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Life and Living-I: Islamic Ethical Principles and Contemporary Issues (Islamic Studies): Course Outline

It is a matter of common sense that faith and obedience are being considered as essential aspects of comprehensive Islamic code of life.

Course Description

It is a matter of common sense that faith and obedience are being considered as essential aspects of comprehensive Islamic code of life. Viewing need of Muslims functional life in depth knowledge of fundamental beliefs and ethical principles of Islam is obligatory for every Muslim either man or woman. Moreover, everyone must know in detail the way of living by following which he can seek the pleasure of God. Unless a man knows the likes and dislikes of Allah SWT, he cannot choose and adopt the right path and reject the other.  Thus, the knowledge of the Divine Law and sources of Islam is also extremely essential in this respect. But here, again, mere knowledge will not suffice. Man must have full confidence and conviction that it is the Divine Law and that his salvation lies in following this code alone. For knowledge without this conviction will fail to spur man to the Right Path and he may be lost in the blind alley of disobedience. This course elaborates all these essential aspects of Islamic way of life.

The first part of this course introduces and gives to students strong and practical dimensions about fundamental beliefs, basic principles and about the pillars of Islam. This part provides sufficient knowledge to fundamentals and pillars of Islam and its adherent within contemporary global dynamics. The final part of this course deals will some most contemporary issues, including nationalism, capitalism reformist and radical Islam. Students will also explore the challenge of shaping a Muslim identity in the Muslim world, in the context of key Muslim institutions and social movement. This course will be university required course and partially fulfill the requirement of HEC Islamic studies undergraduate compulsory course.   

Course Contents (Part-1)

       1. Knowledge

  • Concept and Meaning
  • Importance & Significance
  • Sources of Knowledge
  • Types of Knowledge
  1. Vision of Life
  • Meaningful life
  • Prioritization of tasks
  • Types of roles
  • Balancing roles
  • Why to become a responsible Muslim
  1. Religion (Introduction, Importance, Significance)
  • Difference between Religion and Din
  • Brief introduction of world religions (Judaism, Christianity,Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism etc)
  • Introduction to fundamentals of Islam

a.Tawhid

  • Existence of ALLAH, An overview of different approaches to the concept of God
  • Importance of `AqidahTawhid in the life of a Muslim.
  • Tawhid   in the history of mankind according to the Quran.
  • Prophat (s.a.w) role in reviving the Aqida of Tawhid .
  • Role of Tawhid in transformation of human culture and civilization
  • Effects of Tawhid on individual and community and social life

b.Risalat

  • Importance and Significance
  • Difference between Nabi and Rasool
  • Distinguished Qualities of Prophets
  • Status of Prophet and its requisites
  • Sensible Proof of Prophethood of Muhammad (s.a.w)
  • Attributes of the Last Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)
  • Basis of relationship with the Prophet (s.a.w)
  • An overview of Blasphemy laws in modern world
  • Finality of Prophethood in the Quran and Sunnah
  • Finality of Prophethood with reference of the Constitution of Pakistan
  • Akhirat
  • Need and concept of Akhirah
  • Different concepts of Al-Akhirah in different religions
  • Qur’anic and rational arguments about Al-Akhirah
  • Concept of reward and punishment
  • Effects of belief in al-Akhirah on human life. 
  • Pillars of Islam
    • Concept & Meaning of Ibadah in Islam
    • Objectives of Worship

a.Salat (Prayer)

  • An overview of historical and religious background
  • Importance in the light of the Qur’an and Hadith
  • Types of prayer
  • Issues regarding Fiqh (Conditions, Arkaan)
  • Time Management and discipline in the light of Salaat system.

b.Saum (Islamic Fasting)

  • An overview of historical and religious background
  • Objectives of Saum
  • Types of Saum
  • Practical Issues according Islamic Shariah
  • Effects of Saum on Human Behavior
  • Self control through Islamic Fasting

c.Zakat (Charity)

  • An overview of historical and religious background
  • Objectives of Zakat / Charity
  • Quantum (Nisaab) of Zakat (Charity)
  • Beneficiaries of Zakat (Charity)
  • The Role of Zakat (Charity) in Establishing a Welfare Society 

d.Hajj (Islamic Pilgrimage)

  • An overview of historical and religious background
  • Types of Hajj & difference between Hajj & Umrah
  • Manasak-e-Hajj
  • The Forgiveness through Hajj
  • The Concept of Ummah and Hajj
  • Objectives of Hajj (Islamic Pilgrimage)

e.Jihad

  • Concept of Jihad in Islam
  • Importance in the light of Qur’an and Hadith
  • Types of Jihad
  • Objectives of Jihad
  • Difference between War and Jihad
  • Jihad, not Terrorism
  • The Role of Jihad in Establishing a Peaceful Society

 

Teaching Methodology

  1. Interactive lectures
  2. Discussions which links to theory to practice
  3. Demonstration
  4. Community Development/Social Welfare Projects
  5. In-House Seminars/Sessions and Workshops
  6. Study Visits
  7. Impact Analysis through Community Surveys 

Course Contents (Part-2)

       1. Objectives of Islamic Shari’ah

  • Introduction and Importance
  • Classification of Benefits
  • Objectives of Shari’ah in the Perspective of Specialization  
  1. Civilization (Definition, Introduction of different civilizations)
  • Islamic Civilization (Definition and scope)
  • Historical background
  • Basic elements of Islamic civilization
  • Characteristics of Islamic Civilization
  • Climax of Islamic Civilization (State of Madinah, Period of Khilafat-e-Rashidah)
  • Universal effects of Islamic civilization
  • Rise and fall of Muslim civilization
  • Theory of clash of civilization
  • A comparative study of Islamic and Western civilization
  1. Islam in Modern age:
  • Modernity and religion;
  • Islam and secularism
  • Islam and nationalism
  • Islam and democracy
  • Islam and capitalism
  • Islam and socialism & communism
  • Human rights in Islam and social justice
  • Islam and Science
  • Islam and Globalization
  • Islam and Terrorism,
  • Concept of Moderation and Islamic Principles

 

  1. Islamic System of life
  • Social System of Islam
  • Educational System of Islam
  • The concept of banking and takaful
  • Islam and media
  • Islam and social welfare
  • Ethical System of Islam
  • Strategic Da'wah System of Islam

Reference Books

Text Books

Learning Objectives

  1. General:
  • To develop ethically knowledgeable and practising professionals
  • To prepare a good Muslim professional
  • To develop a balanced, dynamic and wholesome personality
  1. Specific:
  1. Knowledge
  • To understand the basic concept and spirit of Islamic teachings.
  • To know the fundamentals and pillars of Islam
  • To understand the elements and characteristics of Islamic civilization
  • To provide sufficient knowledge and create awareness regarding contemporary issues.
  1. Skills:
  • To practice the pillars of Islam in personal and social life
  • To Analyze and evaluate critically the new challenges facing Islam in the world
  • To solve the ethical problems  in practical life
  • Student will be able to deal more effectively with the people in the world in the light of Islamic teachings
  • These skills will be useful to student in a range of fields including Government, Non Government organization, social and community work, Media etc.
  1. Attitude/Behavior:
  • To develop creative and innovative attitude
  • To develop ethical behavior in social professional and work environments.
  • To prepare a responsible and effective Muslim.