PMS 2021 Solved Islamiat Past Papers | Islam’s Significant Challenges in Contemporary Times
The following question of PMS Islamiat 2021 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 also asked about the significant challenges Islam faces in contemporary times and suggested their solution. The first part is an outline, breaking the question into different parts. Moving further, an introduction is given, the significant challenges Islam faces in contemporary times, their solution and a conclusion is drawn.
Outline
1-Introduction
2- The significant challenges faced by Islam in contemporary times
- ✓Disunity among Muslims
- ✓Increasing threat of Islamophobia, extremism, and terrorism
- ✓Un-Islamic authoritarianism
- ✓Increasing influence of Western culture
- ✓Multiplicity of Islamic Jurisprudence
3- Solutions to the significant challenges faced by Islam in contemporary times
- ✓strongly firm to Islamic teachings
- ✓Establishing the Islamic rule of law
- ✓Combating Islamophobia through increasing the collective efforts of Islamic scholars
- ✓Enforcing Islamic Political rules
5-Critical Analysis
6-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Although Islam is a religion of peace and diversity, it suffers many difficulties in the modern world. Geographical, social, and political contexts influence these difficulties, but some of the main ones are: Extremism and misinterpretation; Muslim division; the growing threat of terrorism, Islamophobia, and extremism; un-Islamic authoritarianism; the growing influence of Western culture; and the diversity of Islamic jurisprudence. However, by implementing the true teachings of Islam, all these issues can be resolved.
The significant challenges faced by Islam in contemporary times
In the modern day, Islam faces numerous formidable obstacles fueled by intricate interactions between social, political, and cultural elements. One of the biggest problems is the emergence of Islamophobia, which is driven by false information and stereotypes that link Islam to extremism and lead to widespread prejudice and discrimination against Muslims around the world. Development is further stalled in many Muslim-majority nations by issues with access to education, economic disparity, and governance.
- Disunity among Muslims
In the modern day, Muslim disunity continues to be a major obstacle to Islam, undermining the ummah’s unity and impeding advancement. Sectarian conflicts, especially those between Sunni and Shia groups, can turn into political and social disputes that destabilize countries and shatter the Muslim identity worldwide. For instance, sectarian tensions have contributed to years of political instability, violence, and social disintegration in Iraq, a nation with a population of about 60–65% Shia and 30–35% Sunni Muslims. Such instances demonstrate how internal division not only undermines the impacted country but also makes it more difficult for the Muslim world as a whole to work together on international concerns. In order to overcome these obstacles and restore harmony and confidence, it is necessary to encourage inter-sectarian communication, advance inclusive governance, and highlight common Islamic principles.
- The increasing threat of Islamophobia, extremism, and terrorism
Islam faces a serious threat in the modern day from the growing threat of terrorism, extremism, and Islamophobia, which damages Muslim communities widely and distorts the religion’s reputation. Globally, Islamophobia fuels prejudice and hate crimes against Muslims through unfavourable stereotypes and media representation. Extremist beliefs, which fringe organizations frequently spread, distort Islamic teachings and raise issues related to international security. For example, according to government data, terrorism has caused significant harm in Pakistan, a nation with a majority of Muslims. Between 2001 and 2022, more than 83,000 people died in terrorism-related incidents. As terrorism intensifies, Islamophobia, prejudice and marginalization foster radicalization, and these problems reinforce one another.
- Un-Islamic authoritarianism
Since un-Islamic authoritarianism challenges the fundamental tenets of Islamic governance—justice, accountability, and consultation (shura)—it poses a serious threat to Islam in the contemporary world. In contrast to the egalitarian and moral principles that Islam promotes, authoritarian governments repress dissent, restrict liberties, and hold onto power by corruption and coercion in many nations with a majority of Muslims. For instance, Egypt, which has a 90% Muslim populace, has come under worldwide criticism for its authoritarian policies, which include the mass detention of political opponents. Human Rights Watch claims that more than 60,000 political prisoners are detained in Egypt in appalling conditions, which stifles democratic hopes and exacerbates public unrest. When these regimes act in the name of Islam, they not only alienate populations but also damage the religion’s reputation worldwide. To overcome this obstacle, Muslim societies must be empowered to push for responsibility and change by returning to the Islamic values of justice, equity, and participatory governance.
- The increasing influence of Western culture
Moreover, Islam faces a significant difficulty in the modern day due to the growing influence of Western culture, which frequently conflicts with traditional Islamic beliefs and customs. Concerns regarding the loss of Islamic identity, especially among young people in nations with a majority of Muslims, have grown as a result of the broad embrace of Western lifestyles, media, and consumer culture. For instance, polls demonstrate a discernible change in cultural behaviours in Turkey, a country where 99 per cent of the population considers themselves Muslims. A 2019 KONDA study found that younger generations are rapidly embracing secular or Westernized norms, causing the number of Turks who identify as religiously conservative to fall from 55% in 2008 to 51% in 2018. Due to this cultural change, the preservation of Islamic customs in the face of globalization has been a topic of discussion. To tackle this issue, a well-rounded strategy that emphasizes Islamic teachings that align with modernity while upholding fundamental principles is needed, as is the encouragement of cultural resilience.
- Multiplicity of Islamic Jurisprudence
Despite being a source of diversity and richness, the plurality of Islamic jurisprudence poses a serious problem for Islam today, mainly when conflicting interpretations cause misunderstandings or division. Within Sunni and Shia Islam, there are several schools of thought (madhabs), such as Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanbali, and Ja’fari. This frequently leads to divergent views on governance and personal law. In nations like Nigeria, where almost half of the population is Muslim, these distinctions have shown up as intricate legal frameworks that combine secular and Sharia law. For instance, Sharia is used in Northern Nigeria in Muslim criminal and personal issues, but state-by-state variations in its interpretation and application result in uneven court decisions and tensions between different sects. Such diversity can make providing a cohesive Islamic position on current affairs more challenging, underscoring the necessity of respectful and inclusive discourse to bridge jurisprudential divides and promote unity.
Solutions to the significant challenges faced by Islam in contemporary times.
- Strongly firm to Islamic teachings
Maintaining a strong foundation in Islamic principles provides a potent remedy for the primary issues Islam faces today. A framework for dealing with problems like divisiveness, extremism, Islamophobia, and cultural deterioration is provided by the fundamental tenets of Islam: justice, compassion, unity, and devotion to moral norms. Muslims may combat the distortion of Islam by promoting its authentic message of peace and tolerance by adhering to these principles. In addition to resisting the excessive effect of consumerism or cultural assimilation, strengthening religious education and promoting a deeper grasp of Islamic values can aid in mending rifts among the ummah and thwarting extreme ideologies. Thus, the Muslim community is better prepared to face today’s issues while maintaining its spiritual and cultural identity when it combines a strong faith with an openness to discussion and creativity.
- Establishing the Islamic rule of law
Since the Islamic rule of law strongly emphasises justice, equity, and accountability—all fundamental principles of Islamic governance—it provides a workable answer to the main issues facing Islam today. Societies can address problems like economic inequality, social injustice, and corruption by putting in place a legal system based on Sharia principles, which will promote peace and progress. Protecting essential rights, such as life, property, and freedom of belief, is given first priority under Islamic law, guaranteeing equity for all people regardless of their social standing. For example, incorporating moral principles from Islamic finance into economic frameworks can support inclusive growth and fight exploitation. To ensure that rules stay applicable and preserve the spirit of Islam’s universal ideals, successful implementation necessitates flexibility in response to modern circumstances. Muslim communities can build equitable societies that not only handle internal problems but also act as a template for dealing with more general global difficulties by implementing such a system.
- Combating Islamophobia through increasing the collective efforts of Islamic scholars
Furthermore, one of the most important ways to address the issues facing Islam today is for Islamic scholars to work together to combat Islamophobia. Scholars play a crucial role in debunking myths by spreading genuine teachings of Islam that emphasize its values of peace, tolerance, and cohabitation. They can combat harmful preconceptions and promote understanding by participating in interfaith discussions, utilizing contemporary media channels, and creating easily comprehensible teaching materials. Scholars working together from many schools of thought can deliver a unified message to enhance the Muslim narrative globally and heal divisions in other communities. In addition to combating Islamophobia, these programs improve the accurate and positive portrayal of Islam.
- Enforcing Islamic Political rules
By establishing a government based on fairness, accountability, and the welfare of all citizens, enforcing Islamic political laws offers a solution to many of the problems facing Islam today. Islamic political tenets like equity, openness, and shura (consultation) guarantee that leaders are answerable and act in the people’s best interests. It is possible to effectively address problems like corruption, oppression, and inequality by putting laws into place that are consistent with moral and ethical standards. However, to promote progress and harmony within Muslim cultures, such enforcement must consider modern realities, guarantee inclusivity, and adhere to universal Islamic values.
Critical Analysis
Critically, among the problems Islam faces today are misconceptions and prejudices that are stoked by political unrest, media representations, and acts of extremism that are frequently misconstrued as representative of the religion as a whole. These difficulties are exacerbated by internal conflicts, such as balancing traditional interpretations with contemporary social expectations, tackling gender equity concerns, and promoting harmony within a multicultural Muslim community worldwide. The remedies are bolstering local Muslim leaders to combat extremism and advance inclusive interpretations, promoting interfaith dialogue to clear up misconceptions, and supporting scholarship that connects ancient teachings with modern settings. Fostering understanding and more peaceful coexistence requires educational programs to combat ignorance and bias and efforts to elevate the voices of progressive Islamic intellectuals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a diversified strategy based on education, discussion, and change is needed to address the issues facing Islam today, which range from internal conflicts over modernization and tradition to exterior misunderstandings and geopolitical concerns. Vigorous interfaith activities and the promotion of truthful portrayals of Islam in the media and the classroom can help combat stereotypes and promote understanding between people. Internally, navigating the challenges of modernity while being rooted in fundamental values can be facilitated by elevating various voices within the Muslim community, encouraging unity in the face of diversity, and promoting progressive scholarship. By adopting these ideas, Islam can continue to flourish as a vibrant religion that significantly contributes to world society.
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