CSS 2013 Solved Islamiyat Past Papers | The Problems of “Ummah” in the Contemporary World
The following question of CSS Islamiat 2013 is solved by Miss Ayesha Irfan, the highest scorer in CSS Islamiat. Moreover, the question is attempted using the same pattern taught by Sir Syed Kazim Ali to his students, who have scored the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
About this specific question, the examiner inquired about the problems of “Ummah” in the contemporary world. The first is an outline, which is broken down into different parts. Moving further, the introduction is given the problems of “Ummah” in the contemporary world and the conclusion.
Outline
1-Introduction
2- What are the problems of “Ummah” in the contemporary world?
A-External problems
- ✔Modern form of colonization
- ✔ Hegemony of Western organizations
- ✔Weakness of Muslim organizations
B-Internal problems
- ✔Disunity among Muslims
- ✔ Multiplicity among scholars
- ✔Rise in extremism and terrorism
- ✔Middle East crisis
- ✔Rich resources but poor management
- ✔Lagging in education
- ✔Weak economic status
- ✔Un-Islamic authoritarian rule
3-Critical analysis
4-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
The Muslim Ummah is the term used to describe the worldwide Muslim community united by shared religious practices, values, and beliefs, especially the belief in the unity of God (Allah) and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. To foster a spirit of fraternity and unity among Muslims worldwide, it cuts over national, ethnic, and cultural barriers. The Ummah is envisioned as a group that, through mutual help and shared obligations, promotes the prosperity and well-being of all its members. However, political, social, and cultural differences have undermined this sense of solidarity. It is possible to revitalize the Muslim Ummah by emphasizing interfaith communication, advancing knowledge and comprehension, and prioritizing the well-being of the underprivileged. To overcome problems like poverty, injustice, and inequality, unity should be based on shared ideals while honouring community variety. Furthermore, encouraging international cooperation and collaboration on shared objectives, including peacebuilding and humanitarian help, will increase Muslims’ feeling of interconnectivity.
What are the problems of “Ummah” in the contemporary world?
A-External problems
- The modern form of colonization
First of all, the contemporary type of colonialism, which is frequently shown via political power, economic exploitation, and cultural domination, continues to pose a serious external threat to the Muslim Ummah. In contrast to colonialism’s historical practice of direct territorial control, this modern kind of colonization uses international organizations, multinational businesses, and strategic alliances to influence nations with a majority of Muslims significantly. As a result, these countries frequently experience cultural deterioration, political instability, and economic reliance. A striking example of this can be seen in the case of Africa: several African countries, many of which have large Muslim populations, are still heavily influenced by Western powers. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), many African countries are caught in a cycle of debt, with an estimated $3 trillion in external debt owed by African nations. As a result, the contemporary kind of colonialism continues to pose a serious external threat to the political, economic, and cultural sovereignty of the Muslim Ummah.
- Hegemony of Western organizations
Moving further, the Muslim Ummah nevertheless faces a serious external challenge from the dominance of Western institutions like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the United Nations (UN). These organizations frequently influence the social, political, and economic structures of nations, with a majority of Muslims forming laws that benefit wealthy Western nations. As a result of this Hegemony, many nations lose their sovereignty and are compelled to embrace political systems, cultural norms, and economic models influenced by the West. For instance, the IMF has forced austerity measures on nations like Egypt and Pakistan, which have resulted in significant social service cuts, a rise in poverty, and an increase in inequality. Pakistan is susceptible to outside influence and control because of its expected $100 billion in external debt in 2020, primarily due to Western financial institutions. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:120), the Quran advises against the influence of people who wish to control others. “Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with you until you follow their religion.” In the face of Western imperialism, the Muslim Ummah’s capacity to uphold its principles and sovereignty is still under threat from demands to adopt other ideas and systems, as this verse explains. Since Islam promotes independence and integrity in all facets of government and the economy, the emergence of such external threats emphasizes the necessity for the Ummah to recover its independence and oppose foreign dominance.
- Weakness of Muslim organizations
One significant external difficulty facing the Muslim Ummah today is the frailty of Muslim organizations, like the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and other regional entities. Even though a common religion binds them together, these groups frequently suffer from internal conflicts, a lack of political unity, and ineffectiveness when it comes to dealing with the urgent problems that the Muslim world faces. For example, the OIC, which is made up of 57 nations with a majority of Muslims, has done nothing to address crises such as the civil war in Syria, the occupation by the Palestinians, and the humanitarian situation in Yemen. The Quran says in Surah Al-Imran (3:103), “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided…” Thus, the internal disarray of Muslim organizations continues to be a significant obstacle to the Ummah’s ability to adapt and advance in the face of outside forces.
B-Internal problems
- Disunity among Muslims
Muslim disunity still poses a serious internal problem for the Ummah today, making it more difficult for it to act as a single entity when confronting internal and foreign issues. Muslims are frequently split along political, ethnic, and sectarian lines while having a shared religion; this weakens their unity and impedes their advancement in social, political, and economic spheres. For instance, the persistent Sunni-Shia division has affected Muslim communities worldwide and caused tensions, violence, and instability in nations like Bahrain, Syria, and Iraq. About 85–90% of Muslims worldwide were Sunni in 2019, while just 10–15% were Shia, according to the Pew Research Center. Sectarian violence and conflict were prevalent in several areas. The Muslim community finds it challenging because of these internal conflicts.“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided… and remember the favour of Allah upon you when you were enemies, and He brought your hearts together so that by His grace you became brothers.” Today’s Muslim division, which has its roots in political fragmentation and sectarianism, is a significant barrier to the Ummah’s power, advancement, and worldwide impact.
- Multiplicity among scholars
Furthermore, a major internal problem for the Muslim Ummah is the diversity of viewpoints among its academics, which frequently causes misunderstandings, disarray, and conflicts within the community. Although Islamic study benefits from a plurality of views, it may also become problematic when divergent perspectives on essential topics lead to contradictory practices and ideas. This is most noticeable in discussions of jurisprudence, political governance, and social concerns, where conflicting schools of thought and fatwas (legal opinions) cause chaos and erode the unity of the Ummah. For example, in nations like Pakistan and Egypt, the continuous conflicts between the Salafi, Sufi, and Deobandi schools of thought have resulted in ideological divisions and even acts of sectarian bloodshed. Even in Muslim-majority nations, tensions arise because more than 20% of Muslims globally identify with specific sectarian or ideological groupings, according to a Pew Research Center survey. In Surah Al-Imran (3:103), however, the Quran urges unity in the face of such difference, as Allah commands, “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided…” As a result, although intellectually stimulating, the diversity of academic viewpoints has turned into an internal obstacle that makes it difficult for the Muslim Ummah to take a united front and successfully handle its problems.
- Rise in extremism and terrorism
Except for Multiplicity, Present-day Muslim Ummah faces a serious internal challenge in the form of the growth in terrorism and extremism, which distorts the real message of Islam and causes internal divides that threaten the community’s integrity and unity. ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and other extremist groups pose as representatives of Islam, yet their acts—from bombs to vicious assaults on civilians—go against the core values of justice, kindness, and peace that Islam upholds. In 2020, 67% of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide occurred in Muslim-majority nations, with Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq bearing the brunt of terrorist attacks, according to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI). These extremist organizations further alienate Muslims from the larger world community and defame them by using religious rhetoric to defend their acts. In Surah Al-Maidah (5:32), Allah says, “Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption done in the land – it is as if he had slain humanity entirely. And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved humanity entirely.” This verse emphasizes that taking the life of an innocent person is a serious offence that goes against the essential principles of Islam. Therefore, the emergence of terrorism and extremism inside the Muslim Ummah is a significant internal problem that keeps eroding the moral and spiritual strength of the community and symbolizes a distortion of Islam’s essential ideals.
- Middle east crisis
Moreover, the continuing Middle East crisis, which has resulted in widespread political instability, economic turbulence, and humanitarian tragedies throughout the area, poses a serious internal challenge to the Muslim Ummah. For instance, the 2011 start of the Syrian conflict has resulted in over 500,000 deaths and millions of displaced people, contributing to a global refugee crisis that has impacted neighbouring nations. According to the UN, more than half of Syria’s population, 13.4 million people, need humanitarian aid as of 2021. The Quran emphasizes the importance of unity and cooperation in times of conflict. In Surah Al-Anfal (8:46), Allah says, “And obey Allah and His Messenger and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and your strength would depart. And be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” This verse emphasizes the importance of being together, patient, and persistent when facing hardship. The necessity for unity, reconciliation, and strategic cooperation within the Muslim community is starkly brought to light by the Middle East situation.
- Rich resources but poor management
Unfortunately, the enigma of enormous natural resources but inadequate management still poses a serious internal problem for the Muslim Ummah today, as many nations with a majority of Muslims suffer from corruption, bad governance, and ineffective government. The Ummah’s capacity for expansion and prosperity is undermined by this misalignment between resource riches and economic development, which results in widespread poverty, unemployment, and inequality. For instance, while having one of the world’s largest oil reserves, Saudi Arabia still has problems like young unemployment (25% in 2020) and economic reliance on oil exports, making it susceptible to changes in international markets. Fairness, responsibility, and prudent resource management are emphasized throughout the Quran and Sunnah. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:261), “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed of grain which grows seven spikes. Each spike contains a hundred grains.” This verse teaches that wealth and resources should be used wisely and for the benefit of the community. Therefore, the Muslim Ummah has a significant internal issue in the form of poor resource management, which keeps it from reaching its full potential and meeting the demands of its people.
- Lagging in education
Since many Muslim-majority nations still deal with poor educational institutions, restricted access to high-quality education, and low literacy rates, falling behind in education is a key internal concern confronting the Muslim Ummah today. The Ummah’s capacity to innovate, compete in the global economy, and progress in science and technology is hampered by this educational gap. For instance, UNESCO reports that some of the lowest literacy rates in the world are found in Sub-Saharan Africa, which includes several nations with a majority of Muslims. For instance, Niger and Chad have literacy rates of only 19% and 35%, respectively. Gender disparity in educational achievement also results from the difficulties that many Muslim nations have guaranteeing equal access to education, especially for females.“ Read in the name of your Lord who created” (Quran, 96:1). The importance of education in Islam is emphasized by this mandate, which exhorts Muslims to pursue knowledge in all spheres, both religious and secular. Furthermore, according to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim” (Sunan Ibn Majah). Therefore, the underdevelopment of education in many countries with a majority of Muslims continues to be a serious internal problem that not only impedes personal development but also keeps the Ummah as a whole from realizing its full potential in the contemporary world.
- Weak economic status
Furthermore, a significant internal issue facing the Muslim Ummah today is the poor economic standing of many nations, with a majority of Muslims, which hinders socioeconomic growth, exacerbates poverty and makes them more dependent on foreign assistance. Even though many of these nations have abundant natural resources, their economy has stagnated, and inequality has increased due to bad management, corruption, and weak administration. For instance, Pakistan, a country with a sizable Muslim population, has been dealing with long-term economic difficulties. Its economy is heavily burdened by a more than 24% poverty rate and a national debt of more than $100 billion. The Sunnah provides advice on justice and economic management. However, via programs like Zakat (obligatory charity), which guarantees money circulation throughout society, Islam promotes independence and eradicates poverty. the Quran states in Surah At-Tawbah (9:60), “Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy…” Because Islam places a strong emphasis on economic fairness and sustainable development for all, a weak economic standing within the Muslim Ummah not only jeopardizes individual and national success but also the welfare and well-being of the Muslim community as a whole.
- Un-Islamic authoritarian rule
Last but not least, since many Muslim-majority nations are run by leaders who do not adhere to the Islamic values of justice, accountability, and consultation (Shura), un-Islamic authoritarian leadership continues to pose a serious internal threat to the Muslim Ummah. These authoritarian governments frequently restrict human rights, stifle political freedoms, and consolidate power in the hands of a select few, which results in pervasive corruption, social instability, and a lack of opportunity for the general public. For instance, Saudi Arabia is frequently criticized for its lack of political liberties while being a powerful Muslim nation since the king has ultimate control and the voices of the opposition are suppressed. In a similar vein, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s Egypt has seen a rise in authoritarian rule, with political opponents facing jail time and speech rights being severely curtailed. The tenets of Islamic administration, including ruler accountability and consultation, are compromised under such regimes. According to the Prophet (PBUH), “Whoever is appointed as a ruler over people and he is not sincere toward them, he will not experience the fragrance of Paradise” (Sahih Muslim). Therefore, the Ummah has a serious internal issue due to the presence of authoritarian governments throughout the Muslim world, which obstructs the establishment of authentic Islamic governance founded on equality, justice, and the well-being of the populace.
Critical analysis
Indeed, the Muslim Ummah, which was once the most powerful and majestic nation on earth, is today enmeshed in a maze of issues. Due to personal interests, the Muslim Ummah is currently split and fractured on many levels. It is past time for the Muslim community to uphold the fundamental principles of Islam and set aside its divisions. It is the responsibility of Muslim leaders to preach and preserve the actual teachings of Islam and to stand together against those who would want to discredit Muslims, even if Muslims would still encounter challenges and be stuck in a never-ending circle of issues. The most well-known quote from Aesop, “Divided we fall, united we stand,” perfectly sums up the importance of unity and how the Muslim Ummah should act upon it as it is the only thing that can provide the foundation for progress and open doors to overcome other hurdles.
Conclusion
The Muslim Ummah of today confronts many challenges, the most important of which are internal strife and foreign influences, although retaining a strong historical and cultural perspective. Resolving these issues and looking to the Quran and Sunnah for direction are essential for the Muslim community. Unity, faith, and a dedication to Islamic principles are the only ways the Ummah can overcome these obstacles and work toward a future that is peaceful, progressive, and harmonious with everyone.
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