CSS 2026 Solved Islamiat Paper | Challenges for the Institution of the Family
The following question of CSS Islamiat 2026 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
The question requires identifying contemporary challenges faced by the institution of family and its evolving role. It further demands discussing these challenges through Islamic teachings to highlight solutions for preserving family structure and social stability.
Outline
1- Introduction
2- Challenges Facing the Institution of the Family
- Social and Cultural Pressures – When Tradition Meets Modernity
- Economic Challenges – Survival Over Stability
- Technological and Media Pressures – The Digital Dilemma
- Moral and Ethical Erosion – Values in Crisis
3- Role of the Family in the Present Era
- Nurturing Faith and Moral Values – The Spiritual Core
- Emotional and Social Support – The Pillar of Resilient Individuals
4- Solutions in Light of Islamic Teachings
- Spiritual and Moral Measures – Strengthening Hearts and Values
- Educational and Awareness Measures – Knowledge as a Shield
- Economic and Political Measures – Stability Through Responsibility
- Social and Institutional Measures – Strengthening Community Support
5- Critical analysis
6- Conclusion
Answer to the question
Introduction
The family is the cornerstone of Islamic society, shaping moral values, emotional stability, and social cohesion. It is the primary institution through which faith, ethics, and culture are transmitted across generations. In the modern era, however, the family faces unprecedented pressures from social change, economic instability, technological intrusion, and moral decline. Islam emphasizes the sanctity of family life and provides clear guidance to nurture love, responsibility, and mutual respect within households. The Qur’an says, “And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination”(31:14). This divine instruction underscores the centrality of family in human life and social order. Understanding these foundations is essential to analyzing the contemporary challenges confronting families and their implications for society.
Challenges Facing the Institution of the Family
- Social and Cultural Pressures – When Tradition Meets Modernity
The shift to nuclear families, rapid urbanization, and modern lifestyles has strained traditional family structures, weakening moral guidance for youth. In the Gulf region, over 60 % of young people report struggling to disconnect from social media, contributing to reduced family communication and emotional distance. The Qur’an emphasizes the importance of raising righteous children by saying, “Indeed, Allah commands you to make your children righteous…” (At‑Tahrim 66:6). In today’s rapidly changing Muslim societies, Islamic guidance remains essential for preserving family integrity and moral values.
- Economic Challenges – Survival Over Stability
Moreover, financial hardship, rising unemployment, inflation, and dual-income pressures often force couples to prioritize survival over nurturing relationships. For instance, in Pakistan, recent studies show that nearly 40 % of young couples delay marriage due to economic instability, while many households struggle to meet basic needs, affecting family cohesion and children’s upbringing. However, Islam recognizes these challenges and emphasizes that moral responsibility within the family includes both emotional and financial care. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “The best of you is the one who is best to his family”(Tirmidhi 3895). This highlights that ethical conduct and financial stewardship are inseparable in maintaining a strong, righteous household.
- Technological and Media Pressures – The Digital Dilemma
Furthermore, Social media, mobile devices, and unregulated entertainment often weaken family communication and expose youth to harmful influences. For instance, in the Gulf region, over 60 % of young people report spending excessive hours online, contributing to misunderstandings and conflicts within households. Moreover, In urban Pakistan, rising divorce rates and domestic conflicts are often linked to digital distractions and online misunderstandings. Historically, the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) household served as the center of moral and spiritual learning, where children absorbed values through parental example. Today, technology can either strengthen family bonds if guided properly or erode them if misused, making conscious Islamic guidance essential to preserve moral and emotional integrity.
- Moral and Ethical Erosion – Values in Crisis
Further, declining adherence to Islamic principles has led to disrespect for parents, neglect of marital duties, and weakened authority within households. Rising instances of domestic disputes and youth rebellion demonstrate the consequences of moral erosion. The Qur’an stresses the importance of righteous families by saying, “And those who say, ‘Our Lord, grant us from our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous’” (Al-Furqan 25:74). This emphasizes that the strength of a society is rooted in families that uphold faith and morality.
Role of the Family in the Present Era
- Nurturing Faith and Moral Values – The Spiritual Core
In the current era, the family remains the primary environment where faith is taught and ethics are internalized. Parents guide children in prayer, honesty, and respect, shaping character in a world filled with distractions and competing influences. Today, households that actively engage children in religious practices, moral discussions, and community service replicate the same nurturing environment that the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) household provided, where Aisha (RA) and Fatimah (RA) guided the spiritual and intellectual growth of younger generations. This shows that even in modern societies, the family is indispensable in cultivating piety, ethical awareness, and resilience in youth.
- Emotional and Social Support – The Pillar of Resilient Individuals
Beyond spiritual guidance, the family provides the emotional stability, love, and security that help children grow into balanced adults. This support system protects youth from falling into negative peer influence, crime, or moral compromise. However, a sociological study in Karachi, Sukkur, and Hyderabad also found that a majority of juveniles involved in delinquent behaviour lived in nuclear family settings with frequent conflict and poor parental communication. When family bonds weaken, children are more vulnerable to emotional distress, negative coping mechanisms, and destructive behaviours. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) emphasized the importance of empathy and care within the family: “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself” (Bukhari, Hadith 13), linking moral development directly to familial and social nurture.
Solutions in Light of Islamic Teachings
- Spiritual and Moral Measures – Strengthening Hearts and Values
First and foremost, reinforcing taqwa and piety is central to family health. Parents and spouses should model ethical behavior, mercy, and patience. Regular Qur’anic study, family prayers, and discussions on ethics nurture moral consciousness and reduce conflicts. Historically, Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), during his caliphate, would personally counsel his children and household members about justice, humility, and moral responsibility, demonstrating that ethical guidance begins at home and radiates outward.
- Educational and Awareness Measures – Knowledge as a Shield
Moreover, marriage education, premarital counseling, and parental guidance rooted in Islamic principles are not just formalities; they are the backbone of resilient families. Institutions like schools and mosques can play a critical role by teaching shared responsibilities, conflict resolution, and ethical parenting, transforming households into centers of moral strength. Looking back at history, during Hazrat Ali’s (RA) time, education within the family was deliberate and holistic. He personally instructed his children and household members in the Qur’an, Hadith, and principles of justice, making clear that knowledge without ethical grounding is incomplete. This historical blueprint demonstrates that family education is both spiritual and practical, a lesson that resonates today as Muslim families navigate modern pressures and societal distractions.
- Economic and Political Measures – Stability Through Responsibility
Furthermore, financial stability is more than just numbers on a ledger; it is the silent scaffolding that holds families together. Thoughtful planning, fair distribution of responsibilities, and supportive state mechanisms can ease the pressures on young households, reducing marital strain and creating room for emotional and spiritual growth. For instance, Hazrat Uthman ibn Affan (RA) offers a timeless example: he used his personal wealth not only to support his family but also to fund public welfare initiatives, including the expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque, while ensuring fairness and transparency in his household finances. This historical precedent underscores a crucial point for today, when economic responsibility is paired with ethical integrity, families are able to move beyond mere survival, focusing instead on nurturing bonds, values, and resilience in the next generation.
- Social and Institutional Measures – Strengthening Community Support
Last but not least, Mosques, social organizations, and community networks can actively promote family cohesion, model ethical behavior, and provide mediation in disputes. During the Prophet’s (SAW) era, his household was closely connected to the larger community; neighbors, companions, and relatives participated in collective worship, charity, and family guidance. Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) often mediated disputes within his household and the community, modeling that strong social and institutional ties reinforce family cohesion. These examples from the pious caliphate show that family resilience is strengthened when households interact constructively with broader social networks.
Critical Analysis
Modern families face pressures that previous generations rarely encountered, from digital distractions to globalized cultural shifts. However, Islam provides timeless guidance that, if applied, can restore stability and cohesion. Historical precedents, from the Prophet’s household to Abbasid family models, demonstrate that ethical behavior, education, and communal support are key to resilience. Pakistan’s experience shows that urbanization and economic pressure can fragment families, but community and religious interventions can mitigate these challenges. Balancing tradition with modern demands is critical for preserving the family as the cornerstone of Muslim society.
Conclusion
The family remains the bedrock of individual, moral, and social life in Islam. Modern challenges, social, economic, technological, and moral, threaten this institution, but the Qur’an, Sunnah, and historical precedent offer clear remedies. By nurturing faith, providing emotional support, fostering knowledge, and ensuring social and economic stability, Muslim families can withstand contemporary pressures. A spiritually grounded and morally conscious family is essential not only for the welfare of its members but also for the cohesion and resilience of the wider Ummah.
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