quranclasssciences

112 Qur'anic Sciences

Syllabus

Textbook information

Supplementary Materials information

Audiotapes information

Student feedback

Other resources

Syllabus

Qur'anic Sciences - EBA 112 Fall Semester 2001 9/15/01 - 12/15/01

Course Outline:

Definitions of the basic terms related to the science of the Qur'an. Other subjects covered will be the revelation, collection, and writing of the Qur'an; ahruff and qira'aat, muhkam and mutashabih, abrogation, tafseer and translations of the Qur'an; as well as the Orientalists' thought and literature.

Course Objectives:

Introduce the basics of the history of the Qur'an and highlight the Ummah's utmost care and sincere efforts in preserving it.
Detial the elements comprising the Sciences of the Qur'an.
Direct the student to the best ways of understanding and benefiting from the Qur'an.
Demonstrate the miraculousness of the Qur'an.
Discuess recent and modern Western scholarship related to the Qur'an.

Course Material:

An Introduction to the Sciences of the Qur'an, by Yasir Qadhi. Al-Hidaayah Publishing and Distributing, 1999.

The Sciences of Qur'an, by Ali at-Tamimi
6 audio taped lectures, by Ali at-Tamimi
Selected ahadeeth supplements from the Instructor.

The student is responsible for all of the above material. You are required to listen to the taped lectures, read the textbooks and comprehend the topics discussed. The use of the suggested readings lited below and/or any additional scholarly material on the topics of this course is encouraged.

An Introduction to the Principles of Tafseer, by Ibn Taymiyyah

Usool at-Tafseer, by Bilal Philips.

How to Approach and Understand the Qur'an. By. J. Zarabozo

Introduction to understanding the Qur'an, by S. A. A. Maududi.

Exam Schedule:

EXAM	DUE TO STUDENTS	DUE TO INSTRUCTOR	MATERIAL COVERED	% OF GRADES
Written Exam	October 25, 2001	October 30, 2001	Intro. To the Sciences of the Qur'an: Chapter 1 to the end of chapter 15	60%
Oral Exam		November 10-24, 2001	The rest of the material	20%
Term Paper		December 7, 2001	See below	20%

Students are responsible for setting up oral exam schedules with their professors.

Written tests are open book, yet you will not find cut and paste questions. Questions may be of the multiple-choice type but mostly of the short essay type. I may discuss your written tests as part of the oral test, which will last from 15 to 20 minutes. Weekend hours may be arranged.

Syllabus Content:

Make sure that you listen to all taped lectures and write down any notes or questions that you may have. Most of the material presented in the main textbook is repeated in the book and lectures by at-Tamimi, but the information discussed is not exactly the same. You rare responsible for all. Please make sure you understand the definitions and the terms used throughout the course. If you have questions, contact me.

Term Paper:

Please read and follow the paper-writing-format suggested in the attached Instruction on Writing Research Papers.

If you are writing about a topic other than those suggested below, choose a topic that is related to the issues discussed in the course.
Length of the paper should be approximately 3000 words.
Before you actually write the paper, I would like to see an outline of any topic you choose which is not listed below.
Your paper should have at least four references. You may use the course material and any scholarly material you find on the Internet. But be careful not to copy material from any source. If you do, you will get a zero grade for the term paper.
Give exact reference to all quotes, and separate them from your own words. Pay extra attention to the Qur'anic verses and the ahadeeth.
Procrastination is not good. Start as early as possible. If you have any difficulty, please contact me.
Papers must be typed and double-spaced.

Suggested Topics:

The topic titles suggested in the following, as well as their outlines, are not final and should be used only as guidelines.

The Abrogation in the Qur'an

The paper may discuss, but not be limited to: Definition of the abrogation or Naskh, lexically and as a Qur'anic term, its types, the importance of understanding it and its role in interpreting the Word of Allah, Difference between it and Particularization or Takhsees, as well as discussing the different opinions of Tafseer Scholars about the nature and occurrence of Naskh.

Stages of the Collection of the Qur'an

Detailed discussion of how it took place and the different opinions that lead to it. How is that related to the preservation of the deen. The paper must include all relevant verses and ahadeeth with appropriate commentaries.

Revealed in seven modes

Full discussion of the seven languages of revelation, their meanings and how did they benefit the ummah.

Refutations of the Orientalists' doubts about the Qur'an.
General Instructions and Suggestions:

Read these instructions carefully.
Call and introduce yourself after receiving the material.
Since this is a three-credits course, you should spend at least three hours a week studying it so that you cover all the materials in 14 weeks. But work as many hours as are needed to understand and gain command of the subject. You are not just trying to get a college degree. You are a "student of knowledge," and are on the Path of Allah. Imam Muslim narrated, in the introduction of his Sahih, that Muhammad ibn Syreen said, "Ilm or knowledge cannot be gained without exhausting one's body."
Listen to all tapes first, then listen to each lecture separately and take notes and write down any questions you may have.
Be organized.
Make use of the office hours.
Ask questions.
Write your name on all pages of tests and term papers.
Keep a copy of all tests and papers.
To get your tests and papers back, send a self-stamped and addressed envelope.

Seeking knowledge is a worship of Allah and a great deed. Therefore, one should have the correct intention and be keen to do as perfect a job as possible. May Allah accept from all of you.

Supplementary materials information

The Supplementary materials are a brief set of notes that essentially follow the tapes.

The other set of supplementary materials is a collection of some ahadith related to Quranic sciences.

Audiotapes information

The audiotapes by Ali al-Timimi are an excellent resource for an overview of this class.

A brief summary of the information covered follows:

Lexical and Sharia meanings of Qur'an; an explanation of all the parts of the Shari'a definition

Lexical and Sharia meaning of 'Ulum al-Qur'an

Historical efforts to compile all sciences

As-Suyuti's efforts to compile all sciences

Contemporary efforts to compile all sciences

Religious ruling on the study of the sciences of the Qur'an

Virtues of the Quran

Verses describing the greatness and blessings of the Quran

Virtues of the Quran as mentioned in the Sunnah

Virtues of specific parts of the Quran

Names of the Qur'aan

Difference between the Names of Allah, the Prophet (SAWS), the Quran, and other objects

Some names of the Quran

Chart of the Names of the Qur'an

The Revelation of the Quran

Doctrine of Ahl-as-Sunnah wal-Jamaah about Allah's Speech

Lexical and Sharia definitions of wahy

Different ways by which the Prophet received wahy

Initial revelation of the Quran

Pause in Revelation

Different times and places of Revelation

Final revelation

Seven Modes of Quran

Why the Quran was sent down in parts

Occasions of Revelation

Definitions of Asbab al-Nuzul

Benefits of knowing Asbab al-Nuzul

Asbab al-Nuzul and the understanding of the verses.

Meccan and Medinan Revelations

Definition of these revelations

How the determination is made

Miraculous nature of the Quran

Definitions of I'jaaz

Different types of I'jaaz of the Quran

Issues about Translation

Different opinions of scholars about translation

Reviews of different translations

Collection and Arrangement of the Quran

Why study this?

Collection at the time of the Prophet SAWS

Collection at the time of Abu Bakr RA

Collection at the time of Uthmaan RA - issue of 7 ahruf

Script of Uthmaan RA

Today's mushaf

7 ahruf of Quran

Proof in hadith

Why have any ahruf?

Qiraat

Difference between qiraat and ahruf

Conditions for a recital to be valid

Naskh

Lexical and Sharia Definitions

How to know if something is naasikh/mansookh?

Different opinions of Naskh

Different kinds of abrogation

Difference between Naskh and Takhsees

Student Feedback

This is probably one of the most important classes at the AOU. There is a lot of information to go over, but inshaAllah, you will find it very useful. Shaikh Yasir Qadhi's book is very readable, Shaikh Ali al-Timimi's tapes are very explanatory, and in all, this class is put together very well.

Some people may think this class is too theoretical, but I find the reverse to be true. I found this class extremely informative and the information very valuable. Especially these days, people are looking to find ways to weaken or decrease the importance and validity of the Quran. InshaAllah, this class will equip you to deal with these issues knowingly instead of emotionally.

Other Resources

Books

Audio