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Year 4
Ijazah Level

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1. Quran and Tajweed

Year 4 Completing the Full Quran & Ijazah Preparation

Goal: Finish the Quran and recite the entire Quran for Ijazah certification.

Semester 1: Level 7 (QUR401)

Duration: 6 months
- Surah Yunus to Surah Al-Kahf (Pages 223-302)
- Surah Maryam to Surah Al-Ahzab (Pages 303-417)
- Recitation Speed Training
- Strengthening flow in long passages

Semester 2 Level 8 (QUR402) Final Semester – Ijazah Prep & Completion

Duration: 6 months
- Surah Saba to Surah An-Nas (Pages 418-604)
- Full Quran Revision (Tilawah from Juz 1-30)
- Ijazah Certification Exam
- Oral exam with Sheikh/Sheikha
- Reciting entire Quran fluently with Tajweed

2. Hadith

Year 4 Advanced Hadith Studies & Comprehensive Review

About the course:
Year 4 of the program focuses on Advanced Hadith Studies, specifically on the major Sunan Collections and their application in Islamic law. This year is split into two semesters, each concentrating on a significant collection of Hadith, offering students a thorough understanding of the texts and their practical implications in Islamic jurisprudence.

Semester 1

Level 7 (HAD 401) 6 months – Abu Dawud, An-Nasa’i, & Ibn Majah
Focus: Sunan Collections & Hadith Application in Law
• Introduction to Sunan Collections & Their Role in Fiqh
• Comparison of Abu Dawud, An-Nasa’i & Ibn Majah
• Selected Hadith Study:

o Book of Purification
o Book of Marriage & Divorce
o Book of Judiciary & Punishments
o Book of Food & Drinks
o Book of Medicine

Semester 2

Level 8 (HAD 402) 6 months – Sunan Ibn Majah (Deep Dive)
Focus: The Last Canonical Hadith Collection & Its Unique Features
• Introduction to Imam Ibn Majah & His Methodology
• Study of Unique Hadith Found in Ibn Majah
• Analysis of Weak & Authentic Hadith in Ibn Majah
• Final Review & Application of Hadith in Modern Contexts

3. Fiqh

Year 4 Specialized Legal Rulings & Modern Applications

About the course:
Year 4 of the Fiqh Program focuses on specialized legal rulings and their modern applications, giving students a deep understanding of both classical Hanafi fiqh and contemporary legal challenges in Islamic law. The year is divided into two semesters, each addressing essential aspects of Islamic jurisprudence and the evolving legal landscape.

Semester 1

Level 1: The Rise & Golden Age of Islamic Civilization
Recommended Books:
1. "Lost Islamic History" – Firas Alkhateeb
2. "The Venture of Islam" (Vol. 1: The Classical Age of Islam) – Marshall Hodgson
3. "In the Footsteps of the Prophet" – Tariq Ramadan

 Course Breakdown
 Unit 1: The Pre-Islamic World & The Rise of Islam
• The Arabian Peninsula before Islam: Political, social, and religious structures
• The early life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ & his mission
• Key events in the Seerah (Migration, major battles, Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, Conquest of Makkah)
 Unit 2: The Early Islamic State & Expansion
• The Caliphate of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali (The Rashidun Era)
• Early Islamic conquests: Persia, Byzantine territories, North Africa
• Governance, administration, and social justice under the Rashidun Caliphate
 Unit 3: The Umayyad & Abbasid Caliphates
• The political transformation from Rashidun to Umayyad rule
• The Abbasid Golden Age: Economic prosperity, urbanization, and scientific advancements
• The role of non-Arab Muslims (Mawali) in the Abbasid administration
📖 Unit 4: Islamic Civilization – Science, Culture & Intellectual Contributions
• Contributions in science, medicine, philosophy, and literature (House of Wisdom, Ibn Sina, Al-Farabi, Al-Ghazali)
• Development of Islamic law, theology, and Sufism
• The role of Islamic scholars in preserving and expanding knowledge

Semester 2

Level 8 (FIQ402) 6 months

Module 15: Research & Practical Case Studies
• Research Methodologies in Islamic Law
• Comparative Fiqh Studies
• Legal Reasoning & Fiqh-based Fatwas
• Application of Mukhtasar Al-Quduri in Real-Life Scenarios

4. Islamic History

Objective

This program provides a comprehensive study of Islamic history, tracing its origins, expansion, and intellectual contributions. Students will develop a critical understanding of key events, political transformations, and cultural achievements that shaped the Islamic world.
 Duration: 2 Levels (4 months each)

Semester 1

 Level 1: The Rise & Golden Age of Islamic Civilization
 Recommended Books:
1. "Lost Islamic History" – Firas Alkhateeb
2. "The Venture of Islam" (Vol. 1: The Classical Age of Islam) – Marshall Hodgson
3. "In the Footsteps of the Prophet" – Tariq Ramadan

 Course Breakdown
Unit 1: The Pre-Islamic World & The Rise of Islam
• The Arabian Peninsula before Islam: Political, social, and religious structures
• The early life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ & his mission
• Key events in the Seerah (Migration, major battles, Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, Conquest of Makkah)
Unit 2: The Early Islamic State & Expansion
• The Caliphate of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali (The Rashidun Era)
• Early Islamic conquests: Persia, Byzantine territories, North Africa
• Governance, administration, and social justice under the Rashidun Caliphate
Unit 3: The Umayyad & Abbasid Caliphates
• The political transformation from Rashidun to Umayyad rule
• The Abbasid Golden Age: Economic prosperity, urbanization, and scientific advancements
• The role of non-Arab Muslims (Mawali) in the Abbasid administration
 Unit 4: Islamic Civilization – Science, Culture & Intellectual Contributions
• Contributions in science, medicine, philosophy, and literature (House of Wisdom, Ibn Sina, Al-Farabi, Al-Ghazali)
• Development of Islamic law, theology, and Sufism
• The role of Islamic scholars in preserving and expanding knowledge

Semester 2

 Level 2: Medieval to Modern Islamic History
 Recommended Books:
1. "A History of Islamic Societies" – Ira M. Lapidus
2. "The Ottomans: Khans, Caesars, and Caliphs" – Marc David Baer
3. "Islam in the World" – Malise Ruthven

 Course Breakdown
 Unit 1: The Fragmentation of the Caliphate & The Rise of Regional Islamic Powers
• The decline of the Abbasid Caliphate and Mongol invasions
• The Seljuk Empire and the spread of Sunni authority
• The rise of the Mamluk Sultanate and its role in defending Islam
 Unit 2: The Ottoman, Safavid & Mughal Empires
• The Ottoman Empire: Expansion, governance, and decline
• The Safavid Empire: Shi’ism in Persia and cultural transformations
• The Mughal Empire: Islamic rule in India and the blending of cultures
 Unit 3: Islam & Colonialism
• European colonization of Islamic lands (Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia)
• Resistance movements and Islamic reformers (Jamal al-Din al-Afghani, Muhammad Abduh)
• The dissolution of the Ottoman Caliphate and its impact on the Muslim world
 Unit 4: Islam in the Modern World
• 20th-century Islamic revivalism and nationalism
• The impact of globalization on Islamic societies
• The role of Islam in contemporary political movements

5. Quranic studies

Year 2: Deep Analysis & Advanced Themes

About the course:
Year 2 of the Quranic Studies Program focuses on advanced tafsir and deep thematic analysis of the Qur'an, covering a wide range of essential topics from Qur'anic sciences to spiritual purification. The program is structured to provide students with a profound understanding of the Qur'anic text, its historical and theological contexts, and its application to daily life.

Semester 1: Tafsir of Juz’ 21 to Juz’ 30

Text Coverage: Surah al-Rūm to Surah al-Nās
Duration: 4 months
Focus Areas:
o Shorter sūrahs with strong rhetorical and eschatological impact
o Qur’anic guidance on purification of the soul and akhirah
o Divine attributes and the unseen
Skills Developed:
o Deriving spiritual lessons (tazkiyah)
o Qur’anic worldview and moral guidance

Semester 2: Qur’anic Sciences from al-Tashīl Introduction + Topical Tafsir

Duration: 4 months
Core Focus:
o Introduction to ‘Ulūm al-Qur’ān as per Ibn Juzayy
o Principles of Tafsir, Qirā’āt, I‘jāz, Nasikh-Mansūkh
o Thematic/topical tafsir: law, mercy, stories, divine decree, etc.
Project Work:
o Students choose a theme (e.g. justice, sabr, women, Prophethood) and trace it through the Qur’an
o Final oral or written tafsir presentation

Methodology & Teaching Tools

Primary Text:
o التسهيل لعلوم التنزيل – taught in Arabic with guided translation and commentary
Supplementary Materials:
o Asbāb al-Nuzūl by al-Wāḥidī
o Tafsir Ibn Kathīr (for comparison)
o Videos or summaries of sūrahs for engagement
Teaching Style:
o Weekly recitation of portion + tafsir analysis
o Group discussions and reflection activities
o Emphasis on extracting practical lessons for daily life
Assessments:
o Short quizzes per Juz’
o Final tafsir essay or oral presentation every semester

Learning Outcomes by End of 2 Years:

• Mastery of Ibn Juzayy's approach to tafsir
• Strong grasp of Qur’anic structure, themes, and linguistic beauty
• Ability to link verses to historical, theological, and practical dimensions
• Development of personal reflection and critical tafsir reading skills
• Preparedness for more advanced tafsir works or research

6. Comparative Religion Curriculum

Comparative Religion Curriculum Duration 1 Year (3 Terms – 4 months each) Target: Advanced students in Islamic Studies or Da'wah preparation

Course Description:
This one-year course offers an in-depth exploration of the world’s major religions through the lens of Islamic theology and scholarship. Students will gain foundational knowledge of religious systems such as Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism, while also engaging in critical comparison with the beliefs and practices of Islam. The course combines traditional Islamic sources with modern academic insights to equip students with the tools to respond to theological challenges, engage in interfaith dialogue, and fulfill the duty of da’wah with wisdom and evidence. Students will also explore contemporary religious dynamics, including secularism, Islamophobia, and religious pluralism, to develop a well-rounded understanding of religion in the modern world.

Term 1: Foundations of Comparative Religion Course Title: Introduction to World Religions Duration: 4 Months

 Core Texts:
• "World Religions: A Guide to Faiths and Beliefs" by David Self (for context)
• "Muqaddimah fi al-Adyan" by Dr. Ahmad Shalabi (Arabic)
• Selected readings from Qur'an and Hadith
 Learning Objectives:
• Define religion and understand its role in society.
• Examine the key principles of major world religions.
• Develop an Islamic framework for analyzing religious belief systems.
 Topics Covered:
• Definition and functions of religion
• Islamic principles of interfaith understanding
• Tawheed vs. other concepts of divinity
• Revelation vs. human-made laws
• The Qur’anic perspective on past Prophets and Scriptures
 Assessment:
• Weekly reflections
• Mid-term project: Comparison between Islam and another monotheistic religion
• End-term essay: Tawheed in Islamic vs. non-Islamic worldviews

Term 2: Detailed Study of Major World Religions


Course Title: Religions of the Book and Eastern Beliefs
Duration: 4 Months
 Core Texts:
• "Al-Milal wa al-Nihal" by Al-Shahrastani
• "Comparative Religion" by Ahmed Deedat (Selected lectures)
• Selections from the Torah, Bible, Vedas (as referenced in critique)
 Learning Objectives:
• Understand the origins, beliefs, and practices of Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
• Evaluate similarities and differences with Islam.
• Build respectful and intellectual responses from the Qur'an and Sunnah.
 Topics Covered:
• Judaism: Origins, Torah, concept of God, Jewish law
• Christianity: Trinity, Original Sin, Crucifixion, Bible analysis
• Hinduism: Polytheism, Karma, caste system, scriptures
• Buddhism: Reincarnation, Four Noble Truths, Nirvana
• Islamic responses and Qur’anic critique
 Assessment:
• Oral presentations on selected religion
• Comparative theology chart
• Final paper: "Islam and [chosen religion]: A Comparative Analysis"

Term 3: Contemporary Issues and Interfaith Dialogue

Course Title: Islam in a Pluralistic World
Duration: 4 Months
 Core Texts:
• "Islam and the Other Religions" by Yusuf al-Qaradawi
• "Towards Understanding Islam" by Abul A’la Maududi
• Contemporary fatwas on interfaith engagement
 Learning Objectives:
• Engage with contemporary interfaith discourse from an Islamic perspective.
• Develop da’wah skills rooted in Hikmah and clear evidence.
• Understand Islamophobia and challenges of modern pluralism.
 Topics Covered:
• Qur'anic guidelines on interfaith interaction
• Interfaith dialogue: conditions and limitations
• Islamophobia, missionary strategies, and Muslim responses
• Da'wah methodologies for different religious audiences
• Religious freedom, coexistence, and Islamic governance
 Assessment:
• Case study analysis
• Practical da’wah simulation
• Final project: Developing an interfaith outreach guide

Learning Outcomes by End of the Year:

• Deep understanding of major world religions from both internal and Islamic viewpoints

• Ability to articulate Islamic beliefs in comparative settings

• Foundation in interfaith dialogue, religious critique, and da’wah

• Awareness of modern religious challenges and frameworks of response

Eligibility Requirements

To enrol in the Alimiyyah Program, students must meet the following criteria:
• Be at least 16 years of age.
• Dedicate a minimum of six hours per week to online studies.
• Commit to the weekly release of course modules.

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