CSS 2015 Solved Islamiyat Past Papers | The Islamic Ideology and Modern Western Thought
The following question of CSS Islamiat 2015 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 examiner has asked to explain the concept & structure of the Muslim Ummah and suggest its revival. First, we should define the concept & structure of the Muslim Ummah and then give suggestions for its revival.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-An overview of Islamic Ideology
3-Comparison of Islamic Ideology and modern Western thought about the present trends of individuality.
A-Core Philosophical Foundation
- ✓Islamic Ideology
- ✓Modern Western Thought
B-Emphasis on Rights and Duties
- ✓Islamic Ideology
- ✓Modern Western Thought
C-Freedom vs. Responsibility
- ✓Islamic Ideology
- ✓Modern Western Thought
D-Social Structure and Individuality
- ✓Islamic Ideology
- ✓Modern Western Thought
5-Critical Analysis
6-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
The concept of individuality is essential to both Islamic theology and modern Western thought, yet their approaches diverge dramatically. Individuality is viewed in Islamic theology through the lens of divine direction, with a focus on balancing personal rights and communal responsibilities. It promotes individualism that is consistent with moral and spiritual beliefs, encouraging social harmony while maintaining personal identity. In contrast, modern Western ideology usually promotes individual autonomy, decoupling it from community commitments and moral absolutes. This approach often prioritizes personal freedom and self-expression over communal coherence.
An Overview of Islamic Ideology
Islamic ideology is an extensive framework of values and customs based on the Quran, the Sunnah (the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings and practices), and the consensus (Ijma) and reasoning (Ijtihad) of Muslim scholars. It offers a comprehensive framework for life that includes spiritual, moral, social, political, economic, and legal components. The concept of Tawheed (Allah’s oneness) is central to Islamic doctrine, and it serves as the foundation for a coherent worldview that combines faith and action. It promotes justice, equality, compassion, and transparency, directing individuals and societies toward moral conduct and communal well-being. Islamic worldview emphasizes every human being’s intrinsic dignity, the significance of fulfilling individual and collective obligations and living a balanced, purposeful life. It aims to create a peaceful society where heavenly principles govern human relationships, guaranteeing all justice, peace, and well-being.
Comparison of Islamic Ideology and modern Western thought about the present trends of individuality.
A-Core Philosophical Foundation
• Islamic Ideology
Tawhid (the Oneness of Allah) is the central philosophical tenet of Islamic doctrine, influencing all facets of existence and directing morality, government, and human purpose. This conviction proves that Allah is the source of all morality, wisdom, and authority. The importance of monotheism is affirmed by the Quran’s statement, “Say, He is Allah, [who is] One” (Quran 112:1). As demonstrated by the writings of philosophers like Al-Farabi and Ibn Sina, who balanced divine revelation with intelligence, Islamic philosophy combines religion and reason. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Rightly Guided Caliphs used a form of administration called Shura (consultation), which is an example of how divine principles influence group decision-making. This divine basis serves as the basis for Islam’s moral, social, and economic systems, which guarantee fairness, equilibrium, and responsibility in human affairs.
“And cooperate in righteousness and piety” (Quran 5:2)
• Modern Western Thought
In contrast to the perspective of Islam, Individual autonomy, empirical reasoning, and secular ethics are the main tenets of humanism and rationalism, which form the intellectual basis of contemporary Western philosophy. This philosophy, which has its roots in the Enlightenment, places a higher value on human reason than on divine revelation. This is demonstrated by the writings of thinkers such as Immanuel Kant, who stressed moral autonomy, and John Locke, who defended individual liberties. By promoting liberty, equality, and fraternity and keeping religion apart from politics, the French Revolution (1789) exemplified these principles. In contrast to religiously oriented economic frameworks, Adam Smith’s capitalism emphasized self-interest as the primary driver of society’s advancement. This approach frequently ignores spiritual aspects while promoting scientific progress and democratic government, which sparks discussions about morality, meaning, and social cohesiveness.
B-Emphasis on Rights and Duties
• Islamic Ideology
Islamic philosophy upholds a fair distribution of rights and obligations, guaranteeing social justice and peace. The balance between community obligations and individual rights is highlighted in the Quran’s statement, “And establish weight in justice and do not make deficient the balance” (Quran 55:9). According to the Prophet Muhammad, “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim” (Ibn Majah), Islam offers privileges like education. Muslim-majority nations have advanced in this area in recent years; for example, Indonesia has a 96.8% literacy rate (UNESCO, 2023). Similar to this, Islam mandates obligations like Zakat (charity), which helps millions of people by eliminating poverty. In 2022, Saudi Arabia’s zakat payments totalled $10 billion. This framework promotes a fair and accountable society by guaranteeing that rights are not violated in the absence of matching responsibilities.
• Modern Western Thought
In contrast to the perspective of Islam, Individual rights are highly valued in contemporary Western philosophy, which frequently puts individual liberties ahead of group obligations. As evidenced by treaties like the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), it is based on Enlightenment principles and defends rights like freedom of expression, democracy, and individual liberty. However, there are differences in how rights and obligations are balanced. For example, the United States struggles with social responsibilities despite promoting individual liberties, as evidenced by its 27.5 million uninsured citizens (2023, U.S. Census Bureau). In contrast, Nordic countries (e.g., Sweden and Norway) support high tax-based welfare systems, guaranteeing universal healthcare and education. This contrast demonstrates how Western ideas tend to emphasize rights but differ in how they enforce social obligations, which can occasionally result in social and economic inequality.
C- Freedom vs. Responsibility
• Islamic Ideology
Islamic philosophy promotes freedom with accountability, making sure that personal freedoms are consistent with societal and moral obligations. The Quran affirms freedom of belief by saying, “There is no compulsion in religion” (Quran 2:256), but it also demands moral behaviour, as seen by Islam’s ban on destructive words and deeds (Quran 49:11). In order to combat inequality, Islam promotes economic freedom while requiring Zakat, or charity. In 2023, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates raised about $15 billion in Zakat donations to aid people experiencing poverty. As seen in Indonesia, where 98.5% of women have access to education, Islamic laws also support gender rights with responsibility (UNESCO 2023). This equilibrium makes sure that freedom promotes a fair and responsible society rather than moral degradation.
• Modern Western Thought
In contrast to the perspective of Islam, individual freedom is valued in modern Western Ideology, which frequently puts individual liberty ahead of group accountability. This worldview, which has its roots in liberalism and human rights, supports economic independence, choice, and freedom of expression. The problem, then, comes when unbridled freedom gives birth to social problems like growing socioeconomic disparity. For instance, the United States maintains free-market capitalism, but as a result, the wealthiest 1% of the population now controls 32.3% of the country’s wealth (Federal Reserve, 2023), increasing the economic divide. Similarly, with Europe reporting a 30% increase in online hate crimes, complete freedom of expression has raised worries about hate speech and disinformation (EU Commission, 2023). Although freedom is valued in Western nations, it is nonetheless difficult to strike a balance between it and moral and social obligations.
D-Social Structure and Individuality
• Islamic Ideology
Islamic philosophy encourages a peaceful social order in which people value their uniqueness while adhering to the principles of shared responsibility. The Quran emphasizes togetherness while permitting personal development when it says, “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided” (Quran 3:103). More than 90% of Muslims in nations like Pakistan and Egypt live in strong family-based homes, demonstrating how Islam promotes the family as the fundamental unit of society (Pew Research, 2022). Institutions like Zakat, which helped Malaysia reduce poverty by more than $600 million in 2023, also place a high priority on communal welfare. In contrast to excessive individualism, the Islamic social structure promotes a harmonious and cohesive community by ensuring that individual growth is in line with moral and communal well-being.
• Modern Western Thought
In contrast to the perspective of Islam, modern Western philosophy places a strong emphasis on individuality within a social system that is comparatively flexible and where freedom and self-determination are fundamental principles. This is evident in modern democracies, where individual liberties frequently trump group responsibilities. As a case study of the tendency toward personal independence, single-person households have become more prevalent in the United States, accounting for 28% of all households (U.S. Census, 2023). Furthermore, the popularity of gig economy jobs in the United States, where 36% of workers are freelancers (Upwork, 2023), emphasizes the importance of personal autonomy and self-employment. These changes raise worries about social isolation and the breakdown of family structures since they both encourage individual freedom and put traditional community ties in jeopardy.
E-Moral and Ethical Framework
• Islamic Ideology
Islamic Ideology’s moral and ethical foundation, which emphasizes justice, compassion, and responsibility, is firmly anchored in divine direction. The Quran emphasizes the value of kindness and honesty by giving explicit instructions, such as “And speak to people good [words]” (Quran 2:83). Islam places a strong emphasis on moral business conduct in order to maintain equity in financial transactions, riba (usury) is prohibited. In reality, Islamic banking—which complies with ethical standards in banking—has seen large investments in nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with Islamic finance making up 25% of the global financial sector in 2023 (IFSB). In the same vein, philanthropy (Zakat) is required; in Turkey, $500 million is paid to charity each year as of 2023, highlighting the moral need to uphold social justice and assist those in need. This paradigm guarantees that Islamic values of justice and equality are reflected in both individual behaviour and societal institutions.
• Modern Western Thought
In contrast to the perspective of Islam, modern Western thought’s moral and ethical framework, which emphasizes equality, fairness, and individual rights, is based on secular humanism. This paradigm upholds universal human rights, which are frequently enshrined in texts such as the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In reality, Western cultures support equality and anti-discrimination; Norway, for example, has gender equality, with women holding 44% of the legislative seats (World Economic Forum, 2023). Furthermore, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a common concern in Western nations; according to the Philanthropy Roundtable, American corporations donated more than $20 billion to charitable groups in 2023. Although the framework emphasizes individual liberties, it also highlights the significance of sustainability, justice, and respect for variety. However, issues like economic inequality still exist, with the wealthiest 10% of Americans earning 50% of the nation’s income (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023).
F-Challenges in the Modern Context
• Islamic Ideology
Islamic philosophy struggles to uphold its fundamental principles in the face of secularism and globalization in the modern day. The Quran urges Muslims to strike a balance between tradition and modernity by emphasizing moderation and balance in its statement, “Thus We have made you a just nation” (Quran 2:143). However, in Muslim-majority nations that want to preserve Islamic traditions in politics and culture, the spread of materialism and secular ideas frequently results in the degradation of moral norms and causes conflict. As the Prophet Muhammad PBUH said, “The best among you are those who are most beneficial to others” The Sunnah promotes peace and justice, making the misuse of jihad by extremist organizations another major obstacle. Furthermore, in nations like Pakistan, where 32% of people live below the poverty line, Islamic economic concepts like profit-sharing and Zakat are challenging to apply in order to combat poverty (World Bank, 2023). Muslims must revert to the authentic essence of Islam, which is governed by the Quran and Sunnah and strikes a balance between individual liberty and societal duty, in order to overcome these obstacles.
• Modern Western Thought
There are many issues facing modern Western thought, including the need to strike a balance between social obligations and individual liberties. Although Western countries place a strong emphasis on individual liberty and human rights, the emergence of social disintegration and economic disparity highlights the drawbacks of unbridled individualism. The wealth gap has grown in the United States, for instance, with the wealthiest 1% controlling 32.3% of the country’s wealth (Federal Reserve, 2023), raising questions about social justice and equity. Furthermore, as carbon emissions from OECD nations continue to be high in spite of international climate accords, climate change and environmental degradation underscore the conflict between economic development and sustainability under capitalist systems. In nations like the UK, where 1 in 4 individuals have mental health problems, Western ethical frameworks also find it difficult to manage social isolation and mental health crises (NHS, 2023). These difficulties point to the need for a more comprehensive view of individuality that incorporates sustainability and the welfare of the group.
Critical Analysis
Critically, there are notable distinctions between the conceptual foundations of Islamic Ideology and contemporary Western ideas on individuality. Islamic philosophy sees individualism in terms of social and moral obligation. It emphasizes that in order to prevent harm or societal imbalance, individual liberties must be in line with divine values and the good of society. The emphasis on individual liberty and self-expression, on the other hand, is frequently placed above social norms and ethical limits in contemporary Western philosophy, which has its roots in liberalism and secularism. This has resulted in issues like social disintegration and economic inequality, as seen by the growing wealth gaps and mental health crises in the West. In contrast to Western civilizations, which prioritize individual rights and personal fulfilment, Islamic theology advocates for a more balanced approach, making sure that the pursuit of personal development does not come at the price of ethical integrity or social well-being.
Conclusion
To cut it short, modern Western philosophy and Islamic religion have different perspectives on individuality. Through the guidance of personal freedom with moral and social responsibility, Islamic teachings emphasize a well-rounded approach that guarantees harmony between individual rights and the welfare of society. In modern Western thought, however, total individual liberty is usually regarded more highly, often at the expense of societal goals. Islam encourages morally restrained self-development, in contrast to Western inclinations that place more value on individual choice and self-expression. This fundamental divergence shapes political institutions, relationships, and cultural standards in both worldviews.
“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.” (Quran 49:13)
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