If Islamic Religious Studies is one of your JAMB subjects, the textbooks you study from will determine how well you understand the Qur’anic content, Islamic history, jurisprudence, and worship topics the exam tests.
IRS in UTME covers a broad range of topics and studying from books not aligned with the official syllabus means you risk going into the exam underprepared on areas that regularly appear.
This page gives you the complete list of IRS textbooks for JAMB recommended by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board for UTME candidates. Every book on this list has been approved by JAMB and covers the topics in the official Islamic Religious Studies syllabus.
You do not need to study every book here. Pick one or two strong titles, work through them using the JAMB IRS syllabus as your guide, and back your reading with consistent past question practice.
You can also check the complete list of JAMB recommended textbooks for all subjects to see the official books approved for Mathematics, Use of English, Government, and other UTME subjects.
Table of Contents
List of Recommended IRS Textbooks for JAMB
Click on any of the textbooks listed below to purchase it online and have it delivered to wherever you are within a few days.
- A DICTIONARY OF PEOPLES AND PLACES IN THE QUR’AN — Opeloye, M. O. (1996)
- A HISTORY OF ISLAM IN WEST AFRICA — Trimingham, J. S. (1993)
- AL-BURHANU FI TAJWIDIL QUR’AN — Muhammad, S. Q. (2010)
- AL-IZIYYAH FOR THE ENGLISH AUDIENCE — Quadri, Y. A. et al (1990)
- ISLAMIC HISTORY — Rahim, A. (1992)
- ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE FOR WASC (BOOKS 1 & 3) — Sambo, M. B. et al. (1984)
- ISLAMIC STUDIES FOR SSS (BOOKS 1-3) — Lemu, A. (1993)
- METHODOLOGY OF PRIMARY ISLAMIC STUDIES — Lemu, A. (1992)
- SHARIAH: THE ISLAMIC LAW — Doi, A. R. I. (1997)
- STUDIES IN ISLAM SERIES (BOOK 2) — Abdul, M. O. A. (1982)
- STUDIES IN ISLAM SERIES (BOOK 3) — Abdul, M. O. A. (1976)
- THE CLASSICAL CALIPHATE — Abdul, M. O. A. (1988)
- THE HOLY QUR’AN TEXT: TRANSLATION AND COMMENTARY — Ali, A. Y. (1975)
- THE INK OF THE SCHOLAR — Abdulrahman and Canham (n.d)
- THE LIFE OF MUHAMMAD (SAW) — Hay Lal, M. (1982)
- THE RELIGION OF ISLAM — Ali, M. M. (n.d)
- USOOL AT-TAFSEER — Philips, A. A. B. (1997)
Source: JAMB IBASS.
How to Get These JAMB Islamic Studies Textbooks
There are three straightforward ways to get any of the IRS textbooks for JAMB listed above.
The most direct option is visiting a nearby bookstore. Walk in and ask for the specific title and author you want. Islamic Studies textbooks are widely available in educational bookstores across northern Nigeria and in states with large Muslim populations.
Several titles on this list like Islamic Studies for SSS by Lemu and Islamic Religious Knowledge for WASC by Sambo are standard secondary school texts and are easy to find.
If there are no bookstores near you or you prefer home delivery, click any of the linked titles above to purchase online. Orders are typically delivered within a few days depending on your location in Nigeria.
You can also check your school library or borrow from a classmate who already has one of the books. For IRS specifically, some titles on this list like The Holy Qur’an are texts that many Muslim households already have access to, making them easy to study from without purchasing a separate copy.
These JAMB Islamic Studies textbooks are only “recommended” not compulsory.
Other IRS textbooks not on this list are also fine as long as they provide clear explanations of the topics in the official JAMB Islamic Religious Studies syllabus.
Download the List of JAMB Islamic Studies Textbooks PDF
Click the button below to download the PDF list of recommended IRS textbooks for JAMB this year for easy offline reference.
Frequently Asked Questions About IRS Textbooks for JAMB
What are the best IRS textbooks for JAMB?
The best IRS textbooks for JAMB are the ones officially recommended by JAMB and listed on this page. Among the most widely used are Islamic Studies for SSS Books 1 to 3 by Lemu, Islamic Religious Knowledge for WASC by Sambo et al., and The Holy Qur’an: Text, Translation and Commentary by Ali. These three cover the core Islamic Studies topics in the JAMB syllabus including Qur’anic studies, Islamic history, worship, and jurisprudence. They are widely available and used by UTME candidates across Nigeria.
Are JAMB IRS textbooks compulsory?
No, they are not compulsory. JAMB recommends these books because they align with the official Islamic Religious Studies syllabus, but you are free to use other IRS textbooks as long as they cover the same topics clearly. What matters most going into your UTME is that you understand Qur’anic teachings, Islamic history, acts of worship, and jurisprudence well enough to answer exam questions correctly.
Can I pass JAMB IRS without these textbooks?
Yes, you can. Many candidates pass JAMB Islamic Religious Studies using other good textbooks alongside the JAMB syllabus and consistent past question practice. However, studying from the recommended IRS textbooks for JAMB gives you a structured advantage because the content is already aligned with what JAMB tests. If you cannot access any of the listed books, focus on the syllabus topics and practise with as many past questions as you can find.
Conclusion
Choosing the right IRS textbooks for JAMB gives your preparation direction and ensures you are covering the topics that actually appear in the exam.
The books on this list are aligned with the official JAMB Islamic Religious Studies syllabus, which means studying from them puts you directly in line with what JAMB tests.
Pick one or two strong titles, work through them using the JAMB IRS syllabus as your guide, and back your reading with past question practice.
If you have questions about any of the textbooks listed or need help choosing the right one for your preparation level, drop a comment below and we will respond as quickly as possible.