JAMB Islamic Studies syllabus.

About this syllabus official

Summarised from the examining body's own published syllabus. 24 topics, verified 2026-10-24.

Current UTME syllabus as served by IBASS on 2026-10-24; JAMB does not print the applicable years in this document.

Structure (sections, topics, contents and objectives) summarised from JAMB's publicly published UTME syllabus, with citation and link. The document itself is not reproduced or redistributed.

Source: https://ibass.jamb.gov.ng/static/media/Islamic.973a07ea012af6554ed3.pdf

Source: https://ibass.jamb.gov.ng/e-syllabus

General objectives

• master the Qur'ān and Sunnah as foundations of Islamic and social life
• be familiar with Islamic heritage, culture and civilization
• be acquainted with the tradition of Islamic scholarship and intellectual discourse
• demonstrate knowledge of Islamic moral, spiritual, economic, political and social values
• be exposed to the fundamental principles of Islam
• be prepared to face the challenges of life as good practising Muslims

Topics

1. Revelation of the Glorious Qur'ān (SS 1-3)

• visits of the Prophet (SAW) to Cave Hira
• his reaction to the first revelation and its importance
• different modes of revelation (Q.42:51): inspiration, behind the veil, through an angel etc.
• piecemeal revelation (Q.17:106; Q.25:32)
• names and attributes of the Qur'ān

You should be able to:

• analyse the Prophet's (SAW) visits to Cave Hira and the purpose
• describe the Prophet's reaction to the first revelation and its importance
• differentiate between the modes of revelation
• explain why the Glorious Qur'ān was revealed piecemeal
• identify the names and attributes of the Qur'ān

2. Preservation of the Glorious Qur'ān (SS 1-3)

• recording, compilation and standardization of the Qur'ān
• differences between Makkan and Madinan suwar
• the role played by the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) in the collection and compilation of the Qur'ān

You should be able to:

• analyse how the Glorious Qur'ān was recorded, compiled and standardized
• differentiate between Makkan and Madinan suwar
• evaluate the role played by the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) in the collection and compilation of the Qur'ān

3. Importance of the Glorious Qur'ān (SS 1-3)

• the Qur'ān as a source of guidance in spiritual, moral, economic, political and socio-cultural matters

You should be able to:

• examine the importance of the Glorious Qur'ān

4. Divine authenticity of the Glorious Qur'ān (SS 1-3)

• proof of the divine authenticity of the Glorious Qur'ān (Q.4:82; Q.41:42)
• uniqueness of the Glorious Qur'ān (Q.39:27; Q.17:88; Q.75:16-19)
• divine preservation of the Glorious Qur'ān (Q.15:9)

You should be able to:

• evaluate the proof of the divine authenticity of the Glorious Qur'ān
• evaluate the uniqueness of the Glorious Qur'ān
• examine the ways by which the Glorious Qur'ān was preserved

5. Tafsīr (SS 1-3)

• historical development of Tafsīr
• importance of Tafsīr
• types of Tafsīr

You should be able to:

• trace the origin and sources of Tafsīr
• evaluate the importance of Tafsīr
• compare the types of Tafsīr

6. Introduction to Tajwīd (theory and practice) (SS 1-3)

• meaning and importance of Tajwīd

You should be able to:

• examine the meaning and importance of Tajwīd

7. Study of the Arabic text of selected suwar with tajwīd (Q.1, Q.100-104, Q.107-114) (SS 1-3)

• al-Fātihah (Q.1)
• al-ʿĀdiyāt (Q.100)
• al-Qāriʿah (Q.101)
• at-Takāthur (Q.102)
• al-ʿAsr (Q.103)
• al-Humazah (Q.104)
• al-Māʿūn (Q.107)
• al-Kawthar (Q.108)
• al-Kāfirūn (Q.109)
• an-Nasr (Q.110)
• al-Masad (Q.111)
• al-Ikhlās (Q.112)
• al-Falaq (Q.113)
• an-Nās (Q.114)

You should be able to:

• recite with correct tajwīd the Arabic texts of the suwar
• translate the verses
• deduce lessons from them
• evaluate the teachings of the verses

8. Study of the Arabic text of selected suwar/ayat with tajwīd (Q.87, Q.93-99 and selected ayat) (SS 1-3)

• al-Aʿlā (Q.87)
• ad-Duhā (Q.93)
• al-Inshirāh (Q.94)
• at-Tīn (Q.95)
• al-ʿAlaq (Q.96)
• al-Qadr (Q.97)
• al-Bayyinah (Q.98)
• az-Zalzalah (Q.99)
• Āyatul-Kursiyy (Q.2:255)
• Āmanar-Rasūl (Q.2:285-286)
• Laqad jā'akum (Q.9:128-129)

You should be able to:

• recite with correct tajwīd the Arabic texts of the suwar
• deduce lessons from them
• evaluate their teachings

9. Hadīth (SS 1-3)

• history of Hadīth literature: collection from the time of the Prophet (SAW) to the period of the six authentic collectors
• authentication of Hadīth: Isnād (Asmā'ur-rijāl), Matn, classification into Sahīh, Hasan and Daʿīf
• relationship between Hadīth and the Glorious Qur'ān: importance of Hadīth; similarities and differences
• the six sound collectors of Hadīth: biographies and works
• al-Muwatta and its author: biography of Imam Malik and study of his book
• Arabic texts of ahādīth from an-Nawawī's collection: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 27, 34 and 41

You should be able to:

• evaluate the history of Hadīth from the time of the Prophet (SAW) to the period of the six authentic collectors
• analyse the Isnād
• analyse the Matn
• distinguish between Hadīth Sahīh, Hasan and Daʿīf
• examine the importance of Hadīth
• distinguish between Hadīth and the Glorious Qur'ān
• evaluate the biographies and works of the six sound collectors
• evaluate the biography of Imam Malik and analyse his work
• interpret the prescribed ahādīth in Arabic
• apply the ahādīth in their daily lives

10. Moral lessons in the Glorious Qur'ān and Hadīth (SS 1-3)

• admonition of Sage Luqman to his son (Q.31:12-18)
• 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.5:90-91), 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 (Q.31:18-19) and extravagance (Q.17:26-27)
• dignity of labour (Q.62:10; Q.78:11) and Hadīth 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.11:77-83) and obscenity (Q.4:14-15), with Hadīth (Bukhari)
• leadership (Q.2:124) and justice (Q.4:58, 135; Q.5:9), with Hadīth (al-Bukhari and others)
• trust and obligations (Q.4:58; Q.5:1) and promises (Q.16:91), with Hadīth (Baihaqi)
• piety (Taqwa) (Q.2:177; Q.3:102; Q.49:13); Hadīth 18 and 35 of an-Nawawī
• tolerance, perseverance and patience (Q.2:153-157; Q.3:200; Q.103:3); Hadīth 16 of an-Nawawī
• unity and brotherhood (Q.3:103; Q.8:46; Q.49:10); Hadīth 35 of an-Nawawī
• enjoining what is good and forbidding what is wrong (Q.3:104, 110; Q.16:90); Hadīth 25 and 34 of an-Nawawī

You should be able to:

• use, apply and demonstrate the teachings of the verses and the ahādīth in their daily lives
• interpret the teachings of the verses and the Hadīth on piety

11. Faith: Tawhīd and Kalimatush-Shahādah (SS 1-3)

• Tawhīd: its importance and lessons
• Kalimatush-Shahādah: its meaning and importance
• the Oneness of Allah (Q.3:18; Q.2:255; Q.112:1-4)
• the 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)

You should be able to:

• analyse the concepts of Tawhīd
• evaluate the significance of Kalimatush-Shahādah
• identify the verses dealing with the Oneness of Allah
• explain the significance of the servanthood of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
• evaluate the significance of the universality of Prophet Muhammad's message
• examine the significance of the finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad (SAW)

12. Shirk (SS 1-3)

• beliefs incompatible with Tawhīd: worship of idols (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 Tawhīd: 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 (Bidʿah) (Q.4:116) and Hadīth 5 and 28 of an-Nawawī

You should be able to:

• identify what actions and beliefs constitute shirk
• explain the implications of beliefs and actions of shirk
• appreciate why they should avoid actions of shirk
• identify and examine practices that are incompatible with the Islamic principles of Tawhīd
• shun those actions
• demonstrate the teachings of the verses and the ahādīth in their daily lives

13. Articles of faith (SS 1-3)

• belief in Allah: existence (Q.2:255; Q.52:35-36), attributes (Q.59:22-24), works (Q.27:59-64)
• belief in Allah's angels (Q.2:177, 285; Q.8:50; Q.16:2)
• His books (Q.2:253, 285; Q.3:3)
• His Prophets: Ulul-ʿazmi (Q.4:163-164)
• the Last Day: Yawm al-Baʿth (Q.23:15-16; Q.70:4)
• destiny: distinction between Qadā and Qadar (Q.2:117; Q.16:40; Q.36:82)

You should be able to:

• examine the significance of the articles of faith
• list the attributes of Allah
• examine the works of Allah
• explain the belief in Allah's books
• identify the verses on Allah's books
• explain 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

14. Ibādāt and their types (SS 1-3)

• good deeds (Q.3:134; Q.6:160; Q.2:177; Q.31:8; Q.103:1-3); 26th Hadīth of an-Nawawī
• Taharah, its types and importance: al-istinjā'/istijmār, al-wudū', at-tayammum and al-ghusl (Q.2:222; Q.5:7); Hadīth 10 and 23 of an-Nawawī
• Salah: importance (Q.2:45; Q.20:132; Q.29:45; 23rd Hadīth of an-Nawawī), description and types, things that vitiate salah
• Zakah: types and importance (zakatul-fitr, zakatul-māl, al-anʿām and al-harth) (Q.2:267; Q.9:103; 3rd Hadīth of an-Nawawī); collection and disbursement (Q.9:60); difference between zakah and sadaqah
• Sawm: types and importance (fard, sunnah, qadā and kaffārah) (Q.2:183-185; 3rd Hadīth of an-Nawawī); people exempted; things that vitiate sawm
• Hajj: importance (Q.2:158, 197; Q.3:97; Q.22:27-28); types (Ifrād, Qirān and Tamattuʿ); essentials (Arkān al-Hajj); conditions for performance; differences between Hajj and Umrah
• Jihad: concept, kinds, manner and lessons (Q.2:190-193; Q.22:39-40)

You should be able to:

• identify what constitutes acts of ibādah
• distinguish between the different types of taharah
• assess the importance of salah to a Muslim's life
• analyse different types of salah
• identify things that vitiate salah
• differentiate between the various types of zakah and the time of giving them out
• explain how to collect and distribute zakah
• distinguish between zakah and sadaqah
• compare the various types of sawm
• list the people who are exempted from fasting
• explain things that vitiate fasting
• examine the importance of Hajj
• differentiate between the types of Hajj
• explain the essentials of Hajj
• evaluate the conditions for performance of Hajj
• differentiate between Hajj and Umrah
• examine the concept of jihad and its types
• evaluate the manner of carrying out jihad and its lessons

15. Family matters (SS 1-3)

• 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; Q.4:24-25); rights and duties of husbands and wives (Q.4:34-35; Q.20:132; Q.65:6-7); polygamy (Q.4:3, 129)
• Idrār: ill-treatment of wife (Q.65:1-3)
• divorce: attitude of Islam (Q.2:228; Q.4:34-35; Hadīth, Abu Daud); kinds (Talāq, Khul', Faskh, Mubāra'ah and Liʿān) (Q.2:229-230; Q.24:6-9); ʿIddah, kinds, duration and importance (Q.2:228, 234); prohibited forms of dissolution (Īlā' and Zihār) (Q.2:226-227; Q.58:2-4); custody of children (Hadānah)
• inheritance: importance; heirs and their shares (Q.4:7-8, 11-12, 176)

You should be able to:

• analyse the importance of marriage
• list the categories of women prohibited to a man to marry
• examine the conditions for validity of marriage
• explain the rights and duties of the spouses
• evaluate polygamy and its significance
• examine the ill-treatment of wife in marriage
• analyse the attitude of Islam to divorce
• examine the different kinds of divorce
• differentiate between the various kinds of ʿiddah and analyse its duration and significance
• explain the prohibited forms of ending marriage
• examine who has the right to custody of children
• evaluate the significance of inheritance
• identify the categories of the Qur'ānic heirs
• explain the share of each heir

16. Sources and schools of law (SS 1-3)

• the four major sources: the Qur'ān, Sunnah, Ijmāʿ and Qiyās
• the four Sunni schools of law and their founders

You should be able to:

• analyse the four major sources of Islamic law
• examine the biography of the founders of the Sunni schools of law
• examine contributions of the founders of the Sunni schools of law

17. Islamic economic system (SS 1-3)

• Islamic attitude to Riba (Q.2:275-280; Q.3:130; Q.4:161; 6th Hadīth of an-Nawawī)
• at-tatfīf (Q.83:1-6)
• hoarding (ihtikār) (Q.9:34)
• Islamic sources of revenue: Zakah, Jizyah, Kharāj and Ghanīmah
• Baitul-māl as an institution of socio-economic welfare
• difference between the Islamic and the Western economic systems

You should be able to:

• analyse the Islamic attitude to Riba
• relate at-tatfīf and its negative consequences
• examine ihtikār and its implications on society
• identify the sources of revenue in Islam
• evaluate the disbursement of the revenue
• explain the uses of baitul-māl in the Ummah
• differentiate between the Islamic and Western economic systems

18. Islamic political system (SS 1-3)

• Allah as the Sovereign (Q.3:26-27)
• the concept of Shūrah (consultation) (Q.3:159; Q.42:38)
• the concept of ʿAdālah (justice) (Q.5:9; Q.4:58, 135) and Mas'ūliyyah (accountability) (Q.17:36; Q.102:8)
• the rights of non-Muslims in an Islamic state (Q.2:256; Q.6:108)
• differences between the Islamic and the Western political systems

You should be able to:

• analyse the concept of Allah's sovereignty
• examine the concept of shūrah in Islam
• evaluate the concept of justice and accountability
• examine the rights of non-Muslims in an Islamic state
• differentiate between the Islamic and Western political systems

19. Pre-Islamic Arabia (Jāhiliyyah) (SS 1-3)

• Jāhiliyyah practices: idol worship, infanticide, polyandry, gambling, usury etc.
• Islamic reforms

You should be able to:

• distinguish the different types of practices common to the Arabs of al-Jāhiliyyah
• trace the reforms brought about by Islam to the Jāhiliyyah practices

20. The life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) (SS 1-3)

• his birth and early life
• his call to Prophethood
• his Daʿwah in Makkah and Madinah
• the Hijrah
• his administration of the Ummah in Madinah
• the battles of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq: causes and effects
• the Treaty of al-Hudaibiyyah and the conquest of Makkah
• Hijjatul-wadāʿ (the farewell pilgrimage) sermon, and lessons
• qualities of Muhammad (SAW) and lessons learnt from them

You 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 Daʿwah activities of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
• account for the Hijrah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
• analyse the administration of the Muslim Ummah in Madinah
• account for the causes and effects of the battles of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq
• trace the circumstances leading to the Treaty of Hudaibiyyah
• account for the conquest of Makkah
• examine the farewell pilgrimage of the Prophet and its lessons
• analyse the qualities of Muhammad (SAW) and their relevance to the life of a Muslim

21. The Rightly Guided Caliphs (al-Khulafā'u ar-Rāshidūn) (SS 1-3)

• the lives and contributions of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs

You should be able to:

• trace the biographies of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs
• evaluate their contributions to the development of Islam

22. Early contact of Islam with Africa (SS 1-3)

• Hijrah to Abyssinia
• the spread of Islam to Egypt
• the role of traders, teachers, preachers, Murābitūn, Sufi orders and Mujaddidūn in the spread of Islam in West Africa

You 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, Murābitūn, Sufi orders and Mujaddidūn in the spread of Islam in West Africa

23. The impact of Islam in West Africa (SS 1-3)

• influence of Islam on the socio-political life of some West African empires: Ghana, Mali, Songhai and Borno
• impact of Islam on the economic life of some West African states: Timbuktu, Kano and Borno

You 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

24. Contributions of Islam to education (SS 1-3)

• aims and objectives of Islamic education
• the Glorious Qur'ān and Hadīth on education (Q.96:1-5; Q.39:9) and sayings on seeking knowledge (Ibn Majah; Tirmidhi)
• intellectual activities of Islam in West Africa: development of written history in Arabic and the establishment of Sankore University
• intellectual activities of Ahmad Baba of Timbuktu, Sheikh al-Maghili, Sheikh Usman Danfodio, Sultan Muhammad Bello and Ibn Battuta
• Islamic education institutions: House of Wisdom in Baghdad, al-Azhar University in Cairo and Nizamiyyah University in Baghdad
• lives and contributions of Ibn Sina, al-Ghazali, Ibn Rushd, ar-Razi and Ibn Khaldun to education

You should be able to:

• explain the aims and objectives of Islamic education
• assess the position of the Glorious Qur'ān and Hadīth in education
• examine the importance of seeking knowledge in Islam
• analyse the intellectual activities of Islam in West Africa
• assess the contributions of Sheikh al-Maghili, Sheikh Uthman Dan Fodio, Sultan Muhammad Bello and Ibn Battuta to education
• account for the development of intellectual centres in Baghdad and Cairo
• examine the contributions of Ibn Sina to the development of medicine
• assess al-Ghazali's contribution to Islamic education
• analyse Ibn Rushd's contribution to philosophy and fiqh
• assess ar-Razi's contribution to philosophy
• analyse Ibn Khaldun's contribution to modern sociology and method of writing history

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