CSS 2019 – Islamic Studies: Examiner’s Feedback and Student Guide
Introduction
Islamic Studies is a compulsory paper in CSS that requires candidates to balance religious knowledge, analytical skills, and contemporary application. It is not about rote learning but about demonstrating an understanding of Islam’s principles and showing their relevance in modern contexts. The examiner’s report for CE-2019 revealed that most candidates lacked conceptual clarity, misquoted Qur’anic verses and Hadith, and failed to apply Islamic teachings to current issues. Let’s go through the examiner’s observations, mistakes, and preparation strategies.
Examiner Feedback (2019)
The examiner highlighted:
- Performance was generally poor.
- Many candidates gave superficial answers, showing weak conceptual understanding.
- Qur’anic verses and Hadith were misquoted — some gave incorrect Arabic text, incomplete translations, or irrelevant references.
- Candidates relied too much on rote-learned material, repeating textbook definitions without analysis.
- Few could link Islamic principles to modern issues such as extremism, women’s rights, governance, or science and technology.
- Some candidates produced long, irrelevant narratives that wasted time and space【Examiner-Reports-CE-2019.pdf†L73-L80】.
Common Mistakes by Candidates
- Inaccurate Qur’anic/Hadith references
- Misquoting or citing irrelevant verses damaged credibility.
- Superficial knowledge
- Generic statements like “Islam is a complete code of life” without further analysis.
- No contemporary application
- Candidates failed to link Islam with issues like democracy, terrorism, or human rights.
- Irrelevant content
- Filling pages with history or unrelated discussions instead of addressing the question.
- Weak English and structure
- Poor grammar, disorganized writing, and examiner-unfriendly presentation.
Practical Preparation Strategies
- Build conceptual clarity
- Understand Tauheed, Risalah, Ibadat, Shariah, human rights in Islam, economic justice, women’s status, and governance in Islam.
- Memorize accurate references
- Learn 15–20 Qur’anic verses and 10–15 authentic Hadith with correct translation. Use only where relevant.
- Link Islam to modern issues
- Practice writing on extremism, democracy, gender equality, science, and interfaith harmony in light of Islamic teachings.
- Write analytically, not narratively
- Always move from concept → analysis → application. Example: “Justice in Islam” → Qur’anic foundation → application in governance → relevance today.
- Improve writing skills
- Write practice answers in English. Focus on clarity and logical flow.
- Use authentic sources
- Books by Dr. Hamidullah, Maulana Maududi, and scholarly articles on Islam in the modern world.
- Structure answers effectively
- Intro → Qur’an/Hadith → explanation → analysis → modern application → conclusion.
Encouraging Closing Note
The CSS 2019 examiner’s report shows that Islamic Studies is not a rote-learning subject. It rewards clarity, authenticity, and relevance. Candidates who misquoted verses or ignored modern issues failed, while those who combined references with analysis and application excelled.
Remember: Islam is timeless. Show the examiner that you can apply its principles to today’s challenges — governance, rights, peace, and development. That’s what makes a strong answer.
Stay motivated: every verse you learn, every concept you analyze, every connection you build with modern issues takes you closer to scoring high. With sincerity and discipline, this paper can become one of your strongest compulsory subjects.