Legal Authority of the Prophet Muhammad and the Orientalists: A Critical Study

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.

Organochlorine Residues in the Riverine Ecosystem of Pakistan

Present study aimed to provide the detailed data on Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) concentrations, possible sources, their seasonal variation, bioaccumulation and risk assessment. For this purpose; water, sediment and fish samples were collected from 25 site locations at River Chenab, during May 2007 to November 2009. Water samples were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction while sediment and fish samples were Soxhlet extracted, cleaned by column chromatography and finally analyzed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Selective Detector (GC-MSD). Concentration (ng/L) in surface waters (including particulate phase) of River Chenab ranged from 27-1100 and 25-1200 for OCPs and 7.7-110 and 13-99 for PCBs during summer and winter, respectively. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs) exhibited the highest concentration in all water samples following by Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCHs), Chlordanes, PCBs and other OCPs in descending order, respectively. DDT and PCB levels in surface water exceeded existing criteria concentration guidelines of USEPA. The concentrations (ng/g, dry weight) in sediment ranged from 29-831 and 11.4-811 for OCPs and 9.3- 129 and 12.5-144 for PCBs during summer and winter seasons. The risk evaluation highlighted the burden of γ-HCH, heptachlor, dieldrin and DDTs levels in 70% sediments, while PCBs concentration in 35% of sediment exceeded Effect Range Low (ERL) and Threshold Effect Level (TEL) values. Different indicative ratios for organochlorine residues in both water, and sediment suggested current use, long range transport along with past application of these chemicals. Statistical analysis highlighted agricultural and industrial activities and municipal waste disposal as main source of OCPs and PCBs in the riverine ecosystem of River Chenab. The level of OCPs and PCBs from feeding tributaries (i.e. S20) was relatively greater as compared to those collected from the River Chenab mainstream. The detection frequencies and concentrations of all OCPs and PCBs in water and sediment were higher in winter than those collected in summer season. OCPs and PCBs concentration (ng/g WW) ranged from 13-106 (mean; 38) and 3.1-93.7 (mean; 20) for five herbivorous fish species and 21.5-365 (mean; 148) and 2.4-108 (mean; 30) for six carnivorous species. DDTs, β-HCH, Page XVIII Chlordanes and PCBs detected in fish from distinct trophic levels highlighted biomagnifications. Risk assessments of OCPs and PCBs indicated that fish intake would pose a health risk to human. The findings of present study highlighted the contamination of OCPs and PCBs in River Chenab and there is an urgent need to mitigate the situation. The results can also be helpful for future management of other fresh water resources in the same region.