A COMPARATIVE OVERVIEW OF ISLAMIC AND WESTERN CONCEPTS OF GUIDANCE SERVICES IN EDUCATION Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Education by Nafees Bibi Department of Education Qurtuba University, Peshawar Qurtuba University of Science & Information Technology, Peshawar Session 2014 i A COMPARATIVE OVERVIEW OF ISLAMIC AND WESTERN CONCEPTS OF GUIDANCE SERVICES IN EDUCATION By Nafees Bibi ID #: 8855 A thesis submitted to the Department of Education Qurtuba University, Peshawar in fulfillment of requirement for the award of the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATION Qurtuba University of Science & Information Technology, Peshawar Session 2014 ii ABSTRACT The provision of dynamic guidance services is an important issue in the educational system of every country. A specific system of guidance services may be considered as an ideal for one country but may not produce the same results in another country or culture. It is a well known fact that with the passage of time, the scientific and technological developments have brought several changes in the life style of people, cognition as well as working patterns in various sectors. As a result of these changes, apart from several benefits, a number of problems have also come up which are linked to various aspects of education, vocational training, social life, political system, health and wellbeing, religio-moral and spiritual values. To overcome individual and societal problems, there is a need for professional and expert help in the form of guidance services. The need and importance of guidance and its services is a continuous process of human development. The overall social setup of guidance services depends upon the disciplined way of life, flexibility, cooperation, self and mutual respect, religious harmony and mutual trust. In this perspective, high-quality values of society are closely related to the guidance and principles of an ideal state. The present research was aimed at exploring a comparative overview of Islamic and Western concepts of guidance services in education with its particular focus to analyze the present status of guidance services in M Phil programs. The study is based both on primary and secondary sources of information.In order to explore the objectives of the study mixed method design were used. for analysis of qualitative and quantitative data collected from a variety of sources. Regarding for collection of quantitative data, a well developed questionnaire was produced for the university students.Similarly for collection of qualitative data, another questionnaire was prepared for the teaching faculty including eminent Christian academicians. The target area of this study comprised of all 31 public and private universities and 12 educational institutions of the non musilms Community of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The total sample size of the study was 340 among these, 320 students were registered in M Phil in education program while there were 10 Muslims and 10 Christian academicians. The data were analyzed in two phases. In the first phase, the quantitative information received from questionnaire (student community) was classified, tabulated and analyzed through SPSS version 16, using the probability values and chi-square methods. In the second phase, open-ended interviews (teachers community) were conducted iii to collect qualitative data. This data were interpreted in the form of themes. The outcomes of results were cross-compared to arrive at specific conclusion. The main findings of this research reflect that in spite of some similarities, the guidance services provided by Islam and Western philosophers are predominantly different from each other. For instance, Islam lays the foundations of guidance on spirituality and considers the Quran and the Sunnah as the primary and ultimate sources of guidance. However, Western thoughts are based mainly on observation and reasoning. No doubt, both concepts seek the development of human beings. However, the difference lies in their approaches and means to achieve the ends. It was clear that guidance services provide an opportunity and a road map through which individual and societal objectives can be achieved in a systematized way. The analysis of these services would be helpful to benefit the community and to accomplish the needs systematically and strategically. Therefore, a strong channel of communication is vital to bridge the gap between the Islamic and the Western concepts. It was debated that there should be a main focus on teacher training programs. As Pakistan is predominantly an Islamic state where the religion plays a significant role in the daily lives of its people,therefore guidance services should be formulated in accordance with the Islamic teachings, compatible to their norms and culture. The present study suggested that there is a need to bridge the gap between the Islamic and the Western approaches. iv Certificate of Approval This is to certify that the research work presented in this thesis entitled “A Comparative Overview of Islamic and Western Concepts of Guidance Services in Education” was conducted by Mrs. Nafees Bibi under the supervision of Professor Dr. Wazeem Khan. No part of this thesis has been submitted anywhere else for any other degree. This thesis is submitted to the Examination Department in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in field of Education, Department of Education, Qurtuba University of Science and Information Technology Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Student Name: Nafees BiBi Signature _________________ Examination Committee: a). External Examiner 1 Prof: Dr. Muhammad Rauf Institute of Education and Research (IER), Peshawar Signature __________________ b). Internal Examiner 2 Assistant Prof: Dr. Rahim Khan Signature _________________ Qurtuba University of Science and Information Technology Peshawar Campus, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan c). Supervisor Prof: Dr. Wazeem Khan Qurtuba University of Science and Information Technology Peshawar Campus, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Signature _________________ d). Dean of Social Sciences Prof: Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Qurtuba University of Science and Information Technology Signature ________________ Peshawar Campus, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan v Author‟s Declaration I Nafees Bibi hereby state that my Ph.D. thesis titled “A Comparative overview of Islamic and Western concepts of Guidance Services in Education” is my own work has not been submitted previously by me for taking any degree from this university, Qurtuba University of Science and Information Technology Peshawar, campus or anywhere else in the country / world. At any time if my statement is found to be incorrected even after my graduation the university has the right to withdraw my Ph.D degree. Name of Student: Nafees Bibi Signature: Date: v (a) Plagiarism Undertaking I solemnly declare that research work presented in the thesis title “A Comparative overview of Islamic and Western concepts of Guidance Services in Education” is my research work with no significant contribution from any other person. Small contribution / help wherever taken has been duly acknowledged and that complete thesis has been written by me. I understand the zero tolerance policy of the HEC and university Qurtuba University of Science and Information Technology Peshawar, campus towards plagiarism. Therefore I as an author of the above title thesis declared that no portion of my thesis has been plagiarized and any material used as reference is properly referred / cited. I undertake that if i am found guilty of any formal plagiarism in the above titled thesis even after ward of Ph.D. degree, the university reserve the right to with draw my Ph.D. degree and that the HEC has the right to publish my name on the HEC/University website on which name of the students are placed who submitted plagiarized thesis. Name of Student: Nafees Bibi Signature: Date: v (b) In the Name of Allah The Most Merciful, and the Most Compassionate O Allah, guide us on the right path. Counseling and Istikhara are the Sunnah of Holy Prophet vi DEDICATION I hereby dedicate this research work to my late parents, my supervisor, my teachers and friends, and especially to my beloved daughter and husband. NAFEES BIBI vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am very much thankful to Almighty Allah, the most gracious, compassionate and ever merciful, who extended me an insight to observe, think and analyze. I pay my highest a role model and source of ,(صلى هللا عليه وعلى آله وسلم) gratitude to Prophet Muhammad guidance for all Muslims. I render my sincere thanks to my supervisor, Professor Dr Wazim Khan, who provided me with an excellent atmosphere where I got an opportunity to flourish my potentialities and intellect. His invaluable guidance and intellectual stimulation were warm and inspiring. I am obligated to several professors and other academics, especially Dr Rahim Khan (Assistant Professor,Qurtaba university Peshawar campus ) Dr Allah Noor Marwat (Assistant Professor, Gomal University, Dera Ismial Khan) and Mr Saleem Khan Wazir (Principal: Government High School, Khyber Agency) who helped me a lot in the completion of this research work. Here my heartfelt thanks are also due to my academic fellows, Mr Ahsan-u-Rehman, Mr Fahim Ullah and Mr Gohar Khan (Principal Government Higher Secondary School Khyber Agency) for their sincere guidance and support. My special thanks to Dr Muhammad Ahsan (Deputy Vice-chancellor Open International University Gambia) gave his preicious contribution in the completion of the study and Meritorious Professor Dr Hamid Ullah Shah ( Ex Dean Agriculture University , Peshawar) provided me his precious time due to which I had several face to face meetings with him on many Sundays. Additionally, he also checked various drafts of my chapters and guided me in my work. I am also obliged to a number of other academics from various educational institutions who extended their every possible help with regard to carrying out my research. Last but not least, I have a special regard for my husband and love for my little daughter for their invaluable support throughout my PhD program. Nafees Bibi viii Table of Contents Contents Page No.