Tafsir al-Tahlili: Thematic Study of the Qur’an (AL2)

Description

Course Description:

Students are to cover a selection of chapters from the Qur’an while focusing on its language, grammar, structure, themes and causes of revelation and its legally binding implications.

Context:

This is the second part of the overall tafsir curriculum. The objective of Al-Tafsir al-Tahlili is to develop the student’s skill in reading and analysing various tafasir over the course of the Alimiyyah Programme.

Learning Objectives:

Knowledge and Understanding

• Knowledge of the meanings of a greater portion of the Qur’an based on knowledge of Qur’anic Arabic and vocabulary the application of Arabic grammar, and other major exegetical tools such as Tafsir by the Qur’an, and the Sunnah.
• Increased understanding of the socio-political context (asbab al-nuzul), and the legal, moral and spiritual implications of Qur’anic verses from a major portion of the Qu’ran.

Skills

• Engage with the text of the Qur’an, and major tafsir works in Arabic, and demonstrate comprehension at an advanced level.
• Understand and explain the grammatical structure of Qur’anic language i.e. do i’rab of its sentences;
• Demonstrate an accurate understanding of the basic meaning of a verse with important exegetical commentary;
• Demonstrate awareness of any discussions surrounding verses of a juristic, socio-political nature or show cotemporary relevance of verses;
• Demonstrate knowledge of how Arabic words are used in a Qur’anic context and relate that to its etymology;
• Ability to critically evaluate existing translations of the Qur’an.
• Comprehension of the laws/rulings which may be derived from the verses.
• Increased ability to contextually infer basic moral and spiritual meaning from the Qur’an for self-development and the pastoral guidance of others

Prerequisites:

Able to show understanding of basic concepts of Arabic Grammar and language. Student must also be able to read and analyse basic sentences grammatically.

Teaching and Learning Strategies:

The classes will be conducted through lectures and discussions. This will be led by both the teacher and student. All students are expected to prepare for the lessons by consulting basic commentaries before class. However there will be a 40-50% reduction of emphasis of translation in comparison to the previous year.

Course Delivery:

This course will be delivered on campus and streamed live online using an online live streaming platform called ‘Zoom’. Lessons will be recorded and students provided access to them. Further details will be emailed to students 5 days before the course commences insha Allah.

For more information on how this works, please click here.

Course Teacher: Ustadh Haaris Abdus Samad