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Introduction to Muslim Philosophy
Watch NowPhilosophy, also known as ḥikma or ‘wisdom,’ is the systematic attempt to understand reality through a process of rational reflection and deduction. This module provides students with a historical background of the origins and development of philosophy in the Islamic world, central philosophical themes, and the prominent philosophers. It examines the impact that the translation of Greek philosophical texts into the Arabic language had on the development of philosophical ideas amongst Muslims.
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Ḥadīth & Rijāl Studies
Watch NowThis module familiarises students with the science of ḥadith (narration) criticism and authentication, tracing the history of recording hadith all the way to the phenomenon of fabrication, and classification of different ḥadith. It also introduces them toʿIlm al-Rijāl (biographical studies) which investigates the status of narrators of hadith, how scholars go about grading reporters, and their bearing on the credibility of it.
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Introduction to Muslim Theology & Shi’i Belief
Watch NowMuslim theology is concerned with the fundamental religious beliefs that an individual must subscribe to in order to qualify as a Muslim. This module introduces students to the historical debates surrounding predestination and the nature of God which led to the development of the discipline. It then examines the rational justifications provided for classical Shi’i doctrines by ʿAllāma Ḥillī in his work Bāb Hādī ʿAshar.
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Advanced Theology
Watch NowThis module explores the central themes of Muslim theological doctrine, including the arguments for the existence of God, debates over predestination and free will, theodicy, Prophethood, Imamology and eschatology. Students will primarily engage with ʿAllāma Ḥillī commentary Kashf al-Murād fī Sharḥ Tajrīd al-Iʿtiqād. The Shi’i position is contrasted with opinions of other Muslim theological schools in order to gain an appreciation of the diversity of thought within Muslim theology.
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Qur’anic Sciences
Watch NowThis module aims to introduce students to the academic study of Qur’anic sciences by first providing a brief historical background of the Qur’anic text and its compilation. It then delves into the concept of its divine revelation, its arrangement, debates in distortion of the Qur’an, abrogation, the difference between tafsīr and taʾwīl, its miraculous nature, and many other sub-topics.
Hawza On Demand is an online platform that gives you a glimpse of the beginner and advanced level hawza studies taught at Al-Mahdi Institute. Taught by highly trained scholars, our courses combine the richness of Islamic tradition with the rigour of modern academia. Access core Islamic sciences including Arabic, Jurisprudence, Legal Theory, Theology, Philosophy and much more.