The Islamic Political System: A Solution to the Modern Political Issues in the light of Tafsīr Sirāṭ-al-Jinān

As Islam gives a complete code of life, and it has a permanent political system. Rather to this, just as it has given rules and regulations in other spheres of life. It has also given unchangeable laws regarding politics. But Islam did not present a detailed structure of the government but left it to the Islamic Jurists to elaborate the principles regarding the Islamic political system. No corner of life is outside the limits of Islamic teachings. The Prophet (ﷺ) has provided guidance for every aspect of life through his words and deeds which should be kept in our mind is the guarantee of success and prosperity of religion and the world. In this article we will brief the Islamic political system and solution of modern political issues through the interpretation of the Qur’ānic verses in the light of Tafsīr Sirāṭ-al-Jinān by Muftī Muḥammad Qāsim Qādrī. Keywords: Islamic Political System Modern Political Issues, Tafsīr Ṣirāt-al-Jinān, Muftī Muḥammad Qāsim Qādrī, Shari'ah

Study of Gender Discrimination in Higher Education and Related Opportunities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The situation of provision of higher education to females and any potholes therein was judged in this research study. It aimed to know whether the females of KPK are being allowed equal participation in the field of the higher education, if not, what are factors that lead to this inequity? Whether gender discrimination in higher education is an independent phenomenon or does it affect other areas. What happens when the females enter the practical life after crossing all hurdles and graduate from the higher education institutes? What are the lost opportunities and missed benefits that result due to discriminatory attitudes towards female higher education?Using mixed method research, involving concurrent triangulation strategy, data was collected using multiple research instruments; questionnaire and departmental records for quantitative method and interviews, and researchers’ diaries for qualitative method. All the students and parents of students admitted in higher education institutes as well as all the faculty members of these institutes were used as population for the quantitative analysis. Following a step by step data collection process, the researcher collected quantitative information from the stakeholders using simple random sampling technique. 8 universities were randomly selected out of 21 HEC recognized public universities. 240 students, parents and faculty members were randomly selected form these 8 universities taking the data producing sample to 720. All the female graduates of higher education institutions who are on-the-job as well as stay-at-home housewives were taken as population for qualitative analysis. Purposive sampling procedure was adopted by the researcher in order to select the required sample from 8 districts where the randomly selected universities were located. 2 on the job ladies and 1 stay-at-home housewife were thus selected from each district. Taking the data producing sample to 24. The unique and conventional social setup of KPK points out toward home and socio-cultural environment as the two most decisive factors leading to gender discrimination and unfair treatment with the females in getting higher education. Poverty, low parental education, son- preference, and early marriages were the home related factors that result in the present gender discrimination in higher education. The stakeholders abstained from giving their views about the role of religious factors leading to gender discrimination. High level of difference was found in this ratio thus leading to discrimination within the institutions. The admission records showed very low female enrollments in many areas. Analysis of data showed strong negative correlation existing between the level of discrimination within the higher education institutes and the Human Development Index (HDI) of the area. Higher the level of discrimination at the institutes, lesser the HDI of the area and vice versa.Qualitative analysis of data of this study show discrimination in many fields related to higher education. Females graduating from higher education institutes and working at various institutes face many difficulties; finding the right job according to their qualifications, on-thejob difficulties like lesser wages, more work, lack of fringe benefits, sexual harassment, gender unfriendly work environment. It was found that majority of the on-the-job ladies observed purdah almost all of whom considered it to create a sense of confidence and security within them, done due to religious obligations and not due to any social pressure.Educated stay-at-home house wives complained of low confidence and self-esteem levels and lack of exposure and financial dependence leading to lower social status within the household most of whom were willing to compromise their position in favor of a job and financial independence. This study suggests prioritizing the efforts to solve the problem. All the effected parties need to join hands and look for solutions. A systematic plan of action needs to be developed in order to find solution to the menace of gender discrimination in higher education. Education is the cure of all the evils. The society needs a sound primary and secondary base for the females to have a strong foothold. Gender friendly education environment at the higher education institutes needs to be created. Employment policies with equal gender representation should be developed. The NGOs, local bodies representatives, education policy developers and implementers and most important of all the people of the community are required to come together and remove the hurdles in the way of female higher education so that they can play their much-desired role in the economic development of the country.