Latest NECO Islamic Religious Studies Syllabus 2025 (+PDF)

Are you writing Islamic Studies in your NECO (SSCE or GCE) exam this year? The NECO Islamic Religious Studies syllabus helps you know where all your NECO Islamic Religious Studies questions will be asked from.

In this post,

You will see the NECO Islamic Religious Studies exam structure, full list of syllabus topics, areas of concentration and study tips on Islamic Studies in NECO exam this year.

ALSO SEE: HOW TO PASS NECO CHEMISTRY EXAM

Let’s begin…

NECO Islamic Religious Studies Exam Structure

The exam is divided into two papers:

Paper 1

• 50 multiple-choice questions
• 50 minutes
• Total of 50 marks

The purpose of this section is to test your understanding of various topics in Islamic Studies. Be prepared for questions on history, the Qur’an, Hadith, and other key areas.

Paper 2

• This is your essay section.
• There are six questions in total, but one is compulsory.
• You must answer that compulsory question, then pick any three from the other five.
• You have two hours for this section, so use your time wisely.
• It’s worth 100 marks, so this is your chance to show what you know and score big.

See NECO Islamic Religious Studies Syllabus

Here are the Islamic Religious Studies topics and areas of concentration under each topic which you must study according to the official NECO syllabus.

NECO Islamic Religious Studies Syllabus

PART 1 TARIKH (HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAM)

1. The Jahiliyyah: Arabia before Islam

• Description of Arabia
• Location
• Social Life
• Marriage, divorce and inheritance
• Religious life
• Idol worship and names of major gods/idols
• Political Life System of Government
• Economic Life
• Sources of livelihood
• The Reforms introduced by Islam on the Jahiliyyah practices

2. The life of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)

• Birth
• Marriage
• Call to prophethood and his mission
• Hijrah: Causes, Course and Significance
• Formation of the Ummah and the Madinan Constitution
• Leadership qualities of the Prophet
• The Battles: Badr, Uhud and Khandaq. (causes, courses and effects.)
• The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah: terms and outcomes
• Conquest of Makkah
• The Farewell Pilgrimage: description, sermon and its lessons
• Death

3. The Khulafᾱ’ur-Rᾱshidīn(The Rightly – guided Caliphs): Abu- Bakr Ibn Abī Quhhᾱfah, ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattᾱb, ‘Uthmᾱn Ibn ‘Affᾱn and ‘Ali Ibn Abī Tᾱlib.

• Their biographies
• Their contributions to Islam
• Lessons learnt from their lives

4. Islam in West Africa

• The advent and roles of traders, teachers, murᾱbitun, sufi orders, mujaddidun (reformers) and Hajȕ in the spread of Islam
• The Impact of Islam on the Socio-Political, Economic and Linguistic Lives of the Peoples of ancient West African empires (i.e. Ghana, Mali, Shonghai and Kanem-Borno.

PART 2: QUR’AN

1. Revelation of the Qur’an

• Revelation of the Qur’an visits of the Prophet (S.A.W.) to Cave Hira; first revelation and his reaction to it, different modes of revelation, piecemeal- revelation of the Qur’an.
• Preservation of the Qur’an: Complete arrangement including distinction between Makki and Madani Suwar; Recording; Compilation; Standardization: Roles played by the Companions of the Prophet (S.A.W.) in the Preservation of the Qur’an.
• Importance of the Qur’an: The Qur’an as a source of guidance in social, political, spiritual and moral matters.

2. Reading (in either Arabic Text or Transliteration), Memorization, Meaning of the following suwar and the lessons learnt from them (Identification, Explanation, Interpretation and Application);

• Suratul – Fatihah (Q.1)
• Suratud – Duha (Q.93)
• Suratut – Tin (Q.95)
• Suratul – ‘Alaq (Q.96: 1-5)
• Suratul – Qadr (Q.97)
• Suratul – Kafirun (Q.109)
• Suratun – Nasr (Q.110)
• Suratul – Ikhlas (Q.112)
• Suratul – Falaq (Q.113)
• Suratun – Nas (Q.114)

3. Moral Lessons from the Qur’an

• Attitudes to Parents (Q.17 :23 – 24: 31 : 13 – 15
• Honesty in Words and Deeds Q2: 42; 61: 2-3, 17: 35
• Prohibition of Gambling Q. 2:219:5 90-91.

PART 3: HADITH

1. Hadith and Sunnah

• Definition of Hadith and Sunnah
• Differences and similarities between Hadith and Sunnah
• The Importance of Hadith and Sunnah
• Parts of the Hadith: ‘Isnad, Matn and Rawi
• Criteria for authenticity of Hadith
• Classification of Hadith: Sahih, Hasan and Da‘if
• The Six Sound Collections of Hadith (Sihaus-Sittah) and their Compilers.

2. Ahadith

• Reading (in either the Arabic Text or Transliteration)
• Memorization, Meaning of the following Ahadith and lessons learnt from them (Identification, Explanation, Interpretation and Application): an-Nawawi’s Collection. 1, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15, 16, 18, 34 and 41

PART 4 TAWHID AND FIQH (ISLAMIC THEOLOGY AND JURISPRUDENCE)

1. ‘Iman (Faith)

• Meaning and Significance of Iman (Faith)
• Articles of Faith: Belief in Allah with emphasis on Kalimatush-Shahadah(Q2: 163 and 255; 3:18; 17:42-43; 21:22; 23:91 Q. 112, Islam and the concept of Trinity (Q.4:171; 5:75 – 76; 19:92-3; 112)
• His angels – Q 2: 285; 8:50; 16: 2; 66: 6 ; 82: 10 – 12
• His books – Q.2: 2; 2:285; 87: 19 – 19; 5:46
• His Prophets with special emphasis on the Ulu1-‘Azm: Ibrahim, Nuh, Musa, ‘Isa.(A.S.) Muhammad (S.A.W.) Q. 6: 83-87: 4: 164; 10; 47; 21:107; 46:35 and ahadith relevant to the foregoing
• The Day of Resurrection, Judgement: Eternal Life Q 20: 15:32:10-20: 36: 78-70; 75: 3-13
• Destiny – Qada’ and Qadar; Distinction between the two Concepts (Q.3: 145:25:2:76:3:87:3).

2. Shirk (Associating Partners with Allah)

• Worship of idols (Q.4:48:22:31:31:13:41:37)
• Ancestor and Hero- worship Q 3:64; 4:116;112:4; Q.2:13,40&41

3. Taharah (Purification)

• Importance of Taharah
• Al- Istinja’
• Al-Wudu’
• At-Tayammum
• Al-Ghusl

4. Salat

• Meaning of Salat
• Importance of Salat
• Acts that vitiate Salat
• Joining a Congregational Salat
• Sujudus-Sahwi (Prostration of Forgetfulness.)

5. Kinds of Salat and how they are observed

• Obligatory Salat (Subh/Fajr, Zuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib and ‘Isha’i.)
• Non-Obligatory Salat ( Nawafil that accompany the obligatory salawat, Duha, witr, etc.)
• Special prayers (Jum‘ah, ‘Idayn, Janazah,Istisqa’ Tarawih, Kusufayn and Istikhara.)
• Salatus-Safar (Salat on a journey.)

6. Sawm (Fasting): Detailed study of Sawm with emphasis on the Spiritual, Social and Moral Objectives.

• Definition
• Types of Sawm (compulsory and voluntary)
• Examples of compulsory fast (Ramadan, Kaffarah and Nadr)
• Examples of voluntary fast (Shitta Shawwal, ‘Ashura’and Tasu‘a, fasting on Mondays, fasting on Thursdays, etc.)
• Voluntary fast
• How fasting is observed in Islam
• Ramadan Fast
• Those Exempted from Fast
• Things that vitiate Fast
• Benefits/Significance of Sawm—spiritual, social and moral.

7. Zakat (Charity): Detailed Study of Zakat with emphasison the Spiritual, Socio-Economic and Moral Objectives

• Definitions of Zakat and Sadaqah
• Difference between Zakat and Sadaqah
• Articles on which Zakat is paid
• The Nisab of Zakat
• Zakat on Livestock
• Zakat on Money
• Zakat on Agricultural Products
• The Beneficiaries of Zakat (Q.9:60)
• Zakatul-Fitr
• Benefits of Zakat – Spiritual, Socio-economic and Moral.

8. Hajj (Pilgrimage): Detailed study of Hajj and ‘Umrah with emphasis on the Spiritual, Socio-Economic and Moral Values.

• Definition and Origin of Hajj and ‘Umrah
• Prerequisite to the performance of Hajj
• Performance of ‘Umrah and Hajj
• Acts that affect the validity of Hajj
• Types of Hajj (Ifrad, Tamattu‘ and Qiran)
• Rites of Hajj
• Significance of Hajj (spiritual, socio-economic and moral objectives of Hajj).

9. Shari ‘ah

• Definition
• Sources (the Qur’an, the Sunnah, the Ijma‘ and the Qiyas.)
• Significance

10. Nikah (Marriage)

• Concept (Q.16:72:24:32; 30;21: the Hadith “O young man……….”
• Prohibited Categories (Q.2221; 4:22-24)
• Conditions governing validity (Q. 4: 4, 21, 24-25): al-Bukhari 67: 29, 37, 42, 49, 51-52, Abu-Da’ud 12:29-31
• Rights and duties of husband and wife(Q.2.228 – 230:20:132;33:33,41:34; 65:6)
• Law prohibiting the Ill-treatment of Wife (Idrar) Q 65:6

11. Talaq ( Divorce)

• Islam’s Attitude (Q.4: 35): the Hadith “of all things lawful…….most hateful to Allah” (Abu- Da’ud 13:31)
• Kinds – Talaq; Khul‘; Faskh; Mubara‘ah, Zihar and Li ‘an. (Q.2:228 – 230: Q.65)
• Iddatut-Talaq (Waiting Period for a Divorced Woman): Meaning, Duration and Implication.

Smart Study Tips for NECO Islamic Religious Studies

• Create a weekly study plan by topic
• Group similar topics for better understanding
• Time yourself when practicing past questions.

FAQs

Q: Is the NECO Islamic Religious Studies syllabus the same as WAEC?
A: They are similar but not the same. Always use the NECO version when preparing for NECO exams.

Q: Where can I download the syllabus PDF?
A: You can get it from syllabus.ng or ask your school to print a copy.

Summary on the NECO Islamic Religious Studies Syllabus

Islamic Religious Studies is a bonus subject if you follow the NECO Islamic Religious Studies syllabus and prepare smartly. Use this post as your study guide, cover every topic, and tackle past questions consistently.

Good luck with your preparation!