Quran & Tafsir MCQs With Answers

The Holy Quran began to be revealed in Ramadan, on Laylat al-Qadr, as stated in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185) and Surah Al-Qadr. The first revelation came to the Prophet (PBUH) in the Cave of Hira.

The Holy Quran has 114 surahs, divided into 30 paras (juz). Surah Al-Fatiha is the first, Surah An-Nas the last, Al-Baqarah the longest and Al-Kawthar the shortest.

The first revelation, beginning with the command "Iqra" (Read), came in Cave Hira and now forms the opening verses of Surah Al-Alaq.

Surah Yaseen is popularly called the "Heart of the Quran" and is widely recited for its emphasis on the Quran's core message and the Day of Judgment.

Surah Al-Baqarah, meaning "The Cow," is the second and longest surah, containing 286 verses.

Surah Al-Kawthar has only three verses, making it the shortest chapter in the Quran.

The Quran is divided into 30 equal parts called Juz (or Para), commonly used to complete a full recitation during Ramadan.

Al-Fatiha, meaning "The Opening," is recited in every unit (rakah) of the five daily prayers.

Makki surahs generally focus on core beliefs like monotheism, the afterlife, and moral character, and are typically shorter with rhythmic verses.

Madani surahs tend to be longer and address social law, governance, and community matters relevant to the growing Muslim state in Madinah.

Surah Maryam is named after Maryam (Mary), the mother of Prophet Isa (Jesus), and recounts her story in detail.

Surah At-Tawbah is the only chapter that does not open with "Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem," a point often noted by scholars regarding its stern tone toward broken treaties.

Tajweed refers to the rules governing the correct pronunciation and articulation of the Quran during recitation.

Tafsir is the field of Islamic scholarship dedicated to interpreting and explaining the meanings of the Quran.

Under Caliph Abu Bakr (RA), the scattered written portions of the Quran were compiled into a single manuscript on the advice of Hazrat Umar (RA), largely to preserve it after many memorizers were lost in battle.

Caliph Usman (RA) had standardized copies of the Quran prepared and sent to major Islamic provinces to eliminate regional recitation differences.

A Hafiz is someone who has committed the complete text of the Quran to memory, word for word.

The Quran repeatedly describes itself as a universal guidance (huda) for all of humanity, not limited to any one nation or era.

Surah Al-Falaq, along with Surah An-Nas, forms the "Muawwidhatayn" (the two chapters of seeking refuge), recited for protection.

Surah Al-Ikhlas concisely affirms the absolute oneness of Allah and, according to a hadith, carries the reward equivalent to reciting one-third of the Quran.

The name Muhammad appears four times in the Quran, while the name "Ahmad" (another name for the Prophet) appears once, in Surah As-Saff.

The Arabic word "Quran" derives from a root meaning "to read" or "to recite," reflecting how it was revealed to be recited aloud.

The Quran was revealed gradually over approximately 23 years — about 13 years in Makkah and 10 years in Madinah.

Surah Al-Kahf ("The Cave") recounts the story of the sleepers in the cave and is traditionally recommended for recitation on Fridays.

An Ayah is a single verse of the Quran; surahs are made up of a varying number of ayahs.

The Prophet (PBUH) was 40 years old when he received the first revelation in the Cave of Hira, marking the beginning of his prophethood.

Cave Hira, located on Jabal al-Nour near Makkah, is where the Angel Jibrael first appeared to the Prophet (PBUH) with the command "Iqra" (Read).

"Muhkam" refers to verses whose meaning is precise and unambiguous, as opposed to "Mutashabih" verses, whose full meaning is known only to Allah or requires deeper scholarly interpretation.

"Asbab al-Nuzul" (occasions of revelation) is a field of Quranic study examining the specific events or questions that prompted a particular verse or passage.

Ayat-ul-Kursi (2:255) is widely regarded as one of the most significant verses in the Quran, describing Allah's absolute knowledge, power, and sovereignty.

Found in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:282), the "Debt Verse" is the longest single verse in the Quran, providing detailed guidance on recording financial transactions.

Found in Surah An-Nur (24:35), the "Light Verse" contains a famous metaphor describing Allah's guidance as a radiant light.

"Naskh" is a concept in Quranic and legal scholarship referring to a later revelation replacing the ruling (though not necessarily the wording) of an earlier one.

"Tanzil" refers to the process and act of the Quran being revealed by Allah to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through Angel Jibrael.

Surah Al-Asr, though very short, is regarded by scholars such as Imam Shafi'i as containing a complete summary of the path to success.

Surah Al-Fil describes the destruction of Abraha's army and its war elephants, an event that took place in the year of the Prophet's (PBUH) birth.

Surah Quraysh reminds the tribe of Quraysh of Allah's favor in granting them safety and prosperous trade journeys, urging them to worship the Lord of the Kaaba.

"Ta'wil" refers to a more interpretive reading of a Quranic verse, going beyond its most literal or apparent meaning.

Surah Ar-Rahman is entirely devoted to Allah's title "the Most Merciful" and repeatedly asks, "Which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?"

Surah Al-Qadr specifically describes the significance of Laylat al-Qadr, the night the Quran's revelation began.

Surah At-Tin (Surah 95, 'The Fig') opens with an oath by the fig, the olive, Mount Sinai and the secure city of Makkah, and states that humans were created in the best of forms.

Many scholars hold that Surah Al-An'am was revealed in its entirety on a single occasion, unlike most of the Quran which was revealed gradually.

Surah Al-Jinn recounts an episode where a group of Jinn listened to the Prophet (PBUH) reciting the Quran and were moved to believe in it.

Surah Al-Hujurat (49:2) instructs believers to lower their voices in the Prophet's (PBUH) presence out of respect, warning that raising one's voice could nullify one's good deeds without realizing it.

The first revelation, the opening verses of Surah Al-Alaq, consisted of five verses beginning with the command "Iqra" (Read).

The words 'Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah' (Muhammadur Rasulullah) appear in Surah Al-Fath, verse 48:29, the last verse of the Surah, which goes on to describe the Prophet's (PBUH) companions as firm against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves.

Surah Al-Fath opens with the announcement of a 'clear victory', referring to the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH).

The most widely cited count places the total number of verses in the Quran at approximately 6,236, though slight variations exist depending on how verse divisions are counted in different traditions.

Surah An-Nisa ("The Women") is the fourth chapter of the Quran and addresses extensive social legislation concerning women, orphans, inheritance, and family matters.

Surah Yaseen is commonly recited in relation to death and the afterlife due to its themes of resurrection and divine power over life and death.

Surah Al-Mulk ("The Sovereignty") emphasizes Allah's dominion over creation and is traditionally recited before sleep based on prophetic practice.

Surah Al-Waqiah ("The Event") describes three groups of people in the Hereafter.

The Companions of the Trench are described in Surah Al-Buruj, while the People of the Elephant are described separately in Surah Al-Fil.

Surah Al-Fatiha is called "Umm-ul-Kitab" as it is considered to summarize the essential themes of the entire Quran and is recited in every unit of prayer.

Surah Al-Kahf recounts this encounter, teaching that Allah's wisdom is not always apparent behind the events of daily life.

Surah An-Naml ("The Ant") includes the account of Prophet Sulaiman (AS), his command over creatures, and his correspondence with the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis).

Surah An-Nahl ("The Bee") describes the honeybee's role in producing honey as a sign of Allah's wisdom in creation.

Surah Yunus, the tenth chapter of the Quran, is named after Prophet Yunus (Jonah) and discusses themes of faith, patience, and divine mercy.

Surah Luqman conveys the wisdom and moral advice given by Luqman, a figure praised in the Quran for his wisdom, to his son.

Surah Al-Hadid ("Iron") references iron's strength and benefits for humanity, and Prophet Dawud (AS) is separately described elsewhere in the Quran as being given the ability to shape iron.

Surah Al-Masad condemns Abu Lahab, the Prophet's (PBUH) uncle who was a fierce opponent of Islam, and his wife, for their hostility.

Surah An-Nasr ("Divine Support") is a short chapter widely understood in this way by classical commentators.

Surah Al-Kawthar, the shortest chapter in the Quran, promises the Prophet (PBUH) abundant good, traditionally understood to include a river called Al-Kawthar in Paradise.

Surah Al-Ma'un criticizes those who neglect orphans and the needy while performing prayer only for appearances rather than sincerity.

"Ahl-al-Kitab" (People of the Book) is a Quranic term recognizing Jews and Christians as recipients of earlier revealed scriptures, given a distinct status in Islamic law.

• The most commonly cited classification gives 86 Makki Surahs out of the Quran's 114 chapters.
• Makki Surahs are those revealed before the Hijra, the migration to Madinah.
• The remaining 28 chapters are classified as Madani, and 86 + 28 accounts for all 114.
• Makki Surahs generally focus on belief in one Allah, the hereafter, and the stories of earlier prophets.
• A few Surahs are debated among scholars, which is why the question asks for the most commonly cited count.
• Makki and Madani Surah counts are asked repeatedly in PPSC and NTS Islamic Studies papers, so both numbers are worth memorising.

• The most commonly cited classification gives 28 Madani Surahs.
• Madani Surahs are those revealed after the Prophet's migration to Madinah.
• Subtraction confirms the figure, because 114 total chapters minus 86 Makki chapters leaves 28.
• Madani Surahs deal more with law, social rules and the running of the community.
• Surah Al-Baqarah is the longest Madani Surah, while Surah An-Nasr is one of the shortest.

14 verses are commonly cited across the major schools as verses of prostration, though the exact count and specific verses vary slightly between schools of thought.

"Al-Huruf al-Muqatta'at" (the disjointed letters) appear at the start of 29 Surahs, and their precise meaning is regarded by most scholars as known only to Allah.

"Al-Musabbihat" refers to a set of Surahs that open with words glorifying Allah's transcendence, such as "Sabbaha" or "Yusabbihu."

"Al-Hawamim" refers to seven consecutive Surahs in the Quran, each opening with the letters Ha-Meem, including Surah Ghafir and Surah Fussilat.

Surah Al-Qamar opens by referencing the splitting of the moon, an event described in classical commentary as a sign shown to the disbelievers of Makkah.

Surah Ash-Shams ("The Sun") contains the well-known verses on the soul's purification ("He has succeeded who purifies it") after a series of oaths by natural phenomena.

Surah Ad-Duha reassures the Prophet (PBUH) that Allah had not abandoned him during a temporary pause in revelation, and reminds him of Allah's past favors.

Surah Al-Inshirah reassures the Prophet (PBUH) with the well-known promise that difficulty is always accompanied by ease.

Surah Az-Zalzalah ("The Earthquake") describes the Earth shaking violently and disclosing all that occurred upon it, with even an atom's weight of good or evil being accounted for.

Surah Al-Adiyat ("The Coursers") opens with oaths referencing charging warhorses, used to illustrate humanity's ingratitude despite Allah's blessings.

Surah Al-Qariah ("The Calamity") vividly describes the Day of Judgment using the imagery of a sudden, overwhelming calamity.

Islamic scholarship generally holds that only the original Arabic text constitutes the Quran itself; translations are regarded as interpretations of its meaning, not the Quran in the fullest sense.

"Tarteel" refers to reciting the Quran slowly and clearly, as instructed in Surah Al-Muzzammil (73:4), applied together with the technical rules of Tajweed.

"Wahi" (revelation) refers specifically to the divine communication sent to Prophets, distinguished in Islamic theology from other forms of inspiration.

"Ilham" (inspiration) refers to a form of spiritual insight that, unlike Wahi, is not considered infallible or legally binding revelation.

• A Mufassir is a scholar who explains and interprets the meanings of the Quran.
• The field itself is called Tafsir, and the plural of the title is Mufassirun.
• Widely studied works of Tafsir include those of Ibn Kathir, al-Tabari and al-Qurtubi.
• Option B Muhaddith works with Hadith, while option C Faqih works with Islamic law.
• Option D Qari is concerned with correct recitation rather than with meaning.

• A Qari is a person trained to recite the Quran correctly under the rules of Tajweed.
• The word comes from the Arabic root for reading, and the plural form is Qurra.
• Option B Faqih is a scholar of Islamic law, so that title belongs to jurisprudence and not to recitation.
• Option C Muhaddith specialises in Hadith and option D Mufassir writes Quranic commentary.
• A Hafiz is a closely related but different title, given to someone who has memorised the entire Quran.

"Tilawah" refers specifically to the recitation of the Quran, distinct from general remembrance (Dhikr) or supplication (Dua).

- Iqra, meaning 'read' or 'recite,' formed the very first word revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), immediately establishing the profound importance placed on knowledge and learning within Islam.
- This opening revelation, found at the beginning of Surah Al-Alaq, sets a foundational tone for Islam's broader relationship with education, literacy, and the pursuit of knowledge.
- For exams, remember that this emphasis on knowledge from the very first revelation reflects a consistent theme found throughout subsequent Islamic teachings and scholarly tradition.

- Qalam, meaning 'pen,' is mentioned in the Quran within the very first revealed verses, referenced as an instrument through which Allah taught humanity, highlighting the connection between writing and knowledge.
- This early emphasis on the pen and writing reflects the broader significance Islam places on the documentation, preservation, and transmission of knowledge across generations.
- For exams, remember that an entire chapter of the Quran, Surah Al-Qalam, is specifically named after this instrument, further emphasizing its symbolic significance.

- Surah An-Nur was revealed in connection with a specific historical incident involving false accusations made against Aisha (RA), addressing broader matters of modesty, privacy, and the serious consequences of slander.
- This chapter includes specific guidance regarding evidence requirements for accusations of adultery, along with broader teachings on modest conduct and social etiquette.
- For exams, remember that this incident is often referred to as Hadith al-Ifk, the 'Incident of the Lie,' within Islamic historical accounts.

Surah Al-Waqiah (Surah 56, 'The Inevitable Event') is popularly associated with protection from poverty when recited every night, based on a narration attributed to Abdullah ibn Masud (RA) that many scholars consider weak.

Surah Al-Kahf is the one recommended for recitation on Fridays, and Surah Al-Mulk is associated with protection from the punishment of the grave.

- Makki wal Madani refers to the specific field of Quranic study focused on identifying and classifying which verses and chapters were revealed in Makkah versus those revealed in Madinah.
- This classification helps scholars understand the historical and thematic context of various Quranic passages, aiding in more accurate interpretation of their intended application.
- For exams, remember that generally, Makki verses tend to address foundational faith and moral themes, while Madani verses more frequently address legal and social matters.

- Qira'at refers to the field of Quranic study addressing the various authentically transmitted styles or readings of Quranic recitation, reflecting slight variations preserved through different chains of transmission.
- Several distinct Qira'at are recognized as authentic within Islamic scholarship, with the Hafs reading from Asim being among the most widely used globally today.
- For exams, note that these variations generally do not affect core religious meanings but rather reflect minor differences in pronunciation, vocalization, or occasionally word choice.

- Surah An-Nur, meaning 'The Light,' contains the well-known Verse of Light (Ayat-un-Nur), offering a profound metaphorical description of Allah's guidance illuminating the hearts of believers.
- This particular verse has been the subject of extensive scholarly commentary throughout Islamic history, reflecting on its rich symbolic and spiritual meaning.
- For exams, remember that this same Surah also addresses the significant historical incident involving Aisha (RA), discussed earlier regarding matters of slander and modesty.

- The Quran itself is widely regarded as the greatest and everlasting miracle given to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), distinguished by its unmatched literary excellence and preserved textual integrity.
- Unlike many miracles given to earlier Prophets, which were witnessed only by their contemporaries, the Quran remains accessible and verifiable across all subsequent generations.
- For exams, remember that the Quran explicitly challenges skeptics in Surah Al-Baqarah to produce even a single chapter comparable to it, a challenge that remains unmet.

Ismail ibn Kathir (died 1373 CE), a student of Ibn Taymiyyah, wrote Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim, popularly called Tafsir Ibn Kathir. It explains verses first by other verses, then by Hadith and the sayings of the Companions.

He also wrote Al-Bidaya wan-Nihaya, a major work of Islamic history.

Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (839–923 CE) wrote Jami al-Bayan an Ta'wil Ay al-Quran, popularly called Tafsir al-Tabari, which collects the reports of the Companions and their successors on each verse.

He also wrote Tarikh al-Rusul wal-Muluk (History of the Prophets and Kings).

- Mansukh refers to a Quranic verse whose ruling has been abrogated or superseded by a later revelation, a concept studied within the science of Naskh in Quranic exegesis.
- This concept primarily applies to certain legal rulings rather than matters of core theology.
- For exams, note that Muhkam refers to verses with clear, unambiguous meanings, in contrast to Mutashabih verses, whose meanings are considered allegorical or less definite.

Surah Al-Fatiha consists of exactly 7 verses (Ayaat). It is referred to in the Quran as 'Sab'an Min al-Mathani' (The Seven Oft-Repeated Verses) in Surah Al-Hijr (15:87). Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha is an indispensable obligation in every Rakat of daily prayers (Salah).

Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening) holds the unique distinction of being revealed twice: first in Makkah in the early days of Islam, and later in Madinah after the change of Qibla. Comprising 7 verses, it is required in every unit (Rakat) of Muslim prayer. In FPSC/PPSC papers, it is also referred to as 'Umm-ul-Quran' (Mother of the Quran) and 'Sab'an Min al-Mathani' (Seven Oft-Repeated Verses).