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Alimiyyah Programme

Alimiyyah Overview

The Alimiyyah Programme Degree provides students with a firm grounding in both the Arabic language and Classical Islamic Disciplines. During the first 2 years students are introduced to beginner-intermediate level texts in the Islamic Sciences. Students will have the opportunity to explore the different disciplines and research further into selected topics through coursework (where applicable). They then progress onto intermediate-advanced texts in the final 3 years of the programme in which they will refine their understanding and critical thinking abilities. Alongside exams, the programme culminates with an independent research project undertaken by students.

The Arabic language is an essential aspect of studying the Islamic Sciences and therefore students will be expected to focus on developing their Arabic language skills throughout the programme. During years 1 & 2 this will include strengthening their Classical Arabic reading and comprehension skills. From year 3 onwards they will also be required to develop their writing and presentation skills.

Students who successfully complete the Alimiyyah Programme (including written assignments and examinations) will be awarded a Licence in Islamic Scholarship.

Qualification

Licence in Islamic Scholarship (Shahadat al-Alimiyyah)

The Shahādah ‘Ālimiyyah or ‘Licence in Islamic Scholarship’ is the most distinguished accolade awarded by the Institute.

Students will spend five years under the tutelage of Senior Lecturers, including Shaykh Mohammad Akram Nadwi, crafting their studies in the Islamic Sciences. After five years, students will be eligible to sit their final exams to signify the completion of their Alimiyyah studies thereby granting authorisation in Islamic Scholarship (shahādah). This is in addition to the ijāzāt received throughout the ISP upon completion of certain texts, as well as those issued on our Sacred Sciences Journeys.

Entry Requirements for the 2023-2024 Academic Year:

Language Proficiency
Classical Arabic
Educational Background
Minimum Requirements
Time Commitment
Practical Considerations

Classical Arabic Language

Students will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in Classical Arabic to the level of an Arabic Immersion Year student, or equivalent. This will include being able to fluently read Arabic texts without diacritics (tashkil) and grammatically parse sentences (i’rab).

Students will be required to complete a placement test in order to assess their Arabic language proficiency. If they do not have proficiency they will be eligible to apply for the Foundation Year or Arabic Immersion Year instead.

Educational Background

ASI accept applications from students with a wide range of educational backgrounds. Generally, students are expected to have completed a minimum of 3 A-Levels at grade CCC or equivalent. International students may also apply. 

For more information, please contact admissions@alsalam.ac.uk

Time Commitment

Students are expected to spend approximately 20-25 hours per week during term time in independent study. As a general rule, this equates to students complement each hour of teaching with approximately 3-4 hours of independent study. 

There may also be some scheduled tutorials and/or online classes for students to additionally benefit from.

Preparatory Modules

Students entering the Alimiyyah Programme in Year 1 will be expected to successfully complete a number of short preparatory modules online prior to the beginning of each semester. Completing these modules will include sitting a short exam after each module. The following modules are mandatory:

Prior to Semester 1:

1. Mabadi fi ‘Ilm Usul al-Tafsir
2. Mabadi fi Usul al-Hadith wa al-Isnad

Prior to Semester 2:

1. Mabadi fi ‘Ilm Usul al-Fiqh
2. Logic

Teaching & Learning

Teaching is delivered through lecture and/or seminar format which students are required to attend. Independent learning will be required for all modules through students engaging with weekly readings for each module, completing weekly homework to consolidate their learning and preparing for assessments. Supporting material will also provided by way of additional pre-recorded seminars students can watch to reinforce their learning. Lectures and seminars are accessible for revision via the ASI Portal for students to review at their own convenience. 

Students will also have the opportunity to further their studies by attending regular Student Retreats, as well as travelling abroad on our Sacred Science Journey or Arabic Summer School. These opportunities are highly recommended for students who are have the time and means to reinforce the material covered in the classroom under the guidance of a wide variety of international scholars.

Course Delivery

Approaches to Teaching & Learning

ASI utilises the following study methods:

  1. Formal lectures which outline themes of study, textual analysis and critical analysis where applicable. These lectures are based on core reading material, secondary readings and supporting material from the reading list.
  2. Seminars
  3. Tutorials
  4. Independent study
  5. Assignments
  6. Presentations
  7. Independent Research Projects

Contact Hours

This part-time programme requires students to attend all core lectures throughout the academic year. Over 200 hours of taught modules are also to be supplemented with weekly preparation and revision of each weeks learning. Most modules are taught through weekly term-time lectures which can be between 1 to 1.5 hours long, with more information provided on each individual module page. 

Students will be provided with access to a wide array of sources and additional readings which may be utilised in their weekly independent study and for further research purposes.

Term dates for the 2023-2024 Academic Year:

Induction Day:
Sunday 1st October 2023
Autumn term:
Sunday 8th October 2023 – Sunday 17th December 2023*
Winter term:
Sunday 7th January 2024 – Sunday 3rd March 2024
Spring term:
Sunday 21st April 2024 – Sunday 30th June 2024
Core Lectures:
30 full-day lectures on Sundays during the academic term-time
Workshops:
2-5 half-day practical sessions on Saturdays throughout the calendar year
Seminars:
8-15 one-day intensive seminars throughout the calendar year
Residentials**:
Winter 2023: 7th - 10th December
Spring 2024: TBC

Term dates may be subject to change.
*No live Sunday classes on 10th December due to Winter Retreat. See dates above
**Residentials are elective programmes and are priced separately

Overview

MODULES
UNITS
CREDITS
Arabic Language
  • Unit 1: Qatr al-Nada
30
Hadith Studies
  • Unit 1: Ritual purification & prayer
  • Unit 2: Prayer
  • Unit 3: Alms, fasting and pilgrimage
30
Islamic Law
  • Unit 1: Ritual purification & prayer
  • Unit 2: Prayer
  • Unit 3: Alms, fasting and pilgrimage
30
Quranic Studies
  • Unit 1: Juz Amma
30
Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence
  • Unit 1: Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence (Text: Mukhtasar al-manar)
15
Principles of Hadith Classification
  • Unit 1: Principles of Hadith Classification (Text: al-Muqiza)
15
Principles of Quranic Exegesis
  • Unit 1: Principles of Quranic Exegesis
15
Theology
  • Unit 1: Theology
15
History
  • Unit 1: Sira of the Prophet ﷺ
30

 

Preparatory Modules

(See ‘Entry Requirements’ tab for more details)

MODULES
UNITS
SEMESTER
Principles of Hadith Classification
  • Unit 1: Mabadi fi Usul al-Hadith wa al-Isnad
Prior to Semester 1
Principles of Quranic Exegesis
  • Unit 1: Mabadi fi ‘Ilm Usul al-Tafsir
Prior to Semester 1
Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence
  • Unit 1: Mabadi fi ‘Ilm Usul al-Fiqh
Prior to Semester 2
Logic
  • Unit 1: Logic
Prior to Semester 2

 

 

 

Arabic Language

Unit 1:
Qatr al-Nada

Overview

In this module students will study Qatr al-nada, the classical grammar text by Ibn Hisham, with a focus on comprehending the text and understanding the grammatical discussions. Students will be expected to use one of the standard commentaries of Qatr al-nada such as those by Ibn Hisham, al-Fakihi or al-Shirbini. Students will be expected to read the text in advance using selected commentaries and dictionaries, as well as occasionally read selections from other grammar books. Class will focus on clarifying concepts, responding to problems that have emerged during self-study, and on grammar application.

Primary Text

Qatr al-Nada

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to:
• Have a more in-depth of understanding of Arabic grammar
• Be comfortable reading Qatr al-nada and its commentaries
• Be able to translate and explain the matn of Qatr al-nada
• Be able to recognise examples of the rules learnt in class
• Understand discussions in classical Arabic grammar

Principles of Hadith Classification

Unit 1:
Principles of Hadith Classification

Overview

This module focuses on introducing students to al-Dhahabi’s al-Muqiza, a short manual on hadith terminology. This short book will be studied closely, with students expected to read the relevant passages as homework, and review linguistic difficulties in class. Teaching will focus on providing practical examples for illustrative purposes and getting students to do basic isnad-analysis. There will be occasional readings from other books on mustalah and related fields.

Primary Text

Al-Muqiza

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Comfortably read and understand the text of al-Muqiza
• Have some familiarity with key concepts in hadith criticism.
• Be able to use basic biographical dictionaries to evaluate isnads.
• Have basic familiarity with some of the key literature in hadith studies

 

Hadith Studies

Unit 1:
Ritual purification and prayer
Unit 2:
Prayer
Unit 3:
Alms, fasting and pilgrimage

Overview

This module is the first part of a two-year programme where students study Shaykh Akram Nadwi’s al-Ihkam li ’l-Mujma‘ ‘alayhi min al-Ahkam. The module focuses on understanding the language of the hadith, as well as how those hadith were interpreted by the different sunni schools. The first year focuses on ritual acts of worship (‘ibadat) where students will study over half of the complete book and cover ritual purification (tahara), prayer (salah), alms (zakat), fasting (siyam) and pilgrimage (hajj). The course is not madhhab-centric and focuses primarily on how hadith can be understood in different ways, depending on linguistic analysis and applied hermeneutical principles.

Primary Text

Al-Ihkam

About the Text

The full title of the text is al-Ihkam li ’l-Mujma‘ ‘alayhi min al-Ahkam. This short collection of approximately 200 hadith from Bukhari and Muslim covers all the key chapters of the law, selecting key hadiths for each topic. The book is heavily influenced by al-Maqdisi’s ‘Umdat al-Ahkam and can be thought of as a summary of it.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Comfortably read and understand most hadith related to ritual acts of worship (‘ibadat)
• Notice the implications of words in the hadiths
• Be familiar with some key concepts in legal theory and how they are applied to hadith
• Develop some familiarity with secondary literature they can use to understand hadith

 

Islamic Law

Unit 1:
Ritual purification and beginning of prayer
Unit 2:
Prayer
Unit 3:
Alms, fasting and pilgrimage

Overview

This module is the first part of a three-year programme where students study al-Quduri’s Mukhtasar in Hanafi law. The module focuses on understanding the language of the text, as well as developing a further understanding of ritual law (‘ibadat). For this purpose, students are expected to use the entry-level commentaries of al-Lubab by al-Maydani and al-Jawhara al-Nayira by al-Haddad. The first year focuses on ritual acts of worship (‘ibadat) where students will cover ritual purification (tahara), prayer (salah), alms (zakat), fasting (siyam) and pilgrimage (hajj). An important part of the focus is on understanding the terminology and language of the book, as well as gaining familiarity with the internal logic of the school and hierarchies of authority.

Primary Texts

Mukhtasar al-Quduri

About the Text

This book is one of the relied-upon books within the Hanafi school that covers all the key chapters of the law. It is both the first source for scholars and a manual for the general reader.

About the Author

The author of Mukhtasar al-Quduri, the Hanafi jurist Abul-Husayn al-Quduri, was born in Baghdad in 362 A.H. / 973 C.E. and died on Sunday 5th Rajab 428 A.H. /1037 C.E. aged 66. Ibn Khallikan, Ibn Kathir, Ibn al-Jawzi (and others) considered him to be an utterly truthful hadith narrator (saduq) – which is a testament to his knowledge and memory in the field of hadith studies. He was one of the verifiers of the most authentic positions (ashab al-tarjih) in the Hanafi School of law, which is one of the highest levels one can attain.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Comfortably read and understand Quduri’s discussions on ritual acts of worship (‘ibadat)
• Have an understanding of some of the key terminology used by Hanafis scholars to prioritise and give authority to particular views.
• Be comfortable reading al-Maydani and al-Haddad’s commentaries of Mukhtasar al-Quduri.
• Having some familiarity with some key Hanafi works

 

Quranic Studies

Unit 1:
I’rab al-Quran: Selected Surahs

Overview

In this course, students undertake a close textual study of the 30th juz’ of the Qur’ān, focusing primarily on the vocabulary and grammatical constructions in each sūrah. Students will be expected to do i‘rab of every word, phrase and sentence in the 30th juz’, both inside and outside class. The majority of the class will be spent clarifying questions and teaching new concepts that students are not expected to know. Students should have a good grasp of classical Arabic grammar upon entering this module.

Students are expected to use the grammatical commentary of Al-Ibrahim together with ASI’s workbook in grammatical parsing as primary resources. Secondary Qur’anic I’rabs such as those by Darwish, al-Di‘as and others may be used in class. Intermediate-level classical tafsirs such as Madarik al-Tanzil of al-Nasafi, al-Tashil by Ibn Juzzay and dictionaries such Ibn Faris’ Maqayis al-Lugha, al-Raghib’s Mufradat Alfaz al-Qur’an and al-Jawharis’ Sihah may also be referenced. The teacher will instruct students on which secondary resources to access as the course proceeds.

Primary Text

The Quran

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Know how to do grammatical parsing of Arabic words, phrases and sentences
• Linguistically analyse juz’ ʿamma and apply these skills throughout the Qur’an
• Familiarise oneself with linguistic Qur’anic commentaries and how to access them

Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence

Unit 1:
Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence

Overview

This module focuses on introducing students to Mukhtasar al-Manar, a seminal text in Hanafi usul. This short matn, will be studied closely, with students expected to read the relevant passages as homework, and discuss linguistic difficulties and key concepts in class. For this purpose, students are expected to regularly use one of the well-known commentaries of Mukhtasar al-manar. There will also be occasional readings from other Hanafi Usul books that will be used for particularly relevant discussions.

Primary Text

Mukhtasar al-Manar

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Comfortably read and understand the matn of Mukhtasar al-Manar
• Have basic familiarity with key concepts in usul al-fiqh according to the Hanafi school.
• Be able to read at least one commentary of Mukhtasar al-Manar.
• Be aware of and have basic familiarity with key Hanafi usul works.

 

Principles of Quranic Exegesis

Unit 1:
Principles of Quranic Exegesis

Overview

This module focuses on introducing students to key concepts in Qur’anic studies. The module is taught through selected extracts from a range of classical and modern texts in Qur’anic studies. It introduces the Qur’ān, covers its revelation (nuzūl), compilation (jam’), transmission (sanad), lexicography (alfāẓ), hermeneutical principals and rhetorical devices, and other miscellaneous information.

Students are expected to read the relevant extracts as homework and discuss linguistic difficulties and key concepts in class. There will also be secondary readings from a variety of texts and disciplines which students are expected to engage with.

Primary Text

Various

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Comfortably read and understand selected texts
• Have basic familiarity with key concepts in Qur’anic studies
• Be able to read entry-level books in Qur’anic studies
• Be aware of and have basic familiarity with key Qur’anic studies works.

 

Theology

Unit 1:
Theology

Overview

This module focuses on introducing students to Islamic dogma and key theological concepts via al-Awshi’s short theological poem Bad’ al-amali. This comprehensive text covers: (i) knowledge; (ii) theology; (iii) eschatology; (iv) faith; (v) prophethood and angels; (vi) leadership of the community. The text will be studied closely, and students are expected to read the relevant passages as homework, and discuss linguistic difficulties and key concepts in class. Students will be expected to use Mulla ‘Ali al-Qari’s commentary of the text. There will also be readings from other theological texts.

Primary Text

Bad’ al-Amali

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Comfortably read and understand al-Awshi’s theological treatise
• Be familiar with key theological concepts
• Be able to read entry-level theology books
• Be aware of the key Sunni theological trends

History

Unit 1:
Sira of the Prophet ﷺ

Overview

In this course students will study the life of the Prophet (saw) through Ibn Jama‘a’s al-Mukhtasar al-Kabir fi Sirat al-Rasul. As well as studying this key text, students will occasionally use secondary readings and lectures to become familiar with a broader range of Sira literature. This will shed light on both the historical context in which Islam emerged, as well as the evolution of Sira literature and its subgenres. Students will be expected to memorise key dates, understand key events and demonstrate awareness of key Sira works.

Students will be expected to read the selected pages before every class.

Primary Text

al-Mukhtasar al-Kabir fi Sirat al-Rasul

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Be familiar with the early history of Muslims and the historical context in which Islam emerged
• Be able to critically read a wide variety of historical sources in Arabic
• Be aware of major trends in classical and modern historical literature
• Have a greater appreciation for the Prophet ﷺ and the early Muslims

Overview

MODULES
UNITS
CREDITS
Hadith Studies
  • Unit 1: Family law and commercial law
  • Unit 2: Communal rights, criminal law and state law
  • Unit 3: Oaths, manumission, dietary laws and clothing
40
Arabic Language
  • Unit 1: Arabic Rhetoric
20
Islamic Law
  • Unit 1: Family law
  • Unit 2: Commercial law
  • Unit 3: Commercial law
40
Theology
  • Unit 2: Theology
30
Quranic Studies
  • Unit 1: Quranic Exegesis
30
Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence
  • Unit 1: Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence (Text: Usul al-Shashi)
20
Principles of Hadith Classification
  • Unit 1: Principles of Hadith Classification (Text: Nuzhat al-Nazar)
20

     

Hadith Studies

Unit 1:
Family law and commercial law
Unit 2:
Communal rights, criminal law and state law
Unit 3:
Oaths, manumission, dietary laws and clothing

Overview

This module is the second part of a two-year programme where students study Shaykh Akram Nadwi’s al-Ihkam li ’l-Mujma‘ ‘alayhi min al-Ahkam. The module focuses on understanding the language of the hadith, as well as how those hadith were interpreted by the different Sunni schools. For this purpose, students will be expected to use the entry-level commentary of ‘Umdat al-Ahkam by Al-Bassam and the more advanced commentary of Ibn Daqiq al-‘Id.

The second year focuses on positive law (Mu‘amalat) where students will study the second half of the book and cover family law (nikah, talaq, nafaqa), business law (buyu‘), communal rights (huquq), criminal law (hudud, jinayat, ta‘zir), state law (jihad, imara,qada’), oaths (ayman, nudhur), manumission (‘itq), dietary laws (ta‘am) and clothing (libas). The course is not madhhab-centric and focuses primarily on how hadith can be understood in different ways, depending on linguistic analysis and applied hermeneutical principles.

Primary Text

Al-Ihkam

About the Text

The full title of the text is al-Ihkam li ’l-Mujma‘ ‘alayhi min al-Ahkam. This short collection of approximately 200 hadith from Bukhari and Muslim covers all the key chapters of the law, selecting key hadiths for each topic. The book is heavily influenced by al-Maqdisi’s ‘Umdat al-Ahkam and can be thought of as a summary of it.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Comfortably read and understand most hadith related to positive law (Mu‘amalat)
• Have an understanding of some of the key interpretative mechanisms used by scholars to deduce rules from hadith
• Be comfortable reading Ibn Daqiq and Al Bassam’s commentaries of ‘Umdat al-Ahkam, as well as having some familiarity with other hadith commentaries

Arabic Language

Unit 1:
Arabic Rhetoric

Overview

In this module students will study Ibn al-Shihna’s Mi’at al-Ma‘ani, a short nazm of 100 verses which has traditionally been used as a primer on Arabic rhetoric. The focus will be on comprehending the text and familiarising students with classical rhetoric theory. Students will be expected to use al-‘Umari’s commentary of Mi’at al-Ma‘ani, alongside a contemporary commentary such as al-Buhayri’s Tashneef-ul-Azaan.

Students will be expected to read the text in advance using the selected commentaries, well-known dictionaries, as well as secondary readings from other books on rhetoric. The class will focus on clarifying concepts, responding to problems that have emerged during self-study, and on analysis of the Shawahid.

Primary Texts

Mi’at al-Ma‘ani

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to:
• Have a foundational grounding in Arabic rhetoric
• Be comfortable reading commentaries of Mi’at al-Ma‘ani and al-Jawhar al-Maknun, and accessing more advanced books
• Understand basic discussions in classical Arabic rhetorical texts and in rhetoric-focused tafsirs
• Be familiar with a wide variety of Arabic rhetoric literature

 

 

 

Islamic Law

Unit 1:
Family law (nikah)
Unit 2:
Commercial law (buyu’)
Unit 3:
Commercial law (buyu’)

Overview

This module is the second part of a three-year programme where students study al-Quduri’s Mukhtasar in Hanafi law. The module focuses on understanding positive law (Mu‘amalat). For this purpose, students are expected to use the entry-level commentaries of al-Lubab by al-Maydani and al-Jawhara al-Nayira by al-Haddad.

The second year focuses on positive law, where students will cover family law and commercial law. An important part of the focus is on understanding the terminology, internal coherence and hierarchies of authority within the Hanafi school. Students will also be expected to regularly use other Hanafi books so as to become familiar with the broad range of legal literature within the school.

Primary Text

Mukhtasar al-Quduri

About the Text

This book is one of the relied-upon books within the Hanafi school that covers all the key chapters of the law. It is both the first source for scholars and a manual for the general reader.

About the Author

The author of Mukhtasar al-Quduri, the Hanafi jurist Abul-Husayn al-Quduri, was born in Baghdad in 362 A.H. / 973 C.E. and died on Sunday 5th Rajab 428 A.H. /1037 C.E. aged 66. Ibn Khallikan, Ibn Kathir, Ibn al-Jawzi (and others) considered him to be an utterly truthful hadith narrator (saduq) – which is a testament to his knowledge and memory in the field of hadith studies. He was one of the verifiers of the most authentic positions (ashab al-tarjih) in the Hanafi School of law, which is one of the highest levels one can attain.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Comfortably read and understand Quduri’s discussions on positive law
• Have a good understanding of the key terminology used by Hanafis scholars to prioritise and give authority to particular views.
• Be comfortable reading al-Maydani and al-Haddad’s commentaries of Mukhtasar al-Quduri.
• Develop familiarity with key Hanafi works

 

Quranic Studies

Unit 2:
Quranic Exegesis

Overview

In this module students will undertake a close textual study of selected chapters and verses of the Qur’an, with a focus on reading wide variety of exegetes. The module focuses on understanding the language and terminology of the Qur’anic commentaries. Students will be expected to use an intermediate classical tafsir such as Madarik al-Tanzil of al-Nasafi, Ma‘alim al-Tanzil by al-Baghawi or al-Tashil by Ibn Juzzay as their basic tafsir, but also regularly use a wide variety of Qur’anic commentaries such as those of al-Tabari, al-Zamakhshari, al-Razi, al-Qurtubi, al-Alusi, and more.

Students will be expected to do background reading for every lesson using the selected commentaries. Class will focus on providing background information for different commentaries and clarifying any problems that have emerged during self-study.

Primary Text

Selected readings

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Be familiar with key Qur’anic commentators, their works and their context
• Be comfortable reading a wide variety of Qur’anic commentaries
• Comfortably read, understand and do linguistic analysis of selections of the Qur’an
• Know how to use classical Arabic dictionaries

Theology

Unit 2:
Theology

Overview

Having previously studied basic Maturidi theology, students move on to Ash‘ari theology, understanding the theories and arguments developed by theologians to teach Muslim belief. The core text will be al-Sanūsī’s (d.895h) Umm al-Barāhīn, a popular theology primer taught across the Muslim world, along with al-Sanūsī’s own commentary, and a more summarised commentary by al-Zaytūnī (d.1349h). The latter will be used as textbook in class. Students will be expected to read the core text, as well as any secondary readings, in their own time. In lessons, the focus will be on reading the selected commentary, clarifying confusions and undertaking further analysis.

Primary Text

Umm al-Barāhīn

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Comfortably read and understand the core text
• Be familiar with the use of commentaries in order to expand their understanding of theological discussions
• Be familiar with the genre of kalam, key scholars and their works and commentaries

 

Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence

Unit 1:
Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence

Overview

This module focuses on deepening students’ knowledge of Hanafi legal theory via the study of Nizam al-Din al-Shashi’s Usul. This book follows on from the previous year where students studied Mukhtasar al-manar, allowing students to further expand their knowledge of Hanafi legal theory, but in significantly greater depth. Students will be expected to read the relevant passages as homework, with classes being used to clarify obscurities and develop discussions of key concepts.

Primary Text

Usul al-Shashi

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Comfortably read and understand Usul al-Shashi
• Have a solid grounding in Usul al-Fiqh according to the Hanafi school.
• Be able to apply Hanafi legal theory in clear cases

 

Principles of Hadith Classification

Unit 1:
Principles of Hadith Classification

Overview

This module focuses on studying Ibn Hajar’s Nuzhat al-Nazar, considered one of the most comprehensive and concise texts on hadith terminology. Students are expected to read the relevant passages as homework and use some of the commentaries for reference, with lessons focusing on theoretical discussions and practical application of hadith-criticism theory to do isnad-analysis. There will be occasional readings from other books on mustalah and related fields.

Primary Text

Nuzhat al-Nazar

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Comfortably read and understand Nuzhat al-Nazar and its main commentaries
• Explain key concepts in hadith criticism
• Apply key concepts to the study of isnads
• List key literature in hadith studies

 

Overview

MODULES
UNITS
CREDITS
Hadith Studies
  • Unit 1: Selected readings
40
Islamic Law
  • Unit 1: Criminal law
  • Unit 2: Legal procedure
  • Unit 3: Remaining topics
40
Quranic Studies
  • Unit 2: Applied Quranic Exegesis
30
Arabic Literature
  • Unit 1: Adab
30
Legal Maxims
  • Unit 1: The five maxims
  • Unit 2: Selected legal maxims and case studies
  • Unit 3: Ifta’ method and case studies
30
Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence (2)
  • Unit 1: Adilla (Text: Lubab al-Mahsul)
30

 

Hadith Studies

Unit 1:
Selected readings

Overview

In this course, students will become familiar with the main books of ḥadīth, key narrators, and how to evaluate narrations. Students will learn about key ḥadīth authors and their works, how to use biographical dictionaries and isnād books to analyse isnāds, and will become familiar with some of the best narrators and isnāds.

Students will be asked to read ahead of class, do isnād analysis, and demonstrate familiarity with key narrators.

Primary Text

Selected readings

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Become familiar with the selected scholars, their hadith collections, and methodology
• Improve hadith reading and comprehension
• Develop skills in hadith analysis

 

Islamic Law

Unit 1:
Criminal law (jinayat)
Unit 2:
Legal procedure (qada’)
Unit 3:
Remaining topics

Overview

This module is the third part of a three-year programme where students study al-Quduri’s Mukhtasar in Hanafi law. This book is one of the relied-upon books within the Hanafi school that covers all the key chapters of the law. The module focuses on understanding positive law (mu‘amalat). For this purpose, students are expected to use the entry-level commentaries of al-Lubab by al-Maydani and al-Jawhara al-nayira by al-Haddad.

The third year focuses on positive law, where students will cover criminal law, legal procedure and some smaller topics. An important part of the focus is on understanding the terminology, internal coherence and hierarchies of authority within the Hanafi school. Students will also be expected to regularly use other Hanafi books so as to become familiar with the broad range of legal literature within the school.

Primary Text

Mukhtasar al-Quduri

About the Text

This book is one of the relied-upon books within the Hanafi school that covers all the key chapters of the law. It is both the first source for scholars and a manual for the general reader.

About the Author

The author of Mukhtasar al-Quduri, the Hanafi jurist Abul-Husayn al-Quduri, was born in Baghdad in 362 A.H. / 973 C.E. and died on Sunday 5th Rajab 428 A.H. /1037 C.E. aged 66. Ibn Khallikan, Ibn Kathir, Ibn al-Jawzi (and others) considered him to be an utterly truthful hadith narrator (saduq) – which is a testament to his knowledge and memory in the field of hadith studies. He was one of the verifiers of the most authentic positions (ashab al-tarjih) in the Hanafi School of law, which is one of the highest levels one can attain.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Comfortably read and understand Quduri’s discussions on positive law
• Have a good understanding of the key terminology used by Hanafis scholars to prioritise and give authority to particular views
• Be comfortable reading al-Maydani and al-Haddad’s commentaries of Mukhtasar al-Quduri
• Develop familiarity with key Hanafi works

Quranic Studies

Unit 1:
Applied Quranic Exegesis

Overview

In this module students will build upon their understanding of Quranic exegesis and begin developing and implementing skills learnt during the previous year by applying them to an excerpt of the Quran under the supervision of the teacher. For these classes, students will be expected to come to class prepared with i’rab, translation and explanation of the selected ayat.

Primary Text

The Quran

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Be familiar with key Qur’anic commentators, their works and their context
• Be comfortable reading a wide variety of Qur’anic commentaries
• Know how to apply some exegetical methodologies to their reading of the Qur’an

Legal Maxims

Unit 1:
The five maxims
Unit 2:
Selected legal maxims and case studies
Unit 3:
Ifta’ method and case studies

Overview

In this course, students focus on learning some of the key legal maxims (qawa‘id fiqhiyya) and basic ifta’ method. The key textbook for legal maxims will be al-Zaydan’s al-Wajiz fi Sharh al-Qawa‘id al-Fiqhiyya. The course will focus on practical application, with the expectation that students will do further work at home.

Students will be expected to read in advance at home, and participate in class discussing real-life applications of a variety of legal maxims. They will occasionally be expected to read from other sources so as to broaden their exposure to the genre.

Primary Text

al-Wajiz fi Sharh al-Qawa‘id al-Fiqhiyya

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, students should be:
• Able to read and understand legal maxims
• Familiar with key legal maxims and their practical application
• Aware of key principles where there is agreement and difference
• Able to apply legal maxims when dealing with legal questions.

Arabic Literature

Unit 1:
Adab

Overview

In this module students will study a selection of texts, focusing on broadening their vocabulary, becoming familiar with idioms and literary conventions, improving their translation and improve their Arabic writing. At the same time, the course will be an opportunity to study the biographies of early scholars, ascetics and poets, and delve into a wide variety of literature. Students will be expected to prepare set readings before class using well-known dictionaries, as well as do writing and translation homework. The class will focus on reading correctly, clarifying obscure passages and reflecting on what has been written.

Primary Text

Various

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Improve their Arabic reading skills and widen their vocabulary
• Become proficient in translation, using English and Arabic dictionaries
• Develop familiarity with a broad range of literature

Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence

Unit 1:
Sources of Law

Overview

This module focuses on broadening students’ knowledge of legal theory across the main legal and theological schools via the study of Ibn Rashīq’s Lubāb al-Maḥsūl. This work summarises Al-Ghazali’s Mustasfa and will allow students to engage with key discussions in legal theory. Students will be expected to read the relevant passages as homework, with classes being used to clarify obscurities and develop discussions of key concepts. Students will also be expected to read selections from other key legal theory works.

Primary Text

Lubāb al-Maḥsūl by Ibn Rashiq

About the Text & Author

Rashīq b. al-Ḥusayn Ibn Rashīq al-Maṣrī was the head of the mālikīs in Egypt during his time, and one of most respected jurists of the time, who is credited with reviving the mālikī school in Egypt.

His only surviving work is his Lubāb al-maḥṣūl, a summary of al-Ghazālī’s enormously influential Mustaṣfā. Ibn Rashīq’s books is particularly useful because he closely follows al-Ghazālī’s structure and arguments, but keeping it at a manageable length.

Following al-Ghazālī, Ibn Rashīq divided his book into four distinct sections: (i) rulings; (ii) sources of law; (iii) methods of legal deduction; and (iv) ijtihād and the mujtahid.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Comfortably read and understand Lubab al-Mahsul
• Have a grounding in legal theory across schools
• Be able to read a wide variety of Usul works
• Have a mental map of the development and key figures in legal theory

 

 

Overview

MODULES
UNITS
CREDITS
Hadith Studies
  • Unit 1: Hadith Criticism and Fiqh Methodology of Bukhari (Sahih al-Bukhari)
  • Unit 2: Hadith Criticism and Fiqh Methodology of Tirmidhi (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
90
Islamic Law
  • Unit 1: Comparative Law (Text: Bidayat al-Mujtahid)
30
Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence
  • Unit 1: Alfaz (Text: Lubab al-Mahsul)
30
Arabic Language
  • Unit 1: Classical Arabic Poetry
30
Quranic Studies
  • Unit 1: Classical Quranic Exegesis (Text: Al-Kashshaaf ‘an Haqa’iq at-Tanzil)
30

Hadith Studies

Unit 1:
Hadith Criticism and Fiqh Methodology of Bukhari

Overview

This module involves the detailed study of hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sunan al-Tirmidhi. The first unit on Sahih al-Bukhari will highlight the brilliant method used by Bukhari in extracting the narrations of his collection and understanding Islamic law and theology. In the process, chains of transmission (isnads) for the same hadith texts from other collections will be analysed so as to show why Bukhari only chose the chains that he did, and why he left the others, in line with his remarkably consistent and thorough methodology. Moreover, the criticisms of masters like Daraqutni against some of the narrations included by Bukhari will be fully discussed.

Primary Text

Sahih al-Bukhari

About the Text

The full name of Sahih al-Bukhari (according to Ibn Salah) is al-Jami’ al-Sahih al-Musnad al-Mukhtasar min umur Rasul Allah wa Suanihi wa Ayyamihi. Bukhari travelled throughout the Abbasid-controlled lands from the age of 16, collecting over 300,000 hadith. One of Bukhari’s prominent teachers, Ishaq Ibn Rahwayh, requested him to compile a book of only authentic narrations of the Prophet, which led him to compile the al-Jami’. Bukhari finished his work around 846 CE/231 AH. In the remaining twenty-four years of his life, Bukhari made minor revisions to his book, notably the chapter headings. Each version is named by its narrator. According to Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani the number of hadiths in all the versions of Sahih al-Bukhari is the same. The most famous one today is the version narrated by al-Firabri (d. 932 CE/320 AH), a trusted student of Bukhari. Other narrations of Bukhari were transmitted through Ibrahim ibn Ma’qal (d. 907 CE/295 AH), Hammad ibn Shaker (d. 923 CE/311 AH), Mansur Burduzi (d. 931 CE/319 AH) and Husain Mahamili (d. 941 CE/330 AH). The importance of studying Bukhari’s work is the fact that it is held to be the most authentic book in Islam after the Quran. The two primary benefits to studying his book are: firstly, he collected, according to his criteria, all of the most-sound hadith; secondly, he shows how these soundest narrations are sufficient for one’s religion.

About the Author

Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Isma’il ibn Ibrahim ibn al-Mughira al-Ju’fi al-Bukhari was born in 194 AH and died in 256 AH, corresponding to 19 July 810 – September 870 CE. Bukhari’s great-grandfather, al-Mughirah, settled in Bukhara after accepting Islam at the hands of Bukhara’s governor, Yaman al-Ju`fi. Bukhari’s academic life in hadith began in the year 205 AH. He memorised the works of ‘Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak while still a child. He was raised by his mother because his father died when he was an infant. He began authoring books and narrating hadith as an adolescent.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to:
• Analyse and critically evaluate hadith commentaries
• Relate the level of authenticity of a hadith to its social, theological and spiritual application
• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the criteria for hadith preference in legal applications
• Investigate the primary source of hadith material in the analysis of religious issues
• Understand how these same narrations can be understood and applied in our time to modern questions that the community faces.

Hadith Studies

Unit 2:
Hadith Criticism and Fiqh Methodology of al-Tirmidhi

Overview

The second unit on Sunan al-Tirmidhi lessons will further expand upon hidden defects of hadith by analysing the works of Daraqutni and others. Furthermore, Tirmidhi manages to bring together an incredible wealth of information about how the Companions, students of the Companions (taba’un) and the early generations of scholars derived law from hadith, or differed with some hadith or reconciled between certain hadith. In this way, the student is empowered with similar tools of analysis as those early generations when engaging with the hadith canon.

Primary Text

Sunan al-Tirmidhi

About the Text

The full title of the text is al-Jami’ al-mukhtasar min al-sunan al-Rasul Allah wa ma’rifah al-sahih wa al-ma’lul wa ma ‘alaihi al-‘amal. It is one of the six major hadith collections. It was collected by Abu ‘Isa Muhammad ibn ‘Isa al-Tirmidhi. He began compiling it after the year 250 AH and completed it on the 10 Dhu al-Hijjah 270 AH. It contains 3,956 hadith, and has been divided into fifty chapters. It is also classified as a Sunan, which implies that the book has been divided into chapters according to their legal subject, such as purification, prayer etc. The work is an extraordinary collection of hadith relating to legal rulings (ahkam) and how isnads are to be analysed for hidden defects (‘illah), which are sometimes explicitly mentioned by Tirmidhi and sometimes not. The compiler’s principal aim was to discuss the legal opinions of the early jurists. Tirmidhi mostly mentioned those hadith which the jurists used as the basis for their legal decisions and he mentioned which school used which traditions. Hence this book became an important source for the different opinions of the various legal schools.

About the Author

Abu ‘Isa Muhammad ibn Isa al-Sulami al-Bughi al-Tirmidhi was born during the reign of the Abbasid Caliph al-Ma’mun in 209 AH (824/825 CE). He was born in Tirmidh, in modern-day Uzbekistan. Tirmidhi began the study of hadith at the age of 20. He was a pupil of Bukhari, Muslim and Abu Dawud. Muslim narrated one hadith from Tirmidhi in his own Sahih. Tirmidhi became blind in the last two years of his life and died on 13 Rajab 279 A.H. / 892 C.E.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to:
• Analyse and critically evaluate hadith commentaries
• Relate the level of authenticity of a hadith to its social, theological and spiritual application
• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the criteria for hadith preference in legal applications
• Investigate the primary source of hadith material in the analysis of religious issues
• Understand how these same narrations can be understood and applied in our time to modern questions that the community faces.

Islamic Law

Unit 1:
Comparative Islamic Law

Overview

This module on comparative Islamic law aims to develop students’ understanding of the major schools in the Islamic legal tradition. Building upon years of in-depth study on the Hanafi school of law, students will be introduced to the different jurisprudential methodologies employed in the other schools, such as the Maliki, Hanafi, Shafi’i, Hanbali and Zahiri schools.

Primary Texts

Bidayat al-Mujtahid

About the Text

The Distinguished Jurist’s Primer (Bidayat al-Mujtahid wa Nihayat al-Muqtasid) is widely considered one of the most  authoritative texts on comparative Islamic jurisprudence. This two-volume primer presents a critical analysis of the rulings, opinions and evidences of the well-known schools of Islamic law: Maliki, Hanafi, Shafi’i, Hanbali and Zahiri. In evaluating the derivation of laws from these schools, the author intends to provide guidance for the independent jurist, mujtahid, who must address the legal issues of the age on which the legislation remains silent.

About the Author

Abul Walid Muhammad Ibn Ahmad Ibn Rushd, better known simply as Ibn Rushd or Averroes, was born into a family of jurists in Al-Andalus in 520AH/1126CE. A distinguished jurist of the Maliki School, he wrote many tracts on Maliki jurisprudence, as well as on logic, philosophy and the secular sciences of the medieval era. He was appointed physician to the court of the Caliph Abu Yaqub Yusuf in 1182 CE where he continued to serve until shortly before his death in 594AH/1198CE.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Demonstrate a profound understanding of the different methodological approaches of the well-known schools of law
• Understand how legal precedent operates in the Islamic courts of justice
• Understand the different techniques employed in the interpretation and formulation of Islamic law
• Appreciate the differing juristic tools employed in the derivation of Islamic law from authentic sources

Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence

Unit 1:
Alfaz

Overview

This module continues the study of Ibn Rashiq’s Lubāb al-Maḥsūl from the previous year. The focus is placed on broadening students’ knowledge of legal theory across the main legal and theological schools. This work will allow students to engage with key discussions in legal theory. Students will be expected to read the relevant passages as homework, with classes being used to clarify obscurities and develop discussions of key concepts. Students will also be expected to read selections from other key legal theory works.

Primary Text

Lubāb al-Maḥsūl by Ibn Rashiq

About the Text & Author

Rashīq b. al-Ḥusayn Ibn Rashīq al-Maṣrī was the head of the mālikīs in Egypt during his time, and one of most respected jurists of the time, who is credited with reviving the mālikī school in Egypt.

His only surviving work is his Lubāb al-maḥṣūl, a summary of al-Ghazālī’s enormously influential Mustaṣfā. Ibn Rashīq’s books is particularly useful because he closely follows al-Ghazālī’s structure and arguments, but keeping it at a manageable length.

Following al-Ghazālī, Ibn Rashīq divided his book into four distinct sections: (i) rulings; (ii) sources of law; (iii) methods of legal deduction; and (iv) ijtihād and the mujtahid.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Comfortably read and understand Lubāb al-Maḥsūl
• Have a solid grounding in legal theory across schools
• Be able to read a wide variety of usul works
• Have a mental map of the development and key figures in legal theory

 

Arabic Language

Unit 1:
Classical Arabic Poetry

Overview

In the Arabic Language module students will study a wide variety of Arabic poetry to ensure that they complete the programme with full competence to access a range Arabic resources including the earliest sources of Islam directly. Critical analysis of classical poems will provide a deep insight into the essence of the language, whilst studies of eloquence and rhetoric will provide students with an understanding of the linguistic features of different classical texts.

Primary Text

Various

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to: • Communicate fluently in spoken and written forms of Arabic • Demonstrate intermediate knowledge of the varying grammatical and morphological constructs • Demonstrate proficiency in the different forms of Arabic verbs • Differentiate and apply gender, number and form structures to verbs • Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing and comprehension skills

Quranic Studies

Unit 1:
Classical Quranic Exegesis

Overview

This module is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the application of Quranic exegetical methodology by studying famous exegetical works. Various passages of the Quran with theological, legal and spiritual emphasis will be critically discussed by studying these exegetical works based on tradition (riwayah) and deduction (dirayah). Classical and contemporary interpretations of the Quran in the Muslim world will also be referenced.

Primary Text

Al-Kashaf ‘an haqa’iq al-Tanzil

About the Text

Al-Kashshaf was written in the 12th century CE. It is considered a primary source by all major scholars. However, it is criticised for the inclusion of Mutazili philosophical views. Nevertheless, his work is the best for understanding the language of the Quran, its eloquence and miraculous nature. The work shows how the Quran was understood at the time of its revelation; hence, it has been used by Sunnis throughout the centuries in their religious seminaries.

About the Author

Abu al-Qasim Mahmud ibn Umar al-Zamakhshari (1074 or 1075 – 1143 or 1144 CE) was of Iranian origin, who subscribed to the Mutazilite theological doctrine.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate a knowledge of the major exegetical types and works
• Critically analyse and evaluate Quranic exegetical works
• Relate multiple meanings of Quranic text by reference to exegetical works
• Demonstrate critical ability to deduct theological, legal and spiritual meanings from the Quranic verses by following correct exegetical methodology

Overview

MODULES
UNITS
CREDITS
Hadith Studies
  • Unit 1: Hadith Criticism and Fiqh Methodology of Bukhari (Sahih al-Bukhari)
  • Unit 2: Hadith Criticism and Fiqh Methodology of Tirmidhi (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
90
Islamic Law
  • Unit 1: Comparative Law (Text: Bidayat al-Mujtahid)
30
Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence
  • Unit 1: Ahkam/Ijtihad (Text: Lubab al-Mahsul)
30
Arabic Language
  • Unit 1: Pre-Islamic Poetry
30
Quranic Studies
  • Unit 1: Classical Quranic Exegesis (Text: Al-Kashshaaf ‘an Haqa’iq at-Tanzil)
30

 

Hadith Studies

Unit 1:
Hadith Criticism and Fiqh Methodology of Bukhari

Overview

This module involves the detailed study of hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sunan al-Tirmidhi. The first unit on Sahih al-Bukhari will highlight the brilliant method used by Bukhari in extracting the narrations of his collection and understanding Islamic law and theology. In the process, chains of transmission (isnads) for the same hadith texts from other collections will be analysed so as to show why Bukhari only chose the chains that he did, and why he left the others, in line with his remarkably consistent and thorough methodology. Moreover, the criticisms of masters like Daraqutni against some of the narrations included by Bukhari will be fully discussed.

Primary Text

Sahih al-Bukhari

About the Text

The full name of Sahih al-Bukhari (according to Ibn Salah) is al-Jami’ al-Sahih al-Musnad al-Mukhtasar min umur Rasul Allah wa Suanihi wa Ayyamihi. Bukhari travelled throughout the Abbasid-controlled lands from the age of 16, collecting over 300,000 hadith. One of Bukhari’s prominent teachers, Ishaq Ibn Rahwayh, requested him to compile a book of only authentic narrations of the Prophet, which led him to compile the al-Jami’. Bukhari finished his work around 846 CE/231 AH. In the remaining twenty-four years of his life, Bukhari made minor revisions to his book, notably the chapter headings. Each version is named by its narrator. According to Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani the number of hadiths in all the versions of Sahih al-Bukhari is the same. The most famous one today is the version narrated by al-Firabri (d. 932 CE/320 AH), a trusted student of Bukhari. Other narrations of Bukhari were transmitted through Ibrahim ibn Ma’qal (d. 907 CE/295 AH), Hammad ibn Shaker (d. 923 CE/311 AH), Mansur Burduzi (d. 931 CE/319 AH) and Husain Mahamili (d. 941 CE/330 AH). The importance of studying Bukhari’s work is the fact that it is held to be the most authentic book in Islam after the Quran. The two primary benefits to studying his book are: firstly, he collected, according to his criteria, all of the most-sound hadith; secondly, he shows how these soundest narrations are sufficient for one’s religion.

About the Author

Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Isma’il ibn Ibrahim ibn al-Mughira al-Ju’fi al-Bukhari was born in 194 AH and died in 256 AH, corresponding to 19 July 810 – September 870 CE. Bukhari’s great-grandfather, al-Mughirah, settled in Bukhara after accepting Islam at the hands of Bukhara’s governor, Yaman al-Ju`fi. Bukhari’s academic life in hadith began in the year 205 AH. He memorised the works of ‘Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak while still a child. He was raised by his mother because his father died when he was an infant. He began authoring books and narrating hadith as an adolescent.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to:
• Analyse and critically evaluate hadith commentaries
• Relate the level of authenticity of a hadith to its social, theological and spiritual application
• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the criteria for hadith preference in legal applications
• Investigate the primary source of hadith material in the analysis of religious issues
• Understand how these same narrations can be understood and applied in our time to modern questions that the community faces.

Hadith Studies

Unit 2:
Hadith Criticism and Fiqh Methodology of al-Tirmidhi

Overview

The second unit on Sunan al-Tirmidhi lessons will further expand upon hidden defects of hadith by analysing the works of Daraqutni and others. Furthermore, Tirmidhi manages to bring together an incredible wealth of information about how the Companions, students of the Companions (taba’un) and the early generations of scholars derived law from hadith, or differed with some hadith or reconciled between certain hadith. In this way, the student is empowered with similar tools of analysis as those early generations when engaging with the hadith canon.

Primary Text

Sunan al-Tirmidhi

About the Text

The full title of the text is al-Jami’ al-mukhtasar min al-sunan al-Rasul Allah wa ma’rifah al-sahih wa al-ma’lul wa ma ‘alaihi al-‘amal. It is one of the six major hadith collections. It was collected by Abu ‘Isa Muhammad ibn ‘Isa al-Tirmidhi. He began compiling it after the year 250 AH and completed it on the 10 Dhu al-Hijjah 270 AH. It contains 3,956 hadith, and has been divided into fifty chapters. It is also classified as a Sunan, which implies that the book has been divided into chapters according to their legal subject, such as purification, prayer etc. The work is an extraordinary collection of hadith relating to legal rulings (ahkam) and how isnads are to be analysed for hidden defects (‘illah), which are sometimes explicitly mentioned by Tirmidhi and sometimes not. The compiler’s principal aim was to discuss the legal opinions of the early jurists. Tirmidhi mostly mentioned those hadith which the jurists used as the basis for their legal decisions and he mentioned which school used which traditions. Hence this book became an important source for the different opinions of the various legal schools.

About the Author

Abu ‘Isa Muhammad ibn Isa al-Sulami al-Bughi al-Tirmidhi was born during the reign of the Abbasid Caliph al-Ma’mun in 209 AH (824/825 CE). He was born in Tirmidh, in modern-day Uzbekistan. Tirmidhi began the study of hadith at the age of 20. He was a pupil of Bukhari, Muslim and Abu Dawud. Muslim narrated one hadith from Tirmidhi in his own Sahih. Tirmidhi became blind in the last two years of his life and died on 13 Rajab 279 A.H. / 892 C.E.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to:
• Analyse and critically evaluate hadith commentaries
• Relate the level of authenticity of a hadith to its social, theological and spiritual application
• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the criteria for hadith preference in legal applications
• Investigate the primary source of hadith material in the analysis of religious issues
• Understand how these same narrations can be understood and applied in our time to modern questions that the community faces.

Islamic Law

Unit 1:
Comparative Islamic Law

Overview

This module on comparative Islamic law aims to develop students’ understanding of the major schools in the Islamic legal tradition. Building upon years of in-depth study on the Hanafi school of law, students will be introduced to the different jurisprudential methodologies employed in the other schools, such as the Maliki, Hanafi, Shafi’i, Hanbali and Zahiri schools.

Primary Texts

Bidayat al-Mujtahid

About the Text

The Distinguished Jurist’s Primer (Bidayat al-Mujtahid wa Nihayat al-Muqtasid) is widely considered one of the most  authoritative texts on comparative Islamic jurisprudence. This two-volume primer presents a critical analysis of the rulings, opinions and evidences of the well-known schools of Islamic law: Maliki, Hanafi, Shafi’i, Hanbali and Zahiri. In evaluating the derivation of laws from these schools, the author intends to provide guidance for the independent jurist, mujtahid, who must address the legal issues of the age on which the legislation remains silent.

About the Author

Abul Walid Muhammad Ibn Ahmad Ibn Rushd, better known simply as Ibn Rushd or Averroes, was born into a family of jurists in Al-Andalus in 520AH/1126CE. A distinguished jurist of the Maliki School, he wrote many tracts on Maliki jurisprudence, as well as on logic, philosophy and the secular sciences of the medieval era. He was appointed physician to the court of the Caliph Abu Yaqub Yusuf in 1182 CE where he continued to serve until shortly before his death in 594AH/1198CE.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
• Demonstrate a profound understanding of the different methodological approaches of the well-known schools of law
• Understand how legal precedent operates in the Islamic courts of justice
• Understand the different techniques employed in the interpretation and formulation of Islamic law
• Appreciate the differing juristic tools employed in the derivation of Islamic law from authentic sources

Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence

Unit 1:
Ahkam/Ijtihad

Overview

This module continues the study of Ibn Rashiq’s Lubāb al-Maḥsūl from the previous year. The focus is placed on broadening students’ knowledge of legal theory across the main legal and theological schools. This work will allow students to engage with key discussions in legal theory. Students will be expected to read the relevant passages as homework, with classes being used to clarify obscurities and develop discussions of key concepts. Students will also be expected to read selections from other key legal theory works.

Primary Text

Lubāb al-Maḥsūl by Ibn Rashiq

About the Text & Author

Rashīq b. al-Ḥusayn Ibn Rashīq al-Maṣrī was the head of the mālikīs in Egypt during his time, and one of most respected jurists of the time, who is credited with reviving the mālikī school in Egypt.

His only surviving work is his Lubāb al-maḥṣūl, a summary of al-Ghazālī’s enormously influential Mustaṣfā. Ibn Rashīq’s books is particularly useful because he closely follows al-Ghazālī’s structure and arguments, but keeping it at a manageable length.

Following al-Ghazālī, Ibn Rashīq divided his book into four distinct sections: (i) rulings; (ii) sources of law; (iii) methods of legal deduction; and (iv) ijtihād and the mujtahid.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Comfortably read and understand Lubāb al-Maḥsūl
• Have a solid grounding in legal theory across schools
• Be able to read a wide variety of Usul works
• Have a mental map of the development and key figures in legal theory

 

Arabic Language

Unit 1:
Pre-Islamic Poetry

Overview

In the Arabic Language module students will study the language of pre-Islamic Arabia to ensure that they complete the programme with full competence to access the earliest sources of Islam directly. Critical analysis of classical poems will provide a deep insight into the essence of the language, whilst studies of eloquence and rhetoric will provide students with an understanding of the linguistic features of different classical texts.

Primary Text

Al-Mu’allaqat

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to:
• Communicate fluently in spoken and written forms of Arabic
• Demonstrate intermediate knowledge of the varying grammatical and morphological constructs
• Demonstrate proficiency in the different forms of Arabic verbs
• Differentiate and apply gender, number and form structures to verbs
• Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing and comprehension skills

Quranic Studies

Unit 1:
Classical Quranic Exegesis

Overview

This module is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the application of Quranic exegetical methodology by studying famous exegetical works. Various passages of the Quran with theological, legal and spiritual emphasis will be critically discussed by studying these exegetical works based on tradition (riwayah) and deduction (dirayah). Classical and contemporary interpretations of the Quran in the Muslim world will also be referenced.

Primary Text

Al-Kashaf ‘an haqa’iq al-Tanzil

About the Text

Al-Kashshaf was written in the 12th century CE. It is considered a primary source by all major scholars. However, it is criticised for the inclusion of Mutazili philosophical views. Nevertheless, his work is the best for understanding the language of the Quran, its eloquence and miraculous nature. The work shows how the Quran was understood at the time of its revelation; hence, it has been used by Sunnis throughout the centuries in their religious seminaries.

About the Author

Abu al-Qasim Mahmud ibn Umar al-Zamakhshari (1074 or 1075 – 1143 or 1144 CE) was of Iranian origin, who subscribed to the Mutazilite theological doctrine.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate a knowledge of the major exegetical types and works
• Critically analyse and evaluate Quranic exegetical works
• Relate multiple meanings of Quranic text by reference to exegetical works
• Demonstrate critical ability to deduct theological, legal and spiritual meanings from the Quranic verses by following correct exegetical methodology

Assessment

Student progression is assessed through both formative assessment (class participation/class quizzes) & summative assessment (MCQ quizzes/examinations/written assignments/presentations). 

In order to graduate from the Alimiyyah programme students must pass all modules.

Progression & Employment

Students will graduate with specialist skills in the Islamic Sciences as well as the following transferable skills:

  • Problem solving 
  • Analytical reasoning
  • Critical thinking
  • Written and oral communication 
  • Project management skills 

Graduates from the Alimiyyah Programme have gone on to become:

  • Community leaders e.g. Imam
  • Teachers of Islamic Studies
  • Founders of community initiatives
  • Specialists through further study (e.g. Ifta training)
  • Cross-qualified providers of culturally/religiously sensitive services e.g. Medical doctors/lawyers providing Shariah-compliant advice/services

 

Graduates may choose to progress onto the 2-year Advanced Islamic Sciences Programme and/or specialise in Legal Verdicts (fatāwā), Hadith Classification (Musṭalaḥ al-Ḥadīth), or Arabic language. Those who demonstrate academic excellence may consider a full-time teaching post. Many graduates have progressed to establish learning centres of their own, building on the legacy of Al-Salam Institute and realising the objective of the widespread creation and dissemination of religious knowledge.

Where and when do the classes take place?

The classes are held Online Live on Sundays .

Are the programmes taught in English?

Yes. All of the programmes are taught in the English language. Many of the texts are studied in the original Arabic with translation, explanation, and tuition in English.

I have a very busy schedule and cannot always dedicate an entire Sunday to my studies. Are the classes mandatory to attend?

Yes and no. Due to recent events we have been able to successfully launch all our courses online, hence becoming a worldwide course provider. Our students have some level of flexibility to allow for the differences in time zones. However, we strongly recommend for all students to attend all classes live.

Can I study entirely online?

Yes. Each of the programmes can be studied online from start to finish. Further, recorded access is available for all core lectures until the end of the academic year.

Does Shaykh Akram Nadwi teach the entire programme?

No. There are over 20 faculty members teaching the Islamic Scholarship Programmes who are experts in their respective fields. Shaykh Akram teaches certain modules in each programme and authorises the graduation from ASI, but he does not teach everything!

Is the Alimiyyah Programme recognised by Nadwat al-‘Ulama or any national or international universities?

At the moment – no. The entire programme is authorised by Shaykh Akram Nadwi.

How will I be assessed?

Students are assessed by a mixture of written assignments and examinations, as well as an independent research project in the final year.

Do I have to sit the exams in the UK even if I live abroad?

No. All exams and assignments are conducted online via the ASI Portal. The final year (graduation) exams are required to be sat onsite. Students living outside of the UK are able to sit these exams at a designated test centre near to their location.

Are the Residential programmes included?

Yes and no. The Residential programmes, which includes two Student Retreats based in the UK, as well as international trips such as the Knowledge Retreat and Sacred Sciences Journey, exist in order to enable students to spend time together in good company, study together and on SSJ’s to spend time visiting and gaining ijazah from some of the leading scholars of the Muslim world. However, they are elective programmes and are priced separately. Find out more.

What happens once I graduate?

Graduates of ASI are marked by their embodiment of religious knowledge and are encouraged to contribute to society through their writings, actions, and dealings with others. Graduates may also choose to pursue post-graduate study in order to specialise in legal verdicts, hadith classification, or Arabic language.

Is there any financial assistance available?

Alhamdulillah, subject to approval there are a number of options available for students who are unable to pay the entire tuition fees upfront.

Al-Salam Institute have partnered with the National Zakat Foundation for a limited number of tuition fee scholarships. Click here to apply.

    

What are the tuition fees?

Tuition starts from £1,850 per annum. For further details please visit: www.alsalam.ac.uk/fees

Can I enrol one year at a time, instead of the entire programme at once?

Yes.

How many teaching hours are there per week?

There are 7-8 hours of core lectures on a weekly basis, as well as an average of 7 hours per week in seminars and tutorials.

How many hours of independent study is recommended?

For the Foundation and Arabic Immersion Year Programme we recommend 4 hours of independent study per week, in addition to the core lectures on Sundays. For the Alimiyyah Programme students will be expected to commit to approximately 7 hours of personal study time during the week, outside of weekly classes.

I live outside of London. Should I attend onsite or online?

Online; all of our classes are now being held live online.

What are the entry requirements to join my intended programme?

Entry requirements for each programme are detailed on their respective pages. Generally, the entry requirements for each programme is successful completion of the preceding programme (or equivalent).

I have been studying the Islamic sciences for quite a while on my own, do I have to start at the Foundation Year?

No. Students who have already graduated from an Islamic studies programme may be eligible to enter directly into a programme more suited to their educational history.

How can I determine which level I should enrol onto?
Will I automatically be enrolled onto the following year?

No. Entry onto the next year of your chosen programme is subject to satisfactory results in the end of year examinations.

Where do I sign up?

Visit our Islamic Scholarship Programmes page to find the right programme for you and apply.

Tuition Fees for 2024-25 academic year

Single Payment (GBP)
Instalment Plan (GBP)
Over 3 consecutive months
3x
Total
*Ramadan / Early Bird
£1,800
£700
£2,100
Full Price
£2,100
£800
£2,400

 

*Ramadan Discount Ends: 5th May 2024

 

Apply Now Online

The online enrolment option is available for all students who wish to study the Alimiyyah programme. The classes are streamed live online to students all over the world via the ASI Virtual Portal. Lessons are streamed at high-definition with a multi-camera setup, facilitating an interactive learning environment for dynamic student engagement and participation.

Alimiyyah Year 1

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Alimiyyah Year 2

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Alimiyyah Year 3

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Alimiyyah Year 4

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Alimiyyah Year 5

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