Islamic Caliphates (Islamic Study) MCQs

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman | Last updated: May 19, 2025

1. : What is the literal meaning of the word “caliphate” in Arabic?
(A) Succession
(B) Leadership
(C) Submission
(D) Unity

2. : Who was the first Caliph after the death of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
(A) Abu Bakr
(B) Umar ibn al-Khattab
(C) Uthman ibn Affan
(D) Ali ibn Abi Talib

3. : Which Caliphate is considered the “Rashidun Caliphate”?
(A) Umayyad Caliphate
(B) Abbasid Caliphate
(C) Fatimid Caliphate
(D) First four Caliphs after Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

4. : Which battle marked the end of the Rashidun Caliphate and the beginning of the Umayyad Caliphate?
(A) Battle of Badr
(B) Battle of Uhud
(C) Battle of Karbala
(D) Battle of Siffin

5. : Who was the first Umayyad Caliph?
(A) Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz
(B) Muawiya I
(C) Yazid I
(D) Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

6. : Which city served as the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate?
(A) Medina
(B) Mecca
(C) Damascus
(D) Baghdad

7. : Which Caliphate is known for its expansion into North Africa, Spain, and parts of Central Asia?
(A) Abbasid Caliphate
(B) Umayyad Caliphate
(C) Fatimid Caliphate
(D) Ottoman Caliphate

8. : Who was the founder of the Abbasid Caliphate?
(A) Abu Bakr
(B) Umar ibn al-Khattab
(C) Abd al-Rahman I
(D) Abu al-Abbas al-Saffah

9. : Which city served as the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate?
(A) Cairo
(B) Baghdad
(C) Cordoba
(D) Istanbul

10. : The Abbasid Caliphate is often referred to as the “Golden Age” of Islam. What contributed to this era’s prosperity?
(A) Trade and commerce
(B) Scientific and cultural achievements
(C) Religious tolerance
(D) All of the above

11. : Which Caliphate was established by the descendants of Prophet Muhammad’s daughter Fatimah?
(A) Umayyad Caliphate
(B) Abbasid Caliphate
(C) Fatimid Caliphate
(D) Ottoman Caliphate

12. : Which city served as the capital of the Fatimid Caliphate?
(A) Cairo
(B) Baghdad
(C) Damascus
(D) Medina

13. : Who was the last Caliph of the Ottoman Caliphate?
(A) Suleiman the Magnificent
(B) Abdulmejid II
(C) Mahmud II
(D) Selim I

14. : Which event marked the abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate?
(A) Treaty of Lausanne
(B) Treaty of Sèvres
(C) Treaty of Versailles
(D) Treaty of Karlowitz

15. : Which modern-day country was home to the Ottoman Caliphate?
(A) Turkey
(B) Saudi Arabia
(C) Iran
(D) Iraq

16. : Who was known as the “Second Caliph” in the Ottoman Caliphate?
(A) Selim I
(B) Suleiman the Magnificent
(C) Mahmud II
(D) Abdulmejid II

17. : During which century did the Abbasid Caliphate decline, leading to the rise of regional powers?
(A) 7th century
(B) 8th century
(C) 9th century
(D) 10th century

18. : The Umayyad Caliphate is often associated with which architectural marvel?
(A) Hagia Sophia
(B) Dome of the Rock
(C) Great Mosque of Damascus
(D) Alhambra

19. : Which Caliphate is credited with the preservation and translation of classical Greek and Roman texts?
(A) Umayyad Caliphate
(B) Abbasid Caliphate
(C) Fatimid Caliphate
(D) Ottoman Caliphate

20. : What was the primary religion of the Byzantine Empire during the time of the Umayyad Caliphate?
(A) Zoroastrianism
(B) Christianity
(C) Judaism
(D) Islam