Originally Posted by hamza_salick86

Self study is the main study......It is essentially the thing that would help u across the line..
Yes you can join the academy for 2-3 months.6 months is ample time for preparation.I prepared in 5 months.

Originally Posted by hamza_salick86

For the preparation and most importantly for attempting the Islamiyat paper,u shud have an open,receptive and witty mind..coz questions would be put in such a way that u will quickly have to gather all the bits and pieces of knowledge,whether general,islamic or current and manufacture an answer...REMEMBER..Attempt the paper as a tolerant and a forward looking muslim,not an Al-qaeda type muslim..if in paper u wud write things like 'Mar do sb kufaar ko','Kashmir ki azadi tk jung jari rhe gi','auraton ko dhakk do parde me or bara khandn jihad asan',then u are as good as donein islamiyat..Have enlightened vies..Quran shareef ki tafseer parho.Coz it is the best explanation regarding every question and if u back up ur arguments with logic from quran(NOT NECESSARILY QUOTING FROM IT),nobody can refute u..Paper nowadays is much more discussion and argument oriented..jazbati naarey or taqreerain wouldn't get u good marks..Dont overload ur paper with rferences from Quran and Hadith..put 3,4 in every question but keep the emphasis on ur arguments..use references only to back up ur arguments..
It has been rightly said k ub paper bookish nahy ata..it is more like a paper of current affairs than hardcore islamiyat..U can use the following material for preparation:
1.Read Maulana Maw'dudi's tafseer or listen to Dr Israr's tafseer
2.Islami Nazriya e Hayat by Prof Khurshid Ahmed
3.Pamphlets and 'Khutbat' by Maulana Maudoodi
4.Zakir Naik's lectures
5.Articles on Islam and the CURRENT ISSUES whether in DAWN or on the internet
As I mentioned b4,dont be a slave of bookish knowledge and what the Local masjid's molvi sahab says.Prepare well for Jihad,Terrorism,Women rights in Islam,Islamic moral and political systems,and the burning issues and questions about Islam and the Ummah...give examples in the paper..combine logic and rhetoric..Do prepare for Islamiyat well as it has proven to be a nemsis for many a man this time in CSS..keep at hand solutions for every problem faced by Muslim world,they might come in handy..practice the writing speed...hope this helps,
Regards
p.s:U don't need to remember countless references.their arabic and quotes..Only remember a few..And dont write too many references in the paper.Ur emphasis should be on arguments and analysis of the question rather than giving a reference after every line or 2.U do that,u most probably will fail..Purana zamana gya..Now Islamiyat has become a very discussion oriented paper..Support ur answer with 2,3 good references..do not do the other way round by loading it with references..Also,therez no need to draw any sort of maps etc..concentrate on writing quality stuff+a good quantity.
Questions shall be entertained

Originally Posted by Abdullaah

You are right sir that self study is the main study. I have read this whole thread and my prep strategy is completely based on the trips and tricks you have shared. Really sir you have done commendable work both in CSS and at this forum .
Well sir, I am currently at Islamabad ,should I join any academy here or travel to lahore ?
And sir I am making notes of Islamiat from 1.Islam its meaning and message 2. Islami nazriya hayat plus friday features. Is it sufficient sir ?

Originally Posted by saraakash3

thank you so much hamza bhai for such nice tips.plz also share tips for optionals journalism and sociology .can we make sketch an out line for these papers before atempting questions as we do in essay paper.?

Originally Posted by Muhammad Jawad Ali

Hamza bhai this is Jawad trying to appear in css 2012 inshaALLAH. mine optionals are
Physics
journalism
sociology
but i am confused whether to opt indo pak or not. some of the respected members have advised me not to go with indo pak as it is not a scoring option now a days. they have suggested me to go with international law and us history. but i want your valuable suggestions as i always follow you.

Originally Posted by hamza_salick86

Depends on your aptitude and interest.Indi Pak history has its pros and cons,and its true that it hasn't been scoring in 2010.But in years prior to that,it was quiet scoring.
US History and I.Law is also a good combination.

Originally Posted by Muhammad Jawad Ali

but please keep in mind that i have no background of law. and someone also have said to me that indo pak will also help in pak affairs.