The Stringfellow Unit Islamic Community has identified three core areas of focus for 2026:
Character
Developing integrity, discipline, accountability, and emotional maturity.
Competence
Building strong foundations through knowledge, while equally emphasizing the application of that knowledge in everyday life.
Leadership Skills
Preparing brothers to lead with purpose, humility, and responsibility within their communities.
We are advocating that MERIT on all units align with these same pillars. By unifying our focus across locations, we strengthen the movement and ensure that transformation is consistent, intentional, and impactful.
This shared direction allows us to grow leaders who are not only informed, but practiced. Not only motivated, but equipped. Not only changed, but changing others.
Together, we move forward
Community Competency in Action
As part of our 2026 focus within MERIT, we’ve launched a Community Competency initiative.
Every other week, brothers receive a 15 to 20 question assignment focused on strengthening their understanding of Islam. Those housed in the same sections must work together to complete it and are graded on both accuracy and quality of collaboration.
Through teamwork and shared learning, knowledge becomes action and growth becomes collective.
Why did Allah create man?
What is Prophet Muhammad’s full name?
What does Shahadah mean?
What is shirk?
Give one reason for the Year of Sadness.
Name two things that require you to make wudu.
What year was the Qur’an revealed?
How many ayat are in the Qur’an?
How many women can a Muslim man marry?
Give the Arabic word for:
a) Faith
b) To strive / struggle
c) Oneness of Allah
Name five Prophets listed in the Qur’an.
Name the four Rightly Guided Caliphs.
What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
What is tawhid?
a) The articles of faith
b) The oneness of Allah
c) The criteria to judge mankind
d) The pillars of Islam
How many years did the Prophet teach tawhid?
a) 8 months
b) 8 years
c) 13 years
d) 23 years
Extra Credit:
For any question that can be supported with a Qur’anic reference, include the ayah.
Instructions:
This test is research-oriented. For each statement, provide five different ayat from the Qur’an.
Rules:
Each ayah may be used only once across the entire test
No recycling of ayat
References must include Surah name and ayah number
There is no god except Allah or There is no god except He.
Describe when or how we make salat.
Name five prophets.
Allah tells us to seek refuge from...
Give information about zakat: the benefit of giving, when, how, who, or the consequences of not giving, etc.
Give information about sawm: when to fast, how to fast, who should or shouldn't fast, etc.
Give information about hajj: when, how, requirements, benefits, etc.
Give information about the Day of Judgement: when, how it happens, signs, consequences, benefits, etc.
Give information about taqwa: the benefits, the consequences, etc.
Fasting is required from sunup to sunset. True or false?
Muslims believe all revealed books originally came from Allah. True or false?
Angels possess free will like humans. True or false?
The percentage for Zakat on all income is 2.5%. True or false?
Which group is NOT eligible to receive Zakat?
a. The poor
b. The travellers in need
c. Immediate family dependents
d. Those in debt
Which pillar establishes a Muslim's identity?
a. salah
b. zakat
c. shahadah
d. sawm
Which belief MOST directly encourages accountability for actions?
a. tawhid
b. risalah
c. akhirah
d. salah
Which statement BEST reflects Islamic belief about Allah's attributes?
a. They resemble human qualities
b. They are symbolic only
c. They are perfect and unique without comparison
d. They change over time
Name one revealed book mentioned in the Qur'an besides the Qur'an itself.
Explain how belief in Akhirah influences daily behavior.
Explain why tawhid is considered the foundation of all Islamic beliefs.
Why is belief in divine revelation essential for moral guidance in Islam?
State two social benefits of congregational prayer.
Name three physical benefits of fasting.
Why is niyyat essential for acts of worship?
The belief that Allah communicates His guidance through chosen messengers is known as:
a. Tawhid
b. Akhirah
c. Risalah
d. Al Qadr
Which statement BEST describes the Islamic belief about prophets?
a. They were divine.
b. They may commit major sins
c. They were protected from major sins
d. They brought different religions
Which prophet received the Zabur?
a. Musa
b. Isa
c. Dawud
d. Ibrahim
What are jinns made from?
a. Light
b. Clay
c. Fire
d. Water
Where in the Qur'an does Allah challenge someone to produce a Surah or the likes of it?
Match the Angel to the responsibility:
Jibril a. Brings the end of life
Izra'il b. Delivers Allah's Revelations
Israfil c. Will blow the trumpet
Explain why belief in prophets is essential for understanding Allah's guidance to humanity.
All prophets preached the same core message of Tawhid. Circle: True/False
State two reasons the Qur'an is considered the final revelation. (Give an ayat to support your answer)
Muslims believe the Qur'an confirms and corrects previous scriptures. Circle: True/False
How does belief in angels influence a Muslim's accountability?
Angels disobey Allah at times. Circle: True/False
Explain the relationship between belief in the unseen and faith.
Where in the Qur'an does Allah say that when death comes, we won't be given respite, nor a chance to correct our wrongs?
Where in the Qur'an does Allah say that on the Day of Judgement those who held back their gifts will have them wrapped around their necks?
All actions in Islam are halal or haram. T/F
Backbiting is considered a minor sin. T/F
Islamic ethics apply only to acts of worship. T/F
Which quality is MOST emphasized in Islamic character building?
a. Wealth
b. Strength
c. Justice
d. Status
Which action is considered Fard?
a. extra fasting
b. paying zakah
c. sadaqah
d. voluntary prayers
Which category describes actions that are discouraged but not sinful?
a. fard
b. haram
c. makruh
d. mustahabb
Which Qur'anic principle BEST guides social behavior?
a. humility
b. loyalty
c. enjoining right and forbidding wrong
d. silence
Who is accountable for following Islamic law?
a. scholars
b. leaders
c. Muslims
d. men
Explain how the Qur'an and Sunnah work together as sources for Islamic law.
Name an example in the Qur'an when a prophet displayed good character (Give the Qur'anic address).
How does Islamic law protect family life (Give the Qur'anic address).
“What Surah Number?”
Give the Surah number for each statement.
Hint: No Surah is used more than once.
The "In the name of Allah" is also in the middle of this Surah.
Allah says He will drag people by their lying forelocks.
This Surah contains the most beautiful narrative... per the Qur'an.
On that Day, a woman will drop her load.
On that Day, man will flee from his brother, his mother and father, his wife and children.
On that Day, the Foremost, the Right Hand and the Left Hand will be sorted out.
On that Day, the girl buried alive will be questioned about the crime she was killed for.
Seek refuge with Allah before you read the Qur'an.
Angels will tear out the souls of the wicked with violence.
On raised couches, the Believers will laugh at the unbelievers.
A detailed list of the characteristics of the Servants of Ar-Rahman.
The parable of the dog that lolls out its tongue, whether you attack it or not.
The parable of three types of rocks.
The parable of the flimsiest of houses.
This Surah is called the heart of the Qur'an.
When recited, this Surah is considered 1/3 of the Qur'an.
When the haters are hating, The Prophet recited these two Surah.
This Surah has the greatest compilation of Names and Attributes of Allah in 3 ayat.
The Prophet used to recite the last 10 ayat of this Surah.
If The Prophet hadn't recited Revelation, Allah would have ripped his artery out.
The Companions wouldn't depart from each other until reciting this Surah.
Allah is closer to you than your jugular vein.
Truth knocks the brains out of falsehood.
The hypocrites enjoin what is wrong and forbid what is right.
The hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Hellfire.