Refresher & Advanced · Aqeedah Refresher

Islamic Beliefs and Practices Quiz

Test your understanding of core Islamic beliefs and practices.

7 questions · Hard · about 5 minutes

Test yourself properly, with scoring and instant feedback.

7 questions, about 5 minutes.

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Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 7 questions.

1. What does Islam teach about original sin?

  • There is no inherited original sin; each person is accountable for what he or she earns. (correct answer)
  • Every person is born guilty of Adam’s sin.
  • Children inherit the sins of their parents.
  • A righteous person may bear another person’s guilt and remove accountability from him.

Why

Islam rejects the idea that people inherit guilt from Adam عليه السلام or from their parents. No soul bears another soul’s burden, and each person is accountable for what he or she earns. Sins are not erased by another person being punished in one’s place; rather, forgiveness comes through Allah’s mercy, repentance, faith, and righteous deeds. Lineage without repentance and good deeds does not save a person.

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2. Why may every Muslim say “our father Ibraaheem” in the morning and evening supplication?

  • Ibraaheem عليه السلام is a father to the believers in the sense of being an example, leader, and teacher in religion. (correct answer)
  • Every Muslim is physically descended from Ibraaheem عليه السلام.
  • Only Arabs are allowed to say this phrase.
  • The phrase should be removed by non-Arab Muslims.

Why

Every Muslim, Arab or non-Arab, may recite the supplication with the phrase “our father Ibraaheem.” Ibraaheem عليه السلام is the father of the Arabs and the Israelites, and he is also a father to the believers in the religious and spiritual sense because the prophets are like fathers to their nations. Allah commanded the Muslims to follow the religion of Ibraaheem عليه السلام, and he is an example in Tawheed, submission, and sincere devotion to Allah.

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3. How should Muslims understand the fighting that occurred among some of the Sahaabah?

  • They should think well of the Sahaabah and understand that those conflicts involved ijtihaad and interpretation. (correct answer)
  • They should use those conflicts to declare some Sahaabah disbelievers.
  • They should accuse the Sahaabah of deliberately seeking mischief.
  • They should ignore the Quranic command to reconcile between believers.

Why

Muslims must think positively of the Companions whom Allah chose to accompany His Prophet ﷺ. The fighting that occurred among them was based on ijtihaad and interpretation, not deliberate rejection of Islam. ‘Ali رضي الله عنه was closer to the truth in the matter of Siffeen, but Mu‘aawiyah رضي الله عنه and those with him are not declared disbelievers because of their error. Allah described fighting believers as brothers and commanded reconciliation between them.

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4. What is the stance of Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah toward the Sahaabah?

  • Their hearts and tongues are free of hatred and inappropriate speech toward them. (correct answer)
  • They disparage any Companion whose actions are difficult to understand.
  • They reject the virtues narrated about the Sahaabah.
  • They believe all Sahaabah had the same rank with no distinction.

Why

Ahl as-Sunnah love and honour the Sahaabah, accept the virtues narrated about them, and refrain from speaking about them in an inappropriate way. They believe that the best of this ummah after the Prophet ﷺ are Abu Bakr, then ‘Umar, then ‘Uthmaan, then ‘Ali رضي الله عنهم. They also affirm the special virtues of the people of Badr, the pledge under the tree, the Muhaajiroon, the Ansaar, and those who were given glad tidings of Paradise.

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5. What was intended by the Prophet’s ﷺ gestures when reciting texts about Allah’s attributes?

  • To affirm the attributes in a real sense without likening Allah to creation. (correct answer)
  • To show exactly how Allah’s attributes are.
  • To teach that Allah’s attributes resemble human attributes.
  • To make physical gestures required whenever attributes are mentioned.

Why

The Prophet’s ﷺ gestures in specific narrated reports were not meant to liken Allah’s attributes to human attributes. They were meant to affirm the divine attributes and show that they are real, not metaphorical, while still believing that nothing is like Allah. A person should not invent new gestures for attributes that were not accompanied by gestures in the texts. If a gesture may confuse ordinary people or make them imagine resemblance to creation, it should be avoided.

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6. What do the hadiths compare Madeenah to?

  • A bellows that removes impurities and leaves what is good. (correct answer)
  • A place where no one is ever tested.
  • A city that only Arabs may live in.
  • A place where deeds are no longer required.

Why

Madeenah is compared to a bellows that removes dross and enhances what is good. Those whose faith is contaminated may leave it, while those whose faith is sincere remain. The source also mentions that Madeenah is guarded from the Dajjaal and will be cleansed of evil people. This does not mean everyone who leaves Madeenah is necessarily tempted by Shaytaan; steadfastness has many causes, including dhikr, prayer, Quran, du‘a, righteous company, knowledge, and avoiding places of temptation.

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7. What is the relationship between the Quran and the Sunnah?

  • Both are revelation from Allah, and the Sunnah explains the Quran. (correct answer)
  • The Quran is revelation, but the Sunnah is merely human opinion.
  • The Sunnah may contradict the Quran and still be followed.
  • The Quran and Sunnah have no connection to one another.

Why

The Quran and Sunnah are both revelation from Allah to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The Sunnah explains the Quran and is one of the sources of divine Shari‘ah. Muslims are commanded to accept what the Messenger ﷺ brought and abstain from what he forbade. Islam is a divinely revealed religion, and Allah has protected its foundations: the Quran and Sunnah.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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