2000 Paper Part I MCQs
1. Rulers of Pre-Islamic Iran were called?
A. Qaisar
B. Kisra
C. Sultan
D. None of these
Answer: D
Quote:
The kings of Pre-Islamic Iran used the title of Shah or ShahanShah, meaning King and
King of Kings respectively. The title goes back to more than 500 B.C when it was used by
the Kings of Achaemenid Empire. When Alexander the Great conquered Persia (Iran) in
330 B.C he took the title of Shahanshah of Persia.
Caesar in Arabic was called Qaisar. Roman emperors were called Qaisar or Qaisar-e-Rum
by Arabs. The First Muslim to use the Title of Qaisar was the Ottoman Sultan Muhammad
II also known was Sultan Muhammad Fatih. He defeated the Byzantine Empire, the later
Roman Empire, and conquered Constantinople, he took the title of Qaisar-e-Rum.
Kisra is the Arabic name of Khosrau, the king of the Sasanian Empire (Iran). The
Sasanian Empire was the last empire of Iran before the rise of Islam. Although the
Sasanian Empire had many kings, the name of King Khosrau the first became a
designation of the Sasanian kings, similar to Caesar in the history of Rome. Muhammad
SAW sent a letter to Khosrau’s son, Khosrau II and asked him to convert to Islam which
he refused.
Sultan is an Arabic word. Kings of the Ottoman Empire were called Sultans.
2. Control over city state of Makkah was regained by the Quraish under?
A. Qusay
B. Abdul Muttalib
C. Amir Haniza
D. None of these
Answer: A
Quote:
Qusay ibn Kilab was the great grandfather of Abdul Muttalib, the grandfather of the
Prophet SAW. Qusay ibn Kilab was the first Quraish to gain control of the Makkah. Before
Quraish Makkah was under control of Banu Khuzaah.
Abdul Muttalib was the grandfather of the Prophet SAW.
Amir Hamza was the uncle of the Prophet SAW and son of Abdul Muttalib.
The question is confusing, the Quraish never lost control of Makkah to “regain” it. The
Quraish had been controlling Makkah since they took over the control from Banu
Khuzaah. They never lost control until the conquest of Makkah in 630 by the Muslims.
3. Banu Adnan were the descendants of?
A. Adi Bin Hatim
B. Khusraou
C. Hazrat Ismail
D. None of these
Answer: C
Quote:
Banu Adnan named after Adnan, was the grandson of Hazrat Ismail.
Adi Bin Hatim was a Sahabi. His father was the famous Hatim al Tai.
Khusraou or Kisra is referred to the Sasanian king of Persia Iran.
4. Hazrat Hamza accepted Islam in the year?
A. 3 Nabvi
B. 8 Nabvi
C. 2 A.H
D. None of these
Answer: None of these
Quote:
Hazrat Hamza accepted Islam in the 6th Year of Prophethood
5. Battle of Uhud was fought in the year?
A. 2 A.H
B. 3 A.H
C. 4 A.H
D. None of these
Answer: B
Quote:
The battle of Uhud was fought in the 3rd year of Hijri.
6. Who signed the Treaty of Hudaibiya on behalf of the Quraish?
A. Abu Sufyan
B. Suhail Bin Amar
C. Utba
D. None of these.
Answer: B
Quote:
Suhail Bin Amar signed the Treaty of Hudaibiya on behalf of Quraish. Suhail bin Amru
insisted that the treaty would be signed by the Prophet as Muhammad SAW Bin Abdullah
and not as Muhammad the Prophet of Allah SAW.
7. Aswad Ansi was A?
A. General
B. Poet
C. False Prophet
D. None of these
Answer: C
Quote:
Aswad Ansi was a false prophet from Yemen during the later years of the Prophet.
8. Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah was the conqueror of?
A. Egypt
B. Iran
C. Yarmuk
D. None of these
Answer: Yarmuk
Quote:
Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah waS the COmmander of tHe Army at the Battle of Yarmuk. The
battle was fought between the MuslIms and the Byzantine Empire under Emperor
HeracLius. Abu Ubaidah was made commander of the army by Hazrat Umar when he
became KHAlifa. Before Abu Ubaidah, duriNg the time of Hazrat Abu Bakar, Hazrat Khalid
Bin Walid was the Commander of the Army. Abu Ubaidah is one of the ten Sahaba
promised Jannah by the Prophet, the Ashra Mubashareen Bil Jannah.
9. Tragedy of Karbala took place in the year?
A. 61 AH
B. 71 AH
C. 81 AH
D. None of thes
Answer: A
10. Battle of Marie Rahat was fought against? (Spelling corrected)
A. France
B. Iran
C. Crusaders
D. None of these
Answer: D
Quote:
Correctly spelled Marj Rahit. There were two important battles fought at Marj Rahit near
Damascus in 634 and again in 684. In 634 Hazrat Khalid bin Walid led an army against
Ghassanid Arabs who were Christians and allies of the Byzantine Empire. The second
battle in 684 during the Second Islamic Civil War. It was fought between army of Khalifa
Marwan I and army of Abdullah ibn Zubair. Marwan I won the battle, secured Syria and
became the Khalifa.
11. Dots of Arabic letters were introduced by?
A. Hajjaj
B. Yahya Baniiaki
C. Ashmi
D. None of these
Answer: A
12. Grand Masjid at Damascus was built by?
A. Abdul Malik
B. Walid
C. Umar bin Abdul Aziz
D. None of these
Answer: B
Quote:
The Grand Mosque/Masjid at Damascus is also knows was the Umayyad Masjid. The
masjid was commissioned by Khalifa Al Walid after the Arab conquest of Damascus. It
was built on the site of a Christian Basilica or Church which was demolished by the
Khalifa. The grave of Sultan Salahuddin Al Ayubi is in a garden next to the masjid.
13. Battle of the Tours was fought in?
A. Europe
B. Syria
C. North Africa
D. None of these
Answer: A
Quote:
Battle of the Tours was fought in France, Europe between the Christian Franks and the
Umayyad army under Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi. The Franks won the battle. The battle of
the Tours stopped the wave of Islam from further penetrating into Europe.
14. Abu Muslim Khurasani was murdered in?
A. 130 AH
B. 135 AH
C. 137 AH
D. None of these
Answer: C
Quote:
Abu Muslim Khorasani was an Abbasid General. He was the Governor of Khoorasan and a
proved military commander. Khalifa Abu Jafar also known as Al Mansur was uneasy over
this; he feared that Abu Muslim would rebel. So he had Abu Muslim accused of
treasonable activities which the latter denied. He was tried, found guilty and beheaded in
the year 755. 755 AD makes the Hijri year of 137-138 but he was most likely killed in
137.
15. Independent state of Samani was established in?
A. Central Asia
B. South Asia
C. North Africa
D. None of these
Answer: A
Quote:
Samani was a Persian Empire in Central Asia. The three geniuses Abu Ali ibn Sina, Al Razi
and Firdausi lived during their time.
16. Al-Hawi was a book on?
A. Jurisprudence
B. Philosophy
C. Medicine
D. Nonte of these
Answer: C
Quote:
Kitab Al Hawi is a comprehensive book of medicine written by Al-Razi, the prominent
Muslim Physician. He was also a philosopher, chemist, and a scholar.
17. Al Qanun was written by?
A. Abu Hanifa
B. Ibn Sina
C. Imam Ghazali
D. None of these
Answer: B
Quote:
Al-Qanun is a book on medicine written by Ibn Sina. In English it’s called The Canon of
Medicine.
18. Al Beruni died in the year?
A. 1048 AD
B. 1150 AD
C. 1180 AD
D. None of these
Answer: A
19. Samara was built by?
A. Al-Walid
B. Mamum
C. Mutasam
D. None of these
Answer: C
Quote:
Caliph Al Mutasim built Samara, town a hundred miles north of Baghdad.
20. Ottoman Turks were descendants of?
A. Hazrat Usman
B. Nuruddin Zangi
C. Hasan Bin Sabah
D. None of these
Answer: D
Quote:
The Ottoman Turks are named after Osman Bay who was the founder of the Ottoman
dynasty. Ottoman is European for Osman. This is not to be confused with Hazrat Usman.
Part II
1. Tariq bin Ziyad conqured Spain in 711 A.D during the reign of?
Answer: Khalifa Al Walid ibn Abdul Malik
2. During 719-1030 AD Muslim Spain was ruled from the capital of?
Answer: Cordova.
Quote:
Cordova or Qurtaba in Arabic was conquered by Muslims in 711 and it became the
provincial capital.
3. The great mosque of Cordova was built by?
Answer: Abd al-Rahman I
Quote:
The masjid was built by Abd al-Rahman I also known was the Emir of Cordova. Abd alRahman was from the Umayyad family, the ruling family of Damascus which was
overthrown by the Abbasid Revolution, and he fled to Cordova. Later in 1236, the masjid
was converted into a Catholic church and so remains to this day.
4. Abdur Rahman III assumed the title of Caliph in?
Answer: 929 AD
Quote:
Abdur Rahman III became the Emir of Cordova in 912 after the death of Abdullah his
grandfather who was the Emir before him. Emir Abdullah has four sons but he chose his
grandson Abdur Rahman III as his successor. In the year 929 he assumed the title of
Caliph of Cordoba based on the claim that he was descendant of the Umayyad family and
that his ancestors were the original Caliphs who were overthrown by the Abbasids. Some
of the questions answered previously the date 912 is given. It should be noted that 912
is the year when Abdur Rahman became Emir or Cordoba, he assumed the title of Caliph
in 929.
5. Fatimid Caliphate was established in North Africa in?
Answer: 909 AD
Quote:
The Fatimid Caliphate was a Shia Muslim Caliphate established in North Africa by Abu
Muhammad Abdullah al Mahdi. The caliphate based in Egypt ended in 1171. They were
followed by The Ayyubis, most notably Sultan Salahau din Ayyubi, a very strict sunni,
who took power in 1174 and changed Egypt’s allegiance to the Sunni Abbasid Caliphate
in Damascus.
6. Nasrid Kingdom ruled Granada during?
Answer: 1238-1492
Quote:
Nasrid was the last Muslim dynasty of Spain founded by Muhammad Ibn Nasir in 1238. In
1492 they surrendered to the Christian Spanish army.
7. Ibn Nassal contributed to the development of agriculture science during?
Answer: Al Mutamid
Quote:
Ibn Bassal was a Muslim botanist in Seville, Spain. He worked in the court of Al Mutamid
who was the ruler of Seville. Ibn Bassal had created a royal garden for Al Mutamid. After
the fall of the Umayyad Caliphate of Cordoba, the territories were fractured into small
independent principalities. Seville was one of these independent principalities.
8. Paper making industry was introduced to Europe by Islamic Spain by establishing paper
industry at?
Answer: Xàtiva, Spain
Quote:
The Arabs brought paper making technology to Xàtiva in the 12th century and from there
it spread to the rest of Europe. Paper making had already spread to Baghdad earlier in
8th century. Baghdad then refined the paper making technology and diffusely spread it
around the Muslim world. It came to Xàtiva in the 12th century and was spread to
Europe.
9. Tarikh Iftitah Al-Andlus was written by?
Answer: Ibn Al Qutiyyah
Quote:
Ibn Al Qutiyyah was an Andalusian historian. Tarikh Iftitah Al Andalus in English is The
Conquests of Al Andalus or Spain.
10. The technique of cutting crystal was introduced in Muslim Spain by?
Answer: Abbas Ibn Firnas
Quote:
Abbas Ibn Firnas 810-887, was a Muslim inventer, engineer, physician, and musician in
Spain. He developed a process for cutting rock crystal in Spain. Spain at the time
exported quartz to Egypt for cutting. Upon developing the technique, Spain stopped
quartz export to Egypt for cutting.
11. Islamic Spain was ruled during 796-822 AD by?
Answer: Sultan Al Hakam I
Quote:
Sultan Al Hakam I was the Emir of Cordoba and ruled Muslim Spain from 796-822.
12. The great city of Madina Tul Zohra was constructed by?
Answer: Abdur Rahman III
Quote:
Abdur Rahman III the first of the Umayyad Caliphate in Cordova constructed the city.
13. The battle of Alarcos was fought in?
Answer: Spain
Quote:
The battle of Alarcos was fought in Spain in 1195 between Abu yusuf Yaqub Al Mansur
and King Alfonso VIII of Castile. The Muslims (The Almohads) won the battle.
14. Muslim Rule in Granada came to an end in?
Answer: 1492
Quote:
The battle of Granada was fought in late 1491 to January 1492. It was a siege of the city
of Granada. The Christians were victorious and the city surrendered.
15. Calendar of Cordova was compiled by?
Answer: Recemundus or Rabi ibn Zaid
Quote:
Rabi Ibn Zaid also called Recemundus was a Mozarabic Bishop. He wrote the Calendar of
Cordoba during the time of Abd Al Rahman III and dedicated it to him. The Calendar of
Cordoba tells how the sky looks each month of the year, when the sun rises and sets,
and when the most important constellations appear and disappear, etc…
16. Tawq Al-Hamamah was authored by?
Answer: Ibn Hazm al Andalusi
Quote:
Tawq Al Hamamah is a work of literature by ibn Hazm. Ibn Hazm is widely regarded by
Muslims as the father of comparative religious studies for his on Islamic jurisprudence,
comparative religion, and theology. Tawq Al Hamamah or The ring of the Dove is a book
about love and his only work of literature.
17. Al-Masalik wal Mamalik was written by?
Answer: Ibn Khordadbeh
Quote:
Kitab Al Masalik was Mamalik or Book of Roads and Kingdoms is a geography book
written in the 9th century by Abul Qasim Ubaid Allah Ibn Khordadbeh the Persian
geographer.
18. The dominant Fiqh in Muslim Spain throughout history was?
Answer: Maliki
Quote:
From the Umayyad up until the Almoravids the dominant Fiqh in Andalaus was Maliki.
After the Almoravids it was still the majority but the Zahiri Almohads towards the end
was probably the dominant.
19. Ibn Rushd (Averroes) lived during?
Answer: Almoravids and Almohads
Quote:
Ibn Rushd also known by his latin name Averroes was born in 1126 during the time or
Almoravids. The Almoravids were replaced by the Almohads in 1146.
20. The earliest Muslim mathematician of Granada was?
Answer: Al Jayyani
Quote:
Al Jayyani 989-1079 was probably the earliest of the Muslim mathematician of Spain.
This answered isn’t confirmed since he lived in Cordoba.
CSS 2001 Part I MCQs
1. The first mosque built for Muslims was?
A. Bait ul Maqdas
B. Quba Mosque
C. Nabvi Mosque
D. None of these
Answer: B
Quote:
Masjid Quba in Medina is the first and the oldest mosque. The first stones were laid by
the Prophet SAW himself. The Prophet SAW said whoever makes wadu at home and
then goes for prayer in Masjid Quba, he will have the same reward as that of an
Umrah. This hadith is reported by Imam Hanbal. The masjid was built as the Prophet
SAW arrived in Medina.
2. Musaylimah Kazzab was killed by?
A. Khalid bin Walid
B. Wahshi
C. Hazrat Abbas
D. None of these
Answer: B
Quote:
Musaylimah Kazzab, Kazzab meaning Liar, was a false prophet in the time of the
Prophet SAW. After the Prophet SAW, Musaylimah rebelled against Caliph Abu Bakar.
The Battle of Yamama was fought between the Muslim army under Khalid ibn Walid
and Musaylimah. Wahshi ibn Harb, the former slave who had killed Hazrat Hamza, had
accepted Islam at the time. Wahshi killed Musaylimah with the same spear. His head
was cut off by Abu Dujana.
Khalid bin Walid was the commander of the army during the reign of Caliph Abu Bakar,
he was replaced by Abu Ubaidah ibn Jarrah. Khalid ibn Walid is sometimes mistaken
for killing Musaylimah because he was the commander of the army. Wahshi ibn Harb is
the actual person to kill Musaylimah.
Battle of Badr was fought in the year?
A. 2 AH
B. 3AH
C. 4AH
D. None
Answer: A
Quote:
The Battle of Badr was fought in year 2nd year of Hijra, 624 AD. Jang e Badr was the
first large battle between the Muslims and the Quraish of Makkah. The total Muslim
army was 313 against the 1000 Quraish. Abu Jahal was killed in this battle. After the
battle, Abu Sufyan became the chief of Quraish. The Battle of Badr is one of the few
battles mentioned in the Quran.
4. Grand Mosque at Damascus was built by?
A. Abdul malik
B. Walid
C. Umar bin Abdul Aziz
D. None
Answer: B
Note: This was asked in CSS 2000
Quote:
The Grand Mosque/Masjid at Damascus is also known as the Umayyad Masjid. The
masjid was commissioned by Khalifa Al Walid after the Arab conquest of Damascus. It
was built on the site of a Christian Basilica or Church which was demolished by the
Khalifa. The grave of Sultan Salahuddin Al Ayubi is in a garden next to the masjid.
5. At Qadisiyyah, who commanded the Muslim army?
A. Saad bin Abi Waqas
B. Khalid bin Waleed
C. Ikrama
D. None
Answer: A
Quote:
The Battle of al-Qadisiyyah in Iraq was fought in 636 which resulted in Muslim victory.
It was between the Muslim army and the Sassanid Persian army. The battle was
fought under Caliph Umar, who had appointed Abu Ubaidah ibn Jarrah commander of
the army. Three months before Qadisiyyah the battle of Yarmouk took place which was
also a victory for the Muslims. The battle of Yarmouk was agasint the Byzantines.
Byzantine and Sassanid Empire had an alleged alliance. Saad bin Abi Waqas as the
commander at the battle of Qadisiyyah against the Sassanids. (Battle of Yarmouk CSS
2000)
Khalid Bin Walid was not the commander of the army during Caliph Umar’s time. Umar
feared that Khalid’s victory after victory in every battle would make the Muslims think
that Khalid was responsible for all the victories instead of Almighty Allah so he had him
replaced by Abu Ubaida bin Jarrah. Abu Ubaidah Bin Jarrah kept Khalid with him and
would seek advice from him.
Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl, the son of Abu Jahal, converted to Islam after the conquest of
Makkah. He was a military leader during the times of Caliph Abu Bakar. He found
against Musaylamah the false prophet in Yamamah. Ikrima died during the battle of
Yarmouk. Yarmouk took place 3 months before the battle of Qadisiyyah.
6. Dots on the Arabic letter was introduced by?
A. Al-Hajjaj
B. Yahya Barmaki
C. Hassan Basri
D. None
Answer: A
Note: This was asked in CSS 2000
Quote:
Hajjaj ibn Yusuf is largely credited for adding the Dots on Arabic letters in the Quran.
Yahya Barmaki was the Grand Vizir of Caliph Haroon al Rashid. Later the family had
too much power and cast into prison. He died in prison in 806.
7. Abbasids adopted which color for their official dress?
A. Red
B. Green
C. Black
D. None
Answer: C
Quote:
Caliph Al-Mansur is credited with the introduction of the Black robes as the Abbasid
dynastic color to be worn by all court those in court.
The Umayyad’s official color was White.
8. Abu Muslim Khurasni was murdered in?
A. 730 AD
B. 755 AD
C. 757 AD
D. None
Answer: B
Note: This was asked in CSS 2000
Quote:
Abu Muslim Khorasani was an Abbasid General. He was the Governor of Khoorasan
and a proved military commander. Khalifa Abu Jafar also known as Al Mansur was
uneasy over this; he feared that Abu Muslim would rebel. So he had Abu Muslim
accused of treasonable activities which the latter denied. He was tried, found guilty
and beheaded in the year 755. 755 AD makes the Hijri year of 137-138 but he was
most likely killed in 137.
9. Zakariyya Razi was a?
A. Mufassir
B. Sufi
C. Physician
D. None
Answer: C
Note: Al Razi wrote Al-Haw, which was asked in CSS 2000
Quote:
Zakariyya Razi, popularly known as Al-Razi was a Physician, Alchemist, and
Philosopher. Kitab Al Hawi is a comprehensive book of medicine written by Al-Razi.
10. Ottoman Sultans were the direct descendants of?
A. Osman
B. Timur
C. Genghis Khan
D. None
Answer: Osman
Quote:
Osman I, or Osman bey, was the leader of the Ottoman Turks. He was the founder of
the Ottoman dynasty that established the Ottoman State. The Ottoman Empire is
named after him. Ottoman is European for Osman.
Zahir ud din Babar calimed that he was a direct descendant of Timur through his
father and a descendant of Genghis Khan through his mother. Babar would later in
1526 establish the Mughal Dynasty of Indian Subcontinent.
11. Mamun ur Rashid following which doctrines?
A. Ismaili
B. Ashari
C. Mutazilla
D. None
Answer: C
Quote:
Al-Mamun held sympathy for the Mutazili theology and their other controversial views.
The Mutazili theology was deeply influenced by Aristotelian though and Greek
rationalism. The Mutazilis stated that the Quran was created rather coeternal with
God. This contradicted the traditional Sunni opinion that the Quran was coeternal.
12. Al Khwarzmi was a?
A. Soldier
B. Astronomer
C. Mathematician
D. None
Answer: B
Quote:
Al Khwarizmi was a Polymath. He was a Persian mathematician, astronomer,
geographer, and is known for his contributions to cartography. He was mainly known
for being a mathematician because he was principally responsible for spreading the
Arab numerals into the Middle East, Latin West, and Europe. The Arab numerals were
developed from Indian sources.
13. Who signed the Treaty of Hudaibiya on behalf of the Quraish?
A. Abu Sufyan
B. Suhail bin Amru
C. Utba
D. None
Answer: B
Note: This was asked in CSS 2000
Quote:
Suhail Bin Amar signed the Treaty of Hudaibiya on behalf of Quraish. Suhail bin Amru
insisted that the treaty would be signed by the Prophet as Muhammad SAW Bin
Abdullah and not as Muhammad SAW the Prophet of Allah.
14. Baghdad was conquered and sacked by Halaku Khan in?
A. 1258 AD
B. 1260 AD
C. 1265 AD
D. None
Answer: 1258 AD
Quote:
In 1258 AD, Baghdad was conquered and sacked by the Mongol forces led by Halaku
Khan. After conquering the city, The Grand Library of Baghdad was destroyed. Those
who attempted to flee were intercepted by the Mongols and killed. They destroyed
Mosques, palaces, hospitals, libraries, and any grand building. The Caliph Al Mustasim
Billah was killed. This marked the end of the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad. The
Mamluk rulers of Egypt would later re-establish the Abbasid caliphate in Cairo in 1261.
In 1517 the last Abbasid Caliph of Egypt would be captured by the Ottoman Sultan
Selim I. Sultan Selim I took the title from him, made Egypt part of the Ottoman
Empire, and became the first Ottoman Sultan to use the title of Caliph.
15. Tulaiha was a?
A. Trader
B. Poet
C. False Prophet
D. None
Answer: C
Note: Aswad al-Ansi was also a false prophet, asked in CSS 2000.
Quote:
The four false prophets from early Islamic History were, Aswad al-Ansi, Tulayhah alAzdi, Sajjah bint al-Harith, and Musaylimah al-Kazzab. Although he initially accepted
Islam, later he claimed that he was a prophet. The Battle of Zhu Qissa was between
the Muslim forces led by Ali ibn Abi Talib, Talha ibn Ubaidullah, and Zubair ibn alAwam against those led by Tulayha, the false prophet. The Muslims won the battle,
Tulayha escaped to Syria. Later when Syria was conquered by Muslims, Tulayha
accepted Islam again. He was forbidden by Caliph Abu Bakar to fight in any of the
battles. Later in the time of Caliph Umar, he was allowed to fight and he died in the
battler of Qasidiyya, between the Muslims and the Sassanid Empire.
Khayr-al-Din Barbarossa was a?
A. Sailor
B. Qazi
C. Minister
D. None
Answer: A
Quote:
Khairuddin Barbarossa was initially a sailor, then a naval captain, and later made
admiral by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman (Suleiman the Magnificent). His naval
victories secured the Ottoman dominance over the Mediterranean.
17. Tragedy of Karbala took place in the year?
A. 61 AH
B. 71 AH
C. 81 AH
Answer: A
Note: This was asked in CSS 2000
18. Who was the tutor of Haroon ur Rashid?
A. Khalid Barmaki
B. Yahya Barmaki
C. Al-Ghazali
D. None
Answer: B
Quote:
Caliph al-Mahdi, father of Harun ur Rashid, entrusted Yahya with Harun’s education.
Yahya’s family, the Barmakids, was very strong in Baghdad due to their close ties with
the Caliph. When Harun became Caliph, he made Yahya his grand Vizir.
Khalid ibn Barmak was the father of Yahya Barmaki
Al-Ghazali the great Muslim philosopher was born in 1058. Harun ur Rashid became
Caliph in 786, more than 270 years before Al-Ghazali.
19. Constantinople was conquered by?
A. Muhammad II
B. Suleman
C. Murad
D. None
Answer: Muhammad II
Quote:
The Ottoman Sultan Muhammad II, also known was Sultan Muhammad Fatih,
conquered Constantinople in 1453. Upon conquering, he took the title of Qaiser-eRum; Caesar of Rome.
20. Hammurabi the law giver was a?
A. Babylonian
B. Assyrian
C. ? Missing
D. None
Answer: Babylonian
Quote:
Hammurabi was a Babylonian king, and is known for the set of laws called
Hammurabi’s Code. The Hammurabi’s Code is the first or one of the first written codes
of laws in recorded history. They were inscribed on stone tablets.
CSS 2001 Part II
1. Who was the first conqueror of Africa?
A. Muhammad bin Qasim
B. Khalid bin Walid
C. Uqba bin Nafi
D. None
Answer: Uqba bin Nafi
Quote:
Uqba bin Nafi conquered most of Africa. Uqba founded the city of Kairouan, which
became the capital of the Islamic province of Ifriqiya. The Great Mosque of Kairouan
also called Mosque of Uqba was built by the General and is the oldest mosque in North
Africa. North Africa was conquered during the time of Caliph Muawiyah I. The Arab
conquests of Meghrib were written by Ibn Idhari in Al bayan al-Meghrib.
Muhammad bin Qasim is known for conquering Sindh and Punjab. His conquest
enabled further expansion of Islam into India. He was the son-in-law of the famous
governor al-Hajja ibn Yusuf who was also his paternal uncle. After the death of Hajjaj
bin Yusuf, He was executed by the new Caliph Suleiman ibn Abdul Malik.
Khalid bin Walid is known for his conquests of Arabia, Persia, and Roman Syria. Under
his command, Damascus was captured. He is also known for the Battle of Yarmouk,
Battle of Yamamah, Walaja, and many others. Khalid is said to have never lost a
battle. He was the commander of the army during the time of Caliph Abu Bakar. He
was replaced by Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah under the orders of the new Caliph, Hazrat
Umar. His nick name was The Sword of Allah.
2. Spain was conquered by?
A. Mehmud Ghaznawi
B. Musa bin Nusair
C. Tariq bin Ziyad
D. None
Answer: Tariq bin Ziyad
Quote:
Spain was conquered in 711 by Tariq bin Ziyad under orders of Caliph Al Walid I. He
led the army from Morocco and landed at Gibraltar. Gibraltar is Spanish for Jabl-eTariq or Mountain of Tariq named after him. His army captured Cordoba and Garnada
among other places in most of Spain. Tariq served as the Governor of Tangier. Tariq
bin Ziyad was a Berber, which is an ethnic group of North Africa.
Mehmud Ghaznawi was the ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire some 300 years after Tariq
ibn Ziyad. The Ghaznavid Empire covered Afghanistan, Eastern Iran, Pakistan, and
northwestern India. Mehmud Ghaznawi is known for his 17 successful invasions of
northwest India.
Musa bin Nusayr was the governor of North Africa during the time of Caliph al-Walid I.
Tariq ibn Ziyad was a General in his Army. Musa bin Nusayr sent Tariq to conquer
Spain. Musa completed the conquest of North Africa. He was the first Muslim general
to take Tangiers. Uqba bin Nafi who is credited with being the first conqueror of Africa,
had only failed to conquer Tangier. Musa occupied Tangier and with that completed the
conquest of North Africa. According to the famous Moroccan geographer and explorer
Ibn Batutta, Jabel e Musa in Morocco is named after him. Jabel e Musa is opposite the
rock of Gibraltar named for Tariq bin Ziyad.
3. Spain is called by the Arabs as?
A. Afriquiye
B. Auruba
C. Al-Andalus
D. None
Answer: al-Andalus
Quote:
Arabs called Spain by the name of Al-andalus. Afriquiye is Africa.
4. Ibn Khaldun was an?
A. Architect
B. Historian
C. Muhaddith
D. None
Answer: Historian
Note: Ibn Khaldun wrote The Muqaddimah, Question 10 CSS 2001
Quote:
Ibn Khaldun was an Arab historian and historiographer. His best known book is The
Muqaddimah, a book on universal history i.e philosophy of history, sociology,
demography, historiography, cultural history, economics, Islamic theology, political
theory, biology and chemistery. The book was written in 1377.
5. Ibn Zaidun was?
A. Historian
B. Philosopher
C. Poet
D. None
Answer: Poet
Quote:
Ibn Zaidun was a famous Arab poet of Cordoba and Seville. He lived during the time of
the later Umayyad Caliphate of Cordoba.
6. Ibn Tufail lived in?
A. Egypt
B. Spain
C. Syria
D. None
Answer: Spain
Quote:
Ibn Tufail was an Andulasian Muslim polymath. He was a writer, novelist, Islamic
philosopher, Islamic theologian, physician, vizier, and a court official. He is known for
his philosophical novel, Hayy ibn Yaqdhan.
7. Cordova is a city of?
A. Libya
B. Al-Andalus
C. Lebanon
D. None
Answer: al-Andalus
Quote:
Cordova or Cordoba, in Arabic Qurtabah, was a city in al-Andalus and the Capital alAndalus and capital of Caliphate of Cordoba. Under Caliph al-Hakam of Cordova, it
became a center of education. Cordova was captured in 711 by the Muslim army of
Tariq ibn Ziyad.
8. Who was Zaryab?
A. Poet
B. Politician
C. Singer
D. None
Answer: Singer
Quote:
His real name was Abu hasan Ali ibn Nafi. Zaryab was his nickname. Ziryab was born
in Iraq and moved to Spain. He is mostly known as a singer but actually he was a
polymath. He had knowledge of astronomy, geography, meteorology, botanics,
cosmetics, culinary art, and fashion. He left Baghdad during the time of the Abbasid
Caliph Al-Mamun and moved to Cordoba. He was a court musician for Abd al-Rahman
II of Cordoba.
9. The Moors vacated Spain in?
A. 1501
B. 1492
C. 1452
D. None
Answer: 1492
Quote:
The Moors invaded Spain in 711 under the General Tariq ibn Ziyad. They ruled Spain
for 780 years until the fall of Garnada in 1492 which brought an end to the Muslim
control of Spain. The Nasrid Kingdom of Garnada was the last Muslim dynasty in
Spain. The re-conquest of al-Andalus from the Muslims by Christians is referred to as
The Reconquista by the Spanish.
10. What is the name of the book written by Ibn Khaldun?
Answer: The Muqaddimah
Note: Question 4 asks who Ibn Khaldun was.
Quote:
The Muqaddimah by Ibn Khaldun, a book on universal history i.e philosophy of history,
sociology, demography, historiography, cultural history, economics, Islamic theology,
political theory, biology and chemistery. The book was written in 1377.
What is the real name of al-Dakhil?
Answer: Abdul Rahman I
Quote:
Abdul Rahman I, the first Emir of Cordova was known as al-Dakhil which means The
Imigrant. He was also known as Saqr Quraish meaning Hawk of Quraish. Abdul
Rahman was from the family of Umayyad Caliphate of Damascus. During his time, the
Abbasid revolution overthrew the Umayyad Caliphate. He escaped from Damascus and
settled in Cordoba where he continued the Umayyad dynasty. 200 years later one of
his descendants, Abdul Rahman III would claim the title of Caliph for himself and find
the Umayyad Caliphate of Cordova.
12. Thafa-tul-Thafat is a book on?
A. Science
B. History
C. Philosophy
D. None
Answer: Philosophy
13.Who was known was Hawk of Quresh?
A. Amir Muawiya
B. Abdul Rahman I
C. Ibn Zubair
D. None
Answer: Abdul Rahman I
Quote:
Abdul Rahman I, the first Emir of Cordova was known as al-Dakhil which means The
Imigrant. He was also known as Saqr Quraish meaning Hawk of Quraish. The Abbasid
Caliph Al-Mansur, his enemy, gave him the title of Hawk of Quraish. The reason he
gave Abdul Rahman the title, which was the title of The Prophet’s tribe, was because
Abdul Rahman despite all his difficulties, depended only on himself to save his life and
his family’s, wandered the deserts of Asia and Africa, had the boldness to seek his
fortune without an army in lands unknown to him beyond the sea (Spain). He
exterminated rebels, organized cities, mobilized armies, secured his frontiers against
the Christians, and founded a great empire, which according to al-Mansur no one had
done before.
Abdul Rahman was from the family of Umayyad Caliphate of Damascus. During his
time, the Abbasid revolution overthrew the Umayyad Caliphate. He escaped from
Damascus and settled in Cordoba where he continued the Umayyad dynasty. 200
years later one of his descendants, Abdul Rahman III would claim the title of Caliph for
himself and find the Umayyad Caliphate of Cordova.
14. What is Granada and Cordova in Arabic alphabets?
Answer: Cordova is ‫قُرطبة‬
Garnada is ‫غرناطة‬
15. What is Wadi-al-Kabeer?
Answer: River
Quote:
Now called Guadalquivir, it is a river in Spain. Its Arabic name is al-wadi al-kabir, The
Great Valley.
16. Did the Moor enter in France? Yes or No.
Answer: Yes
Quote:
The Battle of the Tours was fought in France, Europe between the Christian Franks and
the Umayyad army under Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi. The Franks won the battle. The
battle of the Tours stopped the wave of Islam from further penetrating into Europe.
17. Who took the title of Khalifa in Spain?
Asnwer: Abdur Rahman III
Quote:
Abdur Rahman III became the Emir of Cordova in 912 after the death of Abdullah his
grandfather who was the Emir before him. Emir Abdullah has four sons but he chose
his grandson Abdur Rahman III as his successor. In the year 929 he assumed the title
of Caliph of Cordoba based on the claim that he was descendant of the Umayyad
family and that his ancestors were the original Caliphs who were overthrown by the
Abbasids.
18. Name at least Two Muslim philosophers of Spain?
Answer: Ibn Arabi - Ibn Rushud - Ibn Tufail was also an andalusian philosopher.
19. Which city was called Queen of the cities, Aroos ul Bilaad?
A. Baghdad
B. Cordova
C. Damascus
D. None
Answer: Cordova
20. Berbers originally were?
A. Iranians
B. Arabs
C. Africans
D. None
Answer: Africans
CSS 2002 Part I
1. Total number of the Surahs in the Holy Quran is?
A. 99
B. 114
C. 120
D. None
Answer: 114
Quote:
The Quran has 114 surah total. 86 Makkah, and 28 Medina. First Surah is Al Fatiha and
the last is Surah Al-Nas. Surah Al-Tawba is the only Surah in the Quran that does not
begin with Bismillah.
2. Write down the names of Khulafa-e-Rashideen in chronological order.
Answer:
Quote:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Hazrat
Hazrat
Hazrat
Hazrat
Abu Bakar
Umar
Usman
Ali
3. Imam Abu Hanifa was a?
A. Philosopher
B. Faqih
C. Poet
D. None
Answer: Faqih
Quote:
Imam e Azam Abu Hanifa was the founder of the Sunni Hanafi School of fiqh. A person
trained in Fiqh is called a Faqih. He was born during the time of the Umayyad Caliph
Abdul Malik. The other three major fiqhs are, Shafi founded by Imam Shafi, Maliki
founded by Imam Malik, and Hanbali founded by Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal.
4. Euphrates is a river of?
A. North Africa
B. Iran
C. Iraq
D. None
Answer: Iraq
Quote:
The Euphrates River originates in eastern Turkey and flows through Syria and Iraq.
5. Arrange in chronological order.
A. Battle of Khaibar
B. Battle of Badr
C. Battle of Hunain
Answer:
Quote:
1. Battle of Badar – 2AH/624AD
2. Battle of Khaybar – 7Ah/629AD
3. Battle of Hunayn – 8AH/630AD
Note: Battle of Badr was fought in the year? CSS 2001
Muslims were victorious in all three battles. The Prophet SAW participated in all three
battles.
The Battle of Badr was fought in year 2nd year of Hijra, 624 AD. Jang e Badr was the
first large battle between the Muslims and the Quraish of Makkah. The total Muslim
army was 313 against the 1000 Quraish. Abu Jahal was killed in this battle. After the
battle, Abu Sufyan became the chief of Quraish. The Battle of Badr and Hunayn are the
only two battles mentioned in the Quran.
6. Sammara was a city of?
A. Afghanistan
B. Turkey
C. Iraq
D. None
Answer: Iraq
Note: Who built Samara? CSS 2000
Quote:
Caliph Al Mutasim built Samara, a town hundred miles north of Baghdad.
7. Musa ibn Nusair was the governor of?
A. Makkah
B. Medinah
C. North America
D. None
Answer: None
Quote:
Musa bin Nusayr was the governor of North Africa during the time of Caliph al-Walid I.
Tariq ibn Ziyad was a General in his Army. Musa bin Nusayr sent Tariq to conquer
Spain. Musa completed the conquest of North Africa. He was the first Muslim general to
take Tangiers. Uqba bin Nafi who is credited with being the first conqueror of Africa,
had only failed to conquer Tangier. Musa occupied Tangier and with that completed the
conquest of North Africa. According to the famous Moroccan geographer and explorer
Ibn Batutta, Jabel e Musa in Morocco is named after him. Jabel e Musa is opposite the
rock of Gibraltar named for Tariq bin Ziyad.
8. Muhammad bin Qasim conquered?
A. Spain
B. Iran
C. Sindh
D. None
Answer: Sindh
Quote:
Muhammad bin Qasim is known for conquering Sindh and Punjab. His conquest enabled
further expansion of Islam into India. He was the son-in-law of the famous governor alHajja ibn Yusuf who was also his paternal uncle. After the death of Hajjaj bin Yusuf, He
was executed by the new Caliph Suleiman ibn Abdul Malik.
9. “Al-ahkam al-Sultania” was written by?
A. Ibn Khaldun
B. Al-Mawardi
C. Al-Farabi
D. None
Answer: al-Mawardi
Quote:
Al-Mawardi was a Muslim jurist of the Shafi School. He is most remembered for his
work on religion, government, the caliphate, and public and constitutional law. He was
chief judge in the times of the Abbasid Caliph al-Qaim and al-Qadir. Al Ahkam al
Sultania, The Ordinance of Government, provides a detailed definition of the functions
of the caliphate government.
10. The Cantonment of Basra was founded by?
A. Hazrat Ali
B. Hazrat Umar
C. Al-Safffah
D. None
Answer: Hazrat Umar
Quote:
The city of Basra, founded by Hazrat Umar, initially served as a military base for the
armies of Caliph Umar. Basra was an important base against the Sassanid Empire. The
battle of Jamal/Camel, the first Fitna, was fought in Basra.
11. Imam al Ghazali was the author of?
A. Tahāfut al-Tahāfut
B. Option Missing
C. Tahafut al-Falasifa
D. None
Answer: Tahafut al-Falasifa
Note: Tahāfut al-Tahāfut is a book on? CSS 2001
Quote:
Tahafut al-Falasifa, The Incoherence of the Philosophers was written by Imam alGhazali. In this book al-Ghazali denounces Ibn Sina and al-Farabi. The book was very
successful and marks a milestone in the Islamic Philosophy.
Tahāfut al-Tahāfut, the Incoherence of the Incoherence was written by Ibn Rushud. The
book was written as a refutation of Imam al-Ghazali’s work (Tahafut al-Falsasifa, the
Incoherence of the Philosophers). In the book he defends the doctrines of the
philosophers and criticizes al-Ghazali’s own argument. It is written as a dialogue. The
book although was not well received.
Hayy ibn Yaqdhan was a novel written by Abu Ali Ibn Sina.
Hayy Ibn Yaqdhan a philosophy novel of the same name but different story was written
by Ibn Tufail.
12. Alp Arsalan belonged to?
A. The Ottomans
B. Seljuq
C. Mamluks
D. None
Answer: Seljuq
Quote:
Alp Arslan was the second Sultan of the Seljuq Empire. The Seljuq Empire was founded
by Tughril. Alp Arlslan was the nephew of Tughril.
13. The battle of Qadisiyaah was won by?
A. Tariq bin Ziyad
B. Salahuddin Ayyubi
C. Saad ibn abi Waqas
D. None
Answer: Saad ibn abi Waqas
Note: Who was the commander of the Mulsim army in Qadisiyaah? CSS 2001
Quote:
The Battle of al-Qadisiyyah in Iraq was fought in 636 which resulted in Muslim victory.
It was between the Muslim army and the Sassanid Persian army. The battle was fought
under Caliph Umar, who had appointed Abu Ubaidah ibn Jarrah commander of the
army. Three months before Qadisiyyah the battle of Yarmouk took place which was also
a victory for the Muslims. The battle of Yarmouk was agasint the Byzantines. Byzantine
and Sassanid Empire had an alleged alliance. Saad bin Abi Waqas as the commander at
the battle of Qadisiyyah against the Sassanids. (Battle of Yarmouk CSS 2000)
14. Baghdad was the capital of?
A. Banu Umayya
B. Banu Abbas
C. Banu Fatimah
D. None
Answer: Banu Abbas
Note: Baghdad was conquered and sacked by Halaku Khan in? CSS 2001
Quote:
Baghdad was the capital of the Abbasid (Banu Abbas) Caliphate. It was commissioned
by Caliph Al-Mansur. Imam Abu Hanifa was the counter of the bricks used to build
Baghdad. The four surrounding walls of Baghdad were named: Kufa, Basra, Khurasan,
and Damascus, because they pointed in he direction of these destinations.
In 1258 AD, Baghdad was conquered and sacked by the Mongol forces led by Halaku
Khan. After conquering the city, The Grand Library of Baghdad was destroyed. Those
who attempted to flee were intercepted by the Mongols and killed. They destroyed
Mosques, palaces, hospitals, libraries, and any grand building. The Caliph Al Mustasim
Billah was killed. This marked the end of the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad. The
Mamluk rulers of Egypt would later re-establish the Abbasid caliphate in Cairo in 1261.
In 1517 the last Abbasid Caliph of Egypt would be captured by the Ottoman Sultan
Selim I. Sultan Selim I took the title from him, made Egypt part of the Ottoman
Empire, and became the first Ottoman Sultan to use the title of Caliph.
The capital of Banu Umayya was Damascus.
The capital of Banu Fatimah was Cairo.
15. The battle of Karbala occurred during the reign of?
A. Amir Muawiyah
B. Harun al Rasheed
C. Yazeed
D. None
Answer: Yazeed
Note: The battle of Karbala occurred in 61 AH. This was asked in CSS 2000 and
2001
16. Al-Idrisi was a?
A. Philosopher
B. Muhaddith
C. Geographer
D. None
Answer: Geographer
Quote:
Al-Idrisi wrote “Nuzhat la Mushtaq fi khtiraq al-afaq”, the book of pleasant journeys
into faraway lands. The book is popularly known as Tabula Rogeriana, The Book of
Roger.
17. Arrange the chronological order of the following rulers.
A. Amin al-Rashid
B. Walid bin Abdul Malik
C. Al-Mansur
Answer:
Quote:
1. Walid ibn Abdul Malik, Umayyad Caliph [705-715]
2. Al-Mansur, Abbasid Caliph [754-775]
3. Amin al-Rashid, Abbasid Caliph [809-813]
18. The battle of Jamal was fought between?
Answer: Hazrat Aisha and Hazrat Ali
Quote:
The battle of Jamal, Battle of the Camel in English, is the First Fitna, or the First Islamic
Civil War. Hazrat Ali won the battle. It was fought in Basra, Iraq.
19. Imam Bukhari was a?
A. Caliph
B. Mufassir
C. Muhaddith
D. None
Answer: Muhaddith
Quote:
Imam Muhammad al-Bukhari was a Muhaddith. He authored the hadith collection
known as Sahih al-Bukhari, which is regarded by Sunnis as the most authentic of all
hadith compiled. Al-Adad al-Mufrad is also a book written by Imam Bukhari it is a
collection of hadith on ethics and manners. His student Muslim ibn al Hajjaj compiled
the Sahih Muslim book of hadith, which is considered second only to Sahih Bukhari.
Imam Bukhari was born in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. In his later years he moved to a
village near Samarkand where he died.
20. Aswad Ansi was?
A. Poet
B. False Prophet
C. Trader
D. None
Answer: False Prophet
Note:
This was asked in CSS 2000.
Tulaiha was a? CSS 2001
Quote:
The four false prophets from early Islamic History were, Aswad al-Ansi, Tulayhah alAzdi, Sajjah bint al-Harith, and Musaylimah al-Kazzab. Although he initially accepted
Islam, later he claimed that he was a prophet. The Battle of Zhu Qissa was between the
Muslim forces led by Ali ibn Abi Talib, Talha ibn Ubaidullah, and Zubair ibn al-Awam
against those led by Tulayha, the false prophet.
The Muslims won the battle, Tulayha escaped to Syria. Later when Syria was conquered
by Muslims, Tulayha accepted Islam again. He was forbidden by Caliph Abu Bakar to
fight in any of the battles. Later in the time of Caliph Umar, he was allowed to fight and
he died in the battler of Qasidiyya, between the Muslims and the Sassanid Empire.
__________________
-
CSS 2002 Part II
1. The battle of tours was fought in?
Answer: France, Europe, 732
Note: The battle of Tours was fought in? CSS 2000
Did the moors enter France? CSS 2001
Quote:
Battle of the Tours was fought in France, Europe in 732 between the Christian Franks and
the Umayyad army under Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi. The Franks won the battle. The
battle of the Tours stopped the wave of Islam from further penetrating into Europe.
2. Which fiqah spread in Muslim Spain?
Answer: Maliki
Note: The dominant Fiqh in Muslim Spain throughout history was? CSS 2000
Quote:
The Maliki School spread to Spain and was the only official School sanctioned by the
Umayyad dynasty in Cordoba.
3. Which Muslim Spanish ruler was known as “the bibliophile”?
Answer: al-Hakam II
Quote:
Bibliophile means, lover or collector of books. Al-Hakam is called the bibliophile because
he was a great patron of knowledge and learning. He purchased books from Damascus,
Baghdad, Constantinople, Cairo, Makkah, Medinah, Kufa,and Basra. His status as a
patron of Knowledge brought him fame across the Muslim world to the point where even
books written in Iraq under Abbasid control were dedicated to him. He created a royal
library and stimulated scholarship. For his love of books and a great patron of learning
and knowledge, he was known was The Bibliophile.
4. Al-Ihatah fi Tarikh Gharnata, was written by?
Answer: Ibn al-Khatib.
5. Who introduced the doctorine of etiology of decline, Assabiah?
Answer: Ibn Khaldun
Note: Ibn Khaldun was a? CSS 2001
What is the name of the book written by Ibn Khaldun? CSS 2001
Quote:
Ibn Khaldun was an Arab historian and historiographer. His best known book is The
Muqaddimah, a book on universal history i.e philosophy of history, sociology,
demography, historiography, cultural history, economics, Islamic theology, political
theory, biology and chemistery. The book was written in 1377. In the Muqaddimah he
describes the Assabiyah.
6. Mountain range in South West Europe between France and Spain is called?
Answer: Pyrenees
Note: See Question 14
Quote:
The Pyrenees is probably important in Islamic History because of the Battle of
Roncesvalles (Question 14 CSS 2002).
7. The Spanish Muslim scholars were expert in philology. Philology means?
Answer:
Quote:
Philology is the study of literary texts and of written records, the establishment of their
authenticity and their original form, and the determination of their meaning, which the
Muslims were expert of. During the reign of al-Hakam II (The Bibliophile), a massive
translation effort was undertaken, and many books were translated from Latin and Greek
into Arabic.
8. A History of Mediaeval Islam, was written by?
Answer: John Joseph Saunders
Note: This is asked in CSS 2003
9. Spanish Islam was written by?
I have searched for this book but I couldn’t find the book or the author of a book
by that name anywhere on the internet. If anyone does please share the source.
10. Who built the city of Al-Hamra?
Answer: Muhammad ibn al-Ahmar
Quote:
It’s called al-Hamra (The Red) in Arabic, in Spanish and now it’s known as The Al
Hambra. The Al-Hambra is a palace and a fortress complex in Granada, Spain. It is a
wonder of Muslim architecture. Ibn al-Ahmar was the founder of the last Muslim dynasty
in Spain, the Nasirids. It was during their time that the Al-Hambra was built. The AlHambra is the most visible evidence of the Nasrids Kingdom.
11. Surrender of Granada took place in?
Answer: 1492
Note: Nasrid Kingdom ruled Granada during? CSS 2000
The Moors vacated Spain in? CSS 2001
Quote:
Nasrid was the last Muslim dynasty of Spain founded by Muhammad Ibn Nasir also
known as Ibn Al-Ahmar, in 1238. In 1492 they surrendered to the Christian Spanish
army. The Moors invaded Spain in 711 under the General Tariq ibn Ziyad. They ruled
Spain for 780 years until the fall of Garnada in 1492 which brought an end to the Muslim
control of Spain.
The Nasrid Kingdom of Garnada was the last Muslim dynasty in Spain. The re-conquest of
al-Andalus from the Muslims by Christians is referred to as The Reconquista by the
Spanish. The last Nasrid ruler was Abu Abdullah Muhammad XIII. The Spanish call him
Boabdil (Spanish for Abu Abdullah).
12. Ibn al Ahmar assumed the title of?
Answer: The Founder of the Nasrid Dynasty
Quote:
Ibn al-Ahmar is Mohammad I ibn Nasr. He assumed the title of the founder of the last
Muslim dynasty of Spain, The Nasrids, in 1238.
13. Futuh ul Buldan was written by?
Answer: al-Baladhuri
Quote:
Ahmad ibn yahya al-Baladhuri was a Persian historian. Kitab Futuh al-Buldan means The
Book of the Conquests of Lands. The book is about the early conquests of the Prophet
SAW and the early Caliphs.
14. Batttle of Roncesvalles was fought between Charlemagne and?
Answer: Basques
Note: Mountain range in South West Europe between France and Spain is called?
CSS 2002
Quote:
The Battle of was fought in 778 between Charlemagne’s forces and the Basques.
Sulayman ibn Yaqzan became the governor of Barcelona in 777. He was pro-Abbasid and
was threatened by Abdul Rahman I, the Umayyad emir of Cordoba. Sulayman sent a
delegation to Charlemagne, offering his submission together with Husayn of Zaragoza in
return for military aid against Abdul Rahman I.
Charlemagne sent his forces which marched across the Pyrenees towards Zaragoza.
Husayn however, refused to surrender the city, afraid that Charlemagne would usurp
power from him. Charlemagne laid siege to the city for a month but decided to return to
his kingdom, taking some of the hostages from his Muslim allies including Sulayman.
On his retreat, his forces headed to France via a narrow pass in the Pyrenees, where his
rearguard was wiped out by the Basques. The children of Sulayman collaborated with the
Basques in the Assault which resulted in the release of Sulayman. He was killed by
Husayn later. The Song of Roland is based on the battle of Roncesvalles. This is also
called the Battle of Roncevaux pass. Roncevaus is French, Roncesvalles is Spanish.
15. About which city the Arab scholar remarked: “It stood like a watch-tower in the
Meadow”?
Answer: The scholar was probably referring to the Al-Hamra.
Quote:
This is not a confirmed answer because I couldn’t find the exact quotes. The al-Hamra is
the only one that matches the description of the quote. If anyone finds the answer,
please share the source
16. In Muslim Spain the naval commander was called?
Answer: Qa’id
17. Which Muslim ruler is called ad-Dakhil or The Enterer in Spanish history?
Asnwer: Abdul Rahman I
Note: What is the real name of al-Dakhil? CSS 2001
Who was known was Hawk of Quresh? CSS 2001
Quote:
Abdul Rahman I, the first Emir of Cordova was known as al-Dakhil which means The
Imigrant. He was also known as Saqr Quraish meaning Hawk of Quraish. Abdul Rahman
was from the family of Umayyad Caliphate of Damascus. During his time, the Abbasid
revolution overthrew the Umayyad Caliphate. He escaped from Damascus and settled in
Cordoba where he continued the Umayyad dynasty. 200 years later one of his
descendants, Abdul Rahman III would claim the title of Caliph for himself and find the
Umayyad Caliphate of Cordova.
18. Abdul Rahman I was succeeded by his son?
Answer: Hisham I also known as Hisham al-Reda.
19. Islam Resurgent: The Islamic World Today was written by?
Answer: Thomas Ballantine Irving
20. Who is the author of the book entitled “History of the Islamic People”?
Answer: Carl Brockelmann
__________________
-Nickfury