Pre-Islamic Arabia (Jahiliyyah)

Contents & notes: what this topic covers

Under Pre-Islamic Arabia (Jahiliyyah), the JAMB Islamic Studies syllabus expects you to study:

• 15. Pre-Islamic Arabia (Jahiliyyah)
• (i) Jahiliyyah practices: idol worship, infancticide, polyandry, gambling, usury, etc.
• (ii) Islamic reforms

Study notes & guidance

Study Pre-Islamic Arabia (Jahiliyyah) using a recommended Islamic Studies textbook that follows the JAMB syllabus. Work through the contents listed above one by one, make brief notes in your own words, and then practise as many questions on this topic as you can — in Islamic Studies, understanding and steady practice matter far more than memorising. Use the objectives below as a checklist: if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Objectives — candidates should be able to

After studying Pre-Islamic Arabia (Jahiliyyah), you should be able to:

1. (i) distinguish the different types of practices common to the Arabs of al-Jahiliyyah; (ii) trace the reforms brought about by Islam to the Jahiliyyah practices.

These objectives are from the official JAMB syllabus. Use them as a checklist — if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Source: official JAMB UTME Islamic Studies syllabus (IBASS, jamb.gov.ng). Reproduced for study use. Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.