CSS Islamic History & Culture Paper Syllabus

Islamic History & Culture

CSS Islamic History & Culture Paper Syllabus
Total Marks: 100
Time Allowed: 3 hours

Part – I (Marks 50)

I. Pre-Islamic Near East: An Overview

• Political, Social, Cultural, Religious and Economic Conditions in the Near East including Arabia before the dawn of Islam.

II. The Dawn of Islam: The Prophetic Age (570-632)

• Biography of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): A Chronology of the Major Events in his Life
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a Motivator (Daa’i), Major points of his mission
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a Military Leader/Strategist
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a Political Leader/Head of the State

III. The Pious Caliphate (632-660)

• Caliph Abu Bakr (632-34): Apostasy Wars and Consolidation of Islam
• Caliph Umar b.Khattab (634-44): Establishment of Administrative System and Expansion of Muslim Empire
• Caliph Uthman b.Affan (644-56): Problems and Issues in the Muslim Community
• Caliph Ali b.Talib (656-660): Rise of Factionalism
• Abdication of Imam Hasan and Establishment of Umayyad Dynasty (660)

IV. Political System of Islam under the Prophet (PBUH) and the Pious Caliphate

• Nature of Islamic State
• Form of the Government
• Functions of the Islamic State
• Sovereignty of God
• Caliphate or Vicegerency of Man
• Appointment of Caliph
• Shura or the Consultative Body and its Role

V. Institutional Development of the Muslim Civilization:The Early Phase (622-660)

• Development of Law and Judiciary in Early Islam
• Administration and State Conduct
• Defense in Early Islam
• Educational System
• Propagation of Islam
• Financial Administration
• Heritage and Culture

VI. The Umayyads in Power (660-749)

• Political History of the Umayyad Dynasty
• Statecraft and Administration under the Umayyads
• Society and the Development of Arabic Literature
• Cultural Achievements

Part – II (Marks 50)

VII. The Abbasids of Baghdad (749-1258)

• The Abbasid Revolution and the Establishment of the Abbasid Dynasty
• Administrative Structure under the Abbasids
• Development of Scientific Knowledge under the Abbasids
• Muslim Philosophy under the Abbasids
• Cultural Achievements

VIII. Spain under the Muslim Rule

• Spain under the rule of the Arabs and Moors (711-1492)
• Political Fragmentation and the Fall of Granada (1492)
• Muslim Contribution in the Realm of Culture, Arts and Architecture

IX. The Crusades against Islam

• Major Encounters and Actors (1092-1228)
• Impact of the Crusades on Muslim-Christian Relations

X. The Ottoman Empire

• Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Turks (1299-1923)
• State, Society and Economy under the Ottomans
• Treatment with the Religious Minorities
• Contribution towards Culture, Arts and Architecture

XI. Sufism as an Institution of the Muslim Society

• Origin and Development of Sufism
• Contribution of the Sufis to the Muslim Civilization
• Relationship of the Sufis with the State and Political Authorities
• A Critical View of Sufism

XII. Islam and Modernity in Contemporary World

• The Emergence of Islamic Modernism
• Intellectual, Political, Economic, Social and Educational Aspects of Islamic Modernism
• Dissemination of Muslim Learning in the West

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