NBAIS Past Questions | National Board for Arabic & Islamic Studies

1 (a) Define the term Nikāh.

(b)Enumerate ten categories of people prohibited to be married according to Qur’ān 4:22-24.

Answers

(a)Nikāḥ is an Arabic word meaning “Marriage”,literally, it connotes tying or knotting,It is a legal contract between a man and a woman to be husband and wife.

(b) Mothers.

• Daughters
• Sisters
• Paternal aunts
• Maternal aunts.
• Brother’s daughters.
• Sister’s daughters
• Foster mothers
• Foster sisters
• Mothers of your wives
• Step daughters born of wives
• Wives of your sons
• Two sisters together.
• Already married women.
• Father’s wives.
• Grandfather’s wives.

2. ---

   Highlight the factors that promoted the study of Hadith after the death of the Prophet (S.A.W.)

Answers

• Hadith means words, actions and silent/tacit approval of the Prophet (S.A.W.)
• During the life time of the Prophet (S.A.W.) and even after his death, his companions (Aṣḥāb) used to refer to him directly, when quoting his sayings.
• The successors ( Tābi cūn) followed suit as some of them used to quote the Prophet (S.A.W) through the companions while others would omit the intermediate authorities.
• Many companions of the Prophet (S.A.W.) committed themselves to the study of the Hadith.
• It has also been noted that prominent companions e.g. cAli, ibn Mascūd and ibn ‘Abbās would advise the Tābicūn to learn the Hadith.
• The transmission of Hadith was passed down from generation to generation.
• Thousands upon thousands of people began to transmit Ḥadith
• Consequently, deliberate fabrication of Aḥādīth by various sects led to the revival of the study of Hadith.
• As time passed by, more reports were involved in each Isnād, so the situation demanded strict discipline in the acceptance of Aḥādīth
• These led to the verification of authentic Ḥadith.
• Likewise, the science of <em>Matn </em>(text) took root.
• The science of Asmā’ ar-Rijāl came into study.
• The desire of the Muslims to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (S.A.W.) also served as a factor.

3. ---

   Examine the relationship between Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) and the Jews in Madinah

Answers

• When Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) arrived in Yathrib, he met three Jewish clans (Banū Qaynuqā’, Banū Nadīr and Banū Qurayza).
• Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) issued a document to the Muslims with which he entered into an agreement with the Jews in 622 C.E.
• The document spelt out the rights of the Muslims and the Jews.
• He (S.A.W.) ensured that the Jews enjoyed equal status with the Muslims.
• He (S.A.W.) gave them freedom to worship as they deem fit
• In matters of dispute between the Muslims and the Jews, the Prophet (S.A.W.) showed fairness to each party.
• The Prophet (S.A.W.) guaranteed the Jews immunity from raids by nomads within Yathrib.
• There was no express stipulation that the Jews should formally recognize Muhammad (S.A.W.) as a Prophet of Allah.
• Upon arrival, the Prophet (S.A.W.) adopted the Jewish Qiblah.
• Jews suffering injustice received assistance from the ’Ummah document.
• The security of Yathrib was a joint responsibility of both the Muslims and the Jews.
• The relationship between the Prophet (S.A.W.) and the Jews was one of the mutual advice, consultation and charity rather than aggression.
• But when the Jews began act of hostilities towards the Prophet (S.A.W.) and the Muslims, they were expelled from the city.
• After the expulsion of the three Jewish clans, Yathrib was renamed Madīnatun – Nabawi (Madinah).
• After the campaign at Khaybar, the Prophet (S.A.W.) married Ṣafiyyah bint Ḥuyayy, a Jewish lady.