Sources and Schools of Law: JAMB Islamic Studies Questions, Answers & Notes

What Sources and Schools of Law covers in the JAMB Islamic Studies syllabus

Islamic law as a whole is called the Shari'ah, derived from four main sources: the Qur'an (primary), the Sunnah/Hadith (second), ijma (the consensus of qualified scholars) and qiyas (analogical reasoning) — the Qur'an and Sunnah being the primary sources and ijma and qiyas being derived. Independent reasoning by a qualified scholar is called ijtihad. The schools of jurisprudence (madhahib) were founded by great scholars: the Hanafi (Imam Abu Hanifah), Maliki (Imam Malik), Shafi'i (Imam al-Shafi'i) and Hanbali (Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal). These are the four main Sunni schools; the Maliki school is the most widely followed in Nigeria and West Africa. The schools differ mainly in minor legal details, not in core beliefs like tawhid, and they help Muslims apply the Shari'ah to new and practical situations. The main point is that Islamic law is derived from the Qur'an, Sunnah, ijma and qiyas.

For Sources and Schools of Law, JAMB expects you to be able to:

• List the four sources of Islamic law (Qur'an, Sunnah, ijma, qiyas)
• Name the four Sunni schools and their founders
• Note the Maliki school in West Africa and that schools differ in minor details

Key facts & revision notes: Sources and Schools of Law

These are the recurring points our Sources and Schools of Law questions test — revise them until each feels automatic, then practise the questions above to lock them in.

• The Qur'an is the first and primary source of Islamic law (Shari'ah).
• The Sunnah (the Prophet's teachings, in the Hadith) is the second source of law.
• Ijma — the consensus of qualified scholars — is the third source of Islamic law.
• Qiyas — analogical reasoning from established rulings — is the fourth source of law.
• The four main agreed sources are the Qur'an, Sunnah, ijma and qiyas.
• Islamic law as a whole is called the Shari'ah.
• The schools of Islamic jurisprudence are called madhahib (singular: madhhab).
• The Maliki school was founded by Imam Malik ibn Anas.
• The Hanafi school was founded by Imam Abu Hanifah.
• The Shafi'i school was founded by Imam al-Shafi'i.
• The Hanbali school was founded by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal.
• The four main Sunni schools of law are Maliki, Hanafi, Shafi'i and Hanbali.
• The Maliki school is the most widely followed in Nigeria and West Africa.
• The schools differ mainly in minor legal details, not in core beliefs like tawhid.
• Ijtihad is the independent reasoning/effort of a qualified scholar to derive a ruling.
• The founders of the schools of law were great scholars/jurists (imams).
• The Qur'an and Sunnah are the primary sources, while ijma and qiyas are secondary/derived.
• The schools of law help Muslims apply the Shari'ah to new and practical situations.
• Following a recognised school of law is a way of correctly practising Islamic law.
• The main point is that Islamic law is derived from the Qur'an, Sunnah, ijma and qiyas.

Worked examples

Three Sources and Schools of Law questions with the answer and a short explanation, so you can see how the topic is set before you practise the full set.

How Sources and Schools of Law is tested in JAMB Islamic Studies

Our Sources and Schools of Law bank holds 20 questions (9 medium, 11 hard). JAMB Islamic Studies typically returns to Sources and Schools of Law year after year, so steady practice on this topic is high-value revision. Questions are multiple-choice with four options, and at UTME pace you get roughly 40 seconds each — which is why timed practice matters.

How to answer Sources and Schools of Law questions

Work the stem first and predict the answer before you look at the options; then eliminate the ones that contradict the key facts above. Watch for “which is not…”, “all of the above” and “except” style stems, which are where rushed candidates lose easy marks on Sources and Schools of Law. If a calculation or a precise definition is involved, work it from first principles rather than guessing from a half-remembered rule. When two options look right, re-read the stem for the qualifier that separates them — JAMB rarely repeats an option by accident. If you are still unsure, eliminate the two weakest choices to lift your odds, flag the question, and move on; never burn a full minute on one Islamic Studies item when the exam gives you about forty seconds each. Then come back to flagged questions with whatever time remains. The single most reliable way to get faster at Sources and Schools of Law is repeated timed practice, so use the button above until the recurring patterns feel automatic.

Common mistakes to avoid in Sources and Schools of Law

The errors that cost marks on Sources and Schools of Law are usually careless rather than conceptual: misreading a negative stem, confusing two similar terms, or rushing a definition you actually know. Candidates also over-rely on “expo” and last-minute cramming instead of understanding the topic — which fails the moment JAMB rephrases a familiar idea. Treat every option as a claim to be checked against the facts above, keep your working tidy for any calculation, and don’t change a considered answer on a hunch. Above all, revise Sources and Schools of Law actively by answering questions, not just by re-reading notes — recall under time is what the exam rewards.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sources and Schools of Law part of the JAMB Islamic Studies syllabus?

Yes. Sources and Schools of Law is a recognised topic in the JAMB Islamic Studies syllabus, covering list the four sources of Islamic law (Qur'an, Sunnah, ijma, qiyas). You should be able to recall its key facts and apply them to multiple-choice questions.

How many Sources and Schools of Law questions can I practise on Belmadeng?

There are 20 original, JAMB-standard Sources and Schools of Law questions in our free bank, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. You can practise them untimed or as a timed test.

What are the most important points to know about Sources and Schools of Law?

Islamic law as a whole is called the Shari'ah, derived from four main sources: the Qur'an (primary), the Sunnah/Hadith (second), ijma (the consensus of qualified scholars) and qiyas (analogical reasoning) — the Qur'an and Sunnah being the primary sources and ijma and qiyas being derived. Independent…

How do I answer Sources and Schools of Law questions quickly in JAMB?

Read the stem carefully, eliminate clearly wrong options, and match the remaining choices to the key facts for Sources and Schools of Law. Practising timed Sources and Schools of Law questions builds the speed you need for UTME's pace of about 40 seconds per question.

Are these JAMB Islamic Studies Sources and Schools of Law questions past questions or original?

They are original questions written to JAMB (UTME) standard and mapped to the official syllabus — not reproduced past papers. This keeps them legal to use freely while closely mirroring how the real exam tests the topic.

Where can I practise Sources and Schools of Law questions free without signing up?

Right here — tap “Start Sources and Schools of Law practice” on this page to begin instantly. Belmadeng's CBT practice is completely free and needs no sign-up, download or subscription.

About these questions: original, JAMB-standard items written from the official UTME Islamic Studies syllabus (last reviewed 2026-09-18). Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB. Spotted an error? Use the report link.