ISLAMIC STUDIES PAPER Islamic Studies Paper has always been considered as the most unpredictable and decisive subject along with Englis...
ISLAMIC STUDIES PAPER
Islamic Studies Paper has always been considered as the most unpredictable and decisive subject along with English Essay and English Composition. The prime reason has been the fact that this paper has to be passed on its own unlike the three GK papers that comprise Current Affairs, Pakistan Affairs, and GSA where you need to score an aggregate of 120 marks out of 300.
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| HOW TO SOLVE CSS ISLAMIC STUDIES PAPER |
Thus, each year‘s result surprised many as most of the failed candidates were a victim of this paper. Purely for the sake of paper, set aside you confidence in your command over your faith and seize this opportunity to study Islam in detail. The failure of so many candidates does not mean that their faith is incomplete; rather they fail to understand the essence of questions. There are also many false notions and myths about this paper that the candidates must give moderate views in paper or otherwise prepare to be failed. These notions are false and absurd. There is no room for confusion in Islam so give your clear cut view but do not forget to prove it with effective argumentation and examples. The paper demands a critical approach in every attempted question. Moreover, try to understand contemporary problems from Islamic point of view. It means that the aspirant is asked to answer a question where the solution to a current problem is sought in the light of Islam.
ISLAMIAT PAPER: URDU OR ENGLISH?
There is one more confusion about this paper is attempting it in Urdu or English. This is no issue as the main purpose is checking your knowledge. English or Urdu does not carry any marks of their own, but your argumentation and presentation does. So choose the language in which you can best attempt the paper. There has been a wrong perception that any particular medium of expression can fetch you more marks as compared to the other one. It is highly recommended that you had better go with the medium of expression with which you feel at home and can express yourself in a better manner be that English or Urdu. In my personal capacity and recommendation, I suggest that one should opt this paper in English. The following reasons:
1. One is not enslaved to the formula of writing extended Hadith and Quran References, required in Urdu
2. One is studying everything in English so it is good to keep practicing in the same knowledge
3. The Urdu paper is also attempted from left to right of the answer sheet which creates confusion
4. Good and precise attempt will fetch good marks while in Urdu a lot of effort is required.
PREPARNG FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES PAPER
The way to prepare is to go through the past 10–15 years of papers. Sort out the most important and repeated 30 questions. Whatever book(s) you are consulting, you must sort out at least 5 Hadiths and 5 Ayats for each topic. Thus you will have some 300 references (Hadiths + Ayats) for all the 30 topics. These 300 references will broaden your vision to a huge extent and you will get the feelings of a religious scholar.
Whatever opinion you hold while answering a question will surely be immensely supported by the references. Another very important point worth–bearing in mind is that there are diverse opinions regarding the manner of quoting the references. If you can quote any reference in indirect speech by using your own words but the same message as embodies by the reference, it is considered to be a Good Approach. If you can remember the exact words of any reference and can state correctly, it is reckoned as a Better Approach. And if you can recall the exact words of any reference along with its reference (Ayats or the narrator of the Hadiths), it will surely be the Best Approach and will fetch you maximum marks.
SCORING HIGH IN ISLAMIC STUDIES PAPER:
The following suggestions can be helpful in improving the quality of your answer to get the maximum score:
1. Proper, coherent and impressive introduction to an answer is a prerequisite to scoring high in Islamic Studies Paper.
2. After providing an impressive introduction, the answer should be written in a style that is simply rational and coherent.
3. Try to make an outline of each question.
4. Be focused that what you‘re going to write. There are usually three types of sentences: Issue–based, Argumentative (which may support the issue at hand), Concluding (which are usually suggestion–based).
5. During preparation you should focus basically the Islamic Systems and the questions related to the fundamental problems of human beings and the importance and role of the Holy Quran in finding solutions to them.
6. In paper, there is hardly any heed paid to maintain coherence and linkage between the paragraphs and sequence of events.
7. Do write a relevant Quranic verse before starting to write the answer.
8. One more confusion is about the number of Ayats and Hadith references one has to quote. It purely depends on the question. If you remember any relevant references you should write preferably with other pen and some extra margin left on sides. But even if you do not quote any references, this would not mean a big difference if you answer the question effectively. Many candidates, including the writer, could not quote a single reference in Islamic Studies paper last year (2009) and still scored 70 per cent marks in it.
9. Use of headings is purely defined by the question asked. If you have any suitable heads for your arguments, use them with marker in bold style. But if questions demand critical analysis, you might not need more than a few.
10. Objecting others is, unfortunately, rampant in our society. We hear criticism of every sort almost round the clock. But, in CSS Exam, it is not approved of by the examiners. They just want to assess that which candidate has actually understood the issue and what suggestions he has to help resolve the said issue. It has been witnessed that some students become more than necessary critical while writing the answers to questions related to Western culture or civilization or those related to the issues of women. However, to score high, a balanced approach must be followed.
11. The students do read the books but they fail to utilize their analytical skills and creativity while writing down their answers. The students should consciously try to think about the contemporary challenges to Islam and the ways to tackle those.
12. Aspirants should pay attention to the prevailing trend of questions in the actual paper. So, read quality books and analyze.
13. Numerous aspirants, having no academic background in Islamic Studies, need a lot of guidance but they do not bother to seek any.
14. The last, but not least, are spelling and grammar mistakes. Try to avoid them in the paper.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
1. Islam Its Meaning and Message (Professor Khurshid Ahmed)
2. Islami Nazriya–e–Hayaat (Professor Khurshid Ahmed)
3. Islamic Studies (in Urdu & English) (Hafiz Karimdad Chughtai)
4. Islamic Ideology (S.M Shahid)
5. Documentaries on Islam and other religions (topdocumentaryfilms.com)
