BA in Islamic Studies, Arabic Program
Education in many Islamic institutions is far from the needs of people, characterized by dryness, and away from the spirit of Islam and the guidance of the Prophet, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, or floating in a world of imagination and spirituality far from the practical requirements of building the Muslim communities.
Forming balanced and mature Islamic scholars on balanced comprehensiveness and answering the challenges of the present age away from the attachment to events of the past, is a necessary matter related to understanding the message of Islam. The message of Islam is best understood and applied according to the path of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace and his companions.
As the understanding of Islam matures from the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah (tradition of the Prophet), and Islamic studies carry out its mission with merit, it will be able to lead and direct society and prevent it from falling chaos. This also can curtail extremism. Weakness of Islamic learning institutions leads to failure in leading world thought. The spread of atheism, immorality and other social diseases are a direct outcome of the failure of religious institutions.
Hence, Al-Qarawiyyeen University was founded to play a very important role in shaping the mind and thought on a comprehensive, balanced religious education. We hope to provide students with the appropriate material to train spiritual practicing scholars qualified to conduct their lives according to Islam and help others find the truth with insight and guidance.
We seek to train the scholars on the skills required by a modern understanding of Islam in light of the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah. Scholars in training will need to understand Islam in depth and its practical and proper application from the origins of Islamic references, relying after Allah Almighty to reach that education of Islam from its original source in its mother tongue in which the Qur’an was revealed and the Prophet spoke “may Allah’s blessings be upon him”.
Scholars of Islam of all races learned the Arabic language, spoke it, glorified it, and wrote their books with it. Thus, the seeker of knowledge can read and understand with his own mind and not through the translation of another person’s mind. The fact that the books were written in Arabic allowed them to be forever readable compared to other languages like English or French that no one can understand fourteen century writings from six hundred years ago.
The Scholar of Islamic Studies program in Arabic provides rich opportunities to learn the origins of Islam from its original sources in the Arabic language, and it addresses new challenges and responsibilities in an international environment that does not understand Islam. It enables the personal development of individuals to understand the Qur’an, the Sunnah, the pillars of Islam, the pillars of faith, and advocacy with insight. It also enhances critical thinking and learning about Islamic culture and history, thus providing ample knowledge on the path and methodology of the Prophet.
- Achieving Islamic understanding based on comprehensiveness and balance
- Achieving Arabic knowledge of the Qur’an, its words, style, and verses
- Achieving Arabic knowledge of the hadeeth and sunnah style and content
- Development of proper religious sense and a sense of responsibility
- Development of the understanding of Islamic culture and challenges facing Islam and Muslims
- Building a generation of spiritual scholars on the tradition and methodology of the top scholars of Islam
- Understanding and interpreting the Qur’an in Arabic
- Understanding hadith and its origins in Arabic
- The development of personal interests in the various aspects of the Islamic religion
- Developing arguments for advocacy and a sense of religious responsibility
This comprehensive course encompasses a wide array of topics related to the Quran. Students will explore the Introduction to the Quran, its Revelation, the distinction between Meccan and Medinan Surahs, the Circumstances of Revelation, the concept of Revelation in Seven Ahruf, Compilation and Preservation of the Quran, Recitations and Reciters, Clear and Ambiguous Verses, Abrogating and Abrogated Verses, Quranic Rhetoric, Parables in the Quran, Categories of the Quran, Stories within the Quran, Translation of the Quran, Exegesis and Interpretation, the Origins and Evolution of Tafsir, the Requirements and Etiquettes of a Mufassir (Interpreter), and an exploration of Prominent Mufassirin (Interpreters). This course promotes active learning through dialogue and discussion, fostering critical thinking within an environment that places students at the center of knowledge acquisition, organization, discussion, and application in their scholarly pursuits.
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of Quranic recitation and Tajweed, addressing topics such as Recitation Etiquette, the Definition of Tajweed Science, the Importance of Learning Tajweed, Levels of Recitation, its Benefits and Objectives, Melodic Styles, Rules for Seeking Refuge and Beginning with Bismillah, Prerequisites for Correct Recitation, Ghunnah, Rulings on Noon Saakinah and Tanween, Rulings on Meem Saakinah, Primary and Derived Lengthening Rules, and Points of Articulation for Letters. Practical application is a key component, with a focus on training to master recitation skills through listening and imitation, while also addressing linguistic jurisprudence and linguistic characteristics. Additionally, students will memorize and perfect the Tajweed of the last three parts of the Quran.
This course introduces the significance of Quranic syntax, exploring both historical and modern works on the subject. It covers the foundational principles underpinning the science of Quranic syntax. Practical application is emphasized through the study of selected Quranic texts, including Surah Al-Fatihah, the beginnings and endings of Surah Al-Baqarah, the beginnings of Surah Al-An'am, and the endings of Surah At-Tawbah. Students will delve into syntax rules for past, present, and imperative verbs, the dual form, the sound masculine plural, the sound feminine plural, and broken plurals. The course also delves into verb-subject agreement, predicate and subject relationships, and their various cases.
This course introduces students to the terminology of Hadith (Prophetic tradition), the stages involved in recording Hadith, and the meticulous care taken by Hadith scholars in preserving the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Students will gain insights into the methodology used to distinguish between authentic, good, and weak Hadiths. Topics include methods for distinguishing connected narrations from disconnected ones, the conditions of narrators concerning their integrity and precision, identifying irregular narrations, and reconciling conflicting narrations. The course also explores the reasons for Hadith and their classifications, the identification of narrations with weaknesses, and the methods for authenticating narrations or giving preference to one narration over another. Furthermore, students will delve into the causes behind Hadith criticism, their types, and various categories of Hadith, along with an introduction to significant Hadith-related
This course delves into the interpretation of specific chapters, including Al-Naba, Abasa, Al-Mutaffifeen, Al-Buruj, Al-A'la, Al-Fajr, Adh-Dhuha, At-Tin, Al-Alaq, Al-Qadr, Al-Aadiyaat, and Al-Qaari'ah. Through analytical study, students will acquire the skills to engage with these verses comprehensively. This involves extracting meanings, exploring the reasons for revelation, analyzing crucial linguistic nuances, elucidating grammatical aspects, highlighting various common recitations, providing guidance, and extracting essential directives. This active learning environment is fostered through dialogue and discussion, empowering students to take a central role in gathering, organizing, discussing, and applying this scholarly material to enhance their knowledge and academic prowess.
This course is dedicated to the analysis and memorization of Hadiths from the renowned Forty Hadith collection, following the established practices of traditional hadith scholars. It aims to equip students with the proficiency to engage with these noble Prophetic Hadiths, encompassing reading, comprehension, and in-depth analysis. This educational framework revolves around active student participation, promoting self-directed learning skills. Through this approach, students will develop their cognitive, intellectual, and methodological abilities for comprehending and dissecting Hadiths effectively.
This course serves as a continuation of the comprehensive study of Quranic recitation and Tajweed, building upon the foundational knowledge acquired in the previous course (1). It delves even deeper into the intricacies of Arabic letters, various forms of Idgham (melting), rules governing Tafkheem (emphasis) and Tarqeeq (lightening), the nuanced characteristics of Laam and Raa, the intricacies of Hamzat (glottal stops) and Saktahs (pauses), the regulations governing Waqf (stop) and Ibtidaa (start), the significance of Waqf marks, Hafs and Shu'bah recitations, the principles of omission and affirmation in Quranic script, the seven modes of recitation, Sujood at-Tilawah, and other vital aspects of this science. Practical application takes precedence through extensive training aimed at refining recitation skills, with an emphasis on aural reception and repetition. This practical training is complemented by a connection to pertinent issues in linguistic jurisprudence and linguistic characteristics. Additionally, students will focus on memorizing and perfecting the Tajweed of selected three parts of the Quran.
This course provides an in-depth exploration of Islamic jurisprudence and its distinctive characteristics, emphasizing its autonomy from foreign sources. It offers a comprehensive historical overview of Islamic jurisprudence, tracing its development from the time of prophethood to the contemporary era. The course delves into the diverse opinions of prominent scholars in Islamic jurisprudence, their unique terminologies, and the legislative sources they drew upon throughout different historical periods. Topics include denominational jurisprudence, comparative jurisprudence, the foundational theories of jurisprudence, modern legal codifications, and influential jurisprudential schools across the Islamic world.
This course comprehensively covers the regulations governing purification (Taharah), prayer (Salah), and fasting (Sawm). It initiates with a thorough examination of water and its diverse classifications, along with the corresponding regulations for each category. Topics encompass impurities (Najasa), ablution (Wudu), major ablution (Ghusl), Tayammum (dry ablution), followed by an in-depth study of prayer. This includes its prerequisites, obligatory and recommended elements, integral components, Sunnah practices, nullifications, and special prayers such as the Friday prayer, congregational prayer, fear prayer, and the Eid prayers. The course concludes with a comprehensive study of fasting, addressing its conditions, integral components, nullifications, and the regulations concerning I'tikaf (spiritual retreat). Throughout the course, contemporary jurisprudential issues related to these topics are examined and discussed.
This course is divided into two sections. The first section introduces the concept of wealth and various forms of ownership in Islam. It provides a concise overview of the principles that obligate certain financial transactions in Islamic jurisprudence. Topics include different types of contracts, their classifications, and the regulations governing sales contracts. The course also delves into the prohibition of usury and deceit. In the second section, it explores contemporary financial transactions in Islamic finance, including profit-and-loss sharing sales, lease contracts leading to ownership, diminishing partnerships, diminishing leases, parallel production, Salam (forward sale), Mudarabah (profit-sharing), Murabaha (cost-plus financing), letters of credit, and clearing transactions. It also briefly reviews modern marriage contracts like Misyar and tourist marriages.
This course covers fundamental topics related to family matters in Islamic jurisprudence, highlighting their significance and underlying religious principles. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of both spouses within the family unit. The course explores marriage and divorce, defining and categorizing them while addressing their conditions and consequences. Topics include engagement, marriage contract components and conditions, types of marriages, implications of marriage and divorce, lineage, waiting periods (Iddah), financial support, and child custody. Additionally, the course briefly discusses contemporary marriage contracts such as Misyar and tourist marriages.
This course provides an accessible introduction to the fundamental principles of Islamic creed, deeply rooted in the Quran. It begins by emphasizing the significance of creed and its integral role within the Islamic framework. Key terminology and essential concepts are elucidated, offering clarity to students. The course also explores the Quranic approach to presenting the three foundational tenets of faith: belief in Allah, Prophethood, and the Hereafter. It delves into the Quranic methodology for articulating these principles and engaging with differing viewpoints. This course aims to establish connections between these foundational principles and the value system and ethics inherent in Islam. It highlights their roles in individual, societal, and national development. Additionally, the course features an analytical examination of Quranic narratives, particularly those involving prophetic stories.
This course is designed to prepare and empower da'is (Islamic propagators) for their mission of reform through effective advocacy. It explores the concept of da'wah to Allah, its principles, and virtues. The course elucidates the qualities of a Muslim da'i, both in character and behavior, enabling them to fulfill their da'wah responsibilities. It outlines the stages of da'i preparation, introducing sensory, intellectual, and emotional da'wah methodologies. The course underscores the application of Islamic sciences in these methodologies, provides practical training, and studies various audience categories, identifying appropriate means and methods for each. It also highlights the role of modern tools in the da'wah process.
This course explores the historical evolution of Islamic civilization, highlighting its periods of rise and fall and the jurisprudence of development within this context. It is grounded in concepts of urbanization, Islamic sociology, and human sociology. The course aims to identify the characteristics of Islamic civilization, its applications, and achievements. It maps out its historical trajectory and accomplishments, comparing them with the current state of the Islamic Ummah. This analysis aids in comprehending the comprehensive objectives and mechanisms for desired civilizational progress and urbanization, all in line with the principles of jurisprudence and development.
This course delves into the prophetic biography (Seerah) and its jurisprudential aspects, focusing on its practical lessons. It presents historical events as practical models for Islamic life, exemplified by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and connects them to the current condition of the Islamic Ummah. The course applies the general principles of the divine Sunnah to education, advocacy, and societal change, as derived from the Seerah. These principles include the Sunnah of Allah in altering individual circumstances, His Sunnah in utilizing means, and the Sunnah of gradualism – His approach in times of scarcity, abundance, victory, and defeat.
This course focuses on introducing various research methodologies, including deductive, historical, and experimental approaches. It aims to cultivate students' methodological skills in scientific research, professional writing, and the techniques used to analyze and prepare historical texts for publication. The course also places emphasis on field research methods applied in descriptive and survey studies, such as surveys, interviews, observations, and case studies, as used in Christian and descriptive studies.
This comprehensive course encompasses a wide array of topics related to the Quran. Students will explore the Introduction to the Quran, its Revelation, the distinction between Meccan and Medinan Surahs, the Circumstances of Revelation, the concept of Revelation in Seven Ahruf, Compilation and Preservation of the Quran, Recitations and Reciters, Clear and Ambiguous Verses, Abrogating and Abrogated Verses, Quranic Rhetoric, Parables in the Quran, Categories of the Quran, Stories within the Quran, Translation of the Quran, Exegesis and Interpretation, the Origins and Evolution of Tafsir, the Requirements and Etiquettes of a Mufassir (Interpreter), and an exploration of Prominent Mufassirin (Interpreters). This course promotes active learning through dialogue and discussion, fostering critical thinking within an environment that places students at the center of knowledge acquisition, organization, discussion, and application in their scholarly pursuits.
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of Quranic recitation and Tajweed, addressing topics such as Recitation Etiquette, the Definition of Tajweed Science, the Importance of Learning Tajweed, Levels of Recitation, its Benefits and Objectives, Melodic Styles, Rules for Seeking Refuge and Beginning with Bismillah, Prerequisites for Correct Recitation, Ghunnah, Rulings on Noon Saakinah and Tanween, Rulings on Meem Saakinah, Primary and Derived Lengthening Rules, and Points of Articulation for Letters. Practical application is a key component, with a focus on training to master recitation skills through listening and imitation, while also addressing linguistic jurisprudence and linguistic characteristics. Additionally, students will memorize and perfect the Tajweed of the last three parts of the Quran.
This course introduces the significance of Quranic syntax, exploring both historical and modern works on the subject. It covers the foundational principles underpinning the science of Quranic syntax. Practical application is emphasized through the study of selected Quranic texts, including Surah Al-Fatihah, the beginnings and endings of Surah Al-Baqarah, the beginnings of Surah Al-An'am, and the endings of Surah At-Tawbah. Students will delve into syntax rules for past, present, and imperative verbs, the dual form, the sound masculine plural, the sound feminine plural, and broken plurals. The course also delves into verb-subject agreement, predicate and subject relationships, and their various cases.
This course introduces students to the terminology of Hadith (Prophetic tradition), the stages involved in recording Hadith, and the meticulous care taken by Hadith scholars in preserving the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Students will gain insights into the methodology used to distinguish between authentic, good, and weak Hadiths. Topics include methods for distinguishing connected narrations from disconnected ones, the conditions of narrators concerning their integrity and precision, identifying irregular narrations, and reconciling conflicting narrations. The course also explores the reasons for Hadith and their classifications, the identification of narrations with weaknesses, and the methods for authenticating narrations or giving preference to one narration over another. Furthermore, students will delve into the causes behind Hadith criticism, their types, and various categories of Hadith, along with an introduction to significant Hadith-related