Level 1
Islamic History MCQs set 2 for NTS Education Department Islamic Studies — 20 solved questions.
Q1. The concept of a "Caliph" (Khalifa) literally means:
Answer: Successor or Deputy
Explanation: "Khalifa" (Caliph) literally means "successor" or "deputy" in Arabic, denoting the successor to the Prophet (SAW) in leading the Muslim community; the Quran uses it to mean "deputy/vicegerent" (2:30, 38:26).
Q2. Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) remained caliph from
Answer: from 632 to 634 A.D.
Explanation: Hazrat Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (RA) served as the first Caliph of Islam from 632 to 634 CE (11-13 AH), succeeding the Prophet immediately after his death.
Q3. Hazrat Ali (R.A.) was the first person who:
Answer: Embraced Islam
Explanation: Embraced Islam is correct based on Quranic teaching, Hadith, or Islamic history. Memorize this point for Islamiat sections in LAT, USAT, and public service exams.
Q4. The first census in the Islamic state was carried out during the caliphate of:
Answer: Umar (RA)
Explanation: Hazrat Umar (RA) conducted the first official census of the Islamic state to organize the Diwan (state register) for distributing stipends from the Bayt al-Mal to Muslims based on their service to Islam.
Q5. Who took charge as Caliph while wars were in progress in Iraq and Syria?
Answer: Umar (RA)
Explanation: Hazrat Umar (RA) succeeded Abu Bakr (RA) as Caliph in 13 AH while the Muslim conquests of Iraq (Battle of Qadisiyya) and Syria (Battle of Yarmouk) were already in progress.
Q6. The Caliph had to exercise his authority according to:
Answer: The Quran and Sunnah
Explanation: The fundamental principle of Islamic governance is that the Caliph's authority is not absolute but bound by the Quran and Sunnah; any command contrary to divine law is not binding on Muslims.
Q7. For how many years did the Caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) last?
Answer: Two years
Explanation: Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) served as the first Caliph for approximately 2 years and 3 months (11-13 AH / 632-634 AD), making his caliphate the shortest among the four Rightly Guided Caliphs.
Q8. Hazrat Ali was martyred during which prayer?
Answer: Fajr
Explanation: Hazrat Ali (RA) was struck on his head with a poisoned sword by Ibn Muljam while leading the Fajr prayer in the mosque of Kufa on 19 Ramadan 40 AH, and he died two days later.
Q9. The last ruler of the Umayyad Caliphate (Damascus) was?
Answer: Marwan II
Explanation: Marwan II is correct based on Quranic teaching, Hadith, or Islamic history. Memorize this point for Islamiat sections in LAT, USAT, and public service exams.
Q10. The committee constructed by Umar (RA) to elect his successor was composed of how many members?
Answer: 6 members
Explanation: Before his death, Hazrat Umar (RA) appointed a Shura (consultative committee) of six members - Ali, Uthman, Talhah, Zubayr, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, and Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf - to elect his successor.
Q11. What was the relation between Hazrat Umar (RA) and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
Answer: Father-in-law
Explanation: Father-in-law is correct based on Quranic teaching, Hadith, or Islamic history. Memorize this point for Islamiat sections in LAT, USAT, and public service exams.
Q12. On whose advice did Abu Bakr (R.A.) decide to compile the Qur'an?
Answer: Hazrat Umar Farooq (R.A.)
Explanation: After the Battle of Yamama (12 AH) in which many Qur'an memorizers (huffaz) were killed, Hazrat Umar (RA) urged Caliph Abu Bakr (RA) to compile the Qur'an into a single written volume to preserve it.
Q13. What was the name of Hazrat Ali's mother?
Answer: Fatimah bint Asad
Explanation: Fatimah bint Asad is correct based on Quranic teaching, Hadith, or Islamic history. Memorize this point for Islamiat sections in LAT, USAT, and public service exams.
Q14. On whose advice did Abu Bakr (RA) decide to compile the Qur'an?
Answer: Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA)
Explanation: After the deaths of many Qur'an memorizers at the Battle of Yamama, Hazrat Umar (RA) repeatedly urged Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) to commission an official compilation of the Qur'an into one written volume.
Q15. Which of the following Caliphs launched the postal department?
Answer: Hazrat Umar (R.A)
Explanation: Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) is credited with establishing the formal postal (barid) system in the early Islamic state to facilitate official communication between the capital and the provinces.
Q16. What caused Hazrat Usman''s (R.A.) death?
Answer: He was martyred by rebels
Explanation: He was martyred by rebels is correct based on Quranic teaching, Hadith, or Islamic history. Memorize this point for Islamiat sections in LAT, USAT, and public service exams.
Q17. The "House of Gold" (Dar al-Dhahab) was the famous palace of the Abbasid caliph:
Answer: Al-Mansur in Baghdad
Explanation: Al-Mansur (r. 754-775 CE), the second Abbasid Caliph, built the famous round city of Baghdad (Madinat al-Salam) as the new imperial capital and constructed the "Dar al-Dhahab" (Golden Gate Palace) at its center.
Q18. Which sister of Hazrat Umar (RA) embraced Islam before Hazrat Umar (RA):
Answer: Hazrat Fatima (RA)
Explanation: Hazrat Fatima bint al-Khattab (RA), the sister of Hazrat Umar (RA), embraced Islam before her brother; it was upon visiting her home and hearing Qur'anic recitation that Hazrat Umar (RA) was moved to accept Islam.
Q19. What was the duration of Hazrat Abu Bakr's (R.A.) caliphate?
Answer: 2 years, 3 months, and 9 days
Explanation: Hazrat Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (RA) served as Caliph for 2 years, 3 months, and 9 days (11-13 AH / 632-634 CE), making his caliphate the shortest yet most significant in establishing the foundations of the Islamic state.
Q20. The Abbasid vizier and famous calligrapher who codified the six classical scripts of Arabic calligraphy (`al-Aqlam al-Sittah`) was:
Answer: Ibn Muqlah
Explanation: Ibn Muqlah (886-940 CE), the Abbasid vizier and master calligrapher, is credited with systematizing the six classical Arabic scripts (al-Aqlam al-Sittah), establishing proportional geometric rules for Arabic calligraphy.