CSS Islamiat Islamic Code of Life (Nizam-e-Hayat) Syllabus

What is 'Shura' and what is its role in the Islamic state?

Shura means mutual consultation. The Quran (42:38; 3:159) commands rulers to decide affairs by consultation, making the Islamic system consultative rather than autocratic.

What are the four foundational principles of an Islamic State commonly cited?

(1) Tawhid (Sovereignty of Allah), (2) Risalah (the Prophet's example as the model of authority), (3) Khilafah (human vicegerency/trusteeship), and (4) Shura (consultation).

What is 'Bay'ah' in the context of the Islamic state?

Bay'ah is the pledge of allegiance given by the people to the ruler (Imam/Khalifah), forming a contract obliging the ruler to govern by Shariah and the people to obey in lawful matters.

State the limits of citizens' obedience to the ruler in Islam.

Obedience is conditional: 'There is no obedience to the creation in disobedience to the Creator.' Citizens must obey rulers in all that is lawful, but not in any command that violates the Shariah.

What are the key rights of citizens against the Islamic State?

Protection of life, property, honour, religion and intellect; equality before law; justice; basic necessities; freedom of expression; right to accountability of rulers; and protection of minorities (Dhimmi rights).

What status and rights do non-Muslim citizens (Dhimmis) hold in an Islamic State?

Dhimmis are protected citizens: their life, property, honour and places of worship are guaranteed, they have internal religious autonomy, and pay Jizyah in lieu of military service and Zakat; the state must protect them.

What is Jizyah and from whom is it taken?

Jizyah is a per-capita protection tax levied on able-bodied free non-Muslim men of the state in return for protection and exemption from military service and Zakat. Women, children, the old, poor and clergy are exempt.

What are the foundational objectives (Maqasid al-Shariah) that underpin Islamic law and economy?

Protection of five essentials: Religion (Din), Life (Nafs), Intellect (Aql), Lineage/Progeny (Nasl), and Property/Wealth (Mal).

State three core principles of the Islamic economic system.

(1) Allah is the real owner; humans are trustees of wealth; (2) lawful (Halal) earning and circulation of wealth; (3) prohibition of Riba, with redistribution via Zakat to prevent wealth concentrating among the rich (Quran 59:7).

How does the Islamic economy differ from Capitalism and Socialism on private property?

Capitalism: unrestricted private ownership. Socialism: abolishes/collectivizes private property. Islam: permits private property but as a trust, subject to moral limits, Zakat, prohibition of Riba and Halal/Haram rules.

What is Riba, and what are its two main types?

Riba is unlawful increase/interest, strictly prohibited (Quran 2:275-279). Types: (1) Riba al-Nasiah (interest on loans/debt for delay), (2) Riba al-Fadl (unequal exchange of the same commodity in barter).

Define Halal and Haram in the context of earning.

Halal earning is income from lawful, ethical means (trade, labour, lawful services). Haram earning is income from forbidden sources—interest, gambling, fraud, theft, bribery, intoxicants, or selling prohibited goods.

List four major categories of Haram (forbidden) earning in Islam.

(1) Riba (interest), (2) Qimar/Maysir (gambling), (3) Gharar (excessive uncertainty/deception in transactions), and (4) trade in prohibited items (alcohol, pork, idols) plus bribery (Rishwah), theft and hoarding (Ihtikar).

What is Gharar and why is it prohibited in transactions?

Gharar is excessive uncertainty, ambiguity or risk in a contract (e.g., selling fish in the sea or an unborn animal). It is prohibited because it leads to dispute, injustice and exploitation.

What is the ruling on Ihtikar (hoarding), and why?

Hoarding essential goods to artificially raise prices is Haram. The Prophet (PBUH) said 'No one hoards but a sinner.' It harms the public and obstructs the free, just circulation of goods.

What is the fundamental distinguishing principle of Islamic banking versus conventional banking?

Islamic banking is interest-free (Riba-free) and asset/risk-backed. It earns through profit-and-loss sharing and real trade in goods/assets, whereas conventional banking trades in money and earns guaranteed interest.

Define Mudarabah in Islamic finance.

Mudarabah is a profit-sharing partnership where one party provides the capital (Rab-ul-Mal) and the other provides labour/expertise (Mudarib). Profit is shared by a pre-agreed ratio; financial loss is borne by the capital provider alone.

Define Musharakah in Islamic finance.

Musharakah is a joint partnership where all partners contribute capital and share profit by an agreed ratio, but share losses strictly in proportion to their capital contribution.

Define Murabaha in Islamic finance.

Murabaha is a cost-plus sale: the bank buys an asset and sells it to the client at a disclosed cost plus an agreed profit margin, payable in instalments. It is a sale, not a loan, hence no Riba.

Define Ijarah in Islamic finance.

Ijarah is an Islamic leasing contract where the bank owns an asset and leases its usufruct to the client for rent over a period; ownership and risk remain with the lessor (bank).

What are Sukuk, and how do they differ from conventional bonds?

Sukuk are Islamic investment certificates representing undivided ownership shares in a tangible asset or project; returns come from asset profits/rent. Conventional bonds are debt instruments paying fixed interest (Riba).

What is Takaful and how does it differ from conventional insurance?

Takaful is Islamic cooperative insurance based on mutual donation (Tabarru) and shared risk among participants. It avoids Riba, Gharar and Maysir present in conventional commercial insurance.

Define Qard Hasan.

Qard Hasan is a benevolent, interest-free loan given for the borrower's welfare, repaid only in the principal amount, considered a virtuous act of charity in Islam.

Define Adl (justice) in Islam and the Quranic verse that commands it.

Adl means placing things in their rightful place—absolute fairness and giving everyone their due. Quran 16:90: 'Indeed Allah commands justice (Adl) and good conduct (Ihsan).' It must be upheld even against oneself or kin (4:135).

Distinguish between Adl and Ihsan.

Adl (justice) means giving exactly what is due—equal and balanced fairness. Ihsan (benevolence) means doing more than is due—kindness and excellence beyond strict obligation. Islam commands both, with Ihsan as a higher virtue.

According to the Quran, must justice be done even when it harms one's own interests?

Yes. Quran 4:135 commands believers to be witnesses for justice 'even against yourselves, your parents and kin, whether the party be rich or poor,' showing justice is impartial and absolute.

What is 'Qaza' (Qada) in the Islamic system?

Qaza is the institution of the judiciary—the office of judging disputes and administering justice according to Shariah. A judge is called a Qadi, and the office is one of great trust and accountability.

What does 'independence of the judiciary (Qaza)' mean in Islam, with a classic example?

The Qadi must judge purely by Shariah, free of pressure from rulers or the wealthy. Caliph Umar (RA) and Caliph Ali (RA) themselves appeared before judges as ordinary litigants, even losing cases, proving rulers were not above the law.

What are the key qualifications/conditions required of a Qadi (judge) in Islam?

He must be a sane, adult, just (Adil) Muslim of sound knowledge of Shariah (Mujtahid ideally), of good character, free of bias, and not deciding while angry or with personal interest in the case.

What is the rule regarding a Qadi judging while in certain emotional/physical states?

The Prophet (PBUH) forbade a judge from deciding between two parties while he is angry, or otherwise impaired—ensuring rulings are made with a calm, clear and impartial mind.

State three core administrative principles of governance derived from Islam (esp. the Rightly Guided Caliphs).

(1) Justice and equality before law (Musawat), (2) Accountability of rulers/officials to people and Allah, (3) Merit-based appointment (Ahliyyah), consultation (Shura), public treasury (Bayt al-Mal) for welfare, and the ruler as servant/trustee of the people.