Complete JAMB Islamic Studies Syllabus 2026: All Topics & What to Focus On
Preparing for JAMB Islamic Studies? This is the complete official JAMB syllabus with all 20 topics you need to cover for the 2026 UTME.
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JAMB Islamic Studies Syllabus — All 20 Topics
1. The Glorious Qur'ān: Revelation, Preservation, Importance and Divine Authenticity
What JAMB expects you to know:
- 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 Qur'ān
- 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) on the collection and compilation of the Qur'ān
- Examine the importance of the Glorious Qur'ān
- 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
Key areas: Revelation of the Glorious Qur'ān: Visits of the Prophet (SAW) to Cave Hira; His reaction to the first revelation and its importance; Different modes of revelation (Q.42:51) including inspiration behind the veil, through an angel, etc.; Piecemeal revelation (Q.17:106) (Q.25:32); Names and attributes of the Qur'ān. Preservation of the Glorious Qur'ān: Recording, compilation and standardization of the Qur'ān; Differences between Makkah and Madinan suwar; The role played by the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) on the collection and compilation of the Qur'ān. Importance of the Glorious Qur'ān as a source of guidance in spiritual, moral, economic, political and socio-cultural matters. Divine authenticity of the Glorious Qur'ān: Proof of the Divine authenticity (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).
2. Tafsīr
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Trace the origin and sources of Tafsīr
- Evaluate the importance of Tafsīr
- Compare the types of Tafsīr
Key areas: Historical development of Tafsīr; Importance of Tafsīr; Types of Tafsīr.
3. Introduction to Tajwīd (Theory and Practice)
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Examine the meaning and importance of Tajwīd
Key areas: Introduction to Tajwīd covering both theory and practice.
4. Study of Shorter Suwar with Tajwīd (Q.1, Q.100–Q.114)
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Recite with correct tajwīd the Arabic texts of the suwar
- Translate the verses
- Deduce lessons from them
- Evaluate the teachings of the verses
Key areas: Study of the Arabic text of the following suwar/ayats with tajwīd: al-Fātihah (Q.1), al-cĀdiyāt (Q.100), al-Qaricah (Q.101), at-Takāthur (Q.102), al-cAsr (Q.103), al-Humazah (Q.104), al-Mācūn (Q.107), al-Kawthar (Q.108), al-Kāfirūn (Q.109), al-Nasr (Q.110), al-Masad (Q.111), al-Ikhlās (Q.112), al-Falaq (Q.113), an-Nās (Q.114).
5. Study of Selected Suwar and Ayats with Tajwīd (Q.87–Q.99 and Selected Verses)
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Recite with correct tajwīd the Arabic texts of the suwar
- Deduce lessons from them
- Evaluate their teachings
Key areas: Study of the Arabic text of the following suwar/ayats with tajwīd: al-Acalā (Q.87), ad-Duhā (Q.93), al-Inshirah (Q.94), at-Tīn (Q.95), al-cAlaq (Q.96), al-Qadr (Q.97), al-Bayyinah (Q.98), al-Zalzalah (Q.99), Ayatul-Kursiyy (Q.2:255), Āmanar-Rasūl (Q.2:285-286), Laqad jāakum (Q.9:128-129).
6. Hadīth: History, Authentication, Relationship with the Qur'ān and Study of Selected Ahādīth
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Evaluate the history of Hadīth from the time of the Prophet (SAW) to the period of six authentic collectors
- Analyse the Isnād
- Analyse the Matn
- Distinguish between Hadīth Sahīh, Hassan and dacīf
- Examine the importance of Hadīth
- Distinguish between Hadīth and the Glorious Qur'ān
- Evaluate their biographies and works
- Evaluate his biography
- Analyse his work
- Interpret the ahādīth in Arabic
- Apply them in their daily lives
Key areas: History of Hadīth literature: Collection of Hadīth from the time of the Prophet (SAW) to the period of the six authentic collectors of Hadīth. Authentication of Hadīth: Isnād (Asma'ur-rijāl), Matn, Classification of Hadīth into Sahīh, Hassan and Dacīf. The relationship between Hadīth and the Glorious Qur'ān: Importance of Hadīth; Similarities and differences between Hadīth and the Glorious Qur'ān. The six sound collectors of Hadīth – biographies and their works. Muwatta and its author – biography of Imam Malik and the study of his book. Study of the Arabic texts of the following ahādīth from an-Nawāwi's collection: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 27, 34, and 41.
7. Moral Lessons in the Glorious Qur'ān and Hadīth
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Use the teachings of the verses in their daily lives
- Apply the teachings of the verses to their daily lives
- Demonstrate the teachings of the verses in their daily lives
- Apply the teachings of the verses and the Hadīth to their daily lives
- Demonstrate the teachings of the verses and the Hadīth in their daily lives
- Apply the teachings of the verses and the ahadīth in their daily lives
- Interpret the teachings of the verses and the Hadīth in their daily lives
Key areas: General moral lessons contained in the 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 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). Dignity of labour (Q.62:10) (Q.78:11), 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), Hadīth from Bukhari. Leadership (Q.2:124) and justice (Q.4:58 and 135) (Q.5:9), Hadīth from al-Bukhari. Trust and obligations (Q.4:58) (Q.5:1) and promises (Q.16:91), Hadīth from Baihaqi. Piety (Taqwa) (Q.2:177) (Q.3:102) (Q.49:13), Hadīth 18 and 35 of an-Nawāwī. Tolerance, perseverance and patience (Q.2:153-157) (Q.3:200) (Q.103:3), Hadīth 16 of an-Nawāwī. Unity and brotherhood (Q.3:103) (Q.8:46) (Q.49:10), Hadīth 35 of an-Nawawi. Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is wrong (Q.3:104 and 110) (Q.16:90), Hadīth 25 and 34 of an-Nawāwī.
8. Tawhīd: Faith, Kalimatush-Shahadah, Shirk and Incompatible Practices
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Analyse the concepts of Tawhīd
- Evaluate the significance of kalimatush-shahadah
- 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)
- 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 those practices that are incompatible with the Islamic principles of Tawhīd
- Examine those practices that are incompatible with Tawhīd
- Shun off those actions
- Demonstrate the teachings of the verses and the ahadīth in their daily lives
Key areas: Faith and Tawhīd: Its importance and lessons. Kalimatush-Shahadah: 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). Shirk – beliefs incompatible with Tawhīd: 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). General 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 and 73) (Q.26:46); Cult worship (Q.17:23) (Q.4:48); Innovation (Bid'ah) (Q.4:116) and Hadīth 5 and 28 of an-Nawāwī.
9. Articles of Faith
What JAMB expects you to know:
- 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
Key areas: Belief in Allah: Existence of Allah (Q.2:255) (Q.52:35-36); Attributes of Allah (Q.59:22-24); The works of Allah (Q.27:59-64). Belief in Allah's angels (Q.2:177 and 285) (Q.8:50) (Q.16:2). His books (Q.2:253 and 285) (Q.3:3). His Prophets: Ulul-azmi (Q.4:163-164). The Last Day: Yawm-al-Bacth (Q.23:15-16) (Q.70:4). Destiny: distinction between Qada and Qadar (Q.2:117) (Q.16:40) (Q.36:82).
10. Ibadat (Acts of Worship) and Their Types
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Identify what constitutes acts of ibadah
- 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 zakkah 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 concepts of jihad and its type
- Evaluate the manner of carrying out jihad and its lessons
Key areas: Good deeds (Q.3:134) (Q.6:160) (Q.2:177) (Q.31:8) (Q.103:1-3), 26th Hadīth of an-Nawāwī. Taharah: its types and importance including al-istinja'/istijmar, al-wudu', at-tayammum and al-ghusl (Q.2:222) (Q.5:7), Hadīth 10 and 23 of an-Nawāwī. Salah: Importance (Q.2:45) (Q.20:132) (Q.29:45) and Hadīth 23rd of an-Nawāwī; Description and types of salah; Things that vitiate salah. Zakah: Its types and importance including zakatul-fitr, zakatul-mal, al-an-am and al-harth (Q.2:267) (Q.9:103), 3rd Hadīth of an-Nawāwī; Collection and disbursement (Q.9:60); Difference between Zakah and sadaqah. Sawm: Its types and importance including fard, sunnah, qada and kaffarah (Q.2:183-185), 3rd Hadīth of an-Nawāwī; People exempted from sawm; Things that vitiate sawm. Hajj: Importance (Q.2:158 and 197) (Q.3:97) (Q.22:27-28); Types including Ifrad, Qirān and Tamattuc; Essentials of Hajj (Arkan al-Hajj); Conditions for performance of Hajj; Differences between Hajj and Umrah. Jihad: Concept, kinds, manner and lessons (Q.2:190-193) (Q.22:39-40).
11. Family Matters: Marriage, Divorce and Inheritance
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Analyse the importance of marriage
- List the category of women prohibited to a man to marry
- Examine the conditions for validity of marriage
- Explain the rights and duties of the spouse
- 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 iddah
- 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
Key areas: 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 and 129). Idrar – ill-treatment of wife (Q.65:1-3). Divorce: Attitude of Islam to divorce (Q.2:228) (Q.4:34-35), Hadīth from Abu Daud; Kinds including Talaq, Khulc, Faskh, Mubaracah and Licān (Q.2:229-230) (Q.24:6-9); Iddah – kinds, duration and importance (Q.2:228 and 234); Prohibited forms of dissolution of marriage including 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).
12. Sources and Schools of Islamic Law
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Analyse the four major sources of Islamic law
- Examine the biography of the founders of sunni schools of law
- Examine contributions of the founders of the sunni school of law
Key areas: The four major sources of Islamic law: the Qur'ān, Sunnah, Ijmac and Qiyās. The four Sunni Schools of law and their founders.
13. Islamic Economic System
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Analyse 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
- Evaluate the disbursement of the revenue
- Explain the uses of baitul-mal in the Ummah
- Differentiate between the Islamic and Western economic systems
Key areas: Islamic attitude to Riba (Q.2:275-280) (Q.3:130) (Q.4:161), Hadīth 6th of an-Nawāwī. 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 the Islamic economic system and the Western economic system.
14. Islamic Political System
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Analyse the concept of Allah's sovereignty
- Examine the concept of shurah 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
Key areas: Allah as the Sovereign (Q.3:26-27). The concept of Shurah (consultation) (Q.3:159) (Q.42:38). The concept of Adalah (justice) (Q.5:9) (Q.4:58 and 135) and Mas'uliyah (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 political system and the Western political system.
15. Pre-Islamic Arabia (Jahiliyyah)
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Distinguish the different types of practices common to the Arabs of al-Jahiliyyah
- Trace the reforms brought about by Islam to the Jahiliyyah practices
Key areas: Jahiliyyah practices: idol worship, infanticide, polyandry, gambling, usury, etc. Islamic reforms to these practices.
16. The Life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Account for the birth and early life of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
- Provide evidence for the call of Muhammad (SAW) to Prophethood
- Analyse the Dacwah activities of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in Makkah and Madinah
- 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 formulation of 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
Key areas: His birth and early life. His call to Prophethood. His Dacwah 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-wada (the farewell pilgrimage) sermon and lessons. Qualities of Muhammad (SAW) and lessons learnt from them.
17. The Rightly Guided Caliphs (al-Khulafā'u Rāshidūn)
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Trace the biographies of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs
- Evaluate their contributions to the development of Islam
Key areas: The lives and contributions of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali.
18. Early Contact of Islam with Africa
What JAMB expects you to know:
- 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
Key areas: 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.
19. The Impact of Islam in West Africa
What JAMB expects you to know:
- 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
Key areas: 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.
20. Contributions of Islam to Education
What JAMB expects you to know:
- 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
Key areas: The aims and objectives of Islamic Education. The Glorious Qur'ān and Hadīth on Education (Q.96:1-5) (Q.39:9); Hadīth from Ibn Majah: 'The search for knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim'; 'Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave'; Hadīth from Tirmidhi: 'The words of wisdom are a lost property of the believer'. 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. The lives and contributions of Ibn Sina, Al-Ghazali, Ibn Rushd, ar-Razi and Ibn Khaldun to education.
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Last updated: March 15, 2026. This syllabus is based on the official JAMB/IBASS syllabus for Islamic Studies.