Is Islamic History a controversial subject????
 

I am going with Islamic history as optional but I have learnt that the same is controvercial, in a sense, many topics,i.e, Hazrat Usman's Martyrdom, Hazrat Ali's election, rivalery b/w Hazrat Ali and Muwyia, origion of Shia sect and Fatimid's origion.
Foregoing in view, how should I attemp these queries/ questions. If came up in paper.To what extent should I refer to the Muslim and Western authors on these vague/ controvercial issues.
Please convey me a good and assertive narration.

[QUOTE=Habib ullah Khattak;599451]I am going with Islamic history as optional but I have learnt that the same is controvercial, in a sense, many topics,i.e, Hazrat Usman's Martyrdom, Hazrat Ali's election, rivalery b/w Hazrat Ali and Muwyia, origion of Shia sect and Fatimid's origion.
Foregoing in view, how should I attemp these queries/ questions. If came up in paper.To what extent should I refer to the Muslim and Western authors on these vague/ controvercial issues.
Please convey me a good and assertive narration.[/QUOTE]

There is an element of bias and guess work in all history, and Islamic history is no exception .. My personal experience is that the examiner refrains from topics answers to which move towards sectarian views .. Mostly questions are asked about policies, administration and other issues .. Sometimes, however, some answers require a brief narration of controversial issues within a question ..

For example the martyrdome of Hazrat Usman R.A .. Some people consider he was weak in implementing writ of government and let loose the kharijs .. Others believe he was too kind hearted to kill a Muslim and chose to be killed instead ..

Similary when Hazrat Ali R.A came as a Caliph the problem he had to face was to apprehend killers of Usman R.A .. In such topics one must quote views of both sides and then agree or disgaree with one or the other view .. These questions do not ask at all to look for the mistakes of rightly guided Caliphs or to attack their strategies, rather they demand a neutral account of the problems they had to face in those situations ..

Another medthod would be not to cover controversial parts of the syllabus .. And only focus on their policy, administration, expansion and impact of their rule etc ..

I hope it clarifies the issue ..

Regards ..

Stunner is right in saying that such questions are hardly ever asked in the paper. If at all, you find some questions invoking some historical controversy, you should either skip it (if you've the choice) or present both views objectively. This would probably save skin, even if the paper checker has some biases (can be Sunni/Shia), he should not punish you for merely narrating the historical records impersonally.


[B]Regards[/B],

Islamic history or Arabic
 

[QUOTE=redmax;599556]Stunner is right in saying that such questions are hardly ever asked in the paper. If at all, you find some questions invoking some historical controversy, you should either skip it (if you've the choice) or present both views objectively. This would probably save skin, even if the paper checker has some biases (can be Sunni/Shia), he should not punish you for merely narrating the historical records impersonally.


[B]Regards[/B],[/QUOTE]

Seniors! I want to opt one out of arabic and islamic history . kindly suggest me which is better . I am quite doubtful about the arabic portion of arabic paper. Secondly arabic syllabus seems quite difficult as compared to past papers . thridly I have no idea about Islamic history . So kindly guide me here . thanks

If you are not fluent in Arabic then go for Islamic History.
Just go through the following thread in detail, all your doubts will be cleared.
[url]http://www.cssforum.com.pk/css-optional-subjects/group-e-history-subjects/islamic-history-culture/61642-all-about-islamic-history.html[/url]

[QUOTE=An Avaricious Lover;612685]Seniors! I want to opt one out of arabic and islamic history . kindly suggest me which is better . I am quite doubtful about the arabic portion of arabic paper. Secondly arabic syllabus seems quite difficult as compared to past papers . thridly I have no idea about Islamic history . So kindly guide me here . thanks[/QUOTE]

It's a difficult choice. When I was preparing for taking Ce-2011, I studied Islamic History for few months and covered the subject. To my disappointment, the result of the written part of ce-2010 was declared somewhere in October, 2010. The scoring trend shifted downwards i.e. A candidate who secured 173 in IH in Ce-2009, could score only 89 in the same subject in CE-2010. At that point in time, I decided to substitute IH with some other subject(s). Thus, I also faced this question - IH or Arabic? Since, this was my first attempt I wanted to make it last too & therefore go risk free giving it my best, I could not continue with IH. Hence, I switched over to Arabic, keeping in view the scoring trend, syllabus and my affectation for literature (poetry/prose/criticism etc) and little knowledge about IH & Culture. Let me also tell you that I anticipated somewhat higher score in Arabic since I had prepared well but I could only fetch 119 Marks in CE-2011. The purpose behind narrating the entire story is to let you make your decision wisely keeping in view your consideration, knowledge, background, chances & other strings attached to it.

I hope it helps.

[B]Regards,[/B]