Course description and Objectives                                                       

The main purpose of this course is to acquaint the students with the major political ideas propounded by Muslim thinkers, like structural and functional aspects of Islamic polity. While highlighting the main objectives of national life, the course explains further the socio-economic, political and cultural aspects of Pakistan’s endeavours to develop and progress in the contemporary world. This course will also be very helpful to expand the understandings of the reader pertaining to the existed contemporary knowledge of the world and to excel his personal capabilities to serve for others. It enhances the skill of students to underpin the understanding about political process, its valuable outcome and how to unleash socio-political activities in our surroundings. It enables the students to understand the political realities about polity. The course will focus on writings of some of the prominent Muslim thinkers and with the prospect of relating the Islamic principles to modern times.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Understand the foundations of Muslim Political Thought
• Move beyond simple binaries to an understanding of the complex relationship between Islam and the West
• Ask and confront challenging and difficult questions about religion and politics
• Improve your ability to write in depth and speak clearly about complex theoretical concepts

Course Contents

1. Nature of Polity
2. Democratic Ideals of a Muslim Polity
3. Sovereignty and its implications
4. Law and its sources
5. Ijtihad
6. Constitutional law
7. Personal Law
8. International Law
9. Millat and religious minorities
10. Liberty and Fundamental Human Rights
11. Principles of Social and economic justice
12. Khilafat
13. Form of Government in Modern Muslim States
14. Shura: significance, organization and procedures
15. Judiciary: Judicial Review to judge the validity of laws in the light of Quran and Sunna
16. Al-Farabi
17. Al-Mawardi
18. Al-Ghazzali
19. Ibn-Khaldun
20. Shah Waliullah
21. Iqbal

Assessment Criterion

          Mid Term                                                                                                                  30 Marks

          Sessional (Assignment, Presentation, Class participation, Attendence)                         20 Marks

          Final Term                                                                                                                50 Marks

Timetable: Wednesday: 9:30 - 11:00 AM and Thursday: 8:00-9:30 AM

Recommended Texts:

1. Muhammad, H.   (2012).The Muslim conduct of state. Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Book Trust.
2. Muhammad, M. (2016).  The Principles of state and government in Islam. California: University of California Press.
3. Arnold T. W. (2019). The Caliphate. Rome: Tawasul International.
4. Ibrahim, S. E. (2002). Egypt, Islam and democracy: Critical essays. Cairo: American University Cairo Press.