2026 WAEC GCE ISLAMIC STUDIES
Questions and Answers | Objective and Essay Exam Guide
Set by the Examiner — Original Model Practice Paper
Instructions to Candidates
1. This paper consists of two sections: Section A (Objective) and Section B (Essay).
2. Section A contains 60 objective questions. Answer ALL questions in this section.
3. Section B contains 5 essay questions. Answer as instructed by your teacher or invigilator (typically 4 out of 5).
4. Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes (practice paper — adjust to your own revision schedule).
5. This is an original practice examination created strictly for revision purposes based on the general structure of the WAEC GCE Islamic Studies syllabus. It does not reproduce, predict, or represent any actual WAEC question paper, and Islamic teachings referenced are presented in the examiner’s own words rather than quoted from any particular copyrighted translation of the Qur’an.
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SECTION A: OBJECTIVE TEST (60 Questions)
1. How many Pillars of Islam are there?
(A) Three
(B) Four
(C) Five
(D) Six
2. The declaration of faith, affirming that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, is called
(A) Salat
(B) Shahada
(C) Zakat
(D) Sawm
3. The five daily obligatory prayers in Islam are collectively referred to as
(A) Zakat
(B) Salat
(C) Sawm
(D) Hajj
4. The obligatory annual almsgiving given to the poor and needy by Muslims who meet the required threshold of wealth is called
(A) Sadaqah
(B) Zakat
(C) Waqf
(D) Khums
5. The obligatory pilgrimage to Mecca, to be performed at least once in a lifetime by every able Muslim who can afford it, is called
(A) Umrah
(B) Hajj
(C) Ziyarah
(D) Ihram
6. Belief in the Oneness of Allah, without partners or equals, is known as
(A) Shirk
(B) Tawheed
(C) Kufr
(D) Bid’ah
7. Which of the following is NOT one of the Articles of Faith in Islam?
(A) Belief in Allah
(B) Belief in the Angels
(C) Belief in astrology
(D) Belief in the Day of Judgement
8. Muslims believe that Allah’s revealed scriptures were sent to guide humanity through various
(A) idols
(B) prophets and messengers
(C) kings only
(D) philosophers only
9. The belief that everything that happens is by the will and decree of Allah is referred to as belief in
(A) Al-Qadar (Divine Decree)
(B) Shirk
(C) Bid’ah
(D) Riba
10. Angels in Islamic belief are generally understood to be
(A) beings created from light who obey Allah’s commands without disobedience
(B) beings who can choose to disobey Allah freely
(C) physical beings visible to all humans at all times
(D) equal partners with Allah
11. Muslims believe the Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the angel
(A) Mika’il
(B) Jibril (Gabriel)
(C) Israfil
(D) Izra’il
12. The Qur’an is divided into chapters, each of which is called a
(A) Hadith
(B) Surah
(C) Ayah
(D) Juz
13. A single verse within a chapter of the Qur’an is called an
(A) Ayah
(B) Hadith
(C) Sunnah
(D) Ijma
14. The first revelation received by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is generally understood to have taken place in the
(A) Cave of Hira
(B) Kaaba courtyard
(C) city of Madinah
(D) Mount Uhud
15. The complete compilation of the Qur’an into a single standardized written text is particularly associated with the caliphate of
(A) Abu Bakr and later Uthman
(B) Ali only
(C) Umar only
(D) Muawiyah only
16. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born in the city of
(A) Madinah
(B) Makkah (Mecca)
(C) Ta’if
(D) Jerusalem
17. Before receiving prophethood, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was well known among his people for his
(A) dishonesty
(B) trustworthiness and good character
(C) wealth alone
(D) military conquests
18. Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) first wife, who was also among the first to believe in his message, was
(A) Aisha
(B) Khadijah
(C) Hafsah
(D) Zainab
19. The tribe to which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) belonged was the
(A) Banu Hashim clan of the Quraysh
(B) Banu Israel
(C) Banu Umayyah alone
(D) Ansar tribe
20. In the early years of his mission in Makkah, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers faced
(A) warm welcome from all Meccans immediately
(B) persecution and hostility from many of the Quraysh leaders
(C) no opposition whatsoever
(D) immediate political power
21. A group of early Muslims, facing persecution in Makkah, were advised by the Prophet (peace be upon him) to migrate temporarily to
(A) Madinah
(B) Abyssinia (Ethiopia)
(C) Persia
(D) Syria
22. The year in which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) lost both his wife Khadijah and his uncle Abu Talib is often referred to as the
(A) Year of the Elephant
(B) Year of Sorrow
(C) Year of Victory
(D) Year of the Hijrah
23. The night journey and ascension of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), from Makkah to Jerusalem and then to the heavens, is known as
(A) Hijrah
(B) Isra and Mi’raj
(C) Ghazwah
(D) Umrah
24. The migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers from Makkah to Madinah is known as the
(A) Hijrah
(B) Isra
(C) Mi’raj
(D) Fath
25. The Islamic calendar (Hijri calendar) begins counting years from the event of the
(A) birth of the Prophet
(B) first revelation
(C) Hijrah to Madinah
(D) conquest of Makkah
26. Upon arrival in Madinah, one of the first actions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was to
(A) declare war on all neighbouring tribes
(B) establish a mosque and foster brotherhood between Muslims
(C) abolish all existing trade
(D) leave immediately for Makkah again
27. The document drawn up by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Madinah, establishing relations and rights among the various groups in the city, is commonly known as the
(A) Constitution (Charter) of Madinah
(B) Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
(C) Covenant of Aqabah
(D) Farewell Sermon
28. In Madinah, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) paired Muslim migrants from Makkah (Muhajirun) with local supporters known as the
(A) Ansar
(B) Quraysh
(C) Umayyads
(D) Banu Qaynuqa
29. The first major battle between the Muslims of Madinah and the Quraysh of Makkah was the Battle of
(A) Uhud
(B) Badr
(C) Khandaq (the Trench)
(D) Hunayn
30. In the Battle of Uhud, a setback for the Muslims is often attributed to
(A) excessive rainfall
(B) some archers leaving their assigned position
(C) lack of any Muslim soldiers
(D) the absence of the Prophet from the battlefield entirely
31. The Battle in which the Muslims dug a trench around Madinah to defend the city from a large confederate army is known as the Battle of
(A) Badr
(B) the Trench (Khandaq)
(C) Uhud
(D) Tabuk
32. The peaceful re-entry of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers into Makkah, largely without bloodshed, is known as the
(A) Conquest (Fath) of Makkah
(B) Battle of Badr
(C) Hijrah
(D) Farewell Pilgrimage
33. The first Caliph to lead the Muslim community after the death of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was
(A) Umar ibn al-Khattab
(B) Abu Bakr as-Siddiq
(C) Uthman ibn Affan
(D) Ali ibn Abi Talib
34. The second Caliph, known for the significant expansion of the Islamic state and the establishment of many administrative systems, was
(A) Abu Bakr
(B) Umar ibn al-Khattab
(C) Uthman ibn Affan
(D) Ali ibn Abi Talib
35. The third Caliph, particularly remembered for standardizing the compiled text of the Qur’an, was
(A) Abu Bakr
(B) Umar
(C) Uthman ibn Affan
(D) Ali
(A) Uthman ibn Affan
(B) Ali ibn Abi Talib
(C) Umar ibn al-Khattab
(D) Abu Bakr as-Siddiq
37. The four Caliphs, Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali, are collectively known in Islamic history as
(A) the Umayyads
(B) the Abbasids
(C) Al-Khulafa Al-Rashidun (the Rightly Guided Caliphs)
(D) the Ansar
38. Ritual purification performed before prayer, involving washing specific parts of the body, is called
(A) Tayammum
(B) Wudu (ablution)
(C) Ghusl
(D) Tasleem
39. The direction faced by Muslims during prayer, towards the Kaaba in Makkah, is called the
(A) Mihrab
(B) Qiblah
(C) Minbar
(D) Adhan
40. The call to prayer, announced aloud to summon Muslims to Salat, is called the
(A) Iqamah
(B) Adhan
(C) Khutbah
(D) Tarawih
41. The Friday congregational prayer, performed in place of the regular noon prayer, is called
(A) Salat al-Fajr
(B) Salat al-Jumu’ah
(C) Salat al-Witr
(D) Salat al-Eid
42. A person who leads the congregational prayer in Islam is called the
(A) Muezzin
(B) Imam
(C) Khalifah
(D) Mufti
43. The obligatory fasting month in the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset, is
(A) Shawwal
(B) Ramadan
(C) Muharram
(D) Dhul Hijjah
44. The special congregational prayer offered to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan is
(A) Salat al-Eid al-Fitr
(B) Salat al-Eid al-Adha
(C) Salat al-Jumu’ah
(D) Salat al-Witr
45. The festival marking the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, associated with the commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, is
(A) Eid al-Fitr
(B) Eid al-Adha
(C) Laylatul Qadr
(D) Isra and Mi’raj
46. The circling of the Kaaba seven times, performed as part of Hajj and Umrah rites, is called
(A) Sa’i
(B) Tawaf
(C) Rami
(D) Ihram
47. The state of ritual consecration and the simple garments worn by pilgrims performing Hajj or Umrah is called
(A) Tawaf
(B) Ihram
(C) Wuquf
(D) Talbiyah
48. The standing of pilgrims at the plain of Arafat, considered one of the most essential rites of Hajj, is called
(A) Sa’i
(B) Wuquf (standing) at Arafat
(C) Tawaf
(D) Rami
49. The primary and most authoritative source of Islamic law is the
(A) Hadith
(B) Qur’an
(C) Ijma
(D) Qiyas
50. The recorded sayings, actions and approvals of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), forming the second major source of Islamic law, are known as the
(A) Sunnah (Hadith)
(B) Qur’an
(C) Ijtihad
(D) Fiqh
51. The consensus of qualified Islamic scholars on a particular matter of law is referred to as
(A) Qiyas
(B) Ijma
(C) Bid’ah
(D) Taqleed
52. Reasoning by analogy, used to derive a ruling on a new matter by comparing it to a similar matter already addressed in Islamic sources, is called
(A) Ijma
(B) Qiyas
(C) Sunnah
(D) Tafsir
53. Islam places strong emphasis on honesty, particularly in
(A) business transactions and everyday dealings
(B) only religious rituals
(C) only relationships with fellow Muslims
(D) situations with no witnesses only
54. Islamic teaching regarding kindness to parents generally emphasizes
(A) obedience only while they are wealthy
(B) respect, kindness, and care, especially in their old age
(C) complete independence from them once an adult
(D) ignoring their needs after marriage
55. The Islamic concept of justice (‘Adl) requires Muslims to
(A) treat all people fairly, regardless of relationship or status
(B) favour only their relatives in all matters
(C) ignore the rights of non-Muslims entirely
(D) seek personal revenge over lawful justice
56. In Islam, marriage (Nikah) is generally regarded as
(A) a purely secular contract with no religious significance
(B) a sacred and recommended contract establishing a family founded on mutual rights and responsibilities
(C) forbidden for believers seeking spiritual perfection
(D) irrelevant to religious practice
57. Islamic teaching on the treatment of orphans particularly emphasizes
(A) neglect of their needs
(B) kindness, protection, and safeguarding of their property and rights
(C) forced labour
(D) exclusion from society
58. The Islamic prohibition of interest-based transactions in financial dealings is referred to as the prohibition of
(A) Zakat
(B) Riba
(C) Sadaqah
(D) Waqf
59. Islam teaches that good character (Akhlaq) should be reflected primarily in a Muslim’s
(A) worship rituals alone, without any impact on daily behaviour
(B) relationships and dealings with Allah, with other people, and within the family
(C) public reputation only
(D) wealth accumulation alone
60. The Islamic principle of consultation in decision-making, particularly encouraged within family and community affairs, is known as
(A) Shura
(B) Fatwa
(C) Ijtihad
(D) Bid’ah
SECTION A: ANSWER KEY
| Q | Ans | Q | Ans | Q | Ans | Q | Ans | Q | Ans | Q | Ans |
| 1 | C | 11 | B | 21 | B | 31 | B | 41 | B | 51 | B |
| 2 | B | 12 | B | 22 | B | 32 | A | 42 | B | 52 | B |
| 3 | B | 13 | A | 23 | B | 33 | B | 43 | B | 53 | A |
| 4 | B | 14 | A | 24 | A | 34 | B | 44 | A | 54 | B |
| 5 | B | 15 | A | 25 | C | 35 | C | 45 | B | 55 | A |
| 6 | B | 16 | B | 26 | B | 36 | B | 46 | B | 56 | B |
| 7 | C | 17 | B | 27 | A | 37 | C | 47 | B | 57 | B |
| 8 | B | 18 | B | 28 | A | 38 | B | 48 | B | 58 | B |
| 9 | A | 19 | A | 29 | B | 39 | B | 49 | B | 59 | B |
| 10 | A | 20 | B | 30 | B | 40 | B | 50 | A | 60 | A |
SECTION B: ESSAY QUESTIONS AND MODEL ANSWERS
Question 1: The Pillars of Islam
(a) List the five Pillars of Islam. (5 marks)
(b) Explain any three of the Pillars listed above. (15 marks)
Model Answer / Marking Guide:
(a) The five Pillars of Islam are: Shahada (the declaration of faith); Salat (the five daily obligatory prayers); Zakat (obligatory almsgiving); Sawm (fasting during the month of Ramadan); and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah).
(b) Explanation of three Pillars (candidates may choose any three):
- Shahada: This is the testimony of faith, in which a Muslim declares and sincerely believes that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Messenger. It is the foundational pillar upon which all other acts of worship in Islam rest.
- Salat: This refers to the five daily obligatory prayers performed by Muslims at prescribed times (dawn, midday, afternoon, sunset, and night), facing the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah. Salat serves as a regular means of maintaining a believer’s connection with Allah and discipline in daily life.
- Zakat: This is the obligatory annual almsgiving, calculated as a fixed proportion of a Muslim’s qualifying wealth, given to specified categories of recipients such as the poor and needy. It purifies wealth and helps to redistribute resources within the community.
Allocation: Correct listing of all five pillars (1 mark each = 5 marks); each chosen pillar correctly and clearly explained (5 marks each, up to 15 marks for three pillars).
Question 2: The Hijrah
(a) What is meant by the Hijrah? (4 marks)
(b) State the circumstances that led to the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Madinah. (8 marks)
(c) State four significant achievements of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shortly after arriving in Madinah. (8 marks)
Model Answer / Marking Guide:
(a) The Hijrah refers to the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions from Makkah to Madinah, an event of such significance that it marks the beginning of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.
(b) The migration was prompted mainly by the intense persecution faced by the Prophet and the early Muslims at the hands of some leaders of the Quraysh in Makkah, who opposed his message and mistreated his followers. Following an invitation from the people of Yathrib (later renamed Madinah), who had pledged their support and protection to him at Aqabah, and after learning of a plot by the Quraysh to assassinate him, the Prophet, together with Abu Bakr, undertook the journey to Madinah.
(c) Four achievements shortly after arrival in Madinah:
- Establishment of a mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi), which served as a centre for worship, teaching, and community affairs.
- Fostering of brotherhood (Mu’akhat) between the Muhajirun (migrants from Makkah) and the Ansar (local supporters in Madinah).
- Drawing up of the Constitution of Madinah, establishing agreed rights and responsibilities among the various groups living in the city, including Muslims and Jewish tribes.
- Establishment of a stable, organized Muslim community with the Prophet as its leader, laying the foundation for the growth of the early Islamic state.
Allocation: Correct definition of Hijrah (4 marks); correct account of the circumstances leading to it (8 marks); each valid achievement correctly stated (2 marks each, up to 8 marks).
Question 3: The Khulafa al-Rashidun (Rightly Guided Caliphs)
(a) Name the four Rightly Guided Caliphs in the order in which they ruled. (8 marks)
(b) State one major achievement of each of these Caliphs. (12 marks)
Model Answer / Marking Guide:
(a) The four Rightly Guided Caliphs, in order, were: Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, and Ali ibn Abi Talib.
(b) One major achievement of each:
- Abu Bakr: He successfully preserved the unity of the Muslim community after the death of the Prophet, notably addressing the Wars of Apostasy (Riddah) that threatened to fragment the early Muslim state.
- Umar ibn al-Khattab: He oversaw significant territorial expansion of the Islamic state and established key administrative institutions, including a formal treasury (Bait al-Mal) and structured provincial governance.
- Uthman ibn Affan: He is particularly remembered for standardizing and compiling the text of the Qur’an into a single authoritative version, which was then distributed to major Muslim provinces.
- Ali ibn Abi Talib: He is remembered for his commitment to justice and his efforts to maintain the unity and moral integrity of the Muslim community during a period of significant internal political tension.
Allocation: Correct naming of all four Caliphs in order (2 marks each = 8 marks); each correctly stated achievement (3 marks each, up to 12 marks).
Question 4: Salat (Prayer)
(a) State the conditions that must be fulfilled before Salat can be validly performed. (10 marks)
(b) Explain the significance of Salat in the daily life of a Muslim. (10 marks)
Model Answer / Marking Guide:
(a) Conditions for valid Salat include: being in a state of ritual purity, achieved through Wudu (ablution) or Ghusl (ritual bath) where required; wearing clean and appropriate clothing that covers the body according to Islamic guidelines; praying in a clean place; facing the Qiblah (the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah); observing the correct prescribed time for each of the five daily prayers; and having the sincere intention (Niyyah) to perform the prayer for the sake of Allah.
(b) Salat holds great significance in a Muslim’s daily life. It serves as a direct and regular means of communication and connection between the believer and Allah, performed five times daily. It instils discipline and punctuality, as prayers are tied to specific times throughout the day. Salat also fosters humility and mindfulness of Allah (Taqwa), helping believers to remain conscious of their faith amid daily activities. Additionally, congregational prayer strengthens community bonds and equality among Muslims, as worshippers stand together regardless of social status.
Allocation: Each valid condition correctly stated (2 marks each, up to 10 marks); clear explanation of significance with at least three distinct valid points (3 to 4 marks each, up to 10 marks).
Question 5: Sources of Islamic Law (Shari’ah)
(a) State and briefly explain the four main sources of Islamic law. (16 marks)
(b) State one importance of Ijma (consensus) in Islamic jurisprudence. (4 marks)
Model Answer / Marking Guide:
(a) The four main sources of Islamic law:
- The Qur’an: The primary and most authoritative source of Islamic law, believed by Muslims to be the direct word of Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
- The Sunnah (Hadith): The recorded sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), serving as the second major source and providing practical explanation and application of Qur’anic teachings.
- Ijma (Consensus): The agreed consensus of qualified Islamic scholars on a particular legal or religious matter not explicitly addressed in the Qur’an or Sunnah.
- Qiyas (Analogical Reasoning): The process of deriving a ruling on a new issue by drawing an analogy with a similar matter already addressed in the Qur’an, Sunnah, or Ijma.
(b) Ijma is important because it allows the Muslim community, through its qualified scholars, to arrive at agreed legal rulings on new or previously unaddressed matters, helping to maintain unity and consistency in the application of Islamic law across different times and communities.
Allocation: Each source correctly named and explained (4 marks each = 16 marks); valid explanation of the importance of Ijma (4 marks).
OVERALL MARKING GUIDE SUMMARY
| Section | Content | Marks |
| Section A | 60 Objective (Multiple Choice) Questions at 1 mark each | 60 |
| Section B | 5 Essay Questions at 20 marks each (answer any 4, or as specified by the examiner) | 80 (max obtainable if all attempted, subject to instructions) |
| Total | Combined Theory and Objective Paper | 100 (typical scaled total) |
Disclaimer: This is a 100% original practice examination prepared strictly in line with the general structure and scope of the current WAEC GCE Islamic Studies syllabus. It is intended solely for revision and self-assessment purposes. It does not reproduce, predict, or claim to represent any actual past or upcoming WAEC GCE examination paper.
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