NECO Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks

By Syllabus2026 February 10, 2026 NECO Syllabus 2026 0 Comments

The NECO Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) Syllabus 2026/2027 covers foundational knowledge of Islam, including the Quran, Hadith, Seerah (Prophet’s life), Fiqh (jurisprudence), and Islamic history. Key areas include memorization and interpretation of selected Surahs, the application of Hadith, the Five Pillars of Islam, and ethical/social values, focusing on practical application and theoretical understanding.

The NECO Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) syllabus aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Islamic principles, history, and culture, enabling students to apply these teachings to daily life. It focuses on fostering spiritual, moral, and intellectual development based on the Qur’an and Sunnah, preparing students to become responsible members of society.

Marking Scheme

Paper 1

This is your multiple-choice section. You’ll have 50 questions to answer, with one mark for each question. You will be given 50 minutes to complete it, so that’s about a minute per question. The goal of this section is to test your understanding of various topics in Islamic studies. So, make sure you’re ready for questions on history, the Qur’an, Hadith, and other key areas.

Paper 2

This is your essay section. It consists of six questions, but only one is compulsory. You have to answer the compulsory question and then choose three out of the five optional ones. You’ve got two hours to write your responses, so plan your time wisely. This section is worth 100 marks, so it’s where you can show what you know to earn more marks.

NECO Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) Syllabus 2026/2027

	ISLAMIC STUDIES
SN	TOPICS	OBJECTIVES
	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.)	(i) Birth (ii) Marriage (iii) Call to prophethood and his mission (iv) Hijrah: Causes, Course and Significance (v) Formation of the Ummah and the Madinan Constitution (vi) Leadership qualities of the Prophet (vii) The Battles: Badr, Uhud and Khandaq. (causes, courses and effects.) (viii) The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah: terms and outcomes. (ix) Conquest of Makkah. (x) The Farewell Pilgrimage: description, sermon and its lessons. (xi) 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	(i) The advent and roles of traders, teachers, murᾱbitun, sufi orders, mujaddidun (reformers) and Hajj in the spread of Islam. (ii) 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	(a)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. (b)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. (c) 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) Suratu l – Ikhlas (Q.112) Suratu l – Falaq (Q.113) Suratun – Nas (Q.114)
3	Moral Lessons from the Qur’an	(a) Attitudes to Parents (Q.17 :23 – 24: 31 : 13 – 15 (b) Honesty in Words and Deeds Q2: 42; 61: 2-3, 17: 35. (c) Prohibition of Gambling Q. 2:219:5 90-91.
	PART 3 HADITH
1		(a) Definition of Hadith and Sunnah. (b) Differences and similarities between Hadith and Sunnah (c) The Importance of Hadith and Sunnah. (d) Parts of the Hadith: ‘Isnad, Matn and Rawi. (e) Criteria for authenticity of Hadith (f) Classification of Hadith: Sahih, Hasan and Da‘if. (g) The Six Sound Collections of Hadith (Sihaus-Sittah) and their Compilers.
2		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)	(i) Meaning and Significance of Iman (Faith) (ii) 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). (ii) His angels – Q 2: 285; 8:50; 16: 2; 66: 6 ; 82: 10 – 12. (iii)His books – Q.2: 2; 2:285; 87: 19 – 19; 5:46. (iv) 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. (v) The Day of Resurrection, Judgement: Eternal Life Q 20: 15:32:10-20: 36: 78-70; 75: 3-13. (vi) Destiny – Qada’ and Qadar; Distinction between the two Concepts (Q.3: 145:25:2:76:3:87:3).
2	Shirk (Associating Partners with Allah)	(i) Worship of idols (Q.4:48:22:31:31:13:41:37): (ii) Ancestor and Hero- worship Q 3:64; 4:116;112:4; Q.2:13,40&41
3	Taharah (Purification)	(i) Importance of Taharah (ii) al- Istinja’ (iii) al-Wudu’ (iv) at-Tayammum (v) 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:	(i) Obligatory Salat (Subh/Fajr, Zuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib and ‘Isha’i.) (ii) Non-Obligatory Salat ( Nawafil that accompany the obligatory salawat, Duha, witr, etc.) (iii) Special prayers (Jum‘ah, ‘Idayn, Janazah,Istisqa’ Tarawih, Kusufayn and Istikhara.) (iv) Salatus-Safar (Salat on a journey.)
6	Sawm (Fasting): Detailed study of Sawm with emphasis on the Spiritual, Social and Moral Objectives.	(i) Definition (ii) Types of Sawm (compulsory and voluntary) (iii) Examples of compulsory fast (Ramadan, Kaffarah and Nadr) (iv) Examples of voluntary fast (Shitta Shawwal, ‘Ashura’and Tasu‘a, fasting on Mondays, fasting on Thursdays, etc.) (v) Voluntary fast (vi) How fasting is observed in Islam (vii) Ramadan Fast (viii) Those Exempted from Fast (ix) Things that vitiate Fast (x) Benefits/Significance of Sawm—spiritual, social and moral.
7	Zakat (Charity): Detailed Study of Zakat with emphasis on the Spiritual, Socio-Economic and Moral Objectives:	(i) Definitions of Zakat and Sadaqah (ii) Difference between Zakat and Sadaqah (iii) Articles on which Zakat is paid (iv) The Nisab of Zakat (v) Zakat on Livestock (vi) Zakat on Money (vii) Zakat on Agricultural Products (viii) The Beneficiaries of Zakat (Q.9:60) (ix) Zakatul-Fitr. (x) 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.	(i) Definition and Origin of Hajj and ‘Umrah. (ii) Pre-requisite to the performance of Hajj (iii) Performance of ‘Umrah and Hajj (iv) Acts that affect the validity of Hajj (v) Types of Hajj (Ifrad, Tamattu‘ and Qiran) (vi) Rites of Hajj (vi) Significance of Hajj (spiritual, socio-economic and moral objectives of Hajj).
9	Shari ‘ah:	(i) Definition; (ii) Sources (the Qur’an, the Sunnah, the Ijma‘ and the Qiyas.) (iii) Significance.
10	Nikah (Marriage)	(i) Concept (Q.16:72:24:32; 30;21: the Hadith “O young man……….”. (ii) Prohibited Categories (Q.2221; 4:22-24); (iv) Conditions governing validity (Q. 4: 4, 21, 24-25): al-Bukhari 67: 29, 37, 42, 49, 51-52, Abu-Da’ud 12:29-31: (v) Rights and duties of husband and wife(Q.2.228- 230:20:132;33:33,41:34;65:6) (vi)Law prohibiting the Ill-treatment of Wife (Idrar) Q 65:6
11	Talaq ( Divorce)	(i)Islam’s Attitude (Q.4: 35): the Hadith “of all things lawful…….most hateful to Allah” (Abu- Da’ud 13:31); (ii) Kinds – Talaq; Khul‘; Faskh; Mubara‘ah, Zihar and Li ‘an. (Q.2:228 – 230: Q.65). (iii) Iddatut-Talaq (Waiting Period for a Divorced Woman): Meaning, Duration and Implication.

NECO Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) Textbooks 2026/2027

1. The Holy Qur’an (text, translation, and commentary). A. Yusuf Ali
2. The meaning of The Glorious Koran (An explanatory translation by Mohammed Marmaduke Picktall) I.P.B., Lagos Nigeria
3. Islamic Religious knowledge for WASC Book 3 Hadith.
4. M. Bashir Sambo and Mohammed Higab I.P.B., Lagos, Nigeria.
5. Islamic Religious knowledge for WASC Book 2 Fiqh.
6. M. Bashir Sambo and Mohammed Higab I.P.B., Lagos, Nigeria.
7. Islamic Religious knowledge for WASC Book 1 Qur’an and Tafsir. M. Bashir Sambo and Mohammed Higab I.P.B., Lagos, Nigeria
8. The Life of Muhammad by Haykal Printed in Nigeria 1982.
9. Islam in Focus by Hammudah Abdalati I.P.B., Lagos Nigeria.
10. Islamic Studies for Secondary Schools Books 1 & 2 by Lemu I.P.B., Lagos.
And Islamic Education Trust, Minna.
11. Selected traditions of an-Nawawi by M.O.A., Abdul I.P.B., Lagos.
12. Studies in Islam series Books 1m – 5 by M.O.A., Abdul I.P.B., Lagos.
13. AL-‘IZZIYYAH for English audience by Quadri Y.A., and Oloyede, I.O. Shebiotimo Publications, Ijebu Ode.
14. Islamic Religious Knowledge for Senior Secondary School series 1 -3 by Seriki and Badmos – B and B.P. Abeokuta.
15. Yasin wal-Qur’an – by S.H.A., Malik Ilesanmi Press, Ilesha.
16. The Classical Caliphate by M.O.A. Abdul. I.P.B., Lagos.
17. West Africa And Islam, P.B. Clarke, Edward Arnold.
18. A. History of Islam in West Africa, J.S. Trimingham, Oxford University Press.
19. Islam in West Africa, J. S. Trmingha, Oxford University Press.
20. Islamic Studies for SSS Books 1 & 2 by B. “Aisha Lemu I.P.B., Lagos.
21. Essentials of Islamic Studies Books 1 & 2 by M.O. Raheemson. M.D. & P. Lagos.
22. 40 Hadith: An Explanation by Dr. Yushau Sodiq Published by J.S. Printing, USA in 2011.
23. Sulemana, M. (2004). Islamic Studies. Capital Publishing. Accra, Ghana.
24. Muhammad Jamiu Yunus (2011). Islam: The Religion of Peace. Alanisek
Gen.Concept Publications Ijebu-Ode.

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