Arabic Language

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

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

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

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

Overview

Primary Text

The Quran

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to: • Have familiarity with studied tafsir works • Be able to read, understand and research linguistically and thematically juz’ ʿamma and apply these skills throughout the Qur’an • Have familiarity with Quranic dictionaries and how to access them

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

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

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

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

Hadith Studies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hadith Studies

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hadith Studies

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hadith Studies

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

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

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

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

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

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