WAEC Islamic Studies (IRS) past questions and answers

Checked by the Skolra question team · Last updated 23 October 2026

WAEC Islamic Studies: 187 objective past questions from 4 papers between 2016 and 2024, each with the answer and an explanation. Here are ten.

How the WAEC IRS (Islamic Studies) paper is set. On WAEC's 2026 timetable for private candidates, Paper 1 (objective) takes 50 minutes and Paper 2 (essay) 2 hours. If the question paper on the day gives another time, follow the question paper. The questions here are from Paper 1.

1. 1.The Mufassir is different from the Hafiz because the former
   1. A
      interprets and explains the meaning of the Qur'an
      Correct
   2. B
      recites the Qur'an according to the correct rules of Tajweed
   3. C
      compiles and transmits the sayings and traditions of the Prophet
   4. D
      has memorized the whole of the Qur'an by heart
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: A

   Mufassir comes from the word Tafsir, which means the interpretation or exegesis of the Qur'an. A Mufassir is therefore an Islamic scholar who explains and interprets the meaning, context and message of the verses of the Qur'an, often drawing on the Arabic language, the circumstances of revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul) and the sayings of the Prophet (SAW).

2. 2.The defeat suffered by Muslims at Uhud was caused by
   1. A
      The archers' disobedience in leaving their post on the hill to gather the war booty
      Correct
   2. B
      The Quraysh army's use of cavalry tactics the Muslims had never encountered before
   3. C
      The Muslims being heavily outnumbered by the Quraysh from the very start of the battle
   4. D
      Abdullahi bin Ubayy's withdrawal with his men just before the fighting began
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: A

   The archers' disobedience in leaving their post on the hill to gather the war booty is correct.

   Before the Battle of Uhud began, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) stationed about fifty archers on a strategic hill to guard the Muslim army's rear, and he gave them a clear order: they must not leave that position under any circumstance, whether the battle was being won or lost.

3. 3.The tradtionist who died in Qazwin in 273 C.E was
   1. A
      At-Tirmidhi
   2. B
      Imam Muslim
   3. C
      Ibn Majah
      Correct
   4. D
      Abu-Dawud
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: C

   Ibn Majah is correct. His full name was Muhammad bin Yazid, and he is known in history as "al-Qazwini" — meaning "the one from Qazwin" — because Qazwin (in present-day Iran) was both his birthplace and the city where he died, in the year 273. He is remembered for compiling Sunan Ibn Majah, one of the six most trusted collections of Hadith (Kutub al-Sittah) that Muslim scholars rely on.

   The quickest way to lock in the correct answer is the name itself: whenever a question names Qazwin as the city, think of Ibn Majah, because "al-Qazwini" is literally part of his title.

4. 4.Uthman before the advent is to Dhu-Nurayn as Umar b. al-kattab is to
   1. A
      Al-Farooq
      Correct
   2. B
      Asadullah
   3. C
      As-Siddiq
   4. D
      Dhul-Qarnain
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: A

   This question is matching a Companion of the Prophet (SAW) to the special title (laqab) he was known by.

   Uthman ibn Affan was called Dhu-Nurayn ("Possessor of the Two Lights") because he married two of the Prophet's daughters one after the other — Ruqayyah, and then, after her death, Umm Kulthum.

   So the correct match for Umar b. al-Khattab is Al-Farooq.

5. 5.The caliphate of Ali b. Abi Talib began in June
   1. A
      656
      Correct
   2. B
      644
   3. C
      632
   4. D
      661
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: A

   656 is correct. After Caliph Uthman b. Affan was assassinated by rebels in Madinah in June 656 CE, the Muslims of Madinah turned to Ali b. Abi Talib and gave him their pledge of allegiance (bay'ah) that same month. His caliphate therefore began in June 656 CE (35 AH), making him the fourth of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs (al-Khulafa' al-Rashidun).

6. 6.Tawaf is to hajj as Iftar is to
   1. A
      Shahada
   2. B
      Zakat
   3. C
      Salat
   4. D
      Ramadan (Saum)
      Correct
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: D

   Tawaf is the ritual of circling the Ka'bah seven times, and it is one of the key rites performed specifically during Hajj. Iftar is the meal taken to break the day's fast at sunset, and it is a rite performed specifically during Ramadan (the month of Saum/fasting). So just as Tawaf is an act carried out within Hajj, Iftar is an act carried out within Ramadan – this makes "Ramadan (Saum)" the correct completion of the analogy.

7. 7.Highlight the lessons in Hadith 16 of an-Nawawi.
   1. A
      The believer must honour his guest and treat his neighbour well
   2. B
      The believer must be sincere, for sincerity is the whole of religion
   3. C
      The believer must master his temper and never give in to anger
      Correct
   4. D
      The believer must avoid doubtful matters to safeguard his faith
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: C

   Hadith 16 of an-Nawawi's Forty Hadith (narrated by Abu Hurairah, recorded by Bukhari) tells of a man who came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "Advise me." The Prophet replied, "Do not become angry." The man repeated his request for advice several times, and each time the Prophet gave the same answer: "Do not become angry."

8. 8.Qur'an chapter 1 is to faihah as qur'an chapter 95 is to ___
   1. A
      At-Tin
      Correct
   2. B
      Ash-Sharh
   3. C
      Al-Qadr
   4. D
      Al-Alaq
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: A

   The analogy is matching each chapter (surah) number of the Qur'an to its name.

   Chapter 1 is Al-Faihah (Al-Fatihah), "The Opening" — the surah every Muslim recites in every rak'ah of salaah.

   So the correct completion of the analogy is At-Tin.

9. 9.Explain how Shirk negates the principle of Tawḥīd.
   1. A
      It permits Muslims to observe the five daily prayers in congregation rather than alone
   2. B
      It divides the worship, obedience and attributes that belong to Allah alone among other beings or objects, thereby denying His absolute Oneness
      Correct
   3. C
      It restricts the worship of Allah to a single mosque, making all other places unfit for prayer
   4. D
      It encourages believers to recite the ninety-nine names of Allah during supplication
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: B

   Tawḥīd is the belief that Allah is absolutely One — One in His Lordship (Rubūbiyyah, that He alone creates and sustains), One in His right to be worshipped (Ulūhiyyah, that worship, prayer, sacrifice and obedience belong to Him alone), and One in His Names and Attributes (that no creature shares His perfection).

10. 10.Waqul rabbir-hanhuwa Kama rubbayoni-saghiran (Q17:24) enjoins an obligatory duty to the
    1. A
       Relatives
    2. B
       Orphans
    3. C
       Parents
       Correct
    4. D
       Neighbours
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer: C

    Parents is correct. The Arabic quoted in the stem, "Waqul Rabbi-rhamhuma kama rabbayani sagheera" (Q17:24), means: "And say: My Lord, have mercy upon them (my parents) as they brought me up when I was small."

The questions come from past JAMB, WAEC and NECO papers. We use software to help write the answer options and explanations, and every answer is checked twice before it goes on the site. How we check

Spotted a wrong answer? Tell us from the app or on the contact page and we check it.

Practise all 187 WAEC IRS (Islamic Studies) questions in the Skolra app

Every question has the answer and an explanation. Practise by year, or sit a timed WAEC paper on the CBT screen.

Download for WindowsDownload for Mac

About the app · Skolra for Windows · Skolra for Mac