COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MAJOR RELIGIONS CSS SYLLABUS (100 MARKS)

Comparative study of major religions is alternate to Islamic studies for non-Muslims Pakistani citizens. It is also a 100 marks paper and required 40 marks to pass the examination.

I. Introduction

• Definition(s) of Religion
• Emergence of the Study of Religion as a Discipline
• Theological and Academic Study of Religion
• An Overview of the Religious Landscape of the World

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II. Hinduism

• Historical Background
  • Indus Valley Civilization
  • Aryan Invasion Theory
  • Vedic Dharma
  • Brahmanism
• Scriptures
  • Sruti: Vedas, Upanishads
  • Smirti: Manu Smirti, Sutras, Puranas
  • Great Epics: Ramayana, Mahabharata
• Hindu Doctrines
  • Dharma
  • Vedanta
  • Karma
  • Transmigration of Souls
  • Moksha (Liberation)
• Ways to Liberation
  • Karma Marga (Works/Rituals)
  • Jnana Marga (Wisdom)
  • Bhakti Marga (Devotion)
• Hindu Gods
  • Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
  • Trimurti
  • Other Gods and Divinities
• Major Hindu Sects
  • Vaishnavism (Manifestation Avatars)
  • Saivism (Supreme God & Phallic Worship)
  • Saktism (Goddess Worship)
• Hindu Society
  • Caste System
  • Ashramas (Stages of Life)
• Hinduism in the Modern World
  • 19th-Century Reform and Revival Movements
  • Contemporary Hindu Tendencies and Movements

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III. Buddhism

• Historical Background
  • Life of Gautama Buddha
  • Formation and Spread of Buddhism
  • Rivalry between Brahmanism and Buddhism
• Scriptures
  • Tripitaka: Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka, Abhidhamma Pitaka
• Teachings and Doctrines
  • Three Jewels of Buddhism: Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha
  • The Four Noble Truths
  • The Eightfold Path
• Buddhist Sects
  • Theravada (Hinayana)
  • Mahayana
  • Other Schools and Sects
• Buddhism in the Modern World

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IV. Judaism

• A Brief History of Jews and Judaism
  • From Abraham to Moses, Peace Be Upon Them All
  • From Moses to Establishment of Jewish Rule
  • Destruction of Jerusalem and Dispersion of Jews in the World
• Jewish Scriptures
  • Tanakh (The Torah, The Prophets, and The Writings)
  • Mishnah and Talmud
• Articles of Faith and Basic Teachings
  • Ten Commandments
  • Thirteen Principles of Faith (Moses Maimonides)
• Jewish Holidays and Festivals
  • Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement)
  • Pesach (Passover)
  • Sukkot (Tabernacles)
  • Purim
• Jewish Worship
  • Daily Prayer
  • Fasting
  • Sabbath
• Jewish Sects and Movements
  • Orthodox Judaism
  • Conservative Judaism
  • Reform Judaism
  • Zionism
  • Kabbalah
  • Hasidism

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V. Christianity

• Historical Background
  • Jewish Background of Christianity
  • Life of Jesus Christ (Through the Four Gospels)
  • Life and Role of Paul (Through the Letters of Paul)
  • Formation and Spread of the Christian Church
  • Christianization of the Roman Empire
  • Reform Movement
• Scriptures
  • The Holy Bible (Old Testament and New Testament)
• Basic Doctrines
  • Original Sin
  • Incarnation of God
  • Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
  • Atonement
  • Trinity
• Christian Sects
  • Catholicism
  • Eastern Orthodoxy
  • Protestantism
    • Lutherans
    • Reformed and Presbyterians
    • Anglicans
    • Baptists
    • Methodists
    • Unitarians
• Christian Festivals and Holidays
  • Advent
  • Christmas
  • Easter
  • Pentecost
• Christian Worship and Sacraments
  • Baptism
  • Eucharist
  • Communion
  • Lord’s Supper
  • Prayer, Fasting, Psalms, Music
• Christianity in the Modern Times
  • Encounter with Modernity
  • Modern Theological Trends
  • Missionary Movement
  • Dialogue and Relationship with Other Religions

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VI. Islam

• Introduction and Historical Background
  • Islamic Concept of Religion
  • Universality of Religion and Diversity of Shari‘ahs
  • Sirah (Life) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him
  • The Era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs
• Sacred Scriptures
  • The Holy Quran
  • Hadith
• Basic Doctrines and Creed
  • Tawhid (Oneness of God)
  • Risalah (Belief in Prophets and Finality of Prophethood with the Prophet Muhammad)
  • Akhirah (Belief in Hereafter and Final Reckoning by Allah)
  • Belief in Angels, Previous Scriptures, Predestination, and Human Responsibility
  • Infallibility of the Quran
• Five Pillars of Islam
  • Shahadatayn (Proclamation of Faith)
  • Salah (Five Daily Prayers)
  • Zakah (Compulsory Charity)
  • Sawm (Fasting in Ramadan)
  • Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah)
• Other Teachings of Islam
  • Equality of Mankind
  • Simplicity
  • Spiritual Purity and Bodily Hygiene
  • Patience, Contentment, Moderation
  • Social Justice
  • Jihad
  • Tolerance Towards Other Religions
• Sects and Schools
  • Sunnis (Mainstream Muslims)
  • Shi‘ahs (Devotion to Hazrat Ali and Family of the Prophet)
  • Khawarij (Literalists)
  • Mu‘tazilah (Rationalists)
• Contemporary Islamic Movements and Tendencies
  • Ikhwan al-Muslimun (Muslim Brotherhood)
  • Jama‘at-i-Islami
  • Tablighi Jama‘at
  • Salafi Movement
  • Fethullah Gulen Movement (Turkey)
  • Iranian Revolution
  • Extremist Groups