CSS Islamic History & Culture MCQs

This comprehensive set of MCQs on Islamic History and Culture for the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination is meticulously crafted to cover all essential topics outlined in the CSS syllabus. Encompassing key areas such as the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the development of Islamic civilizations, major historical events, cultural achievements, and the spread of Islam, these MCQs are designed to help aspiring CSS candidates build a strong foundation in Islamic history and its cultural contributions.

Who should practice CSS Islamic History & Culture MCQs?

Candidates preparing for the CSS examination who wish to deepen their understanding of Islamic historical narratives and cultural developments.
Individuals seeking to enhance their knowledge of the significant events and figures in Islamic history that are crucial for civil services roles.
University students focused on high-yield topics such as Islamic philosophy, art, architecture, and the impact of Islam on global civilizations, which are essential for the CSS Islamic History syllabus.
Anyone looking to improve their analytical skills and understanding of the historical context of Islam and its influence on contemporary society.
Students committed to mastering Islamic history and culture to excel in competitive exams and engage thoughtfully with cultural and historical discourses.

1. Which major event marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar?

A) The birth of Muhammad (PBUH)
B) The Hijra (migration to Medina)
C) The conquest of Mecca
D) The death of Muhammad (PBUH)

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2. What was the primary religion in Arabia before the advent of Islam?

A) Judaism
B) Christianity
C) PolytheismCSS Islamic History & CultureCSS Islamic History & Culture
D) Zoroastrianism

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3. Which tribe was the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) born into?

A) Banu Hashim
B) Banu Umayyah
C) Banu Tamim
D) Banu Quraish

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4. What significant event took place in 610 CE?

A) The first pilgrimage to Mecca
B) The revelation of the first verses of the Quran
C) The migration to Medina
D) The conquest of Mecca

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5. What was the primary role of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a military leader?

A) To expand trade routes
B) To spread Islam through warfare
C) To establish peace treaties
D) To defend against aggression

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6. Who was the first caliph after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?

A) Umar ibn Khattab
B) Ali ibn Abi Talib
C) Abu Bakr
D) Uthman ibn Affan

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7. What major conflict is associated with Caliph Abu Bakr’s rule?

A) The Battle of Badr
B) The Battle of Uhud
C) The Apostasy Wars
D) The Battle of Khandaq

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8. Under Caliph Umar ibn Khattab, which administrative system was established?

A) Feudalism
B) The Caliphate
C) Bureaucratic governance
D) Theocracy

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9. The period known as the “Pious Caliphate” refers to which years?

A) 570-632
B) 632-660
C) 660-749
D) 749-1258

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10. Which caliph is known for the compilation of the Quran?

A) Abu Bakr
B) Umar ibn Khattab
C) Uthman ibn Affan
D) Ali ibn Abi Talib

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11. The rise of factionalism during Ali’s caliphate was primarily due to:

A) Economic issues
B) Political rivalries
C) Religious differences
D) External invasions

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12. What does “Shura” refer to in the Islamic political system?

A) The administrative court
B) The consultative assembly
C) The military council
D) The financial committee

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13. The Umayyad dynasty was established in which year?

A) 661
B) 750
C) 711
D) 680

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14. Who was the first Umayyad caliph?

A) Yazid ibn Muawiya
B) Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan
C) Abd al-Malik
D) Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz

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15. Which city served as the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate?

A) Medina
B) Mecca
C) Kufa
D) Damascus

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16. The Umayyad Caliphate expanded into which region during its rule?

A) North Africa
B) Central Asia
C) The Iberian Peninsula
D) All of the above

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17. Which famous battle did the Umayyads lose in 732 CE?

A) The Battle of Yarmouk
B) The Battle of Tours
C) The Battle of Qadisiyyah
D) The Battle of Uhud

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18. What was the primary focus of the Abbasid Revolution?

A) Return to the teachings of the Prophet
B) Overthrow the Umayyad dynasty
C) Expand the Islamic empire
D) Establish a caliphate in Spain

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19. Who was the founder of the Abbasid dynasty?

A) Abu Muslim
B) Al-Mansur
C) Harun al-Rashid
D) Al-Mahdi

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20. The Abbasids moved the capital of the Islamic empire to which city?

A) Mecca
B) Baghdad
C) Kufa
D) Damascus

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21. Which institution played a significant role in the development of knowledge under the Abbasids?

A) The House of Wisdom
B) The Shura Council
C) The Diwan
D) The Ahl al-Bayt

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22. What was a notable achievement of the Abbasid period in science?

A) The invention of the printing press
B) The establishment of the first universities
C) The development of algebra
D) The discovery of electricity

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23. The term “Sufism” primarily refers to:

A) A type of Islamic jurisprudence
B) A mystical dimension of Islam
C) A political movement within Islam
D) A historical period in Islamic history

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24. Which famous Sufi poet is known for his work “Masnavi”?

A) Rumi
B) Hafiz
C) Al-Ghazali
D) Ibn Arabi

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25. What was the impact of Sufism on Islamic culture?

A) It led to the decline of Islam
B) It unified diverse Muslim communities
C) It rejected traditional Islamic teachings
D) It isolated Muslims from the outside world

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26. The “Islamic Golden Age” is often associated with which dynasty?

A) Umayyad
B) Abbasid
C) Ottoman
D) Fatimid

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27. What year did the fall of Granada occur, marking the end of Muslim rule in Spain?

A) 1492
B) 1500
C) 1485
D) 1469

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28. The Treaty of Granada was signed between which two parties?

A) Muslims and Christians
B) Christians and Jews
C) Muslims and the Byzantine Empire
D) The Umayyads and the Abbasids

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29. The Ottomans are known for which architectural achievement?

A) The Alhambra
B) The Great Mosque of Samarra
C) The Hagia Sophia
D) The Blue Mosque

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30. The Ottomans had a unique system for integrating conquered peoples known as:

A) Millet system
B) Jizya system
C) Dhimmi system
D) Shura system

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31. Which event marked the beginning of the decline of the Ottoman Empire?

A) World War I
B) The Fall of Constantinople
C) The Battle of Lepanto
D) The signing of the Treaty of Karlowitz

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32. What was the primary reason for the rise of the Crusades?

A) Religious intolerance
B) Economic expansion
C) Political power
D) Territorial conquest

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33. The term “Crusader” refers to:

A) A Muslim warrior
B) A Christian knight on a religious expedition
C) A political leader in the Holy Land
D) A scholar of Islamic studies

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34. Who was the Muslim leader known for his role during the Crusades?

A) Saladin
B) Suleiman the Magnificent
C) Muhammad ibn Qasim
D) Al-Ghazali

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35. The “Battle of Hattin” was a significant victory for:

A) The Crusaders
B) The Ottomans
C) The Mamluks
D) The Abbasids

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36. The Mamluks ruled which region during the medieval period?

A) North Africa
B) The Levant
C) Egypt
D) All of the above

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37. The Safavid Empire is best known for establishing which sect of Islam as the state religion?

A) Sunni
B) Shia
C) Ibadi
D) Sufi

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38. Which empire was established in India after the fall of the Delhi Sultanate?

A) Mughal Empire
B) Ottoman Empire
C) Safavid Empire
D) Mughal Empire

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39. Who was the founder of the Mughal Empire in India?

A) Aurangzeb
B) Akbar
C) Babur
D) Shah Jahan

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40. The architectural masterpiece “Taj Mahal” was built by which Mughal emperor?

A) Aurangzeb
B) Babur
C) Akbar
D) Shah Jahan

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41. Which major event in 1857 marked a significant turning point in Indian history?

A) The First War of Independence
B) The Partition of India
C) The establishment of British rule
D) The Mughal Empire’s collapse

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42. The term “Jizya” refers to:

A) A tax imposed on non-Muslims
B) A form of Islamic charity
C) A military obligation
D) A religious festival

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43. The Ottoman Empire was officially dissolved after:

A) World War I
B) The Balkan Wars
C) The Treaty of Sèvres
D) The signing of the Treaty of Lausanne

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44. The “Young Turks” movement sought to:

A) Reestablish the Ottoman Sultanate
B) Modernize and secularize the Ottoman Empire
C) Restore the caliphate
D) Promote Islamic fundamentalism

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45. The establishment of Pakistan in 1947 was a result of:

A) The partition of India
B) The rise of the Muslim League
C) The decline of British colonial power
D) All of the above

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46. Which significant document called for the rights of Muslims in British India?

A) The Lahore Resolution
B) The Government of India Act
C) The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
D) The Delhi Declaration

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47. The term “Islamophobia” refers to:

A) A deep understanding of Islam
B) Discrimination against Muslims
C) A form of Islamic extremism
D) The promotion of interfaith dialogue

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48. The significance of the “Aligarh Movement” was:

A) To promote Hindu-Muslim unity
B) To modernize Muslim education
C) To establish a separate Muslim state
D) To reform Islamic practices

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49. The “Quran” is primarily known as:

A) A book of Hadith
B) The holy book of Islam
C) A historical text
D) A work of poetry

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50. The “Hadith” is a collection of:

A) Quranic verses
B) The sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
C) Islamic laws
D) Historical narratives

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51. What does “Ijma” refer to in Islamic jurisprudence?

A) Individual reasoning
B) Consensus among scholars
C) Direct Quranic command
D) Analogy based on Quran and Hadith

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52. Which major Islamic empire is known for its contributions to art and architecture in the 16th century?

A) The Safavid Empire
B) The Mughal Empire
C) The Ottoman Empire
D) The Abbasid Empire

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53. The practice of “Zakat” is primarily aimed at:

A) Encouraging trade
B) Wealth distribution and charity
C) Promoting education
D) Building mosques

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54. Which of the following best describes “Sharia”?

A) Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith
B) A form of governance in Islamic states
C) A social movement within Islam
D) A sect of Islam

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55. The historical figure known as “The Sword of Allah” refers to:

A) Umar ibn Khattab
B) Khalid ibn al-Walid
C) Ali ibn Abi Talib
D) Abu Bakr

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56. The Islamic concept of “Ummah” refers to:

A) A sect within Islam
B) The global Muslim community
C) A form of government
D) An Islamic festival

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57. The “Five Pillars of Islam” are essential acts of worship that include:

A) Charity, prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, faith
B) Prayer, education, fasting, service, faith
C) Charity, pilgrimage, meditation, prayer, faith
D) Prayer, faith, community service, fasting, belief

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58. The term “Caliph” literally means:

A) Deputy or successor
B) Leader of prayer
C) Prophet’s companion
D) Teacher of Islam

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59. What was the primary objective of the “Islamic Renaissance”?

A) Re-establishing traditional practices
B) Advancing science, culture, and philosophy
C) Expanding territorial boundaries
D) Forming alliances with non-Muslims

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60. The concept of “Jihad” primarily refers to:

A) Holy war against non-Muslims
B) Struggle in the way of God
C) A military campaign
D) Religious proselytizing

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61. The Battle of Karbala is a pivotal event in which sect of Islam?

A) Sunni
B) Shia
C) Sufi
D) Ibadi

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62. Which Islamic scholar is renowned for his work in philosophy and science during the Islamic Golden Age?

A) Al-Ghazali
B) Ibn Rushd (Averroes)
C) Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
D) Al-Farabi

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63. The term “Sahaba” refers to:

A) Followers of Islam
B) Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
C) Islamic scholars
D) Caliphs of the early Islamic state

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64. The Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr celebrates:

A) The end of Ramadan
B) The beginning of Ramadan
C) The birth of Muhammad (PBUH)
D) The pilgrimage to Mecca

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65. Which significant text discusses the principles of Islamic governance?

A) The Quran
B) The Hadith
C) The Constitution of Medina
D) The Tafsir

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66. The Islamic term “Dhimmi” refers to:

A) Non-Muslim citizens in an Islamic state
B) Converts to Islam
C) Islamic law
D) A type of mosque

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67. The term “Maqasid” in Islamic jurisprudence refers to:

A) Religious texts
B) The objectives of Islamic law
C) The historical development of Islam
D) The stories of the prophets

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68. The term “Fard” refers to:

A) Recommended acts in Islam
B) Obligatory acts in Islam
C) Optional acts in Islam
D) Acts that are sinful

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69. Who was the last caliph of the Ottoman Empire?

A) Abdul Hamid II
B) Mehmed VI
C) Suleiman I
D) Selim III

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70. The Islamic scholarly tradition that emerged during the Abbasid period is known as:

A) Fiqh
B) Hadith
C) Kalam
D) Tafsir

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71. The famous philosopher Ibn Khaldun is known for his work in which field?

A) Mathematics
B) Sociology and history
C) Astronomy
D) Islamic law

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72. The concept of “Tawhid” refers to:

A) The unity of God
B) The concept of prophethood
C) The afterlife
D) The teachings of the Prophet

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73. The term “Shirk” refers to:

A) Unity of God
B) Polytheism or associating partners with God
C) Divine guidance
D) Prophetic tradition

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74. The majority of Muslims worldwide are:

A) Shia
B) Sunni
C) Sufi
D) Ibadi

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75. The famous poet and philosopher Rumi is associated with which Islamic tradition?

A) Shia
B) Sunni
C) Sufi
D) Ibadi

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76. The Islamic doctrine that emphasizes the oneness of God and the rejection of polytheism is called:

A) Ijtihad
B) Tawhid
C) Sharia
D) Iqbal

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77. Which Islamic month is considered the holiest?

A) Muharram
B) Ramadan
C) Shawwal
D) Safar

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78. The term “Halal” refers to:

A) Forbidden
B) Permissible
C) Required
D) Optional

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79. The Quran was revealed in which language?

A) Latin
B) Persian
C) Arabic
D) Turkish

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80. Which historical figure is known for the compilation of the first written Quran?

A) Uthman ibn Affan
B) Abu Bakr
C) Ali ibn Abi Talib
D) Umar ibn Khattab

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81. The term “Hajj” refers to:

A) The annual pilgrimage to Mecca
B) A charity act
C) A religious sermon
D) A festival

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82. The Islamic law of retribution is known as:

A) Tazir
B) Qisas
C) Hudud
D) Diyya

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83. The primary source of Islamic law is:

A) The Quran
B) The Hadith
C) The opinions of scholars
D) Historical documents

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84. The concept of “Naskh” refers to:

A) The abrogation of a verse
B) The interpretation of a verse
C) The memorization of a verse
D) The translation of a verse

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85. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is referred to as:

A) The Messenger of Allah
B) The Last Prophet
C) The Seal of Prophets
D) All of the above

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86. The term “Kufr” refers to:

A) Faith
B) Disbelief
C) Worship
D) Charity

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87. The Islamic concept of “Zakat” is primarily about:

A) Fasting during Ramadan
B) Performing the pilgrimage
C) Giving to charity
D) Daily prayers

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88. The major theological debate between the Ashari and Mu’tazila schools is about:

A) The nature of God
B) The role of reason in faith
C) The interpretation of the Quran
D) Islamic law practices

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89. The Islamic festival that marks the end of Hajj is called:

A) Eid al-Fitr
B) Eid al-Adha
C) Mawlid
D) Ashura

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90. The Quran is divided into how many chapters?

A) 66
B) 114
C) 99
D) 108

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91. The concept of “Ilah” refers to:

A) Prophet
B) God
C) Worship
D) Community

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92. The “Musnad” is a collection of:

A) Hadith
B) Historical texts
C) Religious decrees
D) Quranic verses

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93. The Islamic ruling about interest (usury) is:

A) Permissible
B) Forbidden
C) Recommended
D) Neutral

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94. The term “Fiqh” refers to:

A) The study of Islamic history
B) Islamic jurisprudence
C) The compilation of the Quran
D) A form of worship

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95. The famous city of Cordoba was known for:

A) Its Christian heritage
B) Its Islamic architecture and scholarship
C) Its military conquests
D) Its trade networks

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96. The Sufi practice of seeking a personal experience of God is often expressed through:

A) Prayer
B) Meditation
C) Music and poetry
D) All of the above

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97. The Umayyad Caliphate was significant for:

A) Establishing a new dynasty
B) The spread of Islam into Spain
C) The Arabic language becoming the administrative language
D) All of the above

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98. Which Islamic sect places emphasis on the teachings of the Prophet’s family (Ahl al-Bayt)?

A) Sunni
B) Shia
C) Sufi
D) Ibadi

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99. The Islamic scholarly tradition of interpreting the Quran is called:

A) Tafsir
B) Fiqh
C) Hadith
D) Ijtihad

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100. Which of the following is considered the most authentic collection of Hadith?

A) Sahih Muslim
B) Sunan Abu Dawood
C) Sahih Bukhari
D) Jami at-Tirmidhi

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