Exams Knowledge Hub

MCQs for Competitive Exams, School & College Exams

Module: | Jainulabdeen's Routine & Austerity

Q57: Consider the following statements regarding the timing of Kalam's intellectual inquiry into prayer:

1. Kalam relentlessly questioned his father about the exact meaning of the Arabic prayers when he was a mere toddler.
2. He waited until he was "old enough to ask questions" before finally inquiring about the relevance of prayer.
3. This specific timeline indicates a childhood marked by respectful, silent observation prior to intellectual interrogation.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A
Only 1 and 2
B
Only 2 and 3
C
Only 1 and 3
D
All 1, 2, and 3
✅ Correct Answer: B
🎯 Quick Answer:
Statements 2 and 3 are correct. He waited until he was old enough to ask questions, showing respectful observation.
Concept Definition: Intellectual inquiry is the process of asking profound, analytical questions to understand the underlying mechanics or philosophy of a practice.
Structural Breakdown: The text divides his childhood into an observational phase (blindly accepting that prayers reached God) and an analytical phase (asking about the relevance). Historical/Related Context: In traditional Indian households, questioning elders, especially on religious matters, was often discouraged.
Kalam's father, however, fostered an environment where such questions were eventually welcomed and answered with profound philosophical depth, nurturing a future scientist.
Causal Reasoning: Statement 1 is incorrect because Kalam explicitly notes he did not ask questions as a young boy; he only asked about the relevance of prayer when he grew older.