Prohibitions in Islam

12 Grade 9 Religious Education (IRE) questions on Prohibitions in Islam, with worked marking schemes. 12 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   At a wedding, drinks containing alcohol (khamr) are offered to guests. A Muslim guest declines. Which prohibition in Islam is he upholding, based on Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:90)?

   A. The prohibition of fasting

   B. The prohibition of intoxicants (khamr), described as an abomination of Shaytan's work

   C. The prohibition of giving charity

   D. The prohibition of praying at night

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

2. Question 2

   6 marks

   Explain three reasons why Islam prohibits the consumption of intoxicants.

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   2 marks each for any 3: they impair the mind/reason which is needed to worship and make good decisions; they lead to neglect of religious duties such as prayer; they cause enmity, quarrels and violence; they waste wealth and harm the family; they damage health; they open the door to other sins. Accept other valid points.

3. Question 3

   1 mark

   A relative offers Salim a business loan but says he must repay an extra fixed percentage on top of the principal as a condition of the loan. Salim declines, recognising this as which prohibited practice?

   A. Zakat

   B. Sadaqah

   C. Riba

   D. Hibah

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

4. Question 4

   1 mark

   Which of the following meats is prohibited (haram) for a Muslim to eat?

   A. Chicken slaughtered Islamically

   B. Pork

   C. Beef slaughtered Islamically

   D. Mutton slaughtered Islamically

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

5. Question 5

   1 mark

   Halima earns money by selling stolen goods. In Islam, wealth acquired in this way is described as:

   A. Makruh but permissible

   B. Haram (unlawful)

   C. Mubah (neutral)

   D. Halal (lawful)

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

6. Question 6

   6 marks

   A Muslim businessman in Mombasa is advised to invest his savings in a scheme that pays fixed interest.

   (a) Name the prohibition involved (1 mark).

   (b) Give two reasons why this practice is forbidden in Islam (4 marks).

   (c) Suggest one lawful alternative he could use (1 mark).

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Riba/interest/usury (1). (b) 2 marks each: it exploits the needy and is unjust; it concentrates wealth and increases inequality; it removes blessing (barakah) from wealth; the Qur'an declares war on those who deal in riba. (c) Any lawful alternative (1): profit-and-loss sharing (mudarabah/musharakah), halal trade, interest-free investment, buying assets. Accept valid answers.

7. Question 7

   1 mark

   Which of the following consumables is clearly declared haram (prohibited) in Islam?

   A. Intoxicants (khamr)

   B. Dates

   C. Milk

   D. Honey

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

8. Question 8

   6 marks

   At a friend's party, Brian is offered an alcoholic drink. He is told 'just a small amount will not harm you.'

   (a) State the Islamic ruling on consuming alcohol (khamr) and give ONE Qur'anic reference. (3 marks)

   (b) Explain ONE harm of alcohol on the individual and ONE harm on society that justify this prohibition. (3 marks)

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Alcohol (khamr) is haram (forbidden) - even a small amount. Reference: Q5:90 - 'O you who believe! Intoxicants (khamr), gambling, idols (sacrificial altars) and divining arrows are an abomination of Satan's handiwork, so avoid it that you may be successful.' (Accept also the hadith: 'Every intoxicant is khamr, and every khamr is haram' - Sahih Muslim; or 'What intoxicates in large amounts, a small amount of it is haram' - Sunan al-Tirmidhi.) (3 marks.) (b) Individual harm (any ONE): It impairs the intellect/mind, which Islam seeks to protect (hifz al-'aql); it damages health; it leads to neglect of salah and other duties. Society harm (any ONE): It causes accidents, violence, broken families, crime and waste of resources. (Up to 3 marks.)

9. Question 9

   1 mark

   Gambling is prohibited in Islam mainly because it:

   A. Is expensive to organise

   B. Requires physical exercise

   C. Is done only at night

   D. Involves unlawful gain and causes enmity and neglect of duties

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

10. Question 10

    1 mark

    Which of the following acts is prohibited in Islam because it takes a life unjustly?

    A. Murder of an innocent person

    B. Fasting in Ramadan

    C. Praying at night

    D. Giving charity

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

11. Question 11

    1 mark

    A trader charges his customer extra interest for delaying payment of a loan. Which prohibition in Islam is he violating?

    A. Nikah

    B. Sadaqah

    C. Riba (usury/interest)

    D. Zakat

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

12. Question 12

    3 marks

    Islam prohibits certain foods and drinks. State three items whose consumption is prohibited (haram) in Islam.

    (3 marks)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

13. 9 more marking schemes are on this page. A free account opens all of them, and lets you build your own paper on the topics you have actually taught, laid out in KNEC format with its full marking scheme.

    Create a free account

More Grade 9 Religious Education (IRE) topics