Knowledge & Devotion · Stories of the Prophets

Islamic Teachings and Prophetic Stories

Explore beliefs about idols, prophetic protection, and significant Quranic events.

7 questions · Hard · about 4 minutes

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1. What did many pre-Islamic Arabs claim about their idols?

  • They claimed the idols could intercede with Allah. (correct answer)
  • They believed the idols had created Allah.
  • They believed the idols had no religious role at all.
  • They worshipped no idols around the Ka‘bah.

Why

Before Islam, many Arabs worshipped idols and claimed that these idols could intercede with Allah. The idols were made by human beings, sometimes from materials such as dates or clay, and approximately 360 idols were around the Ka‘bah. Their claim was not that the idols were the ultimate Creator; rather, they wrongly sought closeness to Allah through created objects that could neither harm nor benefit them.

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2. Why were pre-Islamic Arabs not true believers even though they knew about Allah?

  • They associated others with Allah in worship. (correct answer)
  • They denied that Allah created the heavens and earth.
  • They had never heard the name Allah.
  • They believed there was no Creator.

Why

Arabian society before Islam was not generally atheistic. Many Arabs knew of Allah and acknowledged Him as Creator and Provider. Their problem was that they did not worship Allah alone. They worshipped other beings or objects as intermediaries, claiming that these would bring them closer to Allah or intercede for them. This was shirk in worship, even though they affirmed aspects of Allah’s Lordship.

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3. According to the majority view, how were the Prophets protected from sin?

  • They were protected from major sins, while minor-sin matters were corrected by Allah and followed by repentance. (correct answer)
  • They were not protected from any sin.
  • They could commit major sins after becoming prophets.
  • They were divine and therefore incapable of human actions.

Why

Allah chose the Prophets and made them qualified to convey His message. The majority view is that the Prophets were protected from major sins. As for minor sins or mistakes, some may have occurred, but Allah did not approve them; rather, He corrected them, and the Prophets hastened to repent. Musa’s عليه السلام killing of the Egyptian was by mistake and before prophethood, and his speech impediment was not a disfiguring defect that prevented him from conveying the message, because Allah answered his prayer and untied the knot from his tongue.

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4. Who survived the flood at the time of Nooh عليه السلام?

  • Only those whom Nooh عليه السلام took with him on the ark. (correct answer)
  • Some disbelievers in remote regions.
  • All humans but no animals.
  • Everyone on earth survived.

Why

The clear Qur’anic text indicates that everyone on earth drowned in the flood except those whom Nooh عليه السلام took with him on the ark. The Qur’an also indicates that humanity after that descended from Nooh عليه السلام. Reports from Ibn ‘Abbas and Qatadah state that all people are from the progeny of Nooh, and scholars explained that none remained from mankind except those saved with him, then their descendants.

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5. What does the Qur’an say about where Adam and Hawwa’ عليهما السلام descended to earth?

  • It does not specify the location. (correct answer)
  • It definitively says Adam landed in India.
  • It definitively says Adam landed on as-Safa.
  • It definitively says Hawwa’ landed in Jeddah.

Why

The Qur’an definitively states that Adam and Hawwa’ عليهما السلام came down from Paradise to earth after eating from the tree. But it does not specify where they descended. There is no authentic marfu‘ hadith that establishes the location. Reports mentioning India, Jeddah, Dahna, as-Safa, or al-Marwah are weak, very weak, or from reports of the People of the Book, so they should not be believed as certain religious facts.

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6. Who were the People of the Cave and the Inscription?

  • One group described with two connected descriptions. (correct answer)
  • Two completely separate groups.
  • The three men trapped behind a rock.
  • A group whose names and location are proven in sound hadith.

Why

The apparent meaning is that the People of the Cave and the People of the Inscription were one group, mentioned together with two descriptions. It is far-fetched to interpret them as the three men trapped in the cave whose story is proven in authentic hadith, because Allah told the story of the People of the Cave in Surah al-Kahf and did not mention those three men there. Extra details such as the names of the People of the Cave and their exact location are not established in any sound report from the Prophet ﷺ beyond what is in the Qur’an.

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7. What is the most likely meaning of Allah raising Idrees عليه السلام to a high station?

  • He was raised to a high place, with the fourth heaven indicated by the hadith of Isra’. (correct answer)
  • He became divine.
  • He was raised only in wealth and kingship.
  • The verse has no connection to his status or location.

Why

Allah describes Idrees عليه السلام as truthful and a Prophet, then says that He raised him to a high station. Scholars differed: some understood this as symbolic raising in status and honour, while the majority understood it as a literal raising to a high place, though they differed about the exact place. The source says the most likely interpretation is understood in light of the hadith of Isra’, in which the Prophet ﷺ saw Idrees عليه السلام in the fourth heaven. This does not contradict his high spiritual status through prophethood.

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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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