WAEC Islamic Religious Studies (Essay and Obj) Answers 2026/2027: The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) examination consists of Objective, Essay, and Hadith sections based on the official WAEC syllabus. Questions are drawn from the Qur’an, Hadith, Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence), Tawhid (Belief), and Islamic history.
WAEC Islamic Religious Studies (Essay and Obj) Answers 2026
WAEC Christian Religious Studies OBJ Answers 2026
01-10: DCCBACBDBD
11-20: ABBBACCCCC
21-30: ADBBBDCDDB
31-40: ACBCBCBCBA
41-50: ACCDCBBADB
COMPLETED!!!
WAEC Christian Religious Studies Essay Answers 2026
Number 5
(5a)
John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus Christ. He preached in the wilderness of Judea, calling the people to repentance and preparing them for the coming of the Messiah. Many people went to him at the River Jordan to confess their sins and be baptized by him.
One day, Jesus came from Galilee to the River Jordan to be baptized by John. When John saw Jesus, he recognized that Jesus was greater than him. John felt unworthy to baptize Him because he knew that Jesus was without sin. John tried to prevent Him and said that he himself needed to be baptized by Jesus, yet Jesus was coming to him for baptism.
Jesus answered John and told him to allow it for the time being because it was proper for them to fulfill all righteousness. This means that Jesus wanted to obey God’s will fully and identify Himself with the people He came to save, even though He had no sin.
After this, John agreed and baptized Jesus in the River Jordan. As Jesus came up from the water, the heavens were opened. The Spirit of God descended upon Him like a dove and rested on Him. This showed that God had anointed Jesus for His public ministry.
Then a voice came from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” This voice confirmed that Jesus was the Son of God and that God approved of Him. The event also revealed the presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
After His baptism, Jesus was fully prepared to begin His public ministry. The encounter between John the Baptist and Jesus at the River Jordan was important because it marked the beginning of Jesus’ work of preaching, healing, teaching, and saving mankind.
(5b)
(PICK ANY THREE)
(i) It teaches Christians the importance of baptism as an act of obedience to God.
(ii) It teaches humility, because Jesus humbled Himself to be baptized by John even though He was greater than John.
(iii) It shows that Christians need the Holy Spirit to live a faithful and useful life.
(iv) It teaches that God is pleased when His children obey His will.
(v) It reveals Jesus as the beloved Son of God and strengthens Christian faith in Him.
(vi) It teaches Christians to submit to God’s plan, even when they may not fully understand it.
========================
Number 6
(6a)
The condemnation of Jesus to death began after He was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, had agreed with the chief priests to betray Him. He led a crowd with swords and clubs to where Jesus was praying with His disciples. Judas identified Jesus with a kiss, and Jesus was arrested.
After His arrest, Jesus was taken to the house of the high priest. The chief priests, elders, and scribes were already gathered there. They were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put Him to death. Many false witnesses came forward, but their testimonies did not agree.
Later, some people accused Jesus of saying that He would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. Even this testimony was not enough to condemn Him. The high priest then asked Jesus directly whether He was the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus answered in a way that showed that He was truly the Son of God and that they would see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven.
When the high priest heard this, he tore his clothes and accused Jesus of blasphemy. He said they no longer needed witnesses because they had heard His words themselves. The council then judged that Jesus deserved death. After this, some of them spat on Him, covered His face, struck Him, and mocked Him.
Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole council held another meeting. They bound Jesus and took Him to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, because they did not have the power to carry out the death sentence by themselves.
Before Pilate, they accused Jesus of misleading the people, claiming to be Christ a king, and forbidding people to pay taxes to Caesar. Pilate questioned Jesus and asked whether He was the king of the Jews. Jesus answered, “You have said so.” After examining Him, Pilate found no real fault in Him.
When Pilate discovered that Jesus was from Galilee, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was happy to see Jesus because he had heard many things about Him and hoped to see Him perform a miracle. Herod questioned Him at length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and scribes continued to accuse Him strongly. Herod and his soldiers mocked Jesus, dressed Him in a fine robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.
Pilate gathered the chief priests, rulers, and the people and told them that neither he nor Herod had found Jesus guilty of any crime deserving death. He wanted to punish Jesus and release Him. However, the people shouted that Jesus should be crucified.
During the feast, Pilate had the custom of releasing one prisoner to the people. He offered to release Jesus, but the crowd chose Barabbas instead. Barabbas was a criminal who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder. The chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask for Barabbas and demand the crucifixion of Jesus.
Pilate asked what evil Jesus had done, but the people shouted louder, “Crucify him.” Seeing that the crowd was becoming uncontrollable, Pilate gave in to their demand. He released Barabbas and handed Jesus over to be crucified.
In this way, Jesus was condemned to death through betrayal, false accusations, jealousy of the Jewish leaders, pressure from the crowd, and the weakness of Pilate who failed to uphold justice.
(6b)
(PICK ANY THREE)
(i) Upholding justice brings peace because people will feel protected and treated fairly.
(ii) It reduces crime because offenders are punished and others are discouraged from doing evil.
(iii) It promotes unity because citizens will trust the law and will not feel cheated or oppressed.
(iv) It encourages development because people can work, invest, and live without fear.
(v) It protects the rights and dignity of citizens, especially the weak and poor.
(vi) It builds trust in government because people believe that leaders are fair and responsible.
========================
Number 7
(7a)
The experience referred to in the statement happened in the early church after the death of Ananias and Sapphira. At that time, the believers were united and showed great love for one another. They shared what they had, and no one among them lacked basic needs. Some of the believers who owned lands or houses sold them and brought the money to the apostles so that it could be used to help the needy members of the church.
One of the people who showed this spirit of generosity was Barnabas. He sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money to the apostles. His action was honest and sincere, and it encouraged others in the church.
Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. However, they agreed together to keep back part of the money for themselves while pretending that they had brought the full amount to the apostles. The problem was not that they kept part of the money, because the property belonged to them and they were free to decide what to do with it. Their sin was that they lied and tried to deceive the apostles and the Holy Spirit.
Ananias came first and laid part of the money at the apostles’ feet as if it was the whole amount from the sale of the land. Peter, being guided by the Holy Spirit, knew what Ananias had done. He asked him why Satan had filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land. Peter reminded him that while the land remained unsold, it was his own, and even after it was sold, the money was under his control. Peter then told him that he had not lied to men but to God.
Immediately Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. Great fear came upon all who heard what had happened. The young men in the church rose up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him.
About three hours later, Sapphira came in, not knowing what had happened to her husband. Peter asked her whether they sold the land for the amount that Ananias had brought. She also lied and said yes, that was the amount.
Peter then asked her why she and her husband had agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord. He told her that the feet of those who had buried her husband were at the door and that they would also carry her out. Immediately, Sapphira fell down at Peter’s feet and died. The young men came in, found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband.
When the whole church and all who heard about these events saw the judgment that came upon Ananias and Sapphira, great fear came upon them. The incident showed that God hates hypocrisy, lies, deceit, and false appearance in His church.
(7b)
(PICK ANY THREE)
(i) Christians should be honest and sincere in their dealings with God and people.
(ii) The church should avoid hypocrisy and false display of righteousness.
(iii) God sees secret sins, even when people try to hide them.
(iv) Giving to God should be done willingly and not with deceit or pride.
(v) Christians should not lie to the Holy Spirit or treat the things of God carelessly.
(vi) The church should maintain discipline, holiness, and fear of God.
========================
SECTION C
Instruction: Answer at least one question from this section.
Number 8
(8a)
James addressed the issue of partiality among Christians by warning them against showing favouritism in the assembly of God. He told them that believers in Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, should not show partiality. This means that Christians should not treat people differently because of wealth, social position, fine clothes, tribe, education, or outward appearance.
James gave an example of what could happen in a Christian gathering. He said that if a rich man wearing fine clothes and a gold ring came into the assembly, and a poor man wearing dirty or shabby clothes also came in, the members should not treat the rich man better than the poor man.
He explained that if they gave special attention to the rich man and told him to sit in a good place, but told the poor man to stand aside or sit on the floor, they had become judges with evil thoughts. This kind of behaviour showed that they valued people based on outward appearance instead of seeing them as equal before God.
James reminded the Christians that God had chosen many of the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him. Therefore, despising the poor was wrong because the poor were also important before God.
He also pointed out that some of the rich people were the ones oppressing them, dragging them to court, and blaspheming the honourable name by which they were called. So it was wrong for Christians to honour the rich unfairly while dishonouring the poor.
James then referred to the royal law in the scripture, which says, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” He taught that Christians do well when they obey this law. But if they show partiality, they commit sin and become guilty before the law.
James further explained that whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point is guilty of breaking the law. Therefore, Christians should not see partiality as a small matter. It is a sin before God because it goes against love, justice, and equality.
He advised believers to speak and act as people who will be judged by the law of liberty. He also taught that judgment is without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy, but mercy triumphs over judgment.
In summary, James taught that Christians must treat both the rich and the poor with love, respect, and fairness. The assembly of God should not be a place where people are honoured because of money or outward appearance, but a place where all believers are accepted as children of God.
(8b)
(PICK ANY THREE)
(i) Some Christians give more honour and attention to rich members than poor members in the church.
(ii) Some churches give special seats and recognition to wealthy people while ordinary members are ignored.
(iii) Some Christians judge people by their dressing, appearance, tribe, education, or social class.
(iv) Some believers help only those who can benefit them, while neglecting the poor and needy.
(v) Some church leaders treat influential members with more respect because of their money or position.
(vi) Some Christians fail to show equal love and kindness to everyone as James recommended.
==========================
Number 9
(9a)
Peter began with a general admonition to Christians to be subject, for the Lord’s sake, to every human institution, whether it is to the emperor as the supreme authority on earth, or to the government appointed by him to oversee the administration with delegated powers to punish offenders or reward those who do right, for this is the will of God, the ultimate power behind these earthly authorities. He said that by doing the right thing, they would put to shame the ignorance of foolish men. He admonished them to live as men free from the curse of the law and not to misuse their liberty as a pretext for evil. He said they should rather live as servants of God with the fear of God. They should honour all men, love the Christians brotherhood and honour the emperor.
(9b)
(i) He should have love for his nation and its legitimate institutions, both civil and religious.
(ii) He should obey all laws and regulations set up for the smooth administration of the country.
(iii) If the need arises, a good citizen should even fight to defend the territorial integrity of his nation if other options, including dialogue, fail.
WAEC Islamic Studies Essay Answers 2026
Number 1
(1a)
(i) Name of the devotion: Hajj (or ‘Umrah, though Hajj is the primary long-form pilgrimage).
(1aii)
Definition: Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. It is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey.
(1bi)
First compulsory act: Ihram. This is the state of ritual purity which includes wearing specific white garments and making the formal intention (Niyyah) to perform the pilgrimage.
(1bii)
(i)Tawaf al-Qudum: Circling the Ka’bah seven times in a counter-clockwise direction.
(ii)Sa’i: Walking/running seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa.
(iii)Wuquf at Arafat: Standing and praying at the plain of Arafat (the most essential pillar of Hajj).
(1c)
(i)Equality: The simple white garments of Ihram remove all distinctions of wealth, status, and nationality.
(ii)Patience and Endurance: The physical demands of the rites build spiritual and physical discipline.
(iii)Submission to Allah: Every ritual reflects the pilgrim’s total surrender to the will of God.
(iv)Unity of the Ummah: It serves as a global gathering that strengthens the bond of brotherhood among Muslims worldwide.
(v)Spiritual Rebirth: Successful completion is believed to cleanse a person of their past sins, providing a fresh start.
====================
Number 2
(2a)
(i) Year of birth: 194 AH (810 CE).
(ii) Place of birth: Bukhara (in modern-day Uzbekistan).
(iii) Full name: Muḥammad ibn Ismā‘īl al-Bukhārī.
(iv) Year of death: 256 AH (870 CE).
(v) Title of his collection: Sahih al-Bukhari (originally Al-Jami’ al-Musnad al-Sahih al-Mukhtasar min Umur Rasul Allah wa Sunanihi wa Ayyamihi).
(vi) One of his teachers: Imām Ahmad ibn Hanbal (others include Ishaq ibn Rahwayh and Ali ibn al-Madini).
(vii) One of the places he visited to learn: He traveled extensively across the Islamic world, including Mecca, Medina, Egypt, Syria, and Baghdad.
(2b)
(i)Strict Continuity (Ittisal): He ensured an unbroken chain of narrators reaching back directly to the Prophet (S.A.W.).
(ii)Narrator Integrity (‘Adalah): Every narrator in the chain had to be a person of exemplary character and piety.
(iii)Accuracy and Memory (Dabt): Narrators were required to have a precise and proven memory to ensure the text remained unchanged.
(iv)Proof of Meeting (Liqa’): Unlike some other scholars, Bukhari required proof that two successive narrators in a chain had actually met in person.
(v)Lack of Flaws (‘Illah): The Hadith had to be free from any subtle hidden defects in the chain or the text.
(vi)Spiritual Verification: It is recorded that he performed Ghusl and prayed two units of Istikhara prayer before adding any Hadith to his final collection.
====================
Number 3
(3a)
(i)The Aws
(ii)The Khazraj
(3b)
(i)Head of State: He exercised supreme political authority and unified the various factions under the Constitution of Madinah.
(ii)Commander-in-Chief: He organized the defense of the city, planned military expeditions, and led the army.
(iii)Diplomat: He sent and received envoys, negotiated treaties (such as the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah), and formed alliances with neighboring tribes.
(iv)Chief Executive: He oversaw the implementation of laws, collected and distributed Zakat (charity), and managed the public treasury (Bayt al-Mal).
(v)Legislator: He established a legal framework for the community, defining rights and responsibilities for both Muslims and non-Muslims.
(3c)
(i)Persecution in Makkah: The Quraysh intensified their physical and economic torture of Muslims, making life in Makkah unbearable and dangerous.
(ii)The Divine Command: Muslims believe the Prophet (S.A.W.) received a specific command from Allah to migrate after years of patience.
(iii)The Pledges of ‘Aqabah: Representatives from Yathrib (the Aws and Khazraj) pledged their loyalty and protection to the Prophet, providing a secure destination for the community.
(iv)The Assassination Plot: The leaders of the Quraysh had conspired to kill the Prophet (S.A.W.) in his sleep, necessitating an immediate and secret departure to ensure his safety and the survival of the message.
====================
Number 4
(4a)
Truthfulness: “And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know it.” This emphasizes that truthfulness is not just about speaking the truth, but also about integrity ensuring that truth remains pure and is never hidden to deceive others.
(4b)
(i)The Title of Al-Amin: Even before his Prophethood, he was known by the pagan Meccans as Al-Sadiq (The Truthful) and Al-Amin (The Trustworthy) due to his unwavering honesty.
(ii)Trade and Commerce: As a merchant, he never cheated or hid defects in his goods, which led to the success of Lady Khadijah’s business and her eventual proposal.
(iii)Fulfilling Covenants: He strictly adhered to the terms of treaties, such as the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, even when the terms appeared disadvantageous to the Muslims.
(iv)Conveying the Message: Despite intense persecution, he never altered the revelations of the Quran to please the Quraysh, maintaining absolute truth in his mission.
(4c)
(i)Loss of Trust: A society without truth suffers from a breakdown in social and business relationships, as no one can rely on the word of another.
(ii)Spread of Corruption: When falsehood is normalized, injustice, bribery, and exploitation become prevalent, leading to the decay of moral values.
(iii)Divine Displeasure: In Islamic theology, dishonesty is a characteristic of hypocrisy (Nifaq). It distances individuals from the mercy of Allah and leads to spiritual ruin.
====================
Number 5
(5a)
Ayat al-Kursi (The Verse of the Throne).
(5b)
Allāhu lā ‘ilāha ‘illā Huwa al-Ḥayyu al-Qayyūm. Lā ta’khudhuhu sinatun wa lā nawm. Lahu mā fīs-samāwāti wa mā fīl-’arḍ. Man dhal-ladhī yashfa‘u ‘indahu ‘illā bi-idhnih? Ya‘lamu mā bayna aydīhim wa mā khalfahum, wa lā yuḥīṭūna bi-shay’im-min ‘ilmihī ‘illā bi-mā shā’. Wasi‘a kursiyyuhu s-samāwāti wal-’arḍ, wa lā ya’ūduhu ḥifẓuhumā, wa Huwa al-‘Aliyyu al-‘Aẓīm.”
(5c)
(i)Al-Hayy (The Ever-Living): He who possesses eternal life, neither beginning nor ending.
(ii)Al-Qayyum (The Self-Sustaining): The One who remains and sustains all of creation without needing anything Himself.
(iii)Al-Aliyy (The Most High): The One who is above all in rank, power, and status.
(iv)Al-Azim (The Most Magnificent/Great): The One whose greatness is beyond human comprehension.
(5d)
(i)Absolute Oneness (Tawhid): It emphasizes that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.
(ii)Total Sovereignty: Everything in the heavens and the earth belongs exclusively to Him.
(iii)Divine Knowledge: Allah’s knowledge is all-encompassing, covering the past, present, and future, while humans only know what He permits.
(iv)Effortless Guardianship: Allah maintains and protects the entire universe without ever becoming tired or weary.
====================
Number 6
(6a)
The Hadith narrated by Abū Sa’īd al-Khudriyy is Hadith 34 in Imam an-Nawawī’s Forty Hadith.
(6b)
“Whoever amongst you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he is not able, then with his tongue; and if he is not able, then with his heart and that is the weakest of faith.”
(6c)
(i)Obligation of Action: It is a religious duty for every Muslim to oppose injustice and wrongdoing according to their capacity.
(ii)Levels of Authority: Changing evil “with the hand” generally refers to those in positions of authority (like parents or rulers), while “with the tongue” refers to speaking out or giving advice.
(iii)The Power of Intention: Even if one is physically or socially unable to stop an evil, they must still hate it in their heart. This ensures the believer’s conscience remains pure.
(iv)Degrees of Faith: The Prophet (S.A.W.) indicates that faith is not static; taking active steps to improve society is a sign of stronger faith compared to silent disapproval.
(v)Wisdom and Gradation: The Hadith teaches a systematic approach to social reform, prioritizing direct action where possible but allowing for verbal and internal resistance to prevent greater harm.
Recent Posts
