This course introduces students to the core beliefs of Islam through the framework of Islam, Īmān, and Iḥsān as outlined in the Hadith of Jibrīl. Grounded in classical Sunni theology, students explore the six pillars of faith and key concepts such as tawḥīd, prophecy, and Divine decree. Emphasis is placed on understanding creed as a foundation for worldview, character, and spiritual growth.

This course offers a chronological and thematic study of the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ life, examining major events alongside the development of the sīra tradition. Students explore key sources, narrative methods, and the integration of sīra with hadith, law, and ethics. Emphasis is placed on understanding the Prophet’s ﷺ enduring legacy and the role of sīra in shaping Muslim identity, spirituality, and community across time.

This course surveys the rich diversity of Quranic interpretation across classical, spiritual, linguistic, and modern reformist traditions. Students engage with works by scholars such as al-Ṭabarī, al-Tustarī, and contemporary voices, including women’s exegesis. Emphasis is placed on understanding tafsīr methodologies, historical development, and the evolving role of interpretation in responding to social and theological contexts.

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to Islamic worship (ʿibādāt) through the Shāfiʿī school of law, covering purification, prayer, fasting, zakat, and pilgrimage. Students study legal rulings alongside spiritual purpose, gaining practical fluency in applying Shāfiʿī fiqh. Emphasis is placed on integrating ritual into daily life with awareness, reverence, and confidence in the broader context of Islamic legal tradition.

This course introduces the principles of tajwīd, the science and art of Quranic recitation, emphasizing linguistic precision and spiritual depth. Students study articulation points, phonetic rules, and recitational aesthetics while developing critical listening and analytical skills. Focus is placed on understanding tajwīd as both a technical discipline and a devotional practice, accessible to learners at all levels. Students will practice correct recitation.

This course introduces students to the science of hadith, focusing on its historical development, compilation, and authentication. Students explore major collections, key compilers, and the technical tools of muṣṭalaḥ al-ḥadīth, including isnād analysis and classification. Emphasis is placed on developing hadith literacy, evaluating authenticity, and understanding the ongoing role of hadith in Islamic law, ethics, and spirituality.

This course introduces the principles of Uṣūl al-Fiqh, the methodology behind Islamic legal reasoning. Students explore the sources of Islamic law, interpretive tools, and the ethical framework guiding jurists in deriving rulings. Emphasis is placed on the structure, adaptability, and intellectual depth of the legal tradition, providing a foundation for understanding Islamic jurisprudence and ethical decision-making.

This course introduces fiqh al-muʿāmalāt, the Islamic jurisprudence of social transactions and human conduct. Students explore legal rulings related to family, finance, ethics, and public life, grounded in values of justice, trust, and stewardship. Through classical sources and contemporary case studies, the course equips students to apply Islamic legal principles to real-world ethical challenges.

This course examines the essential contributions of women to the development of civilizations across time, cultures, and systems. Through historical case studies and futures thinking, students explore women’s roles in scholarship, activism, art, governance, and cultural preservation. Emphasis is placed on intersectionality, resilience, and visionary leadership, inviting students to reimagine history and the future through a gender-conscious, justice-centered lens.

This course explores tajdīd—the Islamic tradition of renewal—as a model for ethical, future-facing leadership. Students examine historical figures of reform and study the conditions that give rise to transformative change. Through systems thinking, futures studies, and Islamic scholarship, students learn to navigate crises with clarity, preserve core values, and design adaptive leadership strategies rooted in prophetic and reformist legacies.

This course explores the theory of maqāṣid al-sharīʿa, focusing on how Islamic law seeks to preserve essential human interests and promote justice and well-being. Students study classical formulations, key jurists, and contemporary applications in fields such as ethics, governance, and environmental justice. Emphasis is placed on integrating maqāṣid into legal reasoning and ethical decision-making in today’s world.

This course explores the linguistic and historical features of the Quran and hadith as foundations of Islamic tradition. Students examine the language, structure, and stylistic elements of Quranic and hadith texts, alongside methods of preservation, transmission, and interpretation within Islamic intellectual history. Emphasis is placed on reading original Arabic sources and understanding the grammatical, textual, and historical dimensions of these sacred texts.

This advanced course examines theological schools and debates beyond Sunni orthodoxy, including the Muʿtazila, Khawārij, and Shīʿa traditions. Students analyze doctrinal disputes, historical contexts, and philosophical influences that shaped Islamic theology. Emphasis is placed on academic rigor, historical sensitivity, and understanding the diversity and development of theological thought in both classical and contemporary settings.

This course explores the Islamic science of spiritual development through the traditions of tazkiya, taṣawwuf, and the Prophetic model of iḥsān. Students examine key concepts such as the states of the heart, intention, presence, and spiritual companionship, while tracing the historical evolution of Sufi thought and practice. Emphasis is placed on integrating classical texts, personal reflection, and critical engagement to foster a spiritually grounded, ethically conscious life.

This capstone course is the final academic milestone for students majoring in Islamic Teachings and Traditions. Through a research project or applied initiative, students will synthesize their study of Islamic thought, historical traditions, and contemporary challenges to demonstrate their ability to apply Islamic knowledge toward personal growth, community leadership, and positive cultural change.