1. Which Sufi saint’s descendants are credited with converting the Memons to Islam in the 15th century?
[A] Sheikh Salim Chishti
[B] Abdul Qadir Jilani
[C] Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
[D] Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Notes:
Memons, converted to Islam in the 15th century by Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani’s progeny, migrated from Kathiawar villages like Porbander to South Africa in the late 19th century. They are a prosperous Muslim subgroup with distinct Sufi traditions and maintain strong Memon identity.
2. In which city is the Pir Mohammad Shah Library, known for preserving rare Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Islamic manuscripts, located?
[A] Surat
[B] Vadodara
[C] Rajkot
[D] Ahmedabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ahmedabad]
Notes:
Pir Mohammad Shah Library in Pankore Naka, central Ahmedabad, preserves rare Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Islamic manuscripts, focusing on Muslim literature.
3. In which city is the Pir Muhammad Shah Library, known for preserving important Islamic manuscripts and Muslim literature, located?
[A] Surat
[B] Vadodara
[C] Ahmedabad
[D] Rajkot
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ahmedabad]
Notes:
Pir Muhammad Shah Library in Pankore Naka, central Ahmedabad, preserves important Islamic manuscripts and Muslim literature.
4. Which learned Islamic scholar migrated from Persia and settled in Gujarat during the reign of Sultan Mahmud Begada?
[A] Abul Fazl Ghazruni
[B] Al-Biruni
[C] Mir Taqi Mir
[D] Shah Waliullah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Abul Fazl Ghazruni]
Notes:
Abul Fazl Ghazruni, a learned Islamic scholar, migrated from Persia and settled in Gujarat during Sultan Mahmud Begada’s reign.
5. Which historical Islamic dynasty significantly influenced the development of Telangana Telugu?
[A] Bahmani Sultanate
[B] Qutb Shahi Dynasty
[C] Delhi Sultanate
[D] Tughlaq Dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Qutb Shahi Dynasty]
Notes:
The Qutb Shahi dynasty shaped Telangana Telugu, blending local and Islamic cultural elements.
6. Where is the headquarters of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) located?
[A] Rabat, Morocco
[B] Cairo, Egypt
[C] Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
[D] Tehran, Iran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jeddah, Saudi Arabia]
Notes:
In a recent statement, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed concern over the rising tensions between India and Pakistan and urged both sides to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest intergovernmental group after the United Nations, with 57 member countries across four continents. It was founded on 25 September 1969 in Rabat, Morocco, following the arson attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The OIC works to protect Islamic values and the sovereignty and independence of its member states. It also aims to promote peace, security, and cooperation in political, economic, and social matters. The OIC acts as the unified voice of the Muslim world on global issues. Its headquarters is in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and its official languages are Arabic, English, and French.
7. With reference to Sufism and its cultural impact, consider the following statements:
- The term Sufism is derived from the Arabic word ‘suf’, meaning silk.
- The Qadiri order of Sufism was founded by Shaikh Abd’ul Qadir Jilani in the 12th century.
- Sufism emphasizes strict adherence to Islamic law (shari‘a) in all practices.
- The Chishti order is named after the town of Chisht in Afghanistan.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only one]
Notes:- The term Sufism is derived from the Arabic word ‘suf’, meaning silk: This is incorrect. It is derived from ‘suf’, meaning wool, referring to the coarse woolen garments worn by Sufis.
- The Qadiri order of Sufism was founded by Shaikh Abd’ul Qadir Jilani in the 12th century: This is correct. Shaikh Jilani is a prominent figure in Sufism.
- Sufism emphasizes strict adherence to Islamic law (shari‘a) in all practices: This is incorrect. Many Sufis adopt a more mystical approach that can sometimes diverge from strict legalism.
- The Chishti order is named after the town of Chisht in Afghanistan: This is correct. The Chishti order is indeed named after Chisht, Afghanistan.
Thus, only one statement is correct. The correct answer is (A) Only one.
8. In the light of Sufism and its influence on the Indian subcontinent, consider the following statements:
- Rumi, a prominent Sufi poet, was born in present-day Afghanistan.
- The Chishti order of Sufism emphasizes music and poetry as a means of spiritual connection.
- The Qadiriyya order, founded by Abdul Qadir Gilani, is known for its strict adherence to Islamic law.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three]
Notes:- Rumi, a prominent Sufi poet, was born in present-day Afghanistan: This is correct. Rumi was born in 1207 in Balkh, which is now part of Afghanistan.
- The Chishti order of Sufism emphasizes music and poetry as a means of spiritual connection: This is correct. The Chishti order is renowned for its use of music (Qawwali) in spiritual practices.
- The Qadiriyya order, founded by Abdul Qadir Gilani, is known for its strict adherence to Islamic law: This is correct. The Qadiriyya order emphasizes both spiritual and legal dimensions of Islam.
Thus, all statements are correct. The correct answer is (C) All three.
9. In the context of cultural practices in South Asia, consider the following statements:
- The Khojahs are a sect of Sunni Islam known for their unique architectural styles.
- Matrilocal residence is a practice where women move to their husband’s home after marriage.
- The ginan is a form of poetic expression used exclusively in the Ismaili community.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [None]
Notes:- The Khojahs are a sect of Sunni Islam known for their unique architectural styles: This is incorrect. The Khojahs are a branch of the Ismailis, a Shi‘a sect, not Sunni.
- Matrilocal residence is a practice where women move to their husband’s home after marriage: This is incorrect. Matrilocal residence means the husband moves to the wife’s family home after marriage.
- The ginan is a form of poetic expression used exclusively in the Ismaili community: This is incorrect. While the ginan is related to the Ismaili community, it is not exclusive to them as other forms of poetry exist in various cultures.
Thus, none of the statements are correct. The correct answer is (d) None.
10. With reference to Sufi poetry and its cultural impact, consider the following statements:
- Statement-I: Sufi poetry often incorporated local languages to connect with the common people.
- Statement-II: The use of local languages in Sufi poetry was primarily to promote Islamic teachings among rural populations.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
[A] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
[B] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
[C] Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
[D] Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I]
Notes:Statement-I:- This statement is correct.
- Sufi poets often used local vernaculars to make their messages accessible to a wider audience.
Statement-II:
- This statement is correct.
- Incorporating local languages helped in the dissemination of Islamic teachings, especially in rural areas.
