Muslim Trivia Blog
Test your knowledge of Islamic history with this free quiz. Questions span from the time of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through the Rightly Guided Caliphs to the Islamic Golden Age. All answers sourced.
Islamic history spans over 1,400 years and encompasses some of the most transformative events, empires, and intellectual achievements in human civilization. From the first Muslim community in Madinah to the vast Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates, from the scholars who preserved and advanced Greek philosophy to the architects who built the Alhambra and the great mosques of Istanbul — the story of Muslim civilization is extraordinary in its scope and depth.
Yet many Muslims today know only fragments of this history. We might know the names of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs but not what made their leadership distinctive. We might have heard of the Islamic Golden Age without knowing the specific scholars and discoveries that defined it. This quiz aims to bridge those gaps.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Learn your genealogy so that you can maintain ties of kinship" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1979). In a broader sense, knowing our collective history as an Ummah helps us understand who we are, where we come from, and what we are capable of achieving when guided by faith and knowledge. The questions below will test your familiarity with key events, figures, and milestones across Islamic history.
The foundation of Islamic history is the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs (Al-Khulafa ar-Rashidun): Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (RA), Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), Uthman ibn Affan (RA), and Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA). Together, they led the Muslim community for approximately 30 years after the Prophet's passing.
During this period, the Quran was compiled into a single manuscript under Abu Bakr (RA) and standardized under Uthman (RA). The Muslim state expanded rapidly under Umar (RA), who established administrative systems that influenced governance for centuries. Ali (RA), known for his deep knowledge and piety, navigated one of the most difficult periods of internal conflict in early Islamic history.
Understanding this era is essential because the decisions made by these leaders shaped the trajectory of the entire Muslim world.
Question 1
Who built the Kaaba according to Islamic tradition?
Source: Quran 2:127
Allah says: 'And when Ibrahim was raising the foundations of the House and Ismail, [saying], Our Lord, accept [this] from us.' (Quran 2:127)
Question 2
What is the holiest city in Islam?
Source: Sahih Muslim 1382
Makkah is the holiest city in Islam, home to the Kaaba and the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram). The Prophet ﷺ said a prayer in Masjid al-Haram is worth 100,000 prayers elsewhere.
Question 3
Which companion of the Prophet ﷺ was the first muezzin (caller to prayer)?
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 604
Bilal (RA) was a freed Ethiopian slave who became one of the most beloved companions. The Prophet ﷺ chose him for his beautiful voice to make the first call to prayer.
Question 4
What is the second holiest city in Islam?
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 1190
Madinah is the second holiest city, home to Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque) where Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is buried. The Prophet ﷺ said a prayer there is worth 1,000 prayers elsewhere.
Question 5
Who was the prophet sent to the people of Egypt's Pharaoh?
Source: Quran 20:24
Allah sent Musa (AS) to Pharaoh with clear signs and miracles, commanding Pharaoh to free the Children of Israel. Musa (AS) is one of the most mentioned prophets in the Quran.
Question 6
What is the third holiest mosque in Islam?
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 1189
The three holiest mosques in Islam are Masjid al-Haram (Makkah), Masjid an-Nabawi (Madinah), and Masjid al-Aqsa (Jerusalem). The Prophet ﷺ said journeys should only be undertaken to these three mosques.
Question 7
Who was the first Caliph of Islam after the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 3668
Abu Bakr (RA) was the closest companion of the Prophet ﷺ and the first adult male to accept Islam. He was unanimously chosen as Caliph after the Prophet's ﷺ passing and led the Muslim community for about two years.
Question 8
Which companion of the Prophet ﷺ is known as 'Al-Farooq' (the one who distinguishes truth from falsehood)?
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 3681
Umar (RA) earned the title Al-Farooq because of his strong sense of justice and his ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood. His acceptance of Islam was a turning point, as it strengthened the Muslim community in Makkah.
Question 9
What significant event does the Islamic calendar (Hijri) begin with?
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 3934
The Islamic Hijri calendar begins with the migration (Hijra) of the Prophet ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE. This was established during the caliphate of Umar (RA) as it marked a pivotal turning point for the Muslim community.
Question 10
What is the name of the battle that was the first major military encounter between the Muslims and the Quraysh?
Source: Quran 3:123
The Battle of Badr took place on the 17th of Ramadan, 2 AH (624 CE). Despite being outnumbered — about 313 Muslims against roughly 1,000 Quraysh — the Muslims achieved a decisive victory with the help of Allah.
After the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, the Umayyad dynasty (661-750 CE) expanded the Muslim world from Spain in the west to Central Asia in the east, making it one of the largest empires in history. The Abbasid dynasty (750-1258 CE) that followed shifted the cultural center to Baghdad and ushered in the Islamic Golden Age — a period of unprecedented intellectual achievement.
Other significant dynasties include the Fatimids in North Africa and Egypt, the Seljuks in Central Asia and Anatolia, the Ayyubids under the famous Salahuddin al-Ayyubi (who recaptured Jerusalem in 1187 CE), the Mamluks in Egypt, the Mughals in India, and the Ottomans who controlled a vast empire for over 600 years. Each contributed uniquely to Islamic civilization.
Question 1
In which city was Prophet Muhammad ﷺ born?
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 3851
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born in Makkah in the Year of the Elephant (approximately 570 CE).
Question 2
What is the name of the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ migration from Makkah to Madinah?
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 3905
The Hijrah took place in 622 CE and marks the beginning of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. The Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr (RA) migrated together to Madinah.
Question 3
Who was the first wife of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 3815
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA) was the first wife of the Prophet ﷺ and the first person to accept Islam. She was a successful businesswoman who supported the Prophet ﷺ from the very beginning of his mission.
Question 4
What is the night journey of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Jerusalem called?
Source: Quran 17:1
Allah says: 'Glory be to the One Who took His servant by night from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa.' The Isra was the night journey, and the Miraj was the ascension to the heavens.
Question 5
Who was the best friend and first Caliph after Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 3659
Abu Bakr (RA) was the closest companion of the Prophet ﷺ, the first adult male to accept Islam, and his companion during the Hijrah. He became the first Caliph after the Prophet's ﷺ passing.
Question 6
What is the name of the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ daughter who was married to Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA)?
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 3714
Fatimah (RA) was the youngest daughter of the Prophet ﷺ and Khadijah (RA). She was known as 'az-Zahra' (the Radiant One) and was described by the Prophet ﷺ as the leader of the women of Paradise.
The Islamic Golden Age (roughly 8th to 14th centuries CE) saw Muslim scholars make groundbreaking contributions to virtually every field of human knowledge. Their work was driven by the Quran's emphasis on observation, reflection, and the pursuit of knowledge.
These scholars and hundreds of others understood that the pursuit of knowledge and the practice of faith are not in conflict — they are inseparable. For more history questions, visit our Seerah quiz page and explore the full range of Islamic knowledge categories.
Studying Islamic history is not just an academic exercise — it provides practical lessons for the present. The early Muslims demonstrated that a community grounded in faith, justice, and the pursuit of knowledge can achieve remarkable things. The Golden Age scholars showed that scientific inquiry and religious devotion complement each other. The diverse cultures that embraced Islam demonstrated that unity does not require uniformity.
Allah says in the Quran: "Travel through the land and observe how was the end of those who denied" (Quran 6:11). History is a teacher, and those who study it are better equipped to build a future worthy of the legacy they have inherited.
Keep testing your knowledge, keep learning, and keep the rich story of Islamic civilization alive for the next generation.
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