Islamic Studies/Islamiat (Competitive Exams) MCQs
Topic Notes: Islamic Studies/Islamiat (Competitive Exams)
<p>MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.</p>
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
91
The Abbasid dynasty claimed legitimacy through their descent from which relative of the Prophet (PBUH)?
Answer:
Al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib
The Abbasids traced their lineage to Al-Abbas, the paternal uncle of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This family connection was the basis of their claim to the caliphate, arguing they were the rightful 'House of the Prophet' compared to the Umayyads.
92
The 'Anarchy at Samarra' (861–870) refers to a period of:
Answer:
Internal civil war among the Turkish military factions and weak caliphs
Following the assassination of Al-Mutawakkil, the Abbasid state entered a decade of chaos where Turkish generals frequently deposed or killed caliphs. This instability significantly weakened central authority and led to the rise of independent provincial dynasties.
93
Which caliph officially ended the Mihna and returned to traditionalist Sunni orthodoxy?
Answer:
Al-Mutawakkil
Caliph al-Mutawakkil (r. 847–861) reversed the policies of his predecessors, ending the Mihna and supporting the traditionalist view that the Quran is the uncreated word of Allah. This move helped reconcile the caliphate with the broader Sunni population.
94
The 'Mihna' (Inquisition) was a period of theological conflict regarding the nature of the Quran under which caliph?
Answer:
Al-Ma'mun
Al-Ma'mun adopted the Mu'tazilite doctrine, which argued that the Quran was created. He instituted the Mihna to force scholars to accept this view, leading to the persecution of traditionalist scholars like Ahmad ibn Hanbal.
95
The Abbasid victory over the Chinese Tang Dynasty in 751 CE occurred at the:
Answer:
Battle of Talas
The Battle of Talas in Central Asia was a significant geopolitical event. It halted Chinese westward expansion and, according to tradition, led to the introduction of paper-making technology to the Islamic world via Chinese prisoners.
96
Which city was built by Al-Mu'tasim to serve as a new capital and house his Turkish guard?
Answer:
Samarra
Due to tensions between the citizens of Baghdad and the new Turkish troops, Al-Mu'tasim built Samarra in 836 CE. It remained the capital for several decades and is famous for its unique spiral minaret (the Malwiya).
97
Which caliph introduced the use of a professional Turkish slave-soldier guard (Mamluks)?
Answer:
Al-Mu'tasim
Al-Mu'tasim shifted the military's reliance away from Arab and Khorasani troops toward professional Turkish slave-soldiers. This move was intended to secure a loyal guard but eventually led to the military's dominance over the caliphs themselves.
98
The powerful Persian family that served as viziers to the early Abbasids before their sudden downfall was the:
Answer:
Barmakids
The Barmakids were a highly influential family of administrators who helped build the Abbasid state structure. However, fearing their growing power, Harun al-Rashid abruptly executed or imprisoned the family members in 803 CE.
99
The 'House of Wisdom' (Bayt al-Hikma) was significantly expanded and patronized by which caliph?
Answer:
Al-Ma'mun
While its roots were earlier, Caliph al-Ma'mun formally established the Bayt al-Hikma in Baghdad. It served as a library, translation institute, and research center where scholars translated Greek, Persian, and Indian texts into Arabic.
100
Which Abbasid Caliph is most famously associated with the height of the Islamic Golden Age and 'The Thousand and One Nights'?
Answer:
Harun al-Rashid
Harun al-Rashid (r. 786–809) presided over a period of immense wealth, scientific advancement, and cultural flourishing. His court in Baghdad became the stuff of legend, immortalized in world literature as a symbol of oriental splendor and wisdom.