Level I

101 Principles of Faith I     3 credits

This course focuses on the belief in Allah. It covers the existence of Allah, His Oneness, His Names and His Attributes; referring to problems that have arisen in this area due to the influence and the application of man-made laws.

Textbooks: Fundamentals of Tawheed by Bilal Philips; Supplementary readings, Jaa’far Sheikh Idris

Additional Materials: Audiotapes.

102 Principles of Faith II     3 credits

Pre-requisite: Principles of Faith I

This course focuses on the belief in the Angels, the Divine Books, the Messengers, the Last Day, and Predestination according to the teachings of the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the pious predecessors. The study will refute some of the confusions and doubts that have arisen in this area.

Textbook: Book of Eemaan (Ibn Taymiyyah) by Muhammad N. Yasin

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

111 Tajweed      2 credits

This course teaches the rules of Qur’anic recitation, enabling the recitation to be done in a way that retains the correct meaning and the rules of Arabic grammar.

Textbook: Easy Tajwid, Syed K. Husaini

Additional Materials: AOU Audiotapes

112 Qur’anic Sciences     3 credits

This course discusses the Holy Qur’an in terms of its revelation, its collection, its miraculousness, the clear and unclear ayat (verses), its style, the Makki and Maddani ayat, and other sciences of relevance.

Textbooks: An Introduction to the Sciences of the Qur’an, Abu Ammar Yasir Qadhi; The Sciences of the Qur’an, Ali Timimi, Selected Hadeeth Texts

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

113 Analytical Tafseer I     3 credits

This course studies the 30th juz’ of the Qur’an (Surah 78 to Surah 114) according to analytical methods. It covers the general meaning of the verses, the occasions of revelation, and the background; as well as authentic Hadeeth that relate to the verses.

Textbooks: Tafseer Ibn Katheer, Tr. Habib Badr; In the Shade of the Qur’an, Sayyid Qutb

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

121 Authority of the Sunnah     3 credits

This course discusses the different approaches to the Sunnah from the time of Prophet (pbuh) to today. It discusses the methodology of the Hadeeth scholars in documenting the Sunnah; and authenticates the position of the Sunnah and its role in Islamic legislation.

Textbooks: The Authority and Importance of the Sunnah, Tr. Jamaal Zarabozo; Supplementary Readings by Jamal Zarabozo

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

122 Fiqh of Hadeeth I     3 credits

This course emphasizes memorization of selected Hadeeth from Saheeh Al-Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim, to enable the student to comprehend their meanings and to begin to extrapolate some rulings from them, as well as to understand their sources.

Textbook: Fiqh of Hadith I and Selected Hadith Texts from An- Nawawi’s 40 Hadith, Jamal Zarabozo

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

141 Fiqh of Worship I     3 credits

This course studies fiqh of 'ibadah, related to issues concerned with salah and taharah. The different methodologies of the imams of the four schools of fiqh will be studied in relation to identifying proofs, deduction and inference.

Textbooks: Fiqh-us-Sunnah (Vol.1 & 2), Sayyid Sabiq

Additional Materials: Audiotapes.

142 Fiqh of Worship II     3 credits

Pre-requisite: Fiqh of Worship I

In this course fiqh of ‘ibadah is studied in relation to current issues concerning zakah, fasting, hajj and ‘umrah, examining the different methodologies of the imams of the four schools of fiqh.

Textbooks: Fiqh-us-Sunnah (Vol. 3, 4 & 5), Sayyid Sabiq

Additional Materials: Audiotapes.

143 Family Law I     3 credits

This course gives a detailed study of family law according to the Qur’an and Sunnah and the four schools of fiqh looking at the fiqh of marriage, including the pre-marital stage, weddings, rights and responsibilities within a marriage, as well as divorce.

Textbook: The Fiqh of the Family: Marriage and Divorce, Jamal Zarabozo

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

144 Fiqh of Financial Contracts I     2 credits 

This course studies the theory of contracts in Islam, looking at their definitions, pillars and conditions. It relates theory to practice in discussion of the most important transactional contracts, i.e. sale, hire, etc.

Textbook: Transactions in Islamic Law by Ala’Eddin Kharoofa

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

161 Seerah     3 credits

This course discusses the biography of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) from an authentic and scientific approach. Emphasis will be placed on the prophetic methodology of giving da'wah and deriving from this the bases of da’wah in contemporary life.

Textbook: The Sealed Nectar, Safi-ur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

181 Research Methodology     2 credits

In this course students will learn how to write successful academic papers. They will be taken through the steps of note taking, formulating the paper, writing a draft, revising it and preparing bibliographies and footnotes. They will also be made aware of some of the Islamic resources available in English.

Textbook: 10 Steps in Writing the Research Paper, R. Markman, P. Markman, M. Waddell

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

182 Computer Literacy     3 credits

This introductory course will assist students to be able to use the computer in the following areas: operating systems, application software, computer peripherals, and online resources.

Textbook: How to Use Computers, Lisa Biow & Bob Temple

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

Level II

203 Principles of Faith III     3 credits

Pre-requisite: Principles of Faith II

This course includes a concise summary of the previous two courses related to the Islamic creed. It also gives a detailed study of al-wala’ wa’l-bara according to the aqeedah of the Salaf, and a brief study about bid’ah and its consequences.

Textbooks: Islamic Belief, Abu Ja’far at-Tahawi; Al-Wala’ wa’l-Bara’, M. S. Al-Qahtani; Bid’ah, Abu Muntasir ibn Mohar Ali.

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

204 Principles of Faith IV     2 credits

Pre-requisite: Principles of Faith II

This course covers important issues related to the methodology of Ahl-al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah in aqeedah, including the foundations of correct beliefs; the goals and characteristics of Salafi da’wah; and a comprehensive study of the elements of the correct aqeedah.

Textbooks: Explanation of the Creed, Al-Barbahaaree; Scientific Basis of the Salafi Da’wah Abdur-Rahman Abdul-Khaliq.

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

205 Heresiology     2 credits

In this course the students will study some of the main deviant Muslim sects, looking at their origins, and their main beliefs based on the aqeedah of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’a.

Textbooks: Ibn al-Jawzee’s: The Devil’s Deception, Bilal Philips; The Reality of Sufism in the Light of the Qur’aan and Sunnah, Al-Madkhalee; Sunni and Shiah Perspectives on Islam, Ahmad ‘Abdullah Salamah. 

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

206 Comparative Religions     2 credits

This course will look at this subject from two very different perspectives, from that of a classical Islamic scholar Ibn Qayyim in relation to the Jews and Christians, and also from a contemporary Western academic approach to several of the different world religions. 

Textbooks: Guidance to the Uncertain in Reply to the Jews and Nazarenes, Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziah; The World’s Religions, Huston Smith 

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

214 Analytical Tafseer II     3 credits

Pre-requisite: Analytical Tafseer I

This course studies the 1st juz’ of the Qur’an (Surahs 1 to 2: 141) according to analytical methods. It explores the general meaning of the verses, the occasions of revelation, the background, as well as authentic Hadeeth that relate to the verses.

Textbook: Tafseer Ibn Kathir(Vol. I), Al-Mubarakpuri (to be paid for in two installments, i.e. once with EBB214 and then with EBC316)

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

223 Fiqh of Hadeeth II     3 credits

Pre-requisite: Fiqh of Hadeeth I

This course covers Hadeeth relevant to the Eid prayers, witr (end of night prayer), istisqa (prayer for rain), istikharah (prayer for guidance), funerals etc. Each Hadeeth is thoroughly explained and authenticated.

Textbook: Fiqh of Hadeeth II, AOU

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

224 Hadeeth Terminology     3 credits

This course studies the terminology of Hadeeth, the efforts of the muhadeetheen (Hadeeth scholars) to develop the foundations of the sciences of Hadeeth, and the rules that govern narration of Hadeeth.

Textbooks: Introduction to the Science of Hadith, Suhaib Hasan; Studies in Hadith Methodology and Literature, M.M. Azami. 

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

231 Usul al-Fiqh I     3 credits

This course gives a general introduction to the study and terminology of usul al-fiqh. It describes the shari’ah values (hukm), the pillars of the hukm, and the methods that the scholars use to interpret laws and overcome conflicts of evidences.

Textbook: Principles of Jurisprudence, Mohammad Hashim Kamali (to be paid for in two installments, i.e. once with EBB231 and then with EBB232)

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

232 Usul al-Fiqh II     3 credits

Pre-requisite: Usul al-Fiqh I

This course studies the sources of Islamic jurisprudence including the Qur’an, the Sunnah, qiyas and ‘ijma, as well as other sources; including the methodologies of the different schools of fiqh.

Textbook: Principles of Jurisprudence, Mohammad Hashim Kamali (to be paid for in two installments, i.e. once with EBB231 and then with EBB232)

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

245 Fiqh of Financial Contracts II    
2 credits 

Pre-requisite: Fiqh of Financial Contracts 1

This course gives a more detailed study of some of the more important transactional contracts, i.e. musharakah, murabahah, ijarah, salam and istina’, also a short study of Islamic investments and financial institutions

Textbook: An Introduction to Islamic Finance, Muhammad Taqi Usmani

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

246 History of Legislation     2 credits

This course studies the history of fiqh (Islamic legislation), its characteristics, origins, developmental stages, and original schools. It aims to develop familiarity with the sources of fiqh and its scholars.

Textbook: Evolution of Fiqh, Bilal Philips

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

247 Fiqh of Da’wa     3 credits

This course establishes the methodology of da’wah according the Qur’an and Sunnah, and addresses many practical points concerning da’wah in general, and particularly in relation to Western societies. 

Textbooks: Words of Advice Regarding Da’wah, Abdul-Aziz bin Baaz; How to Tell Others About Islam, Yahiyah Emerick.

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

262 History of Khalifs     2 credits

This course explores different aspects of the Islamic way of life during the era of the pious Khalifs. It highlights some insights into their exemplary characteristics, for use as role models.

Textbook: The History of the Khalifahs who Took the Right Way, Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuti

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

263 Islamic State after the Khalifs     3 credits

A brief study about the Umayyad and Abbasid states regarding the practices of ruling, the expansion of the Islamic state and the achievements in terms of knowledge, civilization, ethics, societal interaction and political relationships.

Textbook: History of Islam (Vol. I), Masud-ul-Hasan

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

Level III

310 Islamic Ethics     2 credits

This course covers important issues concerning Islamic values and characteristics, and their relationship to the Pillars of Iman and Islam, in a way that helps to build the Islamic personality.

Textbook: Muslim’s Character, Muhammad Al-Ghazali

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

316 Analytical Tafseer III     3 credits

Pre-requisite: Analytical Tafseer II

This course studies the 2nd juz’ of the Qur’an (Surah 2: 142-252) according to analytical methods. It explores the general meaning of the verses, the occasions of revelation, the background, as well as authentic Hadeeth that relate to the verses.

Textbook: Tafseer Ibn Kathir(Vol. I), Al-Mubarakpuri (to be paid for in two installments, i.e. once with EBB214 and then with EBC316)

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

317 Thematic Tafseer     2 credits

This course involves a detailed study of some papers written on different subjects, based on the Qur’an and Sunnah, in order to train the students how to collect ayat and Hadith on a specific subject to form a paper or to prepare for a talk, utilizing guidance from the whole of the Shari’ah.

Textbooks: Descriptions of Paradise and Hell from the Qur’aan and Hadeeth, Al-Shimemeri, Jihad in the Qur’an and Sunna, A. M. Humaid, Music and Singing in Light of the Quraan and the Sunnah, Mustafa Al-Kanadi 

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

327 Fiqh of Hadeeth III     3 credits

This course covers the lessons, general meaning, language analysis and rules of the fiqh of Hadeeth on such subjects as hajj, and other aspects of worship.

Textbook: Study of Hadeeth III, AOU

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

348 Family Law II     3 credits

This course looks at the Islamic law of inheritance, comparing the differing attributes of Islamic and non-Islamic wills, as well as rights related to inheritance.

Textbook: Islamic Inheritance Law, Y. Kavakci

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

349 Criminal Law      2 credits

A study of the rules of criminal law in Islam, covering the fixed punishments, retribution and discretionary punishments; looking also at the law of evidences and the Islamic penal system in contemporary Muslim societies.

Textbook: Punishment in Islamic Law, Mohamed El-Awa

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

350 Fiqh of the Islamic State     2 credits

This course covers the rules, conditions, pillars and organization of an Islamic State, giving some details about the Islamic political system based on the Qur’an and Sunnah, as well as the experience of the Rightly guided Khalifs and the trusted Islamic governors. 

Textbooks: On the Political System of the Islamic State, Muhammad S. El-Awa; The Political Thought of Ibn Taymiyah, Qamaruddin Khan; The First Written Constitution in the World, M. Hamidullah

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

351 Fiqh of Contemporary Events      2 credits

This course covers some important contemporary issues discussed from the perspective of Islamic law, showing the bases for legal rulings from the main schools of fiqh.

Textbook: Contemporary Fiqh, AOU

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

364 Contemporary Islamic World     
2 credits

This course will focus on the political, social, economic and cultural status quo of the contemporary Muslim world. It will also indicate some of the reasons for the contemporary Muslim world’s subordination to the West, in almost all the aspects of its means for survival.

Textbook: Contemporary Muslim World, Afzal Iqbal.

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

366 History of Islam in the West     3 credits

This course discusses the issue of Islam in the United States of American from a historical perspective; the diversity of the Muslims in the USA; the development of Muslim institutions; the problems Muslims encountered; the facilities given to them; the role of Muslims in serving their communities.

Textbooks: Muslims in the West: The Message and the Mission, Syed A.H. Nadwi; Islam in the United States of America, Sulayman Nyang. 

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

381 Western Philosophy     2 credits

This course will help the students understand the logical progression of philosophical problems and shed light on the work of Plato, Kant and several other western philosophers.

Textbook: Does the Center Hold? Donald Palmer

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

382 Psychology of Education     3 credits

This course addresses issues related to student’s motivation, cultural diversity, human development, and ways of knowledge acquisition, as well as methods of individual measurement and evaluation.

Textbook: To be determined

Additional Materials: Audiotapes

383 Teaching Methodology     2 credits

This course teaches the essentials for potential teachers. It includes a comprehensive look at the core methods of teaching, the qualities of an effective teacher, teaching goals and objectives, instructional strategies, classroom management, including discipline and order, as well as an overview of the assessment of student achievement. 

Textbook: The Differentiated Classroom, Carol Ann Thomlinson

Additional Materials: Audiotapes