Islamic Knowledge Contest 2025 - Grade 8

Islamic Knowledge Contest 2025 - Grade 8

Contest Details

• The contest is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, 2025
• It will be held at MAC Islamic School Calgary, located at 64 12 St NE
• A grade-level study guide is available on the school website to help students prepare
• Contest questions and solutions can be found at www.macislamicschool.ca
• There will be a multiple-choice test
• Assistance in reading questions will be provided to contestants in Grades 1 and 2
• Exciting prizes will be given to the winners

Registration

• Registration is done online via the school website
• The registration deadline is March 1, 2025
• Fees for MAC Islamic School students are $20
• Fees for other students are $30
• Registration will not be available on the day of the contest

Qur'an

• Other names for the Qur'an include An-Nadhir, Al-Mubeen, Al-Furqan, Al-Shifa, Al-Huda, Al-Burhan, Al-Dhikr, and Al-Basheer
• The Qur'an is also known as Al-Kitaab Al-Musaddiq, meaning a scripture that confirms earlier scriptures revealed by Allah
• Surah Al-Isra, verse 23 commands good behavior and manners towards parents
• Surah al-Nasr was revealed shortly before the Prophet's death
• Surat Al-Mulk defends whoever knows it, grants forgiveness to whoever reads it after Isha prayer or before sleeping, and saves from the punishment of the grave.

Fiqh of Worship

• The four mainstream Madhabs are named after their founders: Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik ibn Anas, Imam Shafi, and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal
• Three benefits of keeping wudu at all times include:
  • Wudu expiates sins
  • Elevates your ranks
  • Sign of your faith
• The Day of Nahr is the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah, which is also the day of Eid-al-Adha
• Zakah is due on gold if it weighs more than 85g and a year has passed on its ownership
• Fard 'Ayn is a primary obligation required from each Muslim and includes daily prayers, zakat, fasting, Hajj, being dutiful to one's parents, and maintaining kinship ties
• A Mahram is someone whom marriage is permanently forbidden
• What must we pay Zakah on include Money, Jewellery, Cattle and all of the above
• Water is the ultimate tool for tahara to remove najasa
• 'Tahara' is a state of physical and spiritual purity/cleanliness
• 'Najasah' is impurities and un-cleanliness, which must be removed
• Najasat includes Dog saliva, Alcohol/wine, Mud, Puss from a skin wound and Vomit
• Three conditions of purity required for a valid prayer include:
  • Tahara of Body
  • Tahara of Clothes
  • Tahara of Place
• A group of people are excused from fasting in Ramadan include the sick person, the traveling person, women in menstruation, pregnancy/breastfeeding, and the elderly who can't fast.
• Fard, Sunnah and Haram classification includes: Omar sleeps on his right side and recites Ayah Al-Kursi before sleeping is Sunnah. Hamza wears a silk shirt with his new suit is Haram. Maryam covers her hair and body since she has matured is Fard. Ahmad cuts his fingernails and makes a ghusl before going to jumʼah is Sunnah. Ali prayed the maghrib prayer before the adhaan for maghrib was called is Haram. Sarah obeys her parents and is respectful of them is Fard. Bilal wakes up for suhur in Ramadan is Sunnah. Sumayyah's grandmother serves dinner in gold-trimmed plates and silverware is Haram. Asmaa uses the siwak to clean her teeth is Sunnah.

Thawab Actions

• Reading the Qur'an is equivalent to the reward of giving 360 acts of charity
• Praying on time is one of the most beloved deeds to Allah
• Praying Ad Duha erases the sins of the previous year and the year to come
• Fasting 6 days of Shawal earns a reward, multiplied by ten for each letter read
• Fasting the day of Ashur'a erases the sins of the previous year
• Fasting on the day of Arafah is the equivalent of fasting the whole year

Life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

• Major events after the Prophet's migration from Makkah in chronological order:
  • Brotherhood between the Muhajireen and Ansar
  • Battle of Uhud
  • Treaty of Hudaybiya
  • Conquest of Makkah
  • Battle of Tabouk
  • Farewell Pilgrimage
• Nusaybah bint Ka'ab is remembered for her bravery during the Battle of Uhud, where she defended the Prophet
• The Prophet (pbuh) is known to have buried the martyrs without washing off their blood because Martyrs don't need a ghusul before burial and they are buried with their battle clothes
• The Prophet performed Hajj only once

Knowledge of the Prophet

• When Abu Salama died, Umm Salama said: 'Truly, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return. Oh Allah, reward me for bearing my misfortune with patience and replace it with something better', and Allah gave me someone better than him: the Messenger of Allah."
• Khaled Ibn Al-Waleed and 'Amr bin al-'As converted to Islam before the Battle of Mu'tah
• Abu Sufyaan converted to Islam at the time of The Conquest of Makkah which occurred in Ramadan
• Prophet (pbuh) and Abu Bakr built Masjid Qiba'a the first mosque in Islam, during their four-day stay during their hijra journey
• Allah sent Surah Al-Nour to prove that Aisha was innocent after the slander
• Surah Al-Fath was revealed after the Treaty of Hudaibiyya and the Oath of Ridwaan
• After the Treaty of Hudaibiyyah Prophet (pbuh) began sending letters to the kings and leaders in Arabia
• Many things occurred in the fifth year of Hijrah including obligation of Hajj, obligation of hijab, and the Treaty of Hudaibiyah
• All of the Prophet Muhammad's children were born to Khadijah, except for Ibrahim, who was born to Mariah al-Qubtia
• Hamza and Al-Abbas were the only ones among the Prophet's nine uncles to accept Islam
• Arwa, A'atika and Safiyyah were the only ones to accept Islam from the Prophet's six aunts
• The Prophet (pbuh) married Aisha in Madinah
• Abdullah bin Zubair was the first baby boy born to the Muhajereen
• During the second year after the hijrah, the qiblah was changed from Masjid al-Aqsa to the Ka'abah in Mecca
• The Prophet (pbuh) chose Abu Bakr as the leader of the Muslims during the Hajj in the 9th year of the hijrah
• The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was buried in Aisha's house
• Before his death, Omar ibn Al-Khattab sought Aisha's permission to be buried next to the Prophet and Abu Bakr

Dhikr and Du'a

• Four benefits of performing Dhikr or Du'a are:
  • Remembering Allah
  • Pushes Shaitan away
  • An act of obedience to Allah
  • Removes stress and worry
  • Eases the heart
• Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) narrated that Allah said: "I am as My servant thinks of Me, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me to himself, I remember him to Myself. If he mentions Me in a gathering, I mention him in a gathering better than it. If he draws near to Me by a hand's span, I draw near to him by an arm's length. If he draws near to Me by an arm's length, I draw near to him by a fathom's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I come to him running."
• Dua' when visiting someone who is ill: "I ask Allah, who is the Lofty and the Lord of the Mighty Throne, that He cures you."
• Dua' when entering a mall or market: "There is no one worthy of worship besides Allah. He is all by Himself. He has no partner. His is the Kingdom, and to Him is all praise. He gives and takes life. He is all by Himself. He will not die. In His hands is all good, and He has control (power) over all things."
• Dua' al-Istikharah: "O Allah! I seek goodness from Your Knowledge, and with Your Power (and Might), I seek strength and ask from You Your Great Blessings because You have the Power, and I do not. You know everything, and I do not know, and You have knowledge of the unseen.”

Hadeeth

• Hadeeth Qudsi meanings are entirely from Allah (swt)
  • Can be revealed in a dream or revelation
  • The wording is that of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) with it's meanings, whereas the Qur'an is the direct word of Allah
• The companion who narrated the most hadeeth was Abdul Rahman Bin Sakher whom the Prophet (pbuh) nicknamed Abu Huraira because he always had a kitten
• Some words of advice from the completed Hadeeth includes
  • Be mindful of Allah and Allah will protect you
  • If you ask, ask Allah; if you seek help, seek help from Allah
  • that even if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you
  • The pens have been lifted, and the pages have dried

General Islamic Knowledge

• Tareq Bin Ziyad led the Muslim conquest of Spain in the year 711 C.E.
• Rulers from the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties include:
  • Omar bin Abdul-Aziz
  • Abdul-Rahman Ad-Dakhil
  • Al-Mansoor
  • Harun Ar-Rashid
  • Muhammad Al-Fatih
• Recommended Islamic books:
  • Gardens of the Righteous (Riyaad Al-Saleheen) by Imam An-Nawawi is a collection of authentic hadiths focusing on ethics and virtuous deeds
  • Ihya'a Uluum al-Deen by Imam Al-Ghazali is comprehensive guidance on Islamic spirituality and practical religious practices
  • Tafseer Al-Qur'an Al Atheem by Ibn Katheer is one of the most respected and accepted explanations for the Quran
  • General Introduction to Islam (Ta'areef 'Aam li-Deen Al-Islam) by Shaykh Ali Tantawi; It's a general comprehensive introduction and beginner-friendly overview of Islam
  • The Lawful and Prohibited in Islam (Al-Halal Wa Al-Haram Fil Islam) by Shaykh Yusuf Al-Qardawi is a guide to Islamic rulings on permissible and forbidden matters
  • The Sealed Nectar (Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum) by Shaykh Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri serves as Seerah and biography of Prophet Muhammad

Muslim Manners (Adaab)

• It is not permissible to face the Qiblah while using the toilet
• You should fix your clothes and hair when you meet people and appear presentable
• Arrogance is to deny people's rights and look down on others
• We enter the house with our right foot
• You should ask for permission when you enter your mother's room
• They can apologize and not invite you in if you visit without an appointment
• When putting shoes on, start with the right foot
• When taking shoes off, start with the left foot
• When visiting someone, do not bring it to a lengthy visit

Identifying The Pioneers

• Muhammed Ibn Ishaq was the first person to attempt to write a complete biography of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh).
• Abu Al-Hasan Ibn Yunus was a Muslim Astronomer and compiled a collection of astronomical tables called 'Al-Zijj al-Kabir al-Hakimi.'
• Abu Ali Ibn Sina was a Muslim physician who wrote 'Kitab al-Shifa'a' and 'Al-Qanun Fit –Tibb'.
• Abdur-Rahman Ibn Khaldun wrote the 7-volume book Kitab Al-Ibar and named his theory "Al-Ilm Al-Umraan"
• Shihab Ad-Din Ibn Majid was called 'Asad al-Bahr' and wrote Kitab al-Fawa'id.

Self Reflections

• Being a Muslim and being a positive contributor to society answers may vary
• Five ways that increase your awareness (khushu'u) in your prayer.
  • Don't pray if you feel the urge to go to the bathroom until you relieve yourself
  • Don't pray in the presence of food, TV, or loud voices and distractions
  • Refrain from haram
• Ask Allah to help you concentrate.
• Think about the verses that are being recited or listening to
• Four sports encouraged by the Prophet (pbuh) are Swimming, archery, wrestling, and horseback riding
• Engaging with the Quran gives us a righteous and fulfilling like
• Excessive time on social media can distract from acts of worship

Islamic Sacred Lands

• The three Masajid within the vicinity of Al Aqsa are Qibli Mosque, Dome of the Rock, and Masjid Marwani
• The second oldest mosque ever built is Masjid Al Aqsa
• Al Aqsa means "the furthest"
• Before building of Masjid Al-Nabawi and Masjid was built It belonged to to Sahl and Suhayl
• The first mosque built in the Aqsa compound was silver-domed Qibli Mosque
• According to the Conquest of Makkah, the Prophet was an excellent example of humility and He pardoned all of them and declared: "ا ذهبوا فأنتم الطلقاء-
• Three names of Madinah:
  • Tayba - meaning kindness
  • Yathrib - The name before the coming of Islam
  • Dar Hijrah - Land of Migration
• Three names of the Kaaba:
  • Bayt Al Haram - The Sacred House
  • Bayt Al Ateeq - The Ancient House
  • Bayt Al Ma'moor - The Frequented House
• The first Mosque built built by Prophet Muhammad in Madinah was the Masjid Quba'
• Masjid al-Qiblatayn', is a mosque in Medina that is historically important for Muslims. According to The Quran, Allah instructed Prophet Muhammad to take the Kaaba as the Qibla instead of temple Mount in Jerusalem for which he announced this yo his companions
• Makki vs Medani Surahs
• Meccan Surahs 85 suras were Revealed before migration to Medinah Strong words and short ayahs Reinforce the belief in the Oneness of Allah (tawheed) Stories of previous prophets and their people Day of Judgement and the Hereafter
• Meccan Surahs 29 surahs were Revealed after migration to Medinah Gentle addressing, long ayahs Detailed rulings of acts of worship Laws of establishing a Muslim society Description of the obligatory and prohibited acts
• Al-Haram Masjid prayers are equal in reward to 100,000 prayers
• Al Nabawi Masjid prayers are equal in reward to 10,000 prayers
• Al-Aqsa Masjid prayers are equal in reward to 1,000 prayers
• The two main gates to enter the Al Aqsa compound today are:
  • Bab al Silsilah
  • Bab al Hittah
• An average of 2 million pilgrims attend Hajj annually
• Surah Al Isra', verse 1 mentions Masjid al Aqsa