Course Descriptions
Listed below are brief descriptions of courses offered. You can find more detailed descriptions by logging into your account and clicking on “Courses”.
Analytical Tafseer I
An explanation of Part 30 (Juz ‘Amma) of the Holy Qur’an based on classical and contemporary works. Attention will be given to the major themes covered within the Juz as well as the historical context of the verses, their reasons for revelation, and the relevant traditions (ahadith) that further clarify their meanings.
Analytical Tafseer II
This course is a Qur’anic exegesis (tafsir) of Surat al-Kahf and Surah al-Hujurat from the Qur’an based on classical and contemporary works of tafsir. The course will explore major themes addressed in these chapters, the historical context of the verses, reasons for revelation, and the relevant hadith literature that further clarify their meanings.
Analytical Tafseer III
This course covers the explanation of Surah Noor, a very special Surah which deals with many common social issues, including adultery, fornication, the issue of falsely blaming anyone of adultery, the story of false accusations against Aisha RA, modesty in dress and interaction between the genders and teaching our children social values.
Aqeedah I
This course is an introduction on the Islamic creed – focusing solely on the first pillar of faith: belief in Allah. It will cover the proofs for, qualities of, and rights of God as per authentic revelation –focusing on the fundamental branches of Tawhīd in Islamic Theology. It will also analyze various contrary theologies, especially atheism and secular deism.
Aqeedah II
This course will expand upon four pillars of faith. Belief in Allah, His oneness, and Divine decree was the focus of Aqeedah I; this course will focus on faith in His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day. (Prerequisites: Aqeedah I)
Aqeedah III
This course will expand on integral creedal issues that do not squarely fall under the six pillars of faith, such as concepts of belief and disbelief, orthodoxy and heterodoxy, Islam’s stance on evolution, and issues related to political dissent. (Prerequisites: Aqeedah I)
Arabic as a Second Language I
This course is for students wanting to take their first steps into the Arabic language. Course includes an introduction to morphology and syntax using traditional methods, as well as an introduction to conversational Arabic.
Arabic as a Second Language II
After completing the basics of Arabic morphology in Arabic 1, students in Arabic 2 will study the “Mazeed Feeh” chapters, irregular verbs (non-Saheeh) and the ta’leel of those verbs (to recognize the original state and morphed state of the verbs). Students will complete Arabic Tutor Volume one, followed by Arabic Tutor Volume Two.
Arabic as a Second Language III
Prerequisites for Arabic 3 will be either successful completion of Arabic 2 semester or individualized test by instructor. The class will consist of a detailed analysis of Arabic texts, including hadith books and Quran tafseer. Students will be expected to proceed in learning grammar lessons from pre-recorded videos. The test at the end of the semester will comprise of translation of an Arabic text, and translating an English article into Arabic.
Arabic as a Second Language IV
More advanced texts will be introduced, with students expected to read without any harakaat/tashkeel on the letters. The objective is for students to become self-reliant in reading advanced Arabic texts so they can pick up any tafseer and understand it with the help of a dictionary. The key text will be the Arabic version of At-Tafseer Al-Tahleeli. Students are also expected to purchase the following dictionaries to help them in analyzing the texts: Hans Wehr Arabic to English (for English speakers) and Misbaahullughaat Arabic to Urdu (for Urdu speakers).
Dawah: Methodology and Practice
The course is designed to examine the virtue and purpose of inviting to the message of Islam. It provides a detailed examination of the history, methodologies, and characteristics of Da’wah, as guided by the Qur’an and Sunnah. The course transitions into examining and building an understanding of the Western and Islamic culture, in order to have a
stronger impact of da’wah.
Family Law I
A study of marriage in Islam covering the wisdom behind marriage, the rulings pertaining to it, the details of a valid marriage contract, marital discord, divorce, guardianship, and spousal rights and obligations.
Family Law II
A course focused on the basic concepts of ‘Ilm al-Fara’id (Islamic Law of Inheritance), including its significance; the wisdom in allotting the various shares; basic rules and principal elements of distribution; examples of possible cases that can be solved by simple formulas; basic elements of writing, documenting, and executing legal wills; and laws pertaining to Waqf (endowment).
Fiqh of Criminal Law and Islamic Justice
An examination of the Islamic position, juristic terms and rulings related to jinayat (crimes) and hudud (fixed punishments). The course includes a review of the Islamic law of evidence and testimony and hudud focusing on the punishments specified for zinâ (adultery and fornication), qadhf (false slanderous accusation of illicit sexual relations), drinking khamr (intoxicants in general), sariqah (theft), hirâbah (armed or highway robbery and waging war against the state), and riddah (apostasy). Students will also examine common misconceptions and doubts raised against Islamic penal law and its application in today’s society.
Fiqh of Hadith I
This is an entry-level course, part one of two courses that examines the Fiqh of Hadith pertaining to the essential topics, which include creed, law, morality, and spirituality. It goes through Imam al-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith compilation. The first twenty-one hadiths are examined and discussed.
Fiqh of Hadith II
This is an entry-level course, part two of two courses that examines the Fiqh of Hadith pertaining to the essential topics, which include creed, law, morality, and spirituality. It goes through Imam al-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith compilation. The remaining twenty-one hadiths are examined and discussed.
Fiqh of Seerah
This course is a biographical analysis of the Last Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم based on authentic sources, allowing students to develop love and appreciation for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ,understand why
particular Qur’anic passages were revealed, develop the ability to compare his times with ours in various respects, and fortify one’s knowledge on the compelling reasons to believe in his prophethood.
Fiqh of Financial Transactions I
This course is an intensive study of the first half of financial transactions in Islam, covering various issues surrounding buying and selling, usury, loans, settlements, companies, and more. The main text focuses on the opinions and evidence of the Hanbali Madhab. In addition, attention will be given to all the various opinions across the major Madhahib (legal schools of thought), particularly on major issues.
Fiqh of Financial Transactions II
This course is an intensive study of the second half of financial transactions in Islam, covering various issues including watering in exchange for a share of the produce, sharecropping, reviving barren land, per-job wages, lost and found property, foundlings, prize money, leasing and hiring, the right of pre-emption, endowments, gifts, and more.
The main text focuses on the opinions and evidence of the Hanbali Madhab. In addition, attention will be given to all the various opinions across the major Madhahib (legal schools of thought), particularly on major issues.
Fiqh of Worship I
A juristic primer examining the key issues pertaining to acts of worship, particularly purification (Taharah), prayer (salah) and funerals (janaa’iz). Detailed evidences are emphasized and attention is given to the various opinions across the major madhahib (legal schools of thought).
Fiqh of Worship II
A juristic examination of the remaining acts of worship – Zakat, Fasting, and Hajj. Students will be exposed to various legal opinions and the detailed evidences used as proofs to support these opinions. (Prerequisites: Fiqh of Worship I)
Fundamentals of Fiqh I
This course will introduce students to Islamic legal theory as a science, its main approaches, an overview of the legal rulings, and textual implications. By using the text alWaraqāt as a guide for study, the four main topics of Islamic legal theory will be examined over this course and Fundamentals of Fiqh II: the sources of legislation (evidences), how to derive rulings from these evidences (textual implications), the rulings derived, and the
qualifications of the one who can derive these rulings.
Fundamentals of Fiqh II
This course will further students’ familiarity with Islamic legal theory. By using the text al-Waraqāt as a guide for study, we will finish examining the four main topics of Islamic legal theory: the sources of legislation (evidences), how to derive rulings from these evidences (textual implications), the rulings derived, and the qualifications of the one who
can derive these rulings and one who cannot.
Hadith Sciences (Absorbed Authority of the Sunnah)
A study of the history and development of the hadith sciences, the famous hadith Scholars and their compilations, and the classification of ahadith based on factors such as authenticity, transmitters, authority, and legal effectiveness.
History of the Islamic States (Formerly I and II)
A retrospective look at the history of the Islamic State after the death of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) all the way up until the End of the Ottoman Empire. This course includes a study of the Umayyads, the Abbasids, Muslim Spain, Mughals and Ottomans.
History of The Rightly Guided Caliphs.
An examination of the lives of the rightly-guided Caliphs; different aspects of their lives before Islam, after conversion to Islam and during their respective caliphates; the key achievements during their caliphates; and refuting the doubts and allegations raised about them. The course is designed to provide evidence-based knowledge, with a focus on proofs from the Quran, Sunnah and authentic sources of history to enable students to distinguish between acceptable and fabricated narrations on the Caliphs’ history.
Introduction to Arabic: Preparatory Level (Please note that this course is not part of the Bachelor’s Degree program)
Designed for non-native speakers who have little or no previous knowledge of the Arabic language. Students will learn to read and write the Arabic letters, as well as their proper pronounciation; basic Arabic vocabulary including nouns and verbs; forming sentences; and composing simple paragraphs by using Arabic vocabulary, grammar, and conjunctions. This course provides the foundation to prepare students to take Arabic 1 to 4 in the B.A program.
Introduction to Arabic: Beginner Level 1 (Please note that this course is not part of the Bachelor’s Degree program)
A course for beginners with some background of the Arabic language who wish to polish and develop their skills. At the end of the course students are expected to master the following language skills: Being accustomed to listening to Arabic jargon; knowing some of the more complex and unique sounds of the Arabic language and pronouncing them correctly; participating in spontaneous dialogue in light of the themes being studied; becoming skilled at reading comprehension of the contents in the curriculum
understanding some fundamentals of Arabic grammar (nahw) such as types of words, the definite (ma‘rifah) and indefinite (nakirah) articles, and asmâ’ al-ishârah for things that are near, far, and locations; and partially mastering the fundamentals of writing some of the Arabic letters that resemble one another in naskh script.
Islam and Science
This “independent study” elective provides students with the opportunity to explore the historical and geographical relationships between Islam and Science. Students are invited to explore the factors which led to the great contributions of the “Islamic Golden Age” as well as the factors, which led the era. Students are also challenged to hypothesize about the potential factors necessary for Muslims to regain a prominent position in the Sciences, Technologies, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Students have access to an extensive list of reading material to study and reference in their written assignments. In addition to one research paper required in this elective, students will prepare and record a 20-minute oral presentation about their paper to be sent to the instructor.
Islamic Pedagogy and Public Speaking
A comprehensive review of Islamic pedagogy and education, including its concept, virtue, philosophy, tools, institutions, and scholars. It also highlights how excellence can be achieved in Islamic education, analyzing a number of challenges facing Islamic education, including education of Muslim children in the West, Islamization of the curriculum, and co-education. The course also covers various aspects of public speaking as a tool of teaching and conveying knowledge to others and for religious and dawah-oriented purposes.
Contemporary Islamic Thought (Formerly Critical Thinking and Logic)
In this course, students will examine critical thinking and logic from an Islamic perspective, the etiquette of disagreement, as well as the major groups and movements in the area of Islamic activism. In addition to this, there is mentored free reading of various books pertaining to contemporary Islamic thought.
Islamic Apologetics – (Formerly Refuting Misconceptions)
When one works in Islamic services or academia, it is vital that they are able to refute common misconceptions about Islam. This helps bring one closer to the Creator as all doubts are cleared and it instills confidence when giving dawah. This course examines some of the more nuanced and intellectual challenges facing Islam including questions about Shariah, women’s rights, terrorism and slavery. Students will not only be convinced of the justice of Islamic stances on these issues, but will also be equipped to convince others.
Islamic Sects
Analysis of the different groups and their fundamental differences that exist under the umbrella of Islam. An analytical and historical approach is taken discussing various groups such as the Kharajites, the Shi’a, the Baatiniyah, the Sufis, etc.
Legal Maxims
This course introduces students to the field of Islamic law and jurisprudence. It is designed to give students a firm grounding in the principles, concepts, terminology, and history of Islamic jurisprudential maxims. Islamic jurisprudence is one of the oldest and most significant systems of law in the contemporary age. The history, theory, definitions and applications of the Islamic jurisprudential Maxims will be studied, with a concentration on , total major and the total minor maxims of Islamic jurisprudence.
Manners
An exploration of the importance of good manners in Islam and the means to acquiring high moral character. The course is designed to provide evidence-based knowledge relating to a set of manners that are comprehensive of worldly matters and religious matters including worship and dealing with one’s family, children, acquaintances and strangers.
Leadership for the Daiee (Formerly Management for the Daiee)
This course will acquaint students with the management model of the Prophet (saw). The material will also cover the management essentials from the sahaba, analyze the differences between conventional management models and an Islamic one, and provide a detailed structure of an ideal Islamic organization. It will also shed light on the spiritual necessities of one involved in any form of Islamic management as well as the importance of balance in the life of a daiee.
Psychology and Counseling
An introductory course that provides a brief overview of the current body of knowledge and methods of the science of psychology from an Islamic perspective and how it applies to Muslims. The course will be divided into three main themes: psychology as it applies to “The Individual,” “The Family,” and “The Community.”
Religions and Doctrines
An analysis of the definition of religion from an Islamic viewpoint; the superiority of Islam to all man-made religions and doctrines; the Islamic perspective on studying other religions and doctrines; and the correct methodology of dealing with the differences between Islam and other religions, including the necessary tools to refute other religions and doctrines without being offensive.
Quran Memorization and Tajweed (Formerly I and II)
This introductory course to tajweed covers key rules in Quran recitation including the vocal points of articulation for each Arabic letter (maakharij), special characteristics of letters (sifaat), rules associated with meem and noon, rules of madd, rules of stopping in recitation, etc. Students also memorize the last juz of the Quran for Tajweed I and the 29th juz for Tajweed II.
Quranic Sciences
A detailed analysis covering the various sciences pertaining to the Qur’an including its compilation and preservation, abrogating and abrogated verses, Makki and Madani verses, the causes for revelation [Asbaab an-Nuzool] and the various methods of recitation ( Qira’at)
Research Methodology
Imam, educator or daiya will often face issues that will require further research. It is crucial that the student of knowledge knows the proper sources and proper means to derive correct conclusions. This course will cover a survey of Islamic resources, both classical and modern, to allow the student to develop a proper sense of how to navigate text and produce beneficial outcomes.
Tazkiyah I
Aimed at purifying the heart, this course encourages students to examine and appreciate the deep meanings behind acts of worship; learn how to transform mu’malat (worldy acts) into ibadat (acts of worship); understand the importance of good character in being a pious Muslim; and the etiquette of remembering Allah (swt) and attaining His pleasure.
Tazkiyah II
Just as it is absolutely critical to study the jurisprudence of the pillars of worship, it is essential to know their inner meanings. This course delicately looks at each portion and motion of acts of worship and extracts the full meanings of these acts to know our Lord. While the jurisprudence of these acts covers the form and proper manner of performance, this course will cover the substance of each action.
The 10 Recitations: History and Rules
The lesser ten (Al Ashara As-Sughra) refer to the seven recitations of the Quran outlined in the Shatibiyyah poem by Imam Ash-Shatibi and the three recitations outlined by Imam Al-Jazaree in the Durrah poem making a total of ten recitations each with their two chains of narrators. This course covers the history of these recitations as well as the ways to recite in each style.
Prerequisite Courses:
Quran Memorization and Tajweed I
Quran Memorization and Tajweed II