اجتماعی اجتہاد کا تصور اور عصر حاضر کے اہم توجہ طلب شرعی مسائل کے حل کے لئے عالم اسلام کے اہم اداروں کا تعارف

The Concept of Collective Ijtihad and Introduction to Prominent Institutions in the Muslim World for resolving contemporary jurisprudential issues is a burning issue these days. Ijtihad is the effort made by the mujtahid in seeking knowledge of the ahkam (rules) of the Shariah through interpretation. It is a known fact the ahkam specifically and explicitly prescribed in the Holy Quran and Sunnah are limited, and as human society evolves, new problems come to the fore. This is the responsibility of mujtahid to present solution of the problems in the light of the rules and principles prescribed in the Holy Quran and Sunnah. This endeavor can take place in three shapes, first by an individual effort of a mujtahid, second by a group of in the form of collective ijtihad while its more advanced shape is the consensus (ijma’a) of all the mujtahidin of the time. In this article all the three modes of ijtihad have been discussed and it has been concluded and suggested that the best option for resolving the issues faced by the Muslim Ummah is collective Ijtihad due its easy implementation. This also helps in avoiding many complications while seeking consensus (Ijma’a) in present day time. In this article a list of the problems have been given which need immediate attention of the Muslim scholars, while in the last part introduction of some prominent institutions of the Muslim World have been given with elaboration of their objectives.

Comparative Study of Ctenoid Scales, Frequency Distribution Pattern and Length-Weight Relationships in Teraponid Spp. Family: Teraponidae of Karachi Coast Fish Harbours, Pakistan

This dissertation is based on the comparative study of ctenoid scales, frequency distribution pattern and length-weight relationships of Teraponid species of the family Teraponidae. For this purpose, 1304 specimens of family Teraponidae were collected during January 2013 to December 2014 from commercial landings at Karachi Fish Harbour. Three species of family Teraponidae (Terapon jarbua, T. puta and T. theraps) were investigated from the samples. The results of statistical analysis of selected parameters of ctenoid scales (i.e., length of scale and width, radius, horizontal and vertical row of ctenii and number of radii) of Teraponid species proved the significance of scales in correct identification of Teraponid species. The results of linear relationship and principal component analysis-PCA of selected scale parameters shows the significance of selected scale parameters in fish identification. The frequency distribution pattern of Teraponid species was recorded as 51.84% for T. jarbua and 47.70% for T. puta in total catches during the study period (January 2013 to December 2014). The occasional catch of T. theraps shows the absence of this species in commercial catches of Karachi coast. The population parameters of Teraponid species indicates a risk of over exploitation of these species at Karachi coast, Pakistan. Results for length-weight relationships shows that the value of regression coefficient (b) was closer to the ideal value i.e. b=3 hence shows the isometric growth in T. jarbua however, T. puta indicates a positive allometric growth pattern (b>3). The results of condition factor and relative condition factor indicated the good health of Teraponid species. The Macroscopic examination of male and female gonads and gonadosomatic index confirms that T. jarbua has two spawning period from April to August and November while, T. puta has a prolonged spawning period with two distinct peaks in April and November. The results for sex ratio illustrate that females were more numerous than males in both Teraponid species (i.e., T.jarbua and T. puta).