Advanced Islamic Studies

Introduction

Advanced Islamic Studies is a 2-year long study of the most important branches of Islamic sciences, including Arabic grammar, Fiqh, Tafsir, Hadith, Seerah and Balagha.

The course is taught entirely in Arabic. It is offered in 4 parts, each approximately 4-6 months in length. The sessions take place twice a week for 1.5 hours per session.

For more details of the course, please continue reading or click here to download the curriculum document.

Overall Objectives

  1. Reading:
    1. Use knowledge of words and syntax to read fluently
    2. Recognize unique features and stylistic elements, then demonstrate understanding of how they communicate meaning
  2. Writing: Gather and organize ideas, then express them either in handwriting or by typing
  3. Listening:
    1. Listen in order to understand, then extend understanding by connecting ideas to own knowledge, experience or insights
    2. Identify strengths and reflect on strengths and weaknesses as a listener

Arabic Grammar

  • Textbook: Mulhatul Irab ملحة الإعراب
  • Duration: 2 parts (approximately 10 months)
  • Mulha is an Arabic poem that broadly covers topics in Arabic grammar, such as:
    • باب معرفة الاسم, باب معرفة الفعل, باب معرفة الحرف
    • فصل في الاسماء الستة المعتلة المضافة, فصل في الاسماء المنقوصة, فصل في الاسماء المقصور
    • باب المبتدأ والخبر, باب الاشتغال, باب الفاعل
    • باب الحال, باب التمييز, أساليب المدح والذم, باب كم الإستفهامية, باب الحال, باب التمييز, اساليب المدح والذم, باب كم الإستفهامية
  • Specific objectives:
    • Analyze texts and explain how specific grammar elements contribute to meaning
    • Recognize unique features and stylistic elements used in Arabic grammar books
    • Improve process of vocabulary acquisition

Fiqh of the Pillars of Islam

  • Textbook: Tanbeehul Faqeeh تنبيه الفقيه وتفقيه النبيه
  • Duration: 2 parts (approximately 10 months)
  • Tanbeeh is an organized collection of fiqh positions according to the majority. The chapters covered correspond to the pillars of Islam:
    • كتاب الطهارة
    • كتاب الصلاة
    • كتاب الزكاة
    • كتاب الصيام
    • كتاب الحج
  • Specific objectives:
    • Understand the methodology of studying Fiqh
    • Understand the majority positions regarding the pillars of Islam and the evidences for them
    • Recognize unique features and stylistic elements used in Arabic Fiqh books
    • Gain appreciation for differences of opinion in the study of Fiqh

Tafsir

  • Textbook: Tafsir ibn Kathir (Surah Yusuf) تفسير سورة يوسف من تفسير ابن كثير
  • Duration: 1 parts (approximately 5 months)
  • Tafsir ibn Kathir is one of the main sources of exegesis of the Qur’an. The explanation of Surah Yusuf will be read in the class.
  • Specific objectives:
    • Understand the words and syntax of Surah Yusuf
    • Recognize unique features and stylistic elements used in Arabic Tafsir books
    • Extend understanding by connecting ideas to own knowledge, experience or insights

Hadith

  • Textbook: Irabul Arba’een Hadithan AnNawawiyya إعراب الأربعين حديثًا النووية
  • Duration: 1 parts (approximately 5 months)
  • The 40 Hadith of Imam AnNawawi is one of the most extensively studied compilations of hadith. The Ir’ab of the 40 Hadith will be studied using the textbook while the explanation will be provided by the teacher.
  • Specific objectives:
    • Understand the words and syntax of the 40 Hadiths
    • Recognize unique features and stylistic elements used in Arabic Hadith books
    • Improve process of vocabulary acquisition

Balagha

  • Textbook: Duroosul Balagha دروس البلاغة
  • Duration: 1 parts (approximately 5 months)
  • Balagha is the study of the art of communication and rhetoric. The following topics will be studied:
    • علم البيان: التشبيه, المجاز, الاستعارة, الكناية
    • علم المعاني: الخبر والإنشاء, الذكر والحذف, التقديم والتأخير, الاطلاق والتقييد, القصر, الوصل والفصل, الإيجاز
    • علم البديع: المحسنات المعنوية, التورية, الطباق
    • المحسنات اللفظية: الجناس, السجع
  • Specific objectives:
    • Analyze and explain how specific rhetorical elements contribute to meaning
    • Recognize unique features and stylistic elements used in Arabic Balagha books
    • Identify strengths and reflect on strengths and weaknesses of speech

Seerah

  • Textbook: AlKhulasa الخلاصة البهية في ترتيب أحداث السيرة النبوية
  • Duration: 1 parts (approximately 5 months)
  • Seerah is the study of the life of the Prophet (S). The following topics will be studied:
    • مراحل دراسة السيرة
    • من البعثة إلى الهجرة
    • السنة الأولى من الهجرة إلى السنة الحادية عشرة للهجرة
  • Specific objectives:
    • Understand the timeline of major events in the life of the Prophet (S)
    • Recognize unique features and stylistic elements used in Arabic Seerah books

What We Provide

We provide a comprehensive online learning experience our students:

  • Live online classes conducted through Zoom
  • Arabic books taught in the class in PDF
  • Live class notes typed by instructor in class
  • Video recording of each class
  • Student community group

Instructor

Sh Muhammad Helmi is a graduate of the University of Alexandria from the Faculty of Adab. He has taught students of all ages from all over the world for the last 15 years; 3 years at Qortoba Institute and 12 years privately. He is an expert in Arabic grammar, poetry and literature.

Sh Muhammad teaches Foundations and Advanced Islamic Studies at Qutoof Academy. Born, raised and residing in Alexandria, Egypt, he enjoys reading in his spare time.