forms of ending marriage;
vi. determine who has the right to custody of children;
Inheritance
Topics
i. Its importance
ii. Heirs and their shares (Q.4:7-8, 11-12 and 176)
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
(i) Evaluate the significance of inheritance.
(ii) identify the categories of the QurÂ’anic heirs.
(iii) determine the share of each heir.
12. Sources and Schools of Law
Topics:
i. The four major sources (the Qur’an, Sunnah, Ijma and Qiyas)
ii. The four Sunni Schools of law
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
i. analyse the four major sources of Islamic law;
ii. examine the biography of the sunni schools of law;
iii. examine their contributions.
13. Islamic Economic System
Topics:
i. Islamic attitude to Riba (Q.2:275-280) (Q.3:130) (Q.4:161) Hadith 6th of an-Nawawi
ii. At-tatfif (Q.83:1-6)
iii. Hoarding (ihtikar) (Q.9:34)
iv. Islamic sources of revenue: Zakah, Jizyah, Kharaj and Ghanimah
v. Baitul-mal as an institution of socio-economic welfare
vi. Difference between the Islamic economic system and the Western economic system
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
i. analyse Islamic attitude to Riba;
ii. relate at-tatfif and its negative consequences;
iii. examine ihtikar and its implications on society;
iv. identify the sources of revenue in Islam;
v. evaluate the disbursement of the revenue;
vi. determine the uses of baitul-mal in the Ummah;
vii. differentiate between the Islamic and Western economic systems.
Islamic Political System
Topics
i. Allah as the Sovereign (Q.3:26-27).
ii. The concept of Shurah (consultation) (Q.3:159( (Q.42:38).
iii. The concept of Adalah (justice) (Q.5.9) (Q.17:13-14 and 36) and MasÂ’uliyah (accountability) (Q.4:58) (Q..102:8).
iv. The rights of non-Muslims in an Islamic state (Q.2:256) (Q.6:108).
v. Differences between the Islamic political system and the Western political system.
Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
i. analyse the concept of Allah’s sovereignty;
ii. examine the concept of surah in Islam
iii. evaluate the concept of justice and accountability
iv. examine the rights of non-Muslims in an Islamic state
v. differentiate between the Islamic and Western political systems.
PART III: ISLAMIC HISTORY AND CIVILIZATION
15. Pre-Islamic Arabia (Jahiliyyah)
Topics:
i. Jahiliyyah practices: idol worship, infanticide, polyandry, gambling, usury, etc.
ii. Islamic reforms
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
i. distinguish the different types of practices common to the Arabs of al-Jahiliyyah;
ii. trace the reforms brought about by Islam to the Jahiliyyah practices
16. The Life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
Topics:
i. His birth and early life
ii. His call to Prophethood
iii. Da’wah in Makkah and Madinah
iv. The Hjrah
v. Administration of the Ummah and the role of the mosque (Q.3:159) (Q.4:58 and 135)
vi. The Battles of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq: causes and effects
vii. The Treaty of al-Hudaibiyyah and the conquest of Makkah
viii. Hijjatul-wada (the farewell pilgrimage) sermon, and lessons.
ix. Qualities of Muhammad (SAW) and lessons learnt from them
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
i. account for the birth and early life of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW);
ii. provide evidence for the call of Muhammad (SAW) of Prophethood;
iii. analyse the Da’awah activities of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to Madinah
iv. account for the Hijrah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in Makkah and Madinah.
v. analyse the administration of the Muslim Ummah in Madinah.
vi. account for the causes and effects of the Battles of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq;
vii. trace the circumstances leading to the formulation of the Treaty of Hudaibiyya;
viii. account for the Conquest of Makkah;
ix. examine for the farewell pilgrimage and its lessons;
x. analyse the qualities of Muhammad (SAW) their relevance to the life of a Muslim.
17. The Rightly Guided Caliphs ((Al-khulafaa’U rashidun)
Topics:
a. the lives and contributions of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
i. trace the biographies of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs;
ii. evaluate their contributions to the development of Islam.
18. Early contact of Islam with Africa
Topics:
i. Hijrah to Abyssinia
ii. The spread of Islam to Egypt
iii. The role of traders, teachers, preachers, Murabitun, Sufi orders and Mujaddidun to the spread of Islam in West Africa.
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
i. evaluate their circumstances leading to the Hijrah to Abyssinia;
ii. give reasons for the spread of Islamic in Egypt;
iii. 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:
i. The influence of Islam on the socio-political life of some West African Empires: Ghana, Mali, Songhai and Borno
ii. The impact of Islam on the economic life of some West African states: Timbuktu, Kano and Borno
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
i. analyse the influence of Islam on the socio-political system of some West African States;
ii. evaluate the impact of Islam on the economic life of Timbuktu, Kano and Borno.
20. Contributions of Islam to Education
Topics:
i. The aims and objectives of Islamic Education
ii. The Glorious Qur’an and Hadith on Education (Q.96:1-5) (Q.39:9)
iii. “The search for knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim” (Ibn Majah)
iv. “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave”
v. “The words of wisdom are a lost property of the believer ….. a better right to it …..“ (Tirmidhi)
Objectives:
Candidates should be able to:
i. classify the aims and objectives of Islamic Education;
ii. assess the position of the Glorious Qur’an and Hadith in education;
iii. 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
Hay Lal, 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 Books, 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: Shebiotiom 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