Detailed Syllabus Outline
Literature of the Jahilia period
- Influence of poets and poetry in Jahilia period
- Literary markets in pre-Islamic Arabs especially Ukkaz
- Purposes and features of pre-Islamic poetry with special reference to Mu'allaqat
Literature at the dawn of Islam
- Eloquence and Rhetoric of Holy Quran with examples from Quranic verses
- Impact of Quran and Hadith on the subsequent literature
- Poetry at the Dawn of Islam
Literature of the Umayyad period
- Art of Flyting
- Erotic and platonic ghazal
Abbasid and Andalusian literature
- Purposes and features of Abbasid poetry with special emphasis on the poetry of Mutanabbi, Abu Tammam, Abu Nuwas, AbulAtahia
- Prose and its different styles with special emphasis on style of IbnulAmeed, IbnulMuqaffa, Al-Jahiz and Al-Qazi al Fazil
- Spanish poetry with special reference to poetry of Ibn e Zaidoon
Modern Arabic literary developments
- Development of Drama with special focus on services of Toufeeq al Hakeem
- Development of Novel with special reference to the novels of Taha Husain and NageebMahfooz
- Development of short story with special focus on short stories of MahmoodTaimoor
- Poetry with special focus on poetry of Ahmad Shouqi and Hafiz Ibraheem
Cross-period themes in Arabic literature
- Criticism from pre-Islamic era to the 4th Islamic Century
- Art of Oratory from pre-Islamic era to Umayyad period
- Development of Arabic literature in the Sub-Continent: Ghulam Ali Azad in poetry and Shah WaliUllah in prose
Prescribed verses for study
- Verses from ode of ImraulQais (1-10)
- Verses from Qaseedah of Zuhair bin AbiSulma (50-62)
- Verses from poetry of Hassan bin Thabit (14-28)
- Verses from poetry of Ka'b bin Zuhair (33-40)
- Verses from poetry of Hafiz Ibrahim (1-10)
- Verses from ode of Ahmad Shouqi (1-10)
- Verses from Qaseedah of Imam Al Booseri (15-24)
Syntax and morphology
- Syntax: Kinds of Sentence (Nominal and Verbal), kinds of Noun (Proper and Common, Masculine and Feminine, Singular, Dual and Plural, Mu'rab and Mabni), Case-Ending
- Morphology: Etymology (roots), Mujarrad, Mazeed-feeh, Transitive and Intransitive verb, Active and passive voice
FPSC Recommended Books
| Book Title | Author |
|---|---|
| A Literary History of the Arabs | Reynold A. Nicholson |
| History of Arabic Literature (تاریخ الأدب العربي) | Ahmad Hasan Zayyat |
| The Contribution of India to the Arabic Literature | Dr. Zubaid Ahmad |
| Muallim-ul-Insha'a (معلم الانشاء) | Maulana Abdul Majid Nadavi |
| Arthur J. Arberry, Modern Arabic Poetry | Arthur J. Arberry |
| Selections from Arabic Poetry & Prose (شذرات من الشعرو النثر العربي) | Dr. Khaliq Dad Malik |
| Applied Arabic Grammar (تطبيق القواعد العربية) | Dr. Khaliq Dad Malik |
| Tasheel Al-sarf wa Al-Nahv (تسهيل الصرف وتسهيل النحو) | Khan Muhammad |
| جواهر الشعر, Published by Darul Hadith Cairo | جمع وترتيب وشرح الشاعر/الشربيني شريدة |
| Arabic Literature (الأدب العربي) — Elective Arabic Course B.A. | Punjab University Lahore |
| الجامع في تاريخ الأدب العربي | حنا الفاخوري |
| تاريخ الأدب العربي | الدكتور شوقي ضيف |
Excelling in Arabic
Arabic (100 marks) is highly rewarding for candidates with a strong Madrassah or academic linguistic background.
1. Grammar and Syntax: Perfect your grip on Nahw (syntax) and Sarf (morphology). Errors here are heavily penalized.
2. Classical and Modern Literature: Read the prescribed poetry and prose extensively. Memorize prominent verses to quote securely in critical analysis answers.
3. Translation Skills: Daily practice of unseen translations (Arabic to English/Urdu and vice versa) is the only way to build speed and accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many marks does Arabic carry in the CSS Exam?
Arabic is a 100-mark subject in the FPSC CSS examination.
2. What are the core topics covered in Arabic?
The syllabus primarily revolves around A. Pre-Islamic Period, B. Dawn of Islam, C. Umayyad Period and related topics. Check the detailed syllabus breakdown above for the exact structure.
3. Is Arabic a scoring subject?
Yes, Arabic is generally considered highly scoring if you stick strictly to the official FPSC syllabus, practice past papers, and use strong analytical arguments rather than generic statements.
4. How long does it typically take to prepare for Arabic?
For a 100-mark subject, a strategic preparation plan typically requires 2 to 3 weeks of dedicated, consistent study and note-making.
5. What are the best recommended books for Arabic?
FPSC recommends referring to authentic textbooks and journals. Some key referenced authors include Reynold A. Nicholson and Ahmad Hasan Zayyat. Avoid purely relying on local guidebooks.
6. Do I need a university degree in Arabic to opt for it?
While an academic background provides a massive advantage, it is not strictly mandatory. Many candidates successfully prepare for Arabic from scratch by consulting thoroughly recommended readings.
7. Are past papers important for Arabic preparation?
Absolutely. Analyzing the last 5 to 7 years of CSS past papers for Arabic is critical. It helps identify recurring themes, examiner traps, and high-frequency syllabus blocks.
8. How should I structure my answers in the Arabic subjective paper?
To score highly, structure your subjective answers with clear introductions, relevant headings, bullet points, flowcharts (if applicable), and a balanced, critical conclusion.
9. Does Arabic overlap with Compulsory CSS subjects?
Many concepts in Arabic can build a strong analytical foundation for the English Essay and Current Affairs papers. Always look for cross-disciplinary linkages while studying.
10. Is coaching necessary to pass Arabic?
No, professional coaching is not mandatory. With immense discipline, standard syllabus tracking, and self-evaluation via mock exams, candidates can secure excellent marks on their own.