Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs: JAMB Islamic Studies Questions, Answers & Notes

What Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs covers in the JAMB Islamic Studies syllabus

The JAMB syllabus includes the study of selected surahs. Al-Fatihah ('The Opening'), the first surah, is recited in every rak'ah of salat and praises Allah, Lord of the worlds. Al-Ikhlas declares the absolute oneness (tawhid) of Allah — He 'begets not, nor is He begotten' — and is said to equal a third of the Qur'an in reward. Al-Falaq and An-Nas (the Mu'awwidhatayn) are surahs of seeking Allah's protection. Al-'Asr (The Time) teaches that mankind is in loss except those who believe, do good and enjoin truth and patience. Al-Kawthar tells the Prophet he was granted abundant good; Al-Kafirun affirms rejecting idol worship ('to you your religion, and to me mine'); An-Nasr speaks of Allah's help and victory; and Al-Ma'un warns against neglecting the orphan and the needy. Ayat al-Kursi describes Allah's power and sovereignty. The main benefit of studying the Arabic text is to grasp the meaning and lessons of the surahs and apply them.

For Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs, JAMB expects you to be able to:

• Recall the themes of key short surahs (Al-Fatihah, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas, Al-'Asr)
• Recall lessons of Al-Kawthar, Al-Kafirun, An-Nasr, Al-Ma'un and Ayat al-Kursi
• State that studying the Arabic text reveals their meaning and lessons

Key facts & revision notes: Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs

These are the recurring points our Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs questions test — revise them until each feels automatic, then practise the questions above to lock them in.

• Surah Al-Fatihah means 'The Opening' and is the first surah of the Qur'an.
• Surah Al-Fatihah is recited in every rak'ah of the daily salat.
• Al-Fatihah opens praising Allah, the Lord of the worlds (Rabb al-'alamin).
• Surah Al-Ikhlas declares the tawhid (absolute oneness) of Allah.
• Al-Ikhlas states Allah 'begets not, nor is He begotten,' affirming His absolute oneness.
• The Prophet said Surah Al-Ikhlas is equal to a third of the Qur'an in reward.
• Al-Falaq and An-Nas are the 'Mu'awwidhatayn' — surahs of seeking Allah's refuge/protection.
• Surah An-Nas seeks refuge with the Lord of mankind from evil whispers.
• Surah Al-'Asr states mankind is in loss, except those who believe, do good, and enjoin truth and patience.
• Surah Al-'Asr (The Time) emphasises the importance of time and using it in faith and good deeds.
• Surah Al-Kawthar tells the Prophet he has been granted Al-Kawthar (abundant good).
• Surah Al-Kafirun affirms rejecting idol worship: 'To you your religion, and to me mine.'
• Surah An-Nasr speaks of the help and victory of Allah and the entry of people into Islam.
• Ayat al-Kursi (in Surah Al-Baqarah) describes Allah's power, knowledge and sovereignty over all things.
• Studying the Arabic text helps one understand the true meaning of the surahs.
• Surah Al-Ma'un warns against those who neglect the orphan and the needy and are heedless in prayer.
• In salat, a short surah is often recited after Surah Al-Fatihah.
• These surahs teach lessons on faith, worship and good conduct.
• Reciting and understanding these surahs increases one's faith and knowledge of Islam.
• The main benefit is to grasp the meaning and lessons of the surahs and apply them in life.

Worked examples

Three Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs questions with the answer and a short explanation, so you can see how the topic is set before you practise the full set.

How Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs is tested in JAMB Islamic Studies

Our Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs bank holds 20 questions (10 medium, 10 hard). JAMB Islamic Studies typically returns to Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs 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 Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs 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 Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs. 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 Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs is repeated timed practice, so use the button above until the recurring patterns feel automatic.

Common mistakes to avoid in Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs

The errors that cost marks on Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs 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 Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs actively by answering questions, not just by re-reading notes — recall under time is what the exam rewards.

Frequently asked questions

Is Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs part of the JAMB Islamic Studies syllabus?

Yes. Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs is a recognised topic in the JAMB Islamic Studies syllabus, covering recall the themes of key short surahs (Al-Fatihah, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas, Al-'Asr). You should be able to recall its key facts and apply them to multiple-choice questions.

How many Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs questions can I practise on Belmadeng?

There are 20 original, JAMB-standard Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs 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 Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs?

The JAMB syllabus includes the study of selected surahs. Al-Fatihah ('The Opening'), the first surah, is recited in every rak'ah of salat and praises Allah, Lord of the worlds. Al-Ikhlas declares the absolute oneness (tawhid) of Allah — He 'begets not, nor is He begotten' — and is said to equal a th…

How do I answer Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs questions quickly in JAMB?

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

Are these JAMB Islamic Studies Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs 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 Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs questions free without signing up?

Right here — tap “Start Study of the Arabic Text of Selected Surahs 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.