Islamic Studies Curriculum

This curriculum provides a clear, systematic five-level program for students of Islamic Knowledge. It is taught by qualified scholars, and presents traditional Islamic knowledge in a deep, practical, inspiring manner--with an emphasis on living knowledge as guidance.

Hanafi
shafi'i

Islamic Studies Curriculum - Hanafi Lessons 21 Hours 7

Course

On Spirituality: Living the Sunna, Leaving Sin, and Acquiring Good Character: Ghazali’s Beginning of Guidance

IntroductionThe Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) warned that those who learn sacred knowledge to gain the admiration of other people would be among the first to be thrown into the Hellfire. (Muslim) Take this course to learn how to be sincere in your quest for sacred knowledge by: (1) avoiding the si...

Introduction

The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) warned that those who learn sacred knowledge to gain the admiration of other people would be among the first to be thrown into the Hellfire. (Muslim) Take this course to learn how to be sincere in your quest for sacred knowledge by: (1) avoiding the sins of the outward limbs, (2) avoiding the sins of the heart, and (3) having good character with other people.

Curricular Context

This is a second-level course in Step One
Before taking this course, take The Absolute Essentials of Islam (Hanafi) or The Absolute Essentials of Islam (Shafi‘i)
Take this course before all courses in Step Two

Course Prerequisites: The Absolute Essentials of Islam (Hanafi) or The Absolute Essentials of Islam (Shafi‘i)

Course Outline

LESSON 1: Introduction to the Text and Author

LESSON 2: Importance of Routines and Courtesy to the Divine

LESSON 3: On Purification

LESSON 4: On Visiting the Mosque and the Time Before Sunrise

LESSON 5: The Value of Time

LESSON 6: One’s Daily Afternoon Routine

LESSON 7: The Etiquette of Sleep

LESSON 8: The Method and Etiquette of the Ritual Prayer

LESSON 9: On Facing Allah Most High With Awe and Reverence in the Prayer

LESSON 10: The Etiquette of Leading and Following in the Prayer

LESSON 11: The Etiquette of Friday

LESSON 12: The Etiquette of Fasting

LESSON 13: Introduction to the Sins Committed By the Limbs

LESSON 14: Sins of the Tongue

LESSON 15: Sins of the Tongue (Continued)

LESSON 16: Sins of the Stomach, Private Parts, Hands, and Feet

LESSON 17: Envy and Ostentation

LESSON 18: Conceit, Arrogance, and Pride

LESSON 19: Etiquette of Companionship With the Creator and Creation

LESSON 20: Etiquette With the Book of Allah

LESSON 21: Etiquette of the Teacher

LESSON 22: Etiquette of the Student

LESSON 23: Etiquette of Dealing With People You Don’t Know

LESSON 24: Duties With Brothers and Friends

What You Will Learn:

Distinguish between true religious knowledge that is beneficial and ostensibly religious knowledge that is not
Identify instances of the sins of the limbs (particularly those of the tongue)
Identify instances of the sins of the heart
Complete a regimen of protecting your tongue from sin
Improve your character with your teachers, relatives, friends, and strangers
Appreciate the spiritual value of good company

Course Format: 24 downloadable lessons, plus live sessions.

About the Course Text

This course is an exposition of Bidayat al-Hidaya (“Beginning of Guidance”), the greatest scholar of his time and arguably the most famous scholar of Islam who ever lived, Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (d. 505 A.H. / 1111 C.E.). Imam al-Ghazali is unanimously regarded as the renewer (mujaddid) of Islam of his century, first for his intellectual defense of traditional Islamic beliefs against Avicennan philosophy, and then for his powerful spiritual reinvigoration of the Islamic sciences through his magnum opus, the 40-part Ihya ‘Ulum al-Din (“Revival of the Religious Sciences”). The textbook for this course, Bidayat al-Hidaya, one of his last works, is written for students who are beginning their religious studies to warn them against the dangers of ostentation, and to teach them how to use their religious knowledge towards their own benefit for eternity.

Shireen Ahmed
Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Islamic Studies Curriculum - Hanafi Lessons 61 Hours 4

Course

On Worship (Purification, Prayer, Fasting, Zakat, and Hajj): Shurunbulali’s Ascent to Felicity

Introduction Allah Most High says, “I have not created jinn-kind nor mankind for any purpose other than to worship Me.” (Qur’an, 51:56) Take this course to get comprehensive and knowledge-based answers to all of the questions that you are likely to face in your worship Allah Most High, all in light of a formal textbook ...

Introduction

Allah Most High says, “I have not created jinn-kind nor mankind for any purpose other than to worship Me.” (Qur’an, 51:56) Take this course to get comprehensive and knowledge-based answers to all of the questions that you are likely to face in your worship Allah Most High, all in light of a formal textbook of in Hanafi law that students like you have used for centuries. This course covers on the detailed rules of Purification, Prayer, Fasting, Zakat, and Hajj. This course is taught according to the Hanafi school. If you would like to learn it according to the Shafi’i school, take this course instead.

Curricular Context

This is a second-level course in Step One
Before taking this course, take The Absolute Essentials of Islam (Hanafi) course
Take this course before all courses in Step Two

Course Requirements: Absolute Essentials of Islam (Hanafi)

Course Outline

Lesson 1

1A: Introduction to Sacred Law (fiqh) and Imam Abu Hanifa

1B: Introduction to the Author & Text

1C: Water (miya)

1D: The Ritual Ablution (wudu)

1E: The Ritual Bath (ghusl)

1F: The Dry Ablution (tayammum)

Lesson 2

2A: Wiping over Footgear (khuffayn)

2B: Wiping over Bandages (jaba’ir)

2C: Menstruation (hayd), Post-Natal Bleeding (nifas) & Irregular Bleeding (istihada)

Lesson 3

3A: Filth (najasa)

3B: Wells (abar)

3C: Leftover Water (as’ar)

3D: Cleaning after Relieving Oneself (istinja’)

Lesson 4

4A: Prayer Times (awqat al-salat)

4B: The Call to Prayer (adhan)

Lesson 5

5A: The Conditions (shara’it) of the Prayer

5B: The Integrals (arkan) of the Prayer

5C: The Necessary Actions (wajibat) of the Prayer

5D: The Sunna Actions of the Prayer

5E: The Proper Manners (adab) of the Prayer

5F: The Supplications (ad‘iya) of the Prayer

Lesson 6

6A: The Invalidators (mufsidat) of the Prayer

6B: The Disliked (makruhat) Actions of the Prayer

6C: The Permitted (mubah) Actions of the Prayer

6D: Breaking (qat‘) & Abandoning (tark) the Prayer

Lesson 7

7A: Praying on a Riding Mount (dabba)

7B: The Traveller’s Prayer (salat al-musafir)

7C: The Sick Person’s Prayer (salat al-marid)

7D: Being Absolved of the Obligation of Prayer & Lifting One’s Dues (isqat)

Lesson 8

8A: The Witr Prayer

8B: The Sunna Prayers

8C: The Night Prayers of Ramadan (salat al-tarawih)

8D: Prayer inside the Ka‘ba

Lesson 9

9A: The Makeup Prayer (qada’ al-fawa’it)

9B: The Congregational Prayer (salat al-jama‘a)

9C: The Prostration of Forgetfulness (sujud al-sahw)

Lesson 10

10A: The Prostration of Recitation (sajda al-tilawa)

10B: The Prostration of Gratitude (sajda al-shukr)

10C: The Friday Prayer (salat al-jumu‘a)

Lesson 11

11A: The ‘Eid Prayer

11B: The Eclipse Prayer (salat al-kusuf/al-khusuf)

11C: The Rain Prayer (salat al-istisqa’)

11D: The Prayer of Fear (salat al-khawf)

Lesson 12

12A: The Funeral Prayer (salat al-janaza)

12B: The Burial (al-dafan)

12C: The Rulings of Martyrs (shuhada’)

Lesson 13

13A: Fasting: Definition, Types & Intentions

13B: Sighting the Crescent (ru’yat al-hilal)

13C: Things that Invalidate the Fast (mufsidat al-sawm)

Lesson 14

14A: The Permitted & The Disliked (mubahat/makruhat)

14B: Exemptions (‘awarid) from Fasting

14C: The Spiritual Retreat (i‘tikaf)

Lesson 15

15: Zakat: Definition, Nisab & Calculation

Lesson 16

16A: Eligible Recipients of Zakat (masarif al-zakat)

16B: Charity at the End of Ramadan (sadaqat al-fitr)

Lesson 17

17A: Hajj: Definition, Integrals & Necessary Acts

17B: The Conditions (shurut) which Obligate Hajj

Lesson 18

18: The State of Pilgrim Sanctity (ihram)

Lesson 19

19A: The Hajj Described: Arrival in Makka

19B: The Hajj Described: Days 8, 9 & 10 of Dhu’l Hijja

19C: The Hajj Described: Days 11, 12 & 13 of Dhu’l Hijja

Lesson 20

20: The Lesser Pilgrimage (‘umra)

Lesson 21

21A: Expiations for Ihram & Rite Violations (jinayat)

21B: Expiations for Hunting Violations (jinayat)

Lesson 22

22: The Ritual Sacrifice of ‘Eid al-Adha (udhiya/qurbani)

Lesson 23

23A: Ritually Slaughtered Animals (dhaba’ih)

23B: Animals unlawful for Consumption

Lesson 24

24: Hunting (sayd)

What You Will Learn:

Understand slavehood to Allah Most High and why it is important
Learn the rules of purification and prayer that you are likely to encounter in your daily life
Memorize the most important rules of wudu and ghusl
Memorize the most important rules of prayer
Memorize the most important of fasting
Memorize the most important of Zakat
Memorize the most important of Hajj
Appreciate the rigor of the science of Sacred Law (fiqh)

Course Format: 24 downloadable classes and 3 live sessions

About the Course Text

This course is an explanation of Ascent to Felicity (Maraqi al-Sa‘adat) a concise primer on the rules of worship, slaughtering, sacrifice, and hunting according by a leading authority of the Hanafi school, Abul Ikhlas Hasan al-Shurunbulali (d. 1069 / ). The author is best known for his more detailed introduction to the rules of worship, Nur al-Idah, and its detailed commentary, Maraqi al-Falah, which are both an essential part of every traditional syllabus in Hanafi jurisprudence. Ustadh Tabaraze Azam comments on the back cover of the book’s translation that it is “an excellent primer in Islamic beliefs and worship. . . more useful as a first complete text for those seeking understanding of the fiqh of worship than the more commonly-studied Nur al-Idah.”

Islamic Studies Curriculum - Hanafi Lessons 22 Hours 6

Course

Living Right: Halal and Haram and Living Prophetic Excellence (Hanafi)

Introduction Having godfearingness (taqwa) is a prerequisite for being able to benefit from the great guidance of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). Take this course to learn how to have godfearingness in most of the everyday situations that you are likely to encounter in your life, such as...

Ustadh Abdullah Misra
Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Islamic Studies Curriculum - Hanafi Lessons 17 Hours 3

Course

What Muslims Believe and Why: Dardir's Kharida al-Bahiyya

Introduction An introduction to the formal study of Islamic beliefs through a traditional manual of Islamic theology. Take this course to understand the basic methods of Islamic logic and how to use them to gain evidence-based conviction in Allah Most High, His attributes, His messengers, and the afterl...

Introduction

Curricular Context

This is a second-level course in Step One.
Before taking this course, take The Absolute Essentials of Islam (Hanafi) or The Absolute Essentials of Islam (Shafi‘i)
Take this course before all courses in Step Two.

Course Requirements: The Absolute Essentials of Islam (Hanafi) or The Absolute Essentials of Islam (Shafi‘i)

Course Outline

Introduction:
LESSON 1 – Introduction to Class and Biography of Author
Logical Rulings:
LESSON 2 – Introduction to Categories of Rational or Logical Rulings and What is Necessary for Allah Most High
LESSON 3 – What is Impossible and Possible for Allah Most High and Islamic Atomic Theory
Theology (Ilahiyyat):
LESSON 4 – Introduction to Theology and Attributes of Negation
LESSON 5 – Logical Absurdities: Infinite Regress (tasalsul) and Circularity (dawr)
LESSON 6 – Attributes of Affirmation
LESSON 7 – Relationship Between Attributes of Affirmation
LESSON 8 – Logically Impossible for Allah Most High
Prophetology (Nubuwwat)
LESSON 9 – Introduction and What is Necessary for the Prophets
LESSON 10 – What is Impossible and Possible for the Prophets
Eschatology (Sam’iyyat)
LESSON 11 – Angels, Jinn, and the Afterlife
Sufism
LESSON 12 – Sufism and Ending Comments

What You Will Learn:

Learn and use the basic logical methods of traditional Islamic theology
Memorize the attributes of Allah Most High, His messengers, His angels, and other unseen beings
Memorize the key events that will take place after death
Develop evidence-based conviction in all of the above
Understand how to turn mental conviction into spiritual certainty
Appreciate the logical rigor of Islamic theology

Course Format: 12 downloadable lessons, 3 live sessions.

About the Course Text

An introduction to the formal study of Islamic beliefs through a traditional manual of Islamic theology. Take this course to understand the basic methods of Islamic logic and how to use them to gain evidence-based conviction in Allah Most High, His attributes, His messengers, and the afterlife. This knowledge that you will learn in this course is the context that will give your life its purpose. The course is an explanation of al-Kharida al-Bahiyya (“The Lustrous Pearl”), an introduction to the science of Islamic theology by the great theologian, spiritual master, and foremost Maliki jurist of al-Azhar, Shaykh Ahmad al-Dardir (d. 1201 A.H. / 1786 C.E.). The Kharida is a 71-line didactic poem that, in its own words, is “slight and small in size, but great in knowledge.” For hundreds of years, it has been studied and memorized by beginners of Islamic theology, and is frequently quoted by students and teachers alike because of its pithy expressions. A downloadable copy of the course text in both English and Arabic is provided as part of the course materials.

Ustadh Tayssir Safi

Islamic Studies Curriculum - Hanafi Lessons 8 Hours 1

Course

Islamic Logic: Definitions, Arguments, and Sound Thinking: Abhari’s Isaghuji

Introduction Traditional Islamic logic studies the rules of correct mental inference. Muslim scholars received Aristotelian logic as early as the second Islamic century, improved it, and tailored it to the needs of the Islamic sciences, turning it into a thoroughly Islamic discipline. An introductory stud...

Introduction

Traditional Islamic logic studies the rules of correct mental inference. Muslim scholars received Aristotelian logic as early as the second Islamic century, improved it, and tailored it to the needs of the Islamic sciences, turning it into a thoroughly Islamic discipline. An introductory study of logic is now indispensable for any serious study of the Islamic sciences. Take this course to understand what the science of logic is, where it came from, how Muslim scholars use it in the Islamic sciences, and how it relates to the methods of reasoning in modern science and modern formal logic.

Curricular Context

Complete Level One before taking this course

Course Outline

SESSION 1

(1) Is Logic Permissible? (in 3 parts)
(2) Why Do We Need Logic?
(3) Why Should We Do Inference?

SESSION 2

(4) Introduction to Abhari's Isagoge
(5) Does Logic Need Language?
(6) How Exactly Does Logic Use Language? (in 2 parts)

SESSION 3

(7) What are Universals?
(8) Why are Universal Concepts Important?
(9) The Five Universals

SESSION 4

(10) Essences
(11) Definition

SESSION 5

(12) Propositions
(13) What Does it Mean for a Proposition to be True?

SESSION 6

(14) Kinds of Categorical Propositions
(15) Kinds of Conditional Propositions

SESSION 7

(16) Contradiction
(17) Conversion

SESSION 8

(18) What is an Argument?

SESSION 9

(19) Deductive Inference with Categorical Syllogisms

SESSION 10

(20) Deductive Inference with Conditional Syllogisms

SESSION 11

(21) The Matter of Conclusive Arguments
(22) The Matter Probabilistic Arguments

SESSION 12

(23) Has Modern Science Replaced Ancient Logic?
(24) Has Modern Logic Replaced Ancient Logic?

(25) Where Do I Go From Here?

What You Will Learn:

Explain what Islamic logic is, how it developed, and why it needs to be studied
Memorize the definitions of key terms in the science of Islamic logic
Apply the techniques of Islamic logic to a variety of problems in the Islamic sciences
Explain the relevance of Islamic logic today

Course Requirements:Complete Step One before taking this course

Course Format: 12 downloadable lessons and monthly live session.

About the Course Text

This course is a contemporary explanation of

al-Isaghuji, a primer on Islamic logic by Athir al-Din al-Abhari (d. 663 A.H. / 1265 C.E.). al-Abhari is famous as an astronomer, scientist, and philosopher, but he was also a scholar of Islamic theology (kalam), sacred law (fiqh), and sacred legal theory (usul al-fiqh). His primer on logic is his most famous work, studied in religious seminaries all over the Islamic world ever since it was written all the way down to the present day. Although it has the same name as the

Isagoge of the Neoplatonist pagan philosopher Porphyry (d. 269 C.E.) (a work that was studied widely in medieval Christian circles), Abhari’s work is distinctly Islamic with distinctly Islamic concerns. This course unpacks Abhari’s

al-Isaghuji in light of how it has been used for centuries by scholars of the traditional Islamic sciences, and also in light of contemporary scientific and philosophical debates, leaving students with a clear understanding of what it meant to be a thinking and well-educated Muslim in the past, and what it means to be a thinking and well-educated Muslim today. A translation of the course text is provided as part of the course materials.

Ustadh Tayssir Safi

Islamic Studies Curriculum - Hanafi Lessons 22 Hours 12

Course

Haddad's Book of Assistance: Complete Guidance for Turning to Allah

Introduction The goal of all sacred knowledge is to aid you on your journey of self-improvement as you make your way through this life into the afterlife. This series of three courses succinctly summarizes the stages of this spiritual journey and its most important milestones, such as certainty in the afterlife, the stages of spir...

Introduction

The goal of all sacred knowledge is to aid you on your journey of self-improvement as you make your way through this life into the afterlife. This series of three courses succinctly summarizes the stages of this spiritual journey and its most important milestones, such as certainty in the afterlife, the stages of spiritual development, presence of heart in acts of worship, good character with other people, and sincerity, gratitude, and love of God, all in the 32 short chapters of a masterpiece of Islamic spirituality, The Book of Assistance. This first part focusses on how to use sacred knowledge to nurture your soul.

Curricular Context

Complete Level One before taking this course

Course Outline

Lesson 1	Abridged Biography of Imam al-Haddad
Lesson 2	Introduction (Part 1)
Lesson 3	Introduction (Part 2)
Lesson 4	On Certainty – Chapter 1
Lesson 5	On Intention – Chapter 2
Lesson 6	On Vigilance – Chapter 3
Lesson 7	On the Inner and Outer Self – Chapter 4
Lesson 8	On Regular Devotions (Part 1) – Chapter 5
Lesson 9	On Regular Devotions (Part 2) – Chapter 5
Lesson 10	On Reciting the Qur’an – Chapter 6
Lesson 11	On Acquiring Knowledge – Chapter 7
Lesson 12	On Remembrance – Chapter 8
Lesson 13	On Reflection (Part 1) – Chapter 9
Lesson 14	On Reflection (Part 2) – Chapter 9
Lesson 15	On Following the Book and the Sunna – Chapter 10
Lesson 16	On Doctrine – Chapter 11
Lesson 17	On Religious Obligations – Chapter 12
Lesson 18	On Cleanliness – Chapter 13
Lesson 19	On Following the Sunna (Part 1) – Chapter 14
Lesson 20	On Following the Sunna (Part 2) – Chapter 14
Lesson 21	On Conduct in Mosques and the Ritual Prayer – Chapters 15 & 16
Lesson 22	On Prayer in Congregation – Chapter 17
Lesson 23	On Zakat – Chapter 18
Lesson 24	On Fasting – Chapter 19
Lesson 25	On Pilgrimage (Chapter 20)
Lesson 26	On Scrupulousness (Chapter 21)
Lesson 27	On Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil (Chapter 22)
Lesson 28	On Social Duties (Chapter 23)
Lesson 29	On Kindness and Charity (Chapter 24)
Lesson 30	On Counsel (Chapter 25)
Lesson 31	On Salutations and a Salutary Opinion (Chapter 26)
Lesson 32	On Repentance, Hope and Fear (Chapter 27)
Lesson 33	On Patience and Gratitude (Chapters 28 & 29)
Lesson 34	On Renunciation (Chapter 30)
Lesson 35	On Reliance on God (Chapter 31)
Lesson 36	On Divine Love and Contentment (Chapter 32)

What You Will Learn:

Learn how to turn this world into a journey to your afterlife
Learn the key terms of the science of Islamic spirituality
Learn what it means to have good character with people
Learn how to turn away from this world and focus on Allah Most High
Appreciate the depth of the Muslim spiritual tradition

About the Course Text

The course is an exposition of The Book of Assistance by the great scholar, saint, and renewer of the twelfth Islamic century, Imam ‘Abdullah b. ‘Alawi al-Haddad [link to: https://www.amazon.com/Sufi-Sage-Arabia-al-Haddad-Spiritual/dp/188775265X](d. 1132 AH / 1720 CE). Imam al-Haddad’s profound mastery of the sacred sciences was condensed into this masterpiece, in which he maps out various acts of devotion and the spiritual path in 32 succinct chapters. Long considered a summary of Ghazali’s seminal Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din, and translated from its original Arabic into Malay, Swahili, and English, this short treatise has been used as a manual of practical spirituality by Muslims all over the world ever since it was written. For a summary of the book and this course, watch Shaykh Yahya Rhodus’ introduction [ link to: ]

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Shaykh Abdurragmaan Khan
Shaykh Ahmed El Azhary

Islamic Studies Curriculum - Hanafi Hours 16

Course

On Worship: Shurunbulali’s Nur al-Idah - In-Depth Study of Purification, Prayer, and Fasting

IntroductionAllah Most High says, “I have not created jinn-kind nor mankind for any purpose other than to worship Me.” (Qur’an, 51:56) Take this course to increase your knowledge of the questions that worshippers face in their purity, prayer, and fasting, all in light of a comprehensive textbook of Hanafi law that students hav...

Introduction

Allah Most High says, “I have not created jinn-kind nor mankind for any purpose other than to worship Me.” (Qur’an, 51:56) Take this course to increase your knowledge of the questions that worshippers face in their purity, prayer, and fasting, all in light of a comprehensive textbook of Hanafi law that students have used for centuries. This is the first of three parts. This part focuses on the detailed rules of purification (tahara), discussing issues of both ritual and physical purity.

Curricular Context

This is a Level Two elective course.
Before taking this course, take The Absolute Essentials of Islam (Hanafi) and/or the Essentials of Worship courses

Course Outline

Lesson 1: Introduction the Hanafi school and the text

Lesson 2: Author's Opening & Types of Water

Lesson 3: Exercising One’s Judgement, Wells, and Cleaning the Private Parts of Filth (Istinja’)

Lesson 4: Integrals of Wudu and Opening Sunnas

Lesson 5: Remaining Sunnas, Disliked Actions, and Legal categories of Wudu

Lesson 6: Nullifiers of Wudu

Lesson 7: The Major Ablution (Ghusl)

Lesson 8: Dry Ablution (Tayammum)

Lesson 9: Wiping Footgear and Casts; Basics of Menstruation

Lesson 10: Menstruation, Chronic Excuses, and Physical Impurity

Lesson 11: The Basis and Categories of Filth

Lesson 12: Filth and Its Removal

Lesson 13: Introduction to Prayer and Its Times

Lesson 14: Disliked Times and the Adhan

Lesson 15: Obligations of the Prayer (1)

Lesson 16: Obligations of Prayer (2)

Lesson 17: Necessary Elements of the Prayer and Opening Sunnas

Lesson 18: Sunnas, Adab, and Description of Standing

Lesson 19: Completion of the Prayer and Conditions of Congregation

Lesson 20: Congregational Prayer

Lesson 21: Invocations after Prayer and Invalidators

Lesson 22: Additional Invalidators and Introduction to Disliked Acts

Lesson 23: Disliked Acts (1)

Lesson 24: Disliked Acts (2) and Breaking the Prayer

Lesson 25: Witr and Sunna Prayers

Lesson 26: Voluntary Prayers and Praying on Modes of Transport

Lesson 27: Prayers in Exceptional Situations, Tarawih, and the Traveller

Lesson 28: Prayer of the Sick Person, Expiation, and Make-ups

Lesson 29: Catching the Congregation | The Forgetfulness Prostration

Lesson 30: Prostration of Recital and the Friday Prayer

Lesson 31: Sunnas of Friday; Eid and Eclipse Prayers

Lesson 32: Prayers for Rain, Fear, and Funerals

Lesson 33: Details on the Funeral Prayer, Carrying the Body, and Burial

Lesson 34: Visiting Graves, Martyrs, and Fasting

Lesson 35: Intention, Moon Sighting and Invalidators of the Fast

Lesson 36: Completion of Fasting and the Devotional Retreat (two segments; 3 h 30)

What You Will Learn:

Understand slavehood to Allah Most High and why it is important
Learn the rules of purification that are generally encountered
Memorize the detailed rules of wudu and ghusl, tayammum, removing filth, and the basic rulings of menstruation.
Learn the rules of prayer that are generally encountered
Memorize the obligatory, necessary, and sunna elements of prayer at a higher level of detail
Learn the conditions, sunnas, and rulings of congregational prayer
Memorize a list of nearly twelve dozen invalidating or disliked actions in the prayer.
Appreciate the rigor of the science of Sacred Law (fiqh)
Learn the details of prayer and fasting that are generally encountered
Learn the rulings of witr and the sunna prayers
Learn the rulings related to prayer when travelling or sick
Learn the rulings related to the prostration of forgetfulness and the prostration of recital
Memorize the conditions for the validity and obligation of the Friday, Eid prayers, as well as the conditions for the khutba.
Learn the nullifiers of the fast and their practical consequences
Learn about the rulings related to vows and devotional retreat
Gain a grounding in the method and application of the Hanafi school

About the Course Text

This course is an explanation of Nur al-Idah (Light of Clarity), a detailed introduction to the rules of purity, prayer, and fasting authored by a leading authority of the Hanafi school, Abu’l-Ikhlas Hasan al-Shurunbulali (d. 1069 AH/ 1659 CE ). This text covers nearly every issue that arises in the course of these three acts of worship in a clear and comprehensive manner. It is for this reason that Nur al-Idah, along with its commentary Maraqi al-Falah, forms an essential part of nearly every traditional syllabus in Hanafi jurisprudence.

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"Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a similar reward"-- The Prophet (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him)

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Islamic Studies Curriculum - Hanafi Lessons 21 Hours 3

Course

Ulum al-Qur'an: On Revelation, How It Was Preserved and Understood, and Why It Is True

Introduction “This,” Allah Most High says about the Qur’an, “is the Scripture whereof there is no doubt.” (Qur’an, 2:2). There is no doubt that the Qur’an is from Allah Most High. This is an introduction to the science of ‘Ulum al-Qur’an

Introduction

“This,” Allah Most High says about the Qur’an, “is the Scripture whereof there is no doubt.” (Qur’an, 2:2). There is no doubt that the Qur’an is from Allah Most High. This is an introduction to the science of ‘Ulum al-Qur’an (“The Qur’anic Sciences”), whose goal is to defend the Qurʾan and to perfectly understand the tools needed for Qurʾanic commentary Take this course to understand what the Qur’an is, how it was revealed to the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), how it has been impeccably preserved down to our times, why we are certain that it could not have been invented by the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), why we are certain that it could only have been inspired to him by Allah Most High himself, and how to interpret the Qur’an.

Curricular Context

This is a first-level course in Step Two
Complete Step One before taking this course

Course Outline

LESSON 1: Introduction to the Qur’anic Sciences (‘ulum al-Qur’an)

1. about the science of ‘ulum al-Qur’an
2. the meanings of “Qur’an” and “Kitab”
3. what revelation is and why the Qur’anic revelation can only be from Allah

LESSON 2: The Qur’anic Miracle

1. what a miracle is
2. the many ways in which the Qur’an is miraculous
3. why the Qur’an could only have come from Allah Most High

LESSON 3: The Compilation of the Qur’an (1)

1. the preservation of the Qur’an is miraculously meticulous
2. the oral and textual preservation of the Qur’an in the prophetic era
3. the oral and textual preservation of the Qur’an in the era of Abu Bakr
4. responses to common objections

LESSON 4: The Compilation of the Qur’an (2)

1. the differences between the compilations of Abu Bakr and ʿUthman
2. the impetus behind the compilation of ‘Uthman
3. responses to common objections
4. the role of mass-transmission (tawatur) in the preservation of the Qur’an

LESSON 5: How the Qur’an was Revealed

1. the first and last verses to be revealed
2. reasons for revelation (asbab al-nuzul)
3. Meccan and Medinan suras

LESSON 6: How the Qur’an is Arranged

1. the division of the Qur’an into chapters (sura) and verses (ayat)
2. the names of chapters
3. the arrangement of chapters
4. the arrangement of verses

LESSON 7: Ambiguous Verses in the Qur’an + Abrogation in the Qur’an

1. clear (muhkam) and ambiguous (mutashabih) verses
2. the Arabic letters at the beginning of suras
3. abrogation of Qur’anic verses
4. responses common objections about abrogation in the Qur’an

LESSON 8: The Seven Modes of Reciting the Qur’an (al-Ahruf al-Sab‘a)

1. the different hadiths about the seven modes
2. different scholarly positions on the seven modes
3. the relation of the seven modes to the Uthmanic mushafs

LESSON 9: The Ten Canonical Ways of Reciting the Qur’an (al-Qira’at al-‘Ashr)

1. what the ten canonical recitations are
2. the causes of the ten variations
3. the imams who the ten variations are ascribed to
4. why the ten variations are mutawatir (mass-transmitted)

LESSON 10: The Text of the Qu’ran and its Main Topics

1. features of the Uthmanic script (al-rasm al-’Uthmani)
2. the historical advent of diacritical marks, vowels, and divisions of the Qurʾan
3. the main topics of the Qur’an

LESSON 11: Interpreting the Qur’an (1)

1. the development of tafsir in the time of the Companions and the generations after them
2. the use of Isra’iliyyat in tafsir
3. different schools of tafsir and their major scholars
4. translating the Qur’an

LESSON 12: Interpreting the Qur’an (2)

1. how verses and suras are connected to each other
2. the tools and principles of tafsir
3. practical examples of the application of the principles of tafsir

What You Will Learn:

Describe how the Qur’an is arranged
Explain how the Qur’an has been preserved
Explain how the Qur’an is miraculous
Confidently answer most questions people have regarding the text, transmission, miraculous nature, and historicity of the Qurʾan
Become familiar with the different approaches to understanding the Qur’an
Appreciate the depth of traditional Qur’anic scholarship

Course Requirements:

Complete Step One before taking this course

About the Course Text

The course material has been drawn from a variety of classical and contemporary Arabic sources. Scholarly works in English on this subject are rare, and Shaykh Abdurrahim intends to turn this course material into his own original work in the English language.

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Imam Yama Niazi

Islamic Studies Curriculum - Hanafi Hours 13

Course

Beliefs: Ghazali's Qawa'id al-Aqa'id - Understanding Beliefs, Proofs, and the Spiritual Cultivation of Faith

IntroductionStudy Imam Ghazali’s Qawa‘id al-Aqa’id (Foundations of Islamic Belief).What You Will Learn: The key principles and statements of Islamic BeliefThe relation between scholarly study and spiritual realizationThe importance of theology and its limitations...

Introduction

Study Imam Ghazali’s Qawa‘id al-Aqa’id (Foundations of Islamic Belief).

What You Will Learn:

The key principles and statements of Islamic Belief
The relation between scholarly study and spiritual realization
The importance of theology and its limitations
The role of theology in the religious life
Islamic beliefs and the core proofs
The strongest arguments for mainstream Islamic theology

Course Requirements:

Previous study of Islamic beliefs is recommended—such as the SeekersHub online course, Islamic Beliefs for Seekers: Dardir’s Kharida Explained

About the Course Text

This course covers one of the greatest intermediate-level summaries of mainstream Islamic beliefs: Book Two of Imam Ghazali’s Ihya, on the Foundations of Islamic Belief (Qawa‘id al-Aqa’id), in full. In Foundations of Islamic Belief, Imam Ghazali begins in Part One with a brief statement of Islamic beliefs. Many scholars considered this summary one of the greatest summaries of the key principles of Islamic belief ever written. In Part Two, Imam Ghazali explains how one learns and inculcates sound beliefs—and how faith is nurtured in the heart. He discusses a number of sensitive issues, including the relationship between the study of faith and the means of being spiritually-realized in the fruits of faith. He clarifies both the importance of the study of the science of theology, but also its limitations: its role, he argues, is to clarify, support, and defend sound beliefs; but faith itself is truly nurtured not through mere study but through the acts of turning to Allah in worship, devotion, remembrance, reflection, and acting on the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In Part Three, Imam Ghazali covers an explanation of the Islamic belief covered in Part One. This serves as a commentary on Part One, and many central principles and key issues of Islamic beliefs are detailed and clarified. In Part Four, Imam Ghazali explains core proofs for the beliefs that have been presented in the Foundations of Islamic beliefs. He avoids getting into detailed debates, but presents what he considers the cleared, strongest, and most convincing arguments for sound, mainstream Islamic theology. The text is explained in English, but the full Arabic of Imam Ghazali’s work is read.

Ustadh Tayssir Safi

Islamic Studies Curriculum - Hanafi Hours 14

Course

Mawsili's Mukhtar: On Worship: Understanding Purification, Prayer, Fasting, Zakat, and Hajj [Elective]

IntroductionGain a deeper understanding of worship according to the Hanafi school of jurisprudence.Course Outline Lesson 1 (Introduction to the Course and Purification)Lesson 1a - Introduction to Book and AuthorLesson 1b - Author's IntroductionLes...

Introduction

Gain a deeper understanding of worship according to the Hanafi school of jurisprudence.

Course Outline

Lesson 1 (Introduction to the Course and Purification)

Lesson 1a - Introduction to Book and Author
Lesson 1b - Author's Introduction
Lesson 1c - Introduction to Purification & Wudu
Lesson 1d - Sunnas of Wudu
Lesson 1e - Nullifiers of Wudu

Lesson 2 (A Look at Water, Wells & Tayammum)

Lesson 2a - Introduction to Water
Lesson 2b - The Rulings on Well Water
Lesson 2b - The Rulings on Well Water

Lesson 3 (The Ruling on Khuffs and an Introduction to Hayd)

Lesson 3a - The Ruling on Khuffs
Lesson 3b - Introduction to Hayd
Lesson 3c - Continuation on Hayd

Lesson 4 (Continuation on Istihada, Nifas and the Definition of Najasa)

Lesson 4a - Istihada
Lesson 4b - Purification from Filth (Part 1)
Lesson 4c - Purification from Filth (Part 2)

Lesson 5 (Review Session)

Lesson 5a - Review of Purification
Lesson 5b - Recommendations
Lesson 5c - The Etiquette of Seekers

Lesson 6 (Introduction to Prayer)

Lesson 6a - Introduction to the Prayer
Lesson 6b - Prayer Times
Lesson 6c - The Disliked Times for Prayer
Lesson 6d - The Adhan for Prayer

Lesson 7 (The Conditions & Integrals of the Prayer)

Lesson 7a - The Conditions of Prayer (Part 1)
Lesson 7b - The Conditions of Prayer (Part 2)
Lesson 7c - The Integrals of the Prayer

Lesson 8 (The Description of the Prayer)

Lesson 8a - Description of the Prayer (Part 1)
Lesson 8b - Description of the Prayer (Part 2)
Lesson 8c - The Witr Prayer

Lesson 9 (Congregating for Prayer)

Lesson 9a - On Prayer Recitation
Lesson 9b - Congregation for Prayer (Part 1)
Lesson 9c - Congregation for Prayer (Part 2)

Lesson 10 (Actions to Avoid in Prayer & Supererogatory Prayers)

Lesson 10a - Disliked Actions in Prayer
Lesson 10b - Actions Which Invalidate the Prayer
Lesson 10c - Missed Prayers
Lesson 10d - Sunna & Nafl Prayers

Lesson 11 (Forgetfulness in Prayer and the Tarawih Prayer)

Lesson 11a - The Tarawih Prayer
Lesson 11b - The Forgetfulness Prostration
Lesson 11c - Forgetting in Prayer

Lesson 12 (Prayer of the Sick, the Traveller, & the Prostration for Recital)

Lesson 12a - Prostration for Recital
Lesson 12b - Prayer of the Sick
Lesson 12c - Prayer of the Traveller

Lesson 13 (The Friday Prayer & the Eid Prayer)

Lesson 13a - The Friday Prayer
Lesson 13b - The Eid Prayer

Lesson 14 (The Fear Prayer and Prayer at the Kaaba)

Lesson 14a - The Fear Prayer
Lesson 14b - Prayer at the Kaaba

Lesson 15 (Regarding the Funeral Prayer and Burial Practices)

Lesson 15a - Funerary Practices
Lesson 15b - The Funeral Prayer
Lesson 15c - The Burial

Lesson 16 (Introduction to Zakat)

Lesson 16 - Introduction to Zakat

Lesson 17 (The Rulings on Mining)

Lesson 17a - Gold & Produce
Lesson 17b - Mining & Treasures

Lesson 18 On Giving Zakat

Lesson 18a - Outlets for Zakat
Lesson 18b - Zakat al-Fitr

Lesson 19 Introduction to Fasting

Lesson 19a - Introduction to Fasting
Lesson 19b - Moonsighting

Lesson 20 Invalidating One's Fast & Excuses for not Fasting; A Brief Look at I`tikaf

Lesson 20a - Invalidating the Fast
Lesson 20b - Excuses for not Fasting
Lesson 20c - I`tikaf

Lesson 21 Journey of a Lifetime: Hajj (Part 1)

Lesson 21a - The Duty of Hajj
Lesson 21b - Entering Ihram
Lesson 21c - Entering Mecca

Lesson 22 Journey of a Lifetime: Hajj (Part 2)

Lesson 22a - Safa and Marwa
Lesson 22b - Obligatory Tawaf
Lesson 22c - A Brief Look at Umra

Lesson 23 Journey of a Lifetime: Hajj (Part 3)

Lesson 23a - Tamattu
Lesson 23b - Qiran
Lesson 23c - Contraventions (Principles)

Lesson 24 Journey of a Lifetime: Hajj (Part 4)

Lesson 24a - Contraventions (Rulings)
Lesson 24b - Hunting Contraventions
Lesson 24c - Preventatives from Hajj

What You Will Learn:

Water, wells, and dry ablution
Menstruation, bleeding, their types and rulings
Prayer, its integrals and conditions
Prayer in congregation and supererogatory prayer
Actions to avoid in prayer, forgetfulness, tarawih
The prayer of the sick and the traveller
The Friday and Eid prayers, the prayer of fear, and prayer at the Ka’ba
The funeral prayer and burial practices
Zakat and its rulings
Fasting and its rulings
The Hajj and its rulings

Course Format: 24 downloadable lessons, a monthly live session.

About the Course Text

This is the first course in the Islamic Law (Hanafi) for Seekers series. The students will gain a necessary and detailed understanding of Islamic Jurisprudence (fiqh) related to the acts of worship, i.e. prayer, zakat, fasting, and the pilgrimage. The course is based on Imam al-Mawsuli’s great primer on Hanafi fiqh, al-Mukhtar, and its commentary, al-Ikhtiyar li-Ta’lil Masa’il al-Mukhtar. This expansive course will cover all the chapters on worship in al-Mukhtar. This intensive course serves to provide a proper understanding of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) of worship within the Hanafī school based on Imam Mawsuli’s al-Mukhtar. Imam Mawsuli’s influential book is one of the four relied upon primers of the Hanafi school of law, which summarize the original positions of the founder of the school: Imam Abu Hanifa, may Allah have mercy on him, and the transmitted position of the madhhab. This course is intended for seekers of knowledge and is an excellent preparation for the study of more advanced texts in jurisprudence such as Imam al-Marghiyani’s al-Hidaya. An English translation of al-Mukhtar will be provided, along with the full Arabic text of Imam Mawsuli’s own commentary: al-Ikhtiyar li-Ta’lil Masa’il al-Mukhtar. Imam Mawsuli’s commentary focuses on the differences of opinion within the Hanafi School and the legal discussion between Imam Abu Hanifa and his two students. The English lessons are based on al-Ikhtiyar and other leading Hanafi works. Imam Abdullah bin Mahmud bin Mawdud al-Mawsuli al-Hanafi (599-683AH) was born in Mosul in Northern Iraq and studied Hanafi fiqh — among others — with Imam al-Hasidi in Damascus. He was known as the most distinguished Hanafi scholar of his age. He was a judge (qadi) in Kufa and later taught at the mosque of Imam Abu Hanifa in Baghdad, where he is also buried.

Islamic Studies Curriculum - Hanafi Lessons 19 Hours 2

Course

Beliefs: Sanusi's Umm al-Barahin - Foundational Proofs for Why Islam is True

Introduction Allah Most High sent His messengers with “clear signs” (Qur’an, 57:25). They called people to abandon the blind imitation of the false religions and customs of their ancestors and to use their minds to discern what was true and then follow it wholeheartedly. The science of Islamic theology ...

Introduction

Allah Most High sent His messengers with “clear signs” (Qur’an, 57:25). They called people to abandon the blind imitation of the false religions and customs of their ancestors and to use their minds to discern what was true and then follow it wholeheartedly. The science of Islamic theology (kalam) formalized the arguments of Allah’s messengers and then used them to respond to the questions posed by Greek philosophy. Take this course to learn Islamic theology, how it developed, and how to apply it to contemporary questions related to science, atheism, cosmological arguments, human freewill, infinity, classical conditioning, natural causation, anthropomorphism, miracles, modal logic, and the problem of evil.

Curricular Context

This is a second-level course in Step Two
Take Introduction to Islamic Logic before taking this course (or simultaneously with it)
Complete Step One before taking this course

Course Outline

LESSON 1: What is Islamic Theology (kalam)?

1(a). History of Kalam from the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) to Abul Hasan al-Ash’ari (27 min 45 sec)
1(b). History of Kalam from Abul Hasan al-Ash’ari to Muhammad b. Yusuf al-Sanusi (21 min 11 sec)
2. Perceiving the Truth of Propositions (ahkam) (32 min 15 sec)

LESSON 2: The Sanusiyya + The Attributes of God (1)

1. Moral Responsibility and the First Obligation (35 min 10 sec)
2. The Organization of the Sanusiyya (9 min 58 sec)
3. The 20 Attributes That Are Necessary For Allah Most High (17 min 36 sec)
4. Existence (28 min 7 sec)
5. Privative Attributes (37 min)

LESSON 3: The Attributes of God (2)

1. Power, Will, and Knowledge (55 min 51 sec)
2. Life and Divine Agency (14 min 38 sec)
3. Hearing and Sight (18 min 33 sec)
4. Speech (16 min 58 sec)
5. The Relation Between the Written Qur’an and the Attribute of Speech (5 min 12 sec)

LESSON 4: Transcendence and Anthropomorphism

1. Entailed Attributes (10 min 53 sec)
2. Matters that Are Impossible for Allah Most High -- Focus on Transcendence (57 min 36 sec)
3. The Hadith of “Descent” and the Verse of the Throne (28 min 27 sec)

LESSON 5: Transcendence, Divine Wisdom, and Human Freewill

1. Matters that Are Impossible for Allah Most High -- Focus on Divine Oneness (25 min 56 sec)
2. Understanding Verses That Seem to Imply Motives (16 min 5 sec)
3. Divine Destiny and Human Freewill (28 min 30 sec)
4. What is Possible for Allah Most High (31 min 35 sec)

LESSON 6: The Argument for the Existence of God

1. A History of the Cosmological Argument (48 min 14 sec)
2. The Argument for the Existence of God (1 hr 12 min 30 sec)

LESSON 7: The Kalam Cosmological Argument and Big Bang Cosmology

1. The Scientific Evidence for the Beginning of the Universe: Watch: The Universe Began to Exist (from Why Islam is True) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5PqPHvcFDE&t=1630s -- 30 min 18 sec
2. The Philosophical Evidence for the Beginning of the Universe: Watch: Infinity is an Imaginary Concept (from Why Islam is True) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTlMoLNHKl4) -- 1 hr 48 min

LESSON 8: The Arguments for Allah Most High’s Necessary Existence and Agency

1. The Argument for Allah Most High’s Beginninglessness and Endlessness (34 min 30 sec)
2. The Argument for Allah Most High’s Transcendence and indpendence (28 min 53 sec)
3. The Argument for Allah Most High’s Oneness (25 min 40 sec)
4. The Argument for Allah Most High’s Agency (31 min 40 sec)

LESSON 9: Revelatory Arguments and Allah Most High’s Messengers

1. The Argument for Allah Most High’s Hearing, Sight, and Speech (14 mins)
2. The Argument for What is Possible for Allah Most High (12 min 35 sec)
3. What is a Messenger (21 min 50 sec)
4. The Attributes of Messengers (33 min 33 sec)

LESSON 10: Arguments for Genuineness of Allah Most High’s Messengers

1. Kinds of Miracles (41 min 10 sec)
2. Prophetic Miracles as Evidence for the Genuineness of Messengers (33 min 50 sec)
3. Other Proofs for the Genuineness of the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) (29 min 40 sec)

LESSON 11: The Sinlessness of Messengers and the Wisdom of Difficulties

1. The Argument for the Sinlessness of Messengers (42 mins)
2. The Wisdom of Difficulties and the Problem of Evil (30 mins 50 sec)

LESSON 12: La ilaha illa Allah Muhammadur Rasul Allah as a Summary of Islamic Theology

1. La Ilaha Illa Allah (45 min)
2. Muhammad Rasul Allah (45 min)
3. Conclusion (10 min)

What You Will Learn:

Describe the historical development of mainstream Islamic theology
Explain what Muslims believe about Allah Most High and His messengers
Prove why these beliefs are true
Respond to common objections to belief in Allah Most High and His messengers
Appreciate the scholarly depth of the Islamic theological tradition

Course Requirements: Complete Step One before taking this course

About the Course Text

The Sanusiyya has arguably been the most popular introduction to mainstream Islamic theology ever since it was written five hundred years ago by the learned and pious West African theologian, Shaykh Muhammad b. Yusuf al-Sanusi (d. 895 AH / 1489 CE). Shaykh Muhammad b. Yusuf al-Sanusi (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote many textbooks in the science of Islamic theology of varying lengths--a long work called al-Sanusiyya al-Kubra (“The Long Sanusiyya”), a middle-sized work called al-Sanusiyya al-Wusta (“The Medium Sanusiyya”), a short work called al-Sanusiyya al-Sughra (“The Short Sanusiyya”), and an even shorter work called Sughra al-Sughra (“The Tiny Sanusiyya”). The most popular of these works, however, has been al-Sanusiyya al-Sughra (“The Short Sanusiyya”), which is the textbook for this course. This book is also called Umm al-Baraheen (“The Summary of Theological Proofs”), which is a description of its contents: the book begins with an introduction to the methods of reasoning, then lists the attributes of Allah Most High, then summarizes the rational arguments for those attributes, then lists the attributes of Allah Most High’s messengers, then summarizes the rational arguments for those attributes, and finally concludes by showing how the testification of faith (la ilaha illa allah muhammadur rasul allah) summarizes everything that has been mentioned in the book. A translation of the text is provided to all registered students of the course.

Ustadh Abdullah Misra

Islamic Studies Curriculum - Hanafi Hours 10

Course

Quduri's Mukhtasar: On Marriage and Divorce

IntroductionImam Quduri’s full primer (matn) in Islamic law is so famous, that it is simply referred to as “The Book” (al-Kitab). For 1,000 years, it has served as the starting point for a full study of the science of Fiqh.In this course, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani covers the chapter...

Islamic Studies Curriculum - Hanafi

Course

Mawsili's Mukhtar: On Transcations, Marriage, and Public Law [Elective]

IntroductionGain an in-depth understanding of commercial transactions and Personal Law according to the Hanafi school of jurisprudence.The students will gain a necessary and detailed understanding of Islamic Jurisprudence (fiqh) related to the personal law (i.e. m...

Introduction

Gain an in-depth understanding of commercial transactions and Personal Law according to the Hanafi school of jurisprudence.

The students will gain a necessary and detailed understanding of Islamic Jurisprudence (fiqh) related to the personal law (i.e. marriage, divorce, and related matters) and commercial transactions, including sales, leasing, or hire. The course is based on Imam al-Mawsuli’s great primer on Hanafi fiqh, al-Mukhtar, and its commentary, al-Ikhtiyar li-Ta’lil Masa’il al-Mukhtar. This expansive course will cover all the chapters on personal law and commercial transactions in al-Mukhtar. [Below fold] This course serves to provide a proper understanding of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) of personal law and commercial transactions.

What You Will Learn:

Sales, recession, contracts, and rulings
Interdicted, trust, and forward sales
Interest rulings and monetary exchange
The corrupt hire, collateral, division, and judgeship
Coercion, claims and acknowledgments
Witnessing, agency, and guarantees
Marriage: Its rulings, pillars, and conditions
The contract, the guardian, suitability, and the dowry
Marriage to non-Muslims
The types of divorce and their rulings
The waiting period after divorce and establishing lineage
Expenses/provision and custody

Course Requirements:

Knowledge of Arabic would help but is not required. Previous study of fiqh is highly recommended but again not a requirement.

About the Course Text

This course is based upon Imam Mawsuli’s al-Mukhtar. Imam Mawsuli’s influential book is one of the four relied upon primers of the Hanafi school of law, which summarizes the original positions of the founder of the school: Imam Abu Hanifa, may Allah have mercy on him, and the transmitted position of the madhhab. This course is intended for seekers of knowledge and is excellent preparation for the study of more advanced texts in jurisprudence such as Imam al-Marghiyani’s al-Hidaya. An English translation of al-Mukhtar will be provided, along with the full Arabic text of Imam Mawsuli’s own commentary: al-Ikhtiyar li-Ta’lil Masa’il al-Mukhtar. This commentary explains the legal reasoning underlying the issues and rulings in al-Mukhtar. Imam Mawsuli’s commentary focuses on the differences of opinion within the Hanafi School and the legal discussion between Imam Abu Hanifa and his two students. Imam Abdullah bin Mahmud bin Mawdud al-Mawsuli al-Hanafi (599-683 AH) was born in Mousul in Northern Iraq and studied Hanafi fiqh — among others — with Imam al-Hasidi in Damascus. He was known as the most distinguished Hanafi scholar of his age. He was a judge (qadi) in Kufa and later taught at the mosque of Imam Abu Hanifa in Baghdad, where he is also buried.

Islamic Studies Curriculum - Hanafi Lessons 64

Course

Beliefs: Bajuri’s Commentary on the Sanusiyya Explained - Deeper Understanding of the Proofs and Key Issues of Theology

IntroductionThis is a traditional word-by-word explanation of a hashiya (gloss) on Shaykh al-Sanusi’s popular matn in Islamic theology, Umm al-Barahin. Hamza Karamali carefully works through the first half of the Hashiya in 68 recorded lessons, unpacking its meanings, and relating ...

Introduction

This is a traditional word-by-word explanation of a hashiya (gloss) on Shaykh al-Sanusi’s popular matn in Islamic theology, Umm al-Barahin. Hamza Karamali carefully works through the first half of the Hashiya in 68 recorded lessons, unpacking its meanings, and relating them to contemporary theological problems related to modern science, Western philosophy, and Wahhabi theology. These include the distinction between tawhid al-rububiyya and tawhid al-uluhiyya; the nature of causation in the universe; propositional modalities; modal metaphysics; the nature of moral responsibility; the relationship between morality and God; the relationship between the mind and reality; the nature of the physical universe; and the relationship between divine foreknowledge and human freewill. This is a course for experienced students of knowledge who have studied the Islamic sciences for many years.

Curricular Context

Fluency in Arabic reading is a prerequisite for taking this course
Prior knowledge of the foundational Islamic sciences
Proficiency in traditional Arabic grammar is a prerequisite for taking this course
Previous experience reading traditional mutun is a prerequisite for taking this course
Beliefs: Sanusi's Umm al-Barahin - Foundational Proofs for Why Islam is True is a prerequisite for taking this course

Course Outline

SESSION 1	Author’s Introduction and the Basmala (6 lessons)
SESSION 2	The Hamdala (3 lessons)
SESSION 3	The Blessings on the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) (6 lessons)
SESSION 4	An Introduction to the Science of Tawhid (3 lessons)
SESSION 5	The Three Kinds of Hukm (6 lessons)
SESSION 6	The Hukm ‘Aqli (9 lessons)
SESSION 7	The First Obligation of Morally Responsible Agents (6 lessons)
SESSION 8	Divine Existence, Divine Beginninglessness, Divine Endlessness, and Divine Dissimilarity to Created Things (6 lessons)
SESSION 9	Divine Independence, Divine Oneness, Entity-Attributes, and Privative Attributes (8 lessons)
SESSION 10	Existent Attributes, Divine Power, and Divine Will (8 lessons)
SESSION 11	Divine Knowledge, Divine Life, Divine Hearing, and Divine Sight (5 lessons)
SESSION 12	Divine Speech and Implied Attributes (3 lessons)
SESSION 13	Matters that are Impossible for Allah Most High (1) – Nonexistence, Beginning to Exist, Ceasing to Exist, and Resembling Created Things (8 lessons)
SESSION 14	Matters that are Impossible for Allah Most High (2) – Neediness, Not Being One, and Not Being Powerful (7 lessons)
SESSION 15	Matters that are Impossible for Allah Most High (3) – Not Having Will, Ignorance, Death, Deafness, Blindness, and Muteness (7 lessons)
SESSION 16	Matters that are Possible for Allah Most High and the Proof of Allah Most High’s Existence (9 lessons)
SESSION 17	The Proof of Allah Most High’s Existence (5 lessons)
SESSION 18	The Proofs of Allah Most High’s Beginninglessness, Endlessness, Transcendence, Independence, and Oneness (5 lessons)
SESSION 19	Proofs of Allah Most High’s Agency, Hearing, Sight, and Speech + Matters that are Necessary, Impossible, and Possible for His Messengers (7 lessons)
SESSION 20	Proofs of Messengers’ Attributes (6 lessons)
SESSION 21	The Meaning of La Ilaha Illa Allah (1) (5 lessons)
SESSION 22	The Meaning of La Ilaha Illa Allah (2) (7 lessons)
SESSION 23	The Meaning of Muhammad Rasul Allah (1)
SESSION 24	The Meaning of Muhammad Rasul Allah (2) + Author’s Conclusion

What You Will Learn:

Develop the skill of reading the mutun, shuruh, and hawashi of the Muslim scholarly tradition
Deepen your understanding of traditional Islamic theology (both Ash‘ari and Maturidi)
Distinguish between those parts of traditional Islamic theology that are “pure theology” and those that are “theology in light of pre-modern science”
Learn how to update traditional Islamic theology in light of modern scientific discoveries

About the Course Text

This course is a traditional word-by-word exposition of one of the most popular Azhari manuals in Islamic theology, Shaykh Ibrahim al-Bajuri’s (d. 1276 A.H. / 1860 C.E.) Hashiya on the Umm al-Barahin of Muhammad b. Yusuf al-Sanusi. Shaykh al-Bajuri was a prolific scholar, authoring commentaries and glosses in many different Islamic disciplines, including theology, logic, hadith, Sacred Law, estate division, Arabic morphology, Arabic grammar, and Arabic literature. His works have been highly regarded by generations of teachers and students for their precision, comprehensiveness, and depth of scholarship. He studied and taught at al-Azhar, becoming its foremost scholar and rector (Shaykh al-Azhar) in 1263 A.H. / 1847 C.E., a position that he retained until his death. His Hashiya on the Umm al-Barahin is one of his most widely studied works.

Ustadh Abdullah Misra
Ustadh Tayssir Safi

Islamic Studies Curriculum - Hanafi Lessons 10 Hours 4

Course

Ghazali's Minhaj al-Abidin - Understanding the Hurdles on the Path to Allah and How to Overcome Them

Introduction Widely considered to be Imam al-Ghazali's last book, Minhaj al-Abidin summarizes his teachings in an accessible manner, charting the pitfalls and obstacles to be overcome in order to draw closer to Allah Most High. Course Outline LESSON 1: Introduction to the Course (pp. 5-9)

Introduction

Course Outline

LESSON 1: Introduction to the Course (pp. 5-9)
LESSON 2: Continuation on the Author’s Introduction (pp. 9-17)
LESSON 3: The First Hurdle: The Hurdle of Knowledge (pp. 18-26)
LESSON 4: The First Hurdle: The Hurdle of Knowledge (pp. 26-32)
LESSON 5: The Second Hurdle: The Hurdle of Repentance (pp. 32-38)
LESSON 6: The Second Hurdle: The Hurdle of Repentance (pp. 38-43)
LESSON 7: The Third Hurdle: The Hurdle of the Impediments (pp. 44-51)

A) This World and all that it Contains

LESSON 8: The Third Hurdle: The Hurdle of the Impediments (pp. 51-59)

B) Your Fellow Creatures (khalq)

LESSON 9: The Third Hurdle: The Hurdle of the Impediments (pp. 59-68)

B) Your Fellow Creatures (khalq) Continued

LESSON 10: The Third Hurdle: The Hurdle of the Impediments (pp.68-79)

C) The Devil Shaytan

LESSON 11: The Third Hurdle: The Hurdle of the Impediments (pp.79-88)

D) The Lower Self (Nafs)

LESSON 12: The Third Hurdle: The Hurdle of the Impediments (pp.89-94)

D) The Lower Self (Nafs) Continued

Course Requirements:Students should take Beginning of Guidance (ISBGG10A/B) and Book of Assistance (ISKMG15A/B/C) before taking this course.

Course Format: 12 prerecorded lessons and three live classes

About the Course Text

Widely considered to be Imam al-Ghazali's last book, Minhaj al-Abidin summarizes his teachings in an accessible manner, charting the pitfalls and obstacles to be overcome in order to draw closer to Allah Most High. He dictated these words to a group of elect students and carefully advised them to resist hindrances such as fear and impairments such as conceit, in order to find salvation by sincerely turning to Allah Most High. This book is one of the important works that help the spiritual development of the believer.

Shaykh Ahmed El Azhary

Islamic Studies Curriculum - Hanafi Lessons 29

Course

Theology: Taftazani's Sharh Al-Aqa'id Al-Nasafiyya Explained - Critical Investigations in Theology, First Principles, and the Nuances of Theology

Introduction This is the first of an eight-part series of courses that unpack the questions (masa’il) of Taftazani’s pithy Sharh al-’Aqa’id al-Nasafiyya, arguably the most important textboo...

Introduction

This is the first of an eight-part series of courses that unpack the questions (masa’il) of Taftazani’s pithy Sharh al-’Aqa’id al-Nasafiyya, arguably the most important textbook ever written in the science of Islamic theology. These courses explain the intellectual context in which the book’s questions are set, and then apply those questions to contemporary theological problems, with a special focus on modern science and occasional digressions into Western philosophy. Take this course to to understand what the science of kalam is; the historical circumstances that led to its development; who the Mu’tazilites were and why they are important; who the falasifa were and why they are important; what philosophical skepticism is, what motivates it, its relevance to kalam, and how it should be tackled; what human knowledge is and how to distinguish truth from falsehood; the epistemological value of sensation, rational inference, historical transmission, and revelation; and the relation of all of these topics to non-religious historical accounts of Islamic theology, cognitive psychology, and evolutionary accounts of human development.

Curricular Context

This is a Level Four Course

Before taking this course, take all courses in Level Three, especially Beliefs: Bajuri’s Commentary on the Sanusiyya Explained - Deeper Understanding of the Proofs and Key Issues of Theology
Take this course before all courses in Step Five.

Course Outline

Session 1	Introduction to ‘Ilm al-Kalam, al-Nasafi, and al-Taftazani — pp. 3-8 (1hr 3min) Kinds of Hukm + Why the Sahaba Didn’t Need Kalam — pp. 9-11 (40 min) Why the Sahaba Didn’t Need Fiqh + Why Kalam and Fiqh Were Documented — pp. 11-12
Session 2	Fiqh, Usul, and Kalam — p. 12 (35 min) Names of Kalam and the Mu’tazili Mihna — pp. 12-14 (1 hr 23 min) LESSON RESOURCE: Mas’ala khalq al-qur’an by Shaykh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghodda
Session 3	History of Early Kalam (audio only) — (1 hr 23 min) LESSON RESOURCE: al-Madhahib al-tawhidiyya by Shaykh Muhammad Said Ramadan al
Session 4	Early Kalam — pp. 16-17 (22 min) Late Kalam — p. 17(42 min) LESSON RESOURCE: al-Mawaqif fi ‘ilm al-kalam by ‘Adud al-Din al-Iji (pdf present in the same folder as the recordings)
Session 5	The Dangers of Kalam — pp. 23-25 (1)
Session 6	We Have Objective Knowledge of Real Things (haqa’iq al-ashya’ thabita) — pp. 25-29 (1 hr 32 min)
Session 7	Philosophical Skepticism (safsata) — pp. 29-30 (1 hr 30 min)
Session 8	Knowledge (‘ilm) — pp. 30-32 (1 hr 12 min)
Session 10	The Conventional Causes (asbab) of Human Knowledge — pp. 32-35 (1 hr 10 min) Knowledge — pp. 32-35 (1 hr 10 min) Sensation (al-hawass) — pp. 35-39 (44 min)
Session 11	Mass-Transmission (tawatur) — pp. 39-40 (1 hr 19 min)
Session 12	The Mind (‘aql)— pp. 43-45 (1 hr 28 min) Experiential Knowledge (ilham) — pp. 45-46 (36 min)
Session 13	Natural Philosophy and Modern Science
Session 14	The Natural Philosophy of Falsafa The Universe According to Falsafa, Kalam, and Science
Session 15	Arguments For And Against Medieval Atomism
Session 16	Properties in Falsafa, Kalam, and Science
Session 17	The Kalam Perspective on Arguments For the Existence of God in Modern Philosophy
Session 18	The Kalam Argument (1): Properties Began to Exist The Kalam Argument (2): Physical Objects Began to Exist
Session 19	Responses to the Falasifa’s Objections to the Kalam Argument
Session 20	Scientific Evidence for the Beginning of the Universe The Kalam Cosmological Argument in Modern Philosophy
Session 21	Contemporary Objections to the Kalam Cosmological Argument
Session 22	The Impossibility of Infinite Regress and its Relation to the Kalam Argument
Session 23	Allah Most High’s Oneness (1)
Session 24	Allah Most High’s Oneness (2) Allah Most High’s Beginninglessness

What You Will Learn:

Use the epistemology from Part 1 of this course to prove the existence of God
Respond to medieval and modern objections against the existence of God
Describe the cosmology and metaphysics of the falasifa and their role in the development of kalam
Learn when to update theological issues in light of modern science and when to use theological issues to correct modern science
Navigate contemporary debates over the existence of God using traditional Islamic theology

About the Course Text

For centuries, Taftazani’s Sharh al-’Aqa’id has been a standard and indispensable part of curricula in traditional institutions of learning all over the Muslim world. No other textbook in any of the Islamic sciences has as many scholarly glosses (hawashi) as it does. The importance of a textbook can be judged by the number of glosses that have been written on it. The innumerable glosses on Sharh al-’Aqa’id by scholars in the Ottoman Empire, in al-Azhar, in the Indian Subcontinent, and elsewhere make it the most important textbook of Islamic theology ever written.

The author, Sa‘d al-Din al-Taftazani (d. 792/1390), is famous for his sharp mind, pithy expressions, and his unwavering commitment to an evidence-based approach to knowledge, never hesitating to discuss questions that were never discussed before, nor to correct mistakes that were made by authors who came before him. A couple of decades after his death, Ibn Hajar al-’Asqalani (d. 852/1449) reported that Taftazani’s books were sought everywhere and scholars all over the world competed to write commentaries on them. He was a prolific scholar--his Sharh al-’Aqa’id is a mainstay of every curriculum in Islamic theology, his Mukhtasar al-Ma‘ani a mainstay of every curriculum in Arabic eloquence, his Tahdhib al-Mantiq a mainstay of every curriculum in Islamic logic, and his Hashiya on al-Iji’s commentary on Ibn al-Hajib’s Mukhtasar a mainstay of curricula in Islamic legal theory.

Ustadh Tayssir Safi
Shaykh Ahmed El Azhary

Coming Sooon

Islamic Studies Curriculum - shafi'i Lessons 9 Hours 4

Course

On Worship (Purification, Prayer, Fasting, Zakat, and Hajj): Ba Fadl's The Short Abridgement

IntroductionAllah Most High says, “I have not created jinn-kind nor mankind for any purpose other than to worship Me.” (Qur’an, 51:56) Take this course to get comprehensive and knowledge-based answers to all of the questions that you are likely to face in your worship Allah Most High, all in light of a formal textbook of in Shafi‘i l...

Introduction

Allah Most High says, “I have not created jinn-kind nor mankind for any purpose other than to worship Me.” (Qur’an, 51:56) Take this course to get comprehensive and knowledge-based answers to all of the questions that you are likely to face in your worship Allah Most High, all in light of a formal textbook of in Shafi‘i law that students like you have used for centuries. This course focuses on the detailed Rules of Purification, Prayer, Rules of Funeral rites, Zakat, Fasting, Spiritual retreat (‘itikaf), Pilgrimage (Hajj), Trade, and Marriage. This course is taught according to the Shafi‘i school. If you would like to learn it according to the Hanafi school, take this course instead.

Curricular Context

• This is a second-level course in Step One

• Before taking this course, take The Absolute Essentials of Islam (Shafi‘i)

• Take this course (or its Hanafi equivalent) before all courses in Step Two

Course Requirements: Absolute Essentials (Shafi'i)

Course Outline

INTRODUCTORY LESSON

• Biography of Imam Shafi’i

Lesson 1 - Introduction

• Biography of Imam Abdullah Ba Fadl

• The Text: Al Mukhtasar al Saghir

• Author’s Introduction

• Wudu – Integrals

• Wudu – Sunnas

• Wudu – Nullifiers

• Wiping over the Khuffs

• What is prohibited in ritual impurity

Lesson 2 - Purification

• Etiquettes of relieving oneself

• Cleaning oneself – al Istinja’

• Ghusl – Reasons

• Ghusl – Integrals

• Ghusl – Sunan

• Conditions of purification from ritual impurity

Lesson 3 - Impurities

• Water and Impurities

• Impurities

• That which can be purified and that which cannot be purified

Lesson 4 - Tayammum

• Tayammum – Integrals

• Tayammum – Conditions

• Tayammum – Wounds and bandages

Lesson 5 - Women's Purification

• Menstruation

• Lochia

• Istihada

• Prohibitions during Menstruation and Lochia

Lesson 6 - Prayer Times

• Prayer – Times of prayer

• Prayer – Prohibited times

Lesson 7 - Prayers, Rules and Conditions

• Prayer – Obligation to pray

• Prayer – Conditions

• Prayer – Excused Impurities

Lesson 8 - Prayers Sunnan

• Prayer – Integrals

• Prayer – Sunan

Lesson 9 - Prayer Nullifiers

• Prayer – Nullifiers

Lesson 10 - The Prostration of Forgetfulness & Recitation

• The Prostration of Forgetfulness

• The Prostration of Recitation

Lesson 11 - Prayers

• Those whom it is invalid to pray behind (The Imam)

• Conditions of the congregational prayer

• The Traveller’s prayer

Lesson 12 - Jumuah prayer

• The Friday Prayer – The Obligation to Attend

• The Friday Prayer – Conditions

• The Friday Prayer – Integrals of the Sermons

• The Friday Prayer – Conditions of the Sermons

Lesson 13 - Funeral Rites:

• Washing

• Shrouding

• The Funeral Prayer

• Burial

Lesson 14 - Zakat:

• Conditions

• Types of Wealth that Zakat is due upon

• Zakat on Livestock, Agriculture, Gold and Silver, Mines, Buried Treasure, Trade Goods

Lesson 15 - Zakat al Fitr:

• Conditions

• Times

• Amount

• Deserving Recipients

Lesson 16 - Fasting:

• Sighting the Moon

• Integrals

• Prohibited Days

• Conditions for fasting to be obligatory

Lesson 17 - Fasting:

• Nullifiers

• Exemptions

Lesson 18 - I’tikaf

• Conditions

• Integrals

• Nullifiers

Lesson 19 - Hajj and Umrah:

• Those whom it is obligatory upon

• Integrals of Hajj

• Necessary acts of Hajj

• Departing from Mina

• Integrals of Umrah

• Conditions and Integrals of the Tawaf

• Conditions and Integrals of the Sa’i

• Exiting from Ihram

Lesson 20 - Hajj and Umrah:

• Prohibitions during Ihram

Lesson 21 - Buying and Selling:

• Conditions and Integrals

Lesson 22 - Riba (interest):

• Interest factors and Conditions

Lesson 23 - Cancellation of sales transactions:

• Types of Cancellations

• Defective Goods

• Prohibited Sales

Lesson 24 - Marriage and Divorce:

• Marriage: Conditions, Integrals, Sunnas

• Divorce: Integrals and Types

• Waiting Periods (‘Idda): Types, Duration, Prohibitions

What You'll Learn

• Understand slavehood to Allah Most High and why it is important

• Learn the rules of purification and prayer that you are likely to encounter in your daily life

• Memorize the most important rules of wudu and ghusl

• Memorize the most important rules of prayer

• Memorize the most important rules of zakat

• Memorize the most important rules of fasting

• Memorize the most important rules of Hajj

• Memorize the most important rules of contracts

• Appreciate the rigor of the science of Sacred Law (fiqh)

About the Course Text

The course is a detailed explanation of al-Mukhtasar al-Saghir (“Short Abridgment”), a summary of the rules of purification, prayer, fasting, zakat, and hajj, according to the Shafi‘i school, along with a brief introduction to the rules of trade, marriage, and divorce. The book was authored by the great Yemeni Shaykh Abdullah Ba Fadl (d. 918 A.H. / 1512 C.E.), whose works have been taught for centuries in traditional institutions of learning all over the world. A downloadable translation of the text is provided as part of the course materials.

Shaykh Abdurragmaan Khan
Ustadh Tayssir Safi

Islamic Studies Curriculum - shafi'i Lessons 7 Hours 1

Course

Absolute Essentials of Islam (Shafi‘i): Habshi’s Encompassing Epistle Explained: Getting Started With Your Belief and Practice

Introduction“Whoever travels a path to seek knowledge, Allah thereby facilitates for him a path to Paradise.” (Muslim) This course is the first step in your pursuit of religious knowledge. It explains what your religion is, what you must know about it, and how you should learn it. This course is taught according to the Shafi...

Introduction

“Whoever travels a path to seek knowledge, Allah thereby facilitates for him a path to Paradise.” (Muslim) This course is the first step in your pursuit of religious knowledge. It explains what your religion is, what you must know about it, and how you should learn it. This course is taught according to the Shafi‘i school. If you would like to learn it according to the Hanafi school, take this course instead.

Curricular Context

Start here to complete STEP 1.
This course has no prerequisites.

Course Outline

LESSON 1: Introduction to the Text
LESSON 2: Explanation of Faith & Beliefs
LESSON 3: Explanation of Submission & Islamic Jurisprudence
LESSON 4: The Different Types of Bleeding for Women
LESSON 5: Conditions, Integrals & Sunnah of the Prayer
LESSON 6: Inner Dimensions & Nullifiers of the Prayer
LESSON 7: The Friday Prayer & Supererogatory Prayers
LESSON 8: Fasting
LESSON 9: Zakat
LESSON 10: Hajj & Umrah
LESSON 11: Purification of the Heart (Part 1)
LESSON 12: Purification of the Heart (Part 2)

What You Will Learn:

Memorize the Hadith of Jibreel (upon him be peace)
Understand how to seek religious knowledge
Learn the basics of Islamic belief
Learn the basic rules of wudu, ghusl, and prayer
Learn the basic rules of fasting and zakat
Learn how worship Allah Most High with sincerity

Course Requirements:

Students are encouraged to get a copy of The Essential of Islam by Ahmad bin Zayn al Habashi, Trans. Abdul Aziz Ahmed, published by Islamic Village (al-Risalat al-Jamiah)

Course Format: 12 downloadable lessons, 3 live sessions.

About the Course Text

The course is a detailed explanation of al-Risala al-Jami ‘ah wa al-Tadhkira al-Nafi‘ah (“The Comprehensive Epistle and Beneficial Reminder”), a concise manual of basic religious knowledge by the great religious scholar and spiritual guide of Hadhramaut, al-Habib Ahmad ibn Zayn al-Habshi (d. 1132 A.H. / 1720 C.E.). For hundreds of years, this book has been taught in traditional institutions of learning all over the world as the first step in students’ religious education. The author was a descendant of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and a close students of the great sage of Arabia, al-Habib ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Alawi al-Haddad. A downloadable translation of the text is provided as part of the course materials.

Ustadh Tayssir Safi

Islamic Studies Curriculum - shafi'i Lessons 10 Hours 6

Course

Living Right: Halal and Haram and Living Prophetic Excellence (Shafi'i)

Shaykh Abdurragmaan Khan

Islamic Studies Curriculum - shafi'i Lessons 15 Hours 9

Course

Abu Shuja's Matn: On Marriage, Transactions, and Public Law

Introduction This course will cover the details of financial transactions, inheritance, marriage, divorce, child custody, injurious crimes, fixed Sharia punishments, hunting and halal slaughtering of animals, oaths and vows, and court proceedings according to the Shafi’i School of Islamic jurisprudence. It will cover...

Introduction

This course will cover the details of financial transactions, inheritance, marriage, divorce, child custody, injurious crimes, fixed Sharia punishments, hunting and halal slaughtering of animals, oaths and vows, and court proceedings according to the Shafi’i School of Islamic jurisprudence. It will cover the who can undertake a financial contract, what can be sold, and various details of a wide number of contracts like hiring, agency, companies, and investments. The course also goes over the various shares in inheritance, its conditions and execution, and other related matters. There will also be some detail on polygamy, the Islamic juristic and political structure, and jus ad bellum and jus in bello.

Curricular Context

Before taking this course, take the Essentials of Worship (Shafi'i): Ba Fadl's The Short Abridgement Explained
Take this course before all courses in Level Three.

Course Outline

Session 1	Al Bai’ – Sales Transactions Al Riba – Interest Sales Cancellations
Session 2	Al Salam – Paying in Advance Al Rahn – Putting up Collateral Al Hajr – Suspension
Session 3	Al Sulh – Reconciliation Al Hawala – Transferring a Debt Al Dhaman – Guaranteeing Payment Al Kafalah - Guaranteeing a Person’s Appearance
Session 4	Al Sharika – Cooperative Partnerships Al Wakala – Authorisation Al Iqrar – Admissions
Session 5	Al ‘Ariyyah – Lending Items Al Ghasb – Wrongfully Taken Property Al Shufa’ – Preemption
Session 6	Al Qirad – Profit Sharing Venture Al Musaqah – Watering Crops for a Stipulated Portion Al Ijarah – Renting Goods and Hiring Services
Session 7	Al Ja’alah – Job Wages Al Mukhabara – Sharecropping Ihya al Mawat – Regenerating Uninhibited Lands Water Rights and Access
Session 8	Al Waqf – Endowments Al Hiba – Gifts Al Luqata – Lost and Found
Session 9	Al Laqit – The Foundling Al Wadi’ – Deposits for Safekeeping Al Wasiyah – Bequests
Session 10	Al Fara’id (Inheritance) – Introduction Male Inheritors Female Inheritors Those Who Always Inherit Those Who Never Inherit Al ‘Asabat – Universal Inheritors Al Furud – Fixed Shares Al Hajb – Elimination Shares of Brothers and Sisters
Session 11	Al Nikah (Marriage) – Introduction Looking at the Opposite Sex The Integrals of the Marriage Contract Al Khitba – Marriage Proposals Al Ijbar – Compelling Women to Marry Unmarriageable Women
Session 12	Spousal Defects Permitting Annulment Al Sadaq – The Wife’s Marriage Payment Al Walimah – The Wedding Feast
Session 13	Conjugal rights; divorce and related issues;
Session 14	Child custody and financial support.
Session 15	Blood money
Session 16	Fixed Sharia punishments
Session 17	Jihad: Jus ad bellum and jus in bello
Session 18	Jihad: Jus post bellum
Session 19	Hunting and halal slaughter
Session 20	Competitions and Entertainment
Session 21	Oaths and Vows
Session 22	Caliphate
Session 23	Court proceedings
Session 24	Manumission

What You Will Learn:

The technical side of the vast majority of financial and familial relations that a Muslim will get involved in his/her life.
the various types of sale, how “interest” can be avoided in sales and currency exchange, the various forms of cancelling a sales contract, forward sales, and debt transfers.
The concept of financial liability and legal liability it discussed along with various forms of investing money in a halal way.
Other key topics include charitable engagements, and who should get married, and how it should be done from beginning to end.
The details of the shares inherited from one family members are explained, those one inherits from and those one does not, and how the shares can vary based on the combinations of living heirs.
How an Islamic marriage is terminated, and what the financial obligations are towards one’s family members.
How Islam joins between the spirit and the letter of the Sacred Law
How Islam promotes law and order
How flexible Sharia law can be
What valid oaths and vows are
How Islamic law fits into the current political climate

About the Course Text

This course is an explanation of Matn Abi Shuja’ , written by the learned and pious Shafi‘i scholar from Basra, Ahmad ibn al Hussein al-Asfahani (d. 500’s AH / 1100’s CE), more famously known as, Abu Shuja‘. Abu Shuja‘ taught the Shafi‘i school for 40 years in Basra, working as a scholar and judge, before retiring at the end of his life to Medina, where he worked as a servant at the mosque of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). His Matn Abi Shuja‘, a short introduction to the Shafi‘i school of sacred law, is one of the most blessed textbooks of the school–although it was written almost a millennium ago, it remains an integral part of Shafi‘i fiqh curricula all over the world, and has been the subject of dozens of commentaries and super-commentaries ever since it was written all the way down to the present age.

Ustadh Farid Dingle

Islamic Studies Curriculum - shafi'i Lessons 15 Hours 8

Course

Abu Shuja's Matn: On Worship (Purification, Prayer, Fasting, Zakat and Hajj)

Introduction Every human action has a divine command associated with it, making it obligatory, recommended, permissible, offensive, or unlawful. We cannot infer these commands with our minds–the only way to learn about them is by learning them from the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). The goal of the science of sacred law ...

Introduction

Every human action has a divine command associated with it, making it obligatory, recommended, permissible, offensive, or unlawful. We cannot infer these commands with our minds–the only way to learn about them is by learning them from the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). The goal of the science of sacred law (fiqh) is to summarize what the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) taught us about all human actions, whether related to worship, trade, investment, food, hunting, oaths, entertainment, marriage, divorce, inheritance, legal procedures, or public policy. This four-part series of courses will introduce you to the science of sacred law as it relates to all aspects of life, focussing in this first part on the rules of purification and prayer.

Curricular Context

- Complete level One before taking this course
- Take this course before taking the second part of this course.

Course Outline

Session 1	Biography of Author; Author’s Introduction; The Five Rulings; Personal vs.Communal Obligatory Knowledge
Session 2	Purification; Integrals & Nullifiers of Ablution; Etiquettes of the Washroom
Session 3	Major Ritual Impurity
Session 4	Wiping Over Socks; Dry Ablution; Types of Filth
Session 5	Rulings Related to the Different Types of Bleeding for Women
Session 6	The Prayer – Times; Sunnah Prayer; Conditions & Integrals
Session 7	Sunnahs & Nullifiers of the Prayer
Session 8	Prostration of Forgetfulness; Forbidden Times to Pray; The Congregational Prayer
Session 9	Joining Prayers & the Friday Prayer
Session 10	Special Prayers for Particular Circumstances
Session 11	Clothing
Session 12	Rites of the Deceased & the Funeral Prayer
Session 13	Zakat on Wealth Zakatable wealth Conditions for obligation of Zakat
Session 14	Zakat on livestock
Session 15	Zakat on gold and silver Zakat on agriculture
Session 16	Zakat on trade Zakat on mines Zakat on buried treasure
Session 17	Zakat al Fitr Deserving Recipients Distributing Zakat
Session 18	Fasting Obligation Integrals Nullifiers
Session 19	Sunnan of fasting Disliked acts during Fasting Sunna Fasts
Session 20	Unlawful Days of Fasting Expiations Excuses for not Fasting
Session 21	Itikaf (spiritual retreat) Integrals Nullifiers
Session 22	Hajj Conditions for obligation Integrals Necessary acts
Session 23	Sunnas of Hajj and Umrah Prohibitions in Ihram
Session 24	Omission of Pilgrim rites Expiations

What You Will Learn:

Describe the historical development of the Shafi‘i school
Learn the rules of purification, prayer, clothing, funeral rites, fasting, zakat, and Hajj
Memorize the definitions of key terms related to the rules of purification, prayer, clothing, funeral rites, fasting, zakat, and Hajj
Appreciate the depth of the Muslim scholarly tradition

About the Course Text

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Shaykh Abdurragmaan Khan

Islamic Studies Curriculum - shafi'i Lessons 21 Hours 7

Course

Usul al-Fiqh: How Islamic Law is Derived and Interpreted: Juwayni's Waraqat

IntroductionThe science of legal theory (usul al-fiqh) studies how to infer the rulings of Sacred Law directly from the Qur’an and sunna. This course ...

Introduction

The science of legal theory (usul al-fiqh) studies how to infer the rulings of Sacred Law directly from the Qur’an and sunna. This course will clear your confusions over (1) the role of scholarly consensus (ijma’) in preserving Islam; (2) how the Sunna of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was preserved; (3) and the role of human reason in interpreting the Qur’an and Sunna. Since the Qur’an and Sunna are both in Arabic, some knowledge of Arabic, however, is a highly recommended prerequisite to this course. But the instructor makes every effort to explain things in a way that can be understood by English speakers without any knowledge of Arabic

Curricular Context

This is a first-level course in Step Two
Complete Step One before taking this course

Session 1	Lesson 1 -Imam al-Juwayni and the Waraqat Lesson 2 - Usul, Fiqh, and Usul al-Fiqh Lesson 3 - What is Fiqh?
Session 2	Lesson 4 - The Rulings of Sacred Law Lesson 5 - Probabilistic Inference Lesson 6 - What is Usul al-Fiqh?
Session 3	Lesson 7 - What is Speech and Why is it Important? Lesson 8 - Kinds of Speech in Legal Inference Lesson 9 - Literal and Figurative Speech
Session 4	Lesson 10 - How to Discern Figurative Speech Lesson 11 - Four Examples of Figurative Speech
Session 5	Lesson 12 - Commands, Prohibitions, and Moral Responsibility Lesson 13 - How to Fulfill One’s Moral Responsibility
Session 6	Lesson 14 - Who is Morally Responsible? Lesson 15- Is a Prohibited Action Also Invalid?
Session 7	Lesson 16 - What are Inclusive Expressions? Lesson 17 - Excluding from Inclusive Expressions
Session 8	Lesson 18 - Excluding by the Sunna Lesson 19 - Excluding by Analogy Lesson 20 - Excluding by Revelatory Context
Session 9	Lesson 21 - The Different Strengths of Linguistic Signification
Session 10	Lesson 22 - The Figurative Interpretation of Probabilistic Expressions Lesson 23 - Why Anthropomorphists are Mistaken
Session 11	Lesson 24 - Prophets are Divinely Protected from Sin Lesson 25 - What can be inferred from the fact that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) did something?
Session 12	Lesson 26 - Prophetic Approval Lesson 27 - What can be inferred from the fact that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) did not do something?
Session 13	Lesson 27 – What can be inferred from the fact that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) did not do something?
Session 14	Lesson 28 – Abrogation is Possible and it Actually Happened Lesson 29 – Abrogation of Qur’anic Commands and Prohibitions
Session 15	Lesson 30 – Kinds of New Rulings After Abrogation Lesson 31 – Abrogation by the Qur’an and Abrogation by the Sunna
Session 16	Lesson 32 – Evidentiary Conflict and Reconciliation
Session 17	Lesson 33 – Scholarly Consensus of the Muslim Umma is Never Wrong Lesson 34 – Scholarly Consensus is the Impenetrable Fortress of Islam
Session 18	Lesson 35 – Explicit and Implicit Scholarly Consensus Lesson 36 – Ijtihad of a Companion
Session 19	Lesson 37 – Isnad is the Distinction of the Muslim Umma Lesson 38 – Kinds of Transmitted Reports
Session 20	Lesson 39 – Mursal Hadiths Lesson 40 – How Hadiths Were Transmitted
Session 21	Lesson 41 – Human Reason and the Sacred Law Lesson 42 – Kinds of Legal Analogy
Session 22	Lesson 43 – The Initially Presumed Ruling of Sacred Law Lesson 44 – The Presumption of Continuity
Session 23	Lesson 45 – The Precedence-Order of Legal Evidence
Session 24	Lesson 46 – The Conditions of Ijtihad Lesson 47 – Following Qualified Scholarship Lesson 48 – Is Every Mujtahid Correct?

What You Will Learn:

Explain what Islamic legal theory is and why it needs to be studied
Learn how to interpret the Qur’an and Sunna
Memorize the definitions of key terms in the science of Islamic legal theory
Appreciate the depth of scholarship of all four Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence
Apply the techniques of Islamic legal theory to gain clarity on contemporary religious debates about literalism, ijtahad and taqlid, and bid‘a

About the Course Text

This course is a contemporary explanation of al-Waraqat, a primer on Islamic legal theory (usul al-fiqh) by Imam al-Haramayn al-Juwayni (d. 478 A.H. / 1085 C.E.). Imam al-Juwayni was an imam (i.e., someone who is taken as an exemplar) of the Islamic sciences in the fullest sense of the word: he authored multi-volume seminal works in Shafi‘i jurisprudence, Islamic theology, and Islamic legal theory, that became the basis for all future work in each science. His al-Waraqat is a short work that brings his vast scholarship in the science of Islamic legal theory down to the level of an absolute beginner. Ever since it was written almost a thousand years ago, students of the Shafi‘i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools have successfully used it to begin their study of Islamic legal theory. A translation of the course text is provided as part of the course materials.

Islamic Studies Curriculum - shafi'i Lessons 47

Course

Ghazzi’s Sharh Matn Abi Shuja: On Worship - Deeper Understanding of Legal Rulings

IntroductionThis is the first of an eight-part traditional word-by-word explanation of a sharh (interlineal commentary) on the post popular primer in Shafi‘i law, Matn Abi Shuja‘. Hamza Karamali carefully works through the chapter of purification, the prayer, Rules of Zakat, Fasting and Hajj. relating the rulings to contempo...

Introduction

This is the first of an eight-part traditional word-by-word explanation of a sharh (interlineal commentary) on the post popular primer in Shafi‘i law, Matn Abi Shuja‘. Hamza Karamali carefully works through the chapter of purification, the prayer, Rules of Zakat, Fasting and Hajj. relating the rulings to contemporary situations and explaining the hadith evidence and wisdom behind them. This is a course for experienced students of knowledge who have studied the Islamic sciences for many years

Curricular Context

This is a level three course
Complete all four parts of Introduction to Sacred Law (Shafi‘i) before taking this course
Reading fluency in Arabic is a prerequisite for taking this course

Course Outline

SESSION 1	Introduction Ibn Qasim al-Ghazzi’s Introduction Commentary on the Basmala and Hamdala Commentary on Abu Shuja’s Introduction
SESSION 2	Purification and Water The Meanings of “Kitab” and “Tahara” Purifying Water Pure and Impure Water
SESSION 3	Animal Hides, Gold and Silver Containers, and the Toothstick Tanning Animal Hides Permissible and Impermissible Containers Using the Toothstick
SESSION 4	Integrals of Wudu Integrals of Wudu: Intention and Washing the Face Integrals of Wudu: Remaining Integrals Using the Toothstick
SESSION 5	Sunnas of Wudu Sunnas of Wudu Part 1 Sunnas of Wudu Part 2
SESSION 6	Cleaning Oneself After Using the Bathroom Cleaning Oneself After Using the Bathroom (istinja) Adab of Using the Bathroom
SESSION 7	Invalidators of Wudu and Ghusl Invalidators of Wudu Invalidators of Ghusl
SESSION 8	Ghusl and Wiping Over Khuffs Integrals of Ghusl Sunnas of Ghusl Sunna Ghusls Wiping Over Khuffs: Ruling and Conditions
SESSION 9	Wiping over Khuffs and Tayammum Wiping Over Khuffs: Period of Wiping Wiping Over Khuffs: How to Wipe and Invalidators of Wiping Wiping Over Khuffs: How to Wipe and Invalidators of Wiping
SESSION 10	Tayammum and Najasa Integrals and Sunnas of Tayammum Invalidators of Tayammum Casts and Bandages Definition of Najasa SESSION10.4 Resource: Shaykh Nuh Ali Salman’s Fatwa on Narcotics: https://www.aliftaa.jo/Article.aspx?ArticleId=161#.W3RtM-gzbIV
SESSION 11	Najasa Kinds of Najasa: Digested Material Najasa `Ayniyya and Najasa Hukmiyya Minor, Regular, and Major Najasa Najasa that is Excused Overview of Kinds of Najasa Water that Runs Off While Washing Najasa (ghusala) Wine Turning Into Vinegar
SESSION 12	Menstruation Menstruation Things Unlawful in Ritual Impurity
SESSION 13	Prayer Times
SESSION 14	Conditions for the Obligation of Prayer Sunna Prayers
SESSION 15	Conditions for the Validity of Prayer
SESSION 16	Integrals -- Intention, Standing, Takbir Integrals -- Fatiha Integrals -- Ruku and Sujud Integrals -- Sitting, Salam, Order
SESSION 17	Major Sunnas Before and During the Prayer Regular Sunnas Difference Between Men’s and Women’s Prayer
SESSION 18	Invalidators of the Prayer Number of Rak‘as, Integrals, and Sunnas in the Obligatory Prayers Prostration of Forgetfulness
SESSION 19	Forbidden Times to Pray Congregational Prayer
SESSION 20	Joining and Shortening Prayers
SESSION 21	Friday Prayer
SESSION 22	Eclipse Prayer Drought Prayer
SESSION 23	Prayer of Peril Dress
SESSION 24	Washing and Shrouding the Deceased Funeral Prayer Burial and Condolences
SESSION 25	Kinds of Zakatable Wealth Conditions of Zakat On Livestock
SESSION 26	Conditions of Other Kinds of Zakat Camels Cattle and Sheep
SESSION 27	Paying Zakat Jointly Zakat on Money Zakat on Crops
SESSION 28	Zakat on Trade Goods, Mines, and Treasure Zakat al-Fitr
SESSION 29	Zakat Recipients
SESSION 30	Integrals of Fasting Matters That Invalidate the Fast Sunna Matters While Fasting
SESSION 31	Unlawful Days to Fast Major Expiation Fidya
SESSION 32	Itikaf
SESSION 33	Conditions For Obligation of Hajj Integrals of Hajj and Umra
SESSION 34	Wajibat of Hajj and Umra Sunnas of Hajj and Umra
SESSION 35	Matters Unlawful in Pilgrim Sanctity
SESSION 36	Kinds of Hajj Expiations

What You Will Learn

Develop the skill of reading the mutun, shuruh, and hawashi of the Muslim scholarly tradition
Deepen your understanding of traditional sacred law according to the Shafi‘i school
Learn the detailed rulings of water, tanning, containers, wudu, using the bathroom, ghusl, wiping over khuffs, tayammum, wudu with bandages and casts, najasa, and menstruation
The rules, conditions, integrals, invalidators of the prayer, along with many other types of prayer
The rules, conditions, integrals, invalidators of the zakat, fasting and Hajj.
Learn how to apply traditional sacred law to modern situations

About the Course Text

Matn Abi Shuja‘ is the most popular primer for students of the Shafi‘i school. Its importance can be measured by the dozens of commentaries and glosses that have been written on it over the centuries since it was written. This course is a contemporary explanation of its most commonly-studied commentary, Fath al-Qarib al-Mujib by Shaykh Muhammad b. Qasim al-Ghazzi (d. 918 AH / 1512 CE). Shaykh Muhammad b. Qasim al-Ghazzi was a late scholar of the Shafi‘i school who lived and taught in Egypt. His teachers included the great Shaykh al-Islam Zakariyya al-Ansari, who was the teacher the major authorities of the Shafi‘i school. Fath al-Qarib (or Sharh Ibn Qasim, as it is popularly known) is an integral part of Shafi‘i curricula worldwide. It is particularly important because it was the subject of a hashiya (gloss) by the rector of al-Azhar in his time, Shaykh Ibrahim al-Bajuri (1276 AH / 1860 CE), may Allah Most High have mercy on him, which is one of the most important books in the Shafi‘i school.

Shaykh Abdurragmaan Khan

Islamic Studies Curriculum

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