FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION-2025 FOR RECRUITMENT
TO POSTS IN BS-17 UNDER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
ISLAMIC HISTORY & CULTURE
TIME ALLOWED: THREE HOURS (PART-I MCQs) MAXIMUM MARKS: 20
PART-I (MCQs) : MAXIMUM 30 MINUTES (PART-II) MAXIMUM MARKS: 80
NOTE: (i) First attempt PART-I (MCQs) on separate OMR Answer Sheet which shall be taken back after 30 minutes.
(ii) Overwriting/cutting of the options/answers will not be given credit.
(iii) There is no negative marking. All MCQs must be attempted.
PART-I MCQs(COMPULSORY)
Q.1 (i) Select the best option/answer and fill in the appropriate Box on the OMR Answer Sheet.(20×1=20)
(ii) Answers given anywhere else, other than OMR Answer Sheet, will not be considered.
1 Before Islam, which religion was predominant in the Arabian Peninsula?
(A) Christianity (B) Judaism (C) Polytheism (D) Zoroastrianism
2 Which of the following was the main source of cultural influence in pre-Islamic Arabian society?
(A) Persian culture (B) Egyptian civilization (C) Christian and Jewish beliefs (D) None of these
3 What is the year of the blessed birth of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)?
(A) 570 or 571 CE (B) 575 or 576 CE (C) 590 or 591 CE (D) 595 or 596 CE
4 Under the leadership of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab(رضی), the Islamic empire expanded into which region?
(A) North Africa and Spain (B) Persia and the Byzantine Empire
(C) India and Central Asia (D) None of these
5 Which of the following was a key feature of the governance of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab(رضی)?
(A) Centralization of power (B) Introduction of a judicial system
(C) Creation of a standing army (D) All of these
6 Under the rule of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab(رضی), which key financial institution was established to ensure the equitable distribution of wealth?
(A) The Bayt al-Mal (Public Treasury) (B) The Islamic Bank (C) The Zakat Fund (D) All of these
7 Which of the following is the main reason for the rise of factionalism during the Caliphate of Ali ibn Abi Talib(رضی)?
(A) Disputes over differences of belief (B) The assassination of Usman ibn Affan(رضی)
(C) Economic hardship. (D) None of these
8 Which of the following best describes the role of the Caliph in the Islamic State under the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Pious Caliphate?
(A) Political leader only (B) Religious leader only
(C) Political and religious leader with responsibilities for both governance and spiritual guidance. (D) None of these
9 What was the primary source of law during the time of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)?
(A) The Qur’an and Hadith (B) The Qur’an Only (C) Consensus of the companions (Ijma) (D) None of these
10 In the context of early Islamic defence, which military leader is known for his strategic brilliance and leadership during the battle of Yarmouk?
(A) Ali ibn Abi Talib(رضی) (B) Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah(رضی)
(C) Sa’id ibn Waqqas(رضی) (D) Khalid ibn al-Walid(رضی)
11 Which companion of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is known for his role in collecting the Qur’an and transmitting knowledge to the next generation?
(A) Umar ibn al-Khattab(رضی) (B) Zayd ibn Thabit(رضی) (C) Abu Hurairah(رضی) (D) Ali ibn Abi Talib(رضی)
12 Which of the following events significantly contributed to the spread of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula?
(A) The migration to Medina (B) The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (C) The conquest of Makka (D) None of these
13 What is the main characteristic of the political system in the Islamic state established by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)?
(A) Democracy (B) Monarchy (C) Theocracy (D) Oligarchy
14 During which of the following was the Dome of the Rock built?
(A) Umar ibn al-Khattab(رضی) (B) Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan
(C) Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan(رضی) (D) None of these
15 Which architectural marvel was commissioned during the Umayyad rule and is still a symbol of Islamic art?
(A) The Alhambra (B) The Great Mosque of Damascus (C) The Hagia Sophia (D) None of these
16 The Umayyads made a significant contribution to Islamic coinage by introducing which feature?
(A) Arabic inscriptions on coins (B) The use of gold as a standard currency
(C) The inclusion of portraits on coins (D) None of these
17 Which event is considered the turning point in the establishment of the Abbasid Caliphate?
(A) The Battle of the Zab (B) The fall of Damascus (C) The Siege of Mecca (D) None of these
18 Which major translation movement occurred during the Abbasid period, especially in the House of Wisdom in Baghdad?
(A) Translation of Greek and Persian philosophical texts (B) Translation of Qur’anic exegeses
(C) Translation of Hindu astronomy texts (D) None of these
19 Who is considered the most famous Abbasid polymath in the field of medicine and philosophy?
(A) Al-Khwarizmi (B) Ibn Sina (Avicenna) (C) Al-Razi (Rhazes). (D) Al-Farabi
20 The Abbasids contributed significantly to which cultural field?
(A) Astronomy (B) Poetry and literature (C) Mathematics. (D) All of these
PART-II
NOTE (i) Part-II is to be attempted on the separate Answer Book.
(ii) Attempt ONLY FOUR questions from PART-II by selecting TWO questions from EACH SECTION. ALL questions carry EQUAL marks.
(iii) All the parts (if any) of each Question must be attempted at one place instead of at different places.
(iv) Write Q. No. in the Answer Book in accordance with Q. No. in the Q.Paper.
(v) No Page/Space be left blank between the answers. All the blank pages of Answer Book must be crossed.
(vi) Extra attempt of any question or any part of the question will not be considered.
SECTION-A
Q No. 2 Describe the Prophet’s (ﷺ) methods to resolve the various (tribal, linguistic, political and religious, etc.) conflicts and promote peace in the Muslim society in the context of the Madani Era. (20)
Q No. 3 Explain the challenges faced by Caliph Abu Bakr (رضی) in consolidating Islam after the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and how he overcame them? (20)
Q No. 4 What was the role of zakat (charity) in the financial system of early Islam? How was it managed by the Caliphs? (20)
Q No. 5 Examine the military organization of the Umayyads and their strategies in expanding the Islamic empire. (20)
SECTION-B
Q No. 6 Discuss the factors that contributed to the political fragmentation of Muslim Spain. How did the Taifa Kingdoms emerge? What impact did they have on the unity of Muslim rule? (20)
Q No. 7 Discuss the origin and early development of Sufism. What were the primary factors that contributed to the emergence of Sufism in the early centuries of Islam? (20)
Q No. 8 Write short notes on the following: (10 each) (20)
(a) The relationship between Islamic Modernism and Western influence
(b) The contributions of Al-Andalus in the spread of Islamic knowledge to Europe.
Answer Key Q 1
1 (C) Polytheism, 2 (C) Christian and Jewish beliefs, 3 (A) 570 or 571 CE, 4 (B) Persia and the Byzantine Empire, 5 (D) All of these, 6 (A) The Bayt al-Mal (Public Treasury), 7 (B) The assassination of Usman ibn Affan(رضی), 8 (C) Political and religious leader with responsibilities for both governance and spiritual guidance., 9 (B) The Qur’an Only, 10 (D) Khalid ibn al-Walid(رضی), 11 (B) Zayd ibn Thabit(رضی), 12 (C) The conquest of Makka, 13 (C) Theocracy, 14 (B) Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, 15 (B) The Great Mosque of Damascus, 16 (A) Arabic inscriptions on coins, 17 (A) The Battle of the Zab, 18 (A) Translation of Greek and Persian philosophical texts, 19 (B) Ibn Sina (Avicenna), 20 (D) All of these
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