Foundations of Islamic Studies: Beliefs, Practices, and History

Dive deep into the rich heritage of Islam with our comprehensive course on Islamic Studies. Whether you’re a beginner seeking to understand the basics or someone looking to deepen your knowledge, this course covers essential beliefs, practices, history, and cultural aspects of Islam. Gain a profound understanding of the religion’s core teachings, its historical development, and its influence on the world.

Course Structure:

Module 1: Introduction to Islam

• Lesson 1: Overview of Islam
  • Understanding the basic beliefs and practices of Islam.
  • The significance of the Five Pillars of Islam.
• Lesson 2: The Qur’an and Hadith
  • Introduction to the Qur’an and its structure.
  • The role and importance of Hadith in Islamic teachings.

Module 2: Beliefs and Practices

• Lesson 1: Articles of Faith
  • Detailed explanation of the Six Articles of Faith.
• Lesson 2: The Five Pillars of Islam
  • Shahada (Faith), Salah (Prayer), Zakat (Charity), Sawm (Fasting), and Hajj (Pilgrimage).
• Lesson 3: Daily Life and Ethics
  • Understanding Islamic dietary laws, dress code, and social conduct.
  • The concept of Halal and Haram.

Module 3: Islamic History

• Lesson 1: The Life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
  • Early life, prophethood, and key events in his life.
• Lesson 2: The Rightly Guided Caliphs
  • The first four caliphs and their contributions to Islam.
• Lesson 3: The Spread of Islam
  • Expansion of the Islamic Empire and its influence on different cultures.

Module 4: Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh)

• Lesson 1: Introduction to Fiqh
  • Understanding the principles of Islamic jurisprudence.
  • Sources of Islamic law: Qur’an, Sunnah, Ijma, and Qiyas.
• Lesson 2: Major Schools of Thought
  • Overview of the four major Sunni schools (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali) and Shia jurisprudence.
• Lesson 3: Contemporary Issues in Fiqh
  • Modern applications of Islamic law in various contexts.

Module 5: Islamic Culture and Civilization

• Lesson 1: Contributions to Science and Knowledge
  • Islamic Golden Age and contributions to science, medicine, and philosophy.
• Lesson 2: Art and Architecture
  • Islamic art, calligraphy, and architecture.
• Lesson 3: Sufism and Spirituality
  • Introduction to Sufism and its role in Islamic spirituality.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the core beliefs and practices of Islam.
• Gain knowledge of the Qur’an, Hadith, and Islamic jurisprudence.
• Learn about the history and significant events in the development of Islam.
• Explore the cultural and scientific contributions of the Islamic world.
• Develop an appreciation for the diversity within Islamic traditions.

Additional Resources:

• Text Readings: Selected readings from the Qur’an and Hadith.
• Video Lectures: Expert-led video lectures on key topics.
• Discussion Forums: Participate in discussions with fellow students and instructors.
• Quizzes and Assignments: Regular assessments to test your understanding.
• Certification: Earn a certificate of completion to validate your knowledge.

This structure ensures a thorough understanding of Islam, covering its theological foundations, historical development, and cultural impact.