Understanding and Promotion of Civic Behavior Among Students in the Light of Sīrah

Civic behavior reflects the values related to individual’s attitude towards family, peer group, and neighborhood and includes the way one behaves in the society and community as a whole. The purpose of the present study is to describe what civic behavior is, its characteristics, its status in the Hadith, and the way forward for improvement of the civic behavior as guided by Sīrah of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ). Study implies that truthfulness, mercifulness, polite talk, helping others, respect for others, caring and sharing and promise-keeping, loyalty, sympathy, honesty, kindness, brotherhood, cooperation, fairness and unity are the core qualities that make the individual a civilized and active citizen and our Holy Prophet (ﷺ) is the embodiment of all these virtues. Descriptive approach was followed to explain and analyze the concept. First the concept of civic behavior was interpreted, then its importance and characteristics were discussed. After that it was explored in the light of the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The findings highlight that the civic behavior in its best form was preached and practiced by the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions. Each dimension was interpreted in the light of the Quran and the Sīrah. It was concluded that Sīrah of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) is an immaculate source of guidance and inspiration for not only Muslims but also for the whole mankind in acquiring the core values and abilities that determine the Civic behavior of an individual which ultimately results into a well-organized, peaceful and civilized society The study suggests that civic behavior of the citizens has significant impact on the formation and development of a peaceful society. It is recommended that civic behavior as reflected in the life of and practiced by the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) should be promoted and practiced for achieving a civilized social setup.

Synthesis and Syncretism Between Islam and Hinduism in the Indian Subcontinent: An Analytical Study of the Religious Thought During the Sixteenth Century

This analysis of the religious thought of the Indian subcontinent focuses upon the nature of earliest contacts between Islam and Hinduism and also discusses the early Hindu response and resistance to Islam and Muslims. These early contacts resulted in development of some theological and social issues within Hinduism; like the theological interpretation of destruction of age old deities and temples and defeat of Hindu rulers by the Muslim armies, issue of social interaction with the Muslims was a taboo for the Hindu society, likewise the development of monotheistic tendencies in the religious thought of Hindus. The Muslim theologians, intellectuals and Sufis interpreted, categorized and comprehended the religious beliefs and practices of Hindus in different ways. These interactions developed in much divergent ways over the centuries and there emerged a variety of ideological, theological, doctrinal and mystical tendencies as a result of these interactions. For an analysis of the nature of these tendencies the issue of religious freedom and conversion activity is discussed in detail. The religious thought of sixteenth century Indian Subcontinent presents an array of different sects and movements that developed as a result of Hindu-Muslim interactions. Some of the sects and movements that emerged as a result of convergence of Hindu- Muslim thought during the sixteenth century were attempts at synthesis between both Islamic and Hindu beliefs and practices while majority of these sects and movements were syncretistic. Synthesis and syncretism are used as two analytical categories; synthesis is an attempt at putting together of common elements while syncretism is an attempt to combine ideas that are disparate and may even be contrary to one another such as the notions of polytheism and monotheism.