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
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
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
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
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
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
FPSC RECOMMENDED BOOKS List for COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MAJOR RELIGIONS CSS SYLLABUS
| S.No. | Title | Author |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Approaches to the Study of Religion, 1999 | Peter Connolly (ed.) |
| 2. | The Penguin Handbook of World’s Living Religions, 2010 | John R. Hinnells (ed.) |
| 3. | Dunya Kay Baray Mazahib (Major Religions of the World) | Imadul Hasan Azad Faruqi |
| 4. | Hinduism: A Short Introduction, 2006 | Klaus K. Klostermaier |
| 5. | Exploring Buddhism, 2012 | Christmas Humphreys |
| 6. | Judaism: A Short Introduction, 1999 | Lavinia and Dan Cohn-Sherbok |
| 7. | Christianity: An Introduction, 2006 | Alister E. McGrath |
| 8. | The Messenger: The Meanings of the Life of Muhammad, 2008 | Tariq Ramadan |
| 9. | Ideals and Realities of Islam, 1993 | Seyyed Hossein Nasr |
| 10. | Towards Understanding Islam, 1992 | Syed Abul ‘Ala Maududi |
FPSC Official COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MAJOR RELIGIONS CSS SYLLABUS
Here is the link to the COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MAJOR RELIGIONS CSS SYLLABUS on the FPSC official website
