Thread by @MohammadBullo1

Assalam Alaikum everyone,

As per popular demand, this #CSS thread will focus on #Islamiat. Make no mistake about it - it is one of the toughest subjects to pass. Recently, examiners have scrutinised and checked the paper very stringently. This is because of some issues: 1/16

A lack of RESPECT FOR THE SUBJECT: “Matriculation/ O level main parh liya hai, Ham Musalman hain.. ye tou pass ho hijayega.” WRONG. The subject demands attention to the philosophy of each topic and critical analysis. 2/16

Not quoting QURANIC VERSES AND HADITH: Merely writing down an answer as you would for any other subject with no reference to the supreme constitutional authority of Islam, the Quran, is a recipe for disaster. For every answer, you should write 5-6 Quranic verses and hadith. 3/16

For example, an answer to ‘The Difference between Deen and Mazhab’ can be started with Surah Al Imran (19)

إِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمُ

'Indeed the Deen in the eyes of Allah is Islam' ..

4/16

So simple yet so effective! The examiner will understand that you haven’t prepared this subject for the sake of preparation but that you are genuinely interested in its content. 5/16

PHILOSOPHY OF TOPICS: To understand why a particular aspect of Islam is to refer to its philosophy. Salah, for example, highlights the complete submission to the master of mankind and pushes a believer to be .. 6/16

obedient not only on the prayer mat but within the realms of worldly affairs as well. Fasting for example allows the believer to practise patience and emphasise with the less privileged, which pushes him to be responsible and kind towards them.. 7/16

On a personal level, as a civil servant (In Shaa Allah), fasting has indeed helped me to realise this concept and I wish to help out the people of my country in the way that is expected of me, and perhaps even go beyond that. 8/16

5.CONTEMPORARY ISSUES: ‘if they’re asking me about Islamophobia - I can easily summarise my essay on Islamophobia’ - wrong. Islamist’s demands for Islamophobia are different to the demands of an essay.. 9/16

In the Islamiat answer - you’ll discuss with reference to the verses how Islamophobia has been detrimental to the cause of Muslims globally and how we can overcome it by taking the example of our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW).. 10/16

In an essay, you’ll refer to global issues and not go extremely deep into the references to Islamic history and verses. 11/16

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Critical analysis in Islamiat means the fundamental application of farz and how it can benefit a believer and a society. For example, how the belief in the hereafter will improve the life of a believer and thus lead to a positive impact on the society. 12/16

7.Please do not take Islamiat MCQs lightly as well. Even though I had a good score this year, I only scored 9/20 in MCQs after rechecking my answers. MCQs are the only objective part of your exam and they can push you from an average to a good score and vice versa.. 13/16

Go over MCQ books that are published by many institutions and practise them whenever you have free time. 14/16

Hope these tips help. Obviously individual differences exist in relevance to the approach one can take to prepare for this subject. This approach was unique and personal to me. 15/16

There are many different ways to prepare for Islamiat – but remember: the underlying theme is to work hard and give the subject the respect it deserves. Tag your friends and retweet so that this can reach as many CSS aspirants ass possible!

Best of luck! 16/16