Undergrad Courses
1- (GE115) The Islamic Creed (3 Cr. Hrs)
This course is designed to give students a general introduction to the foundations and pillars of Islamic Faith. The course covers the following topics: the concept, characteristics, and fundamentals of creed; the meaning, ranks and essence of faith; monotheism; a brief study of fate, faith evidence, prophets, messengers, and holy Books; the Hereafter, revelation, miracles, infallibility of prophets, belief in the holy Books, signs and scenes of the Hereafter; evidences of the resurrection and refuting accusations about it.
2- (GE423) Comparative Religion (3 Cr. Hrs)
The object of this course is to provide a comparative study for the revealed religions, al-Adyan al-Samawiyyah, (i.e. Christianity and Judaism), and for some other religions (such as Hinduism and Buddhism). This course aims also to enable the student to know the most important issues which relate to the creed and to the private legislation of these religions in comparison with Islam. Moreover, it aims to give the student an ability to compare the main issues of these religions.
3- (GE326) Islamic Sects & Doctrines (3 Cr. Hrs)
Analysis of the different groups and their fundamental differences that exist under the umbrella of Islam. An analytical and historical approach is taken, discussing various groups such as the Kharajites, the Shi’a, etc.
4- (QS201) Qur'anic Sciences (3 Cr. Hrs)
The course aims at familiarizing the student with various aspects pertaining to Qur'anic studies, such as: revelation, history of revelation, reasons for revelation, translation, inimitability of the Qur'an, manuscripts, abrogation, recitations, refuting accusations against the Qur'an, and exegesis bases.
5- (QR101) Qur'anic Recitation (2 Cr. Hrs)
This course aims to enable the student to recite the Qur'an according to all the recitation rules; development of recitation of the Qur'an; its importance in some assimilation rules, to gain and practice reciting; emphasis; lengthening of vowels; rules of "h" and "r"; qualities of sounds; names of sounds; sun letters and moon letters; the recitation rules so that they become skill; rules of the glottal stop; conjunctions and disjunction in words; lowering of vowels. Plus, help to memorize 6 Juzu of the Qur'an.
6- (QS303) Exegetes’ Manners 1 (3 Cr. Hrs)
This course aims to give a general introduction to the sources of exegesis, methods and styles of exegetes in their books of exegesis, difference between exegesis and interpretation; types of exegesis, characteristics of every school of exegesis, the best way of explaining the Qur'an, the development of exegesis in recent time.
7- (QS304) The Thematic Exegesis of the Qur’an (3 Cr. Hrs)
This course includes the definition of thematic Qur'anic exegesis and its importance in the context of other types of exegesis of the Qur'an. It highlights the most important efforts that have been paid in this field and the methodologies of scholars in these efforts. It goes further to highlight what is believed to be the best methodology in approaching this sort or type of Tafsir (exegesis / interpretation).
Finally it deals with some chosen themes as mentioned in the Qur'an.
8- (QS305) Inimitability of the Qur'an (3 Cr. Hrs)
This course discusses the concept of inimitability; morale, magic challenge and its stages in Qur'an; linguistic and literary inimitability of the Qur'an; the choice of the Qur'anic words; cohesion; coherence; scientific inimitability; difference between theories and facts; properties of legislation in the Qur'an, principles of ethics.
9- (HS103) Hadith Sciences (3 Cr. Hrs)
The course includes an introduction to Hadith; efforts of Hadith Scholars; development of Hadith studies; types of Hadith; Scholarship of Hadith; scholarly works in Hadith, chain studies, the bases of accepting and refusing.
10- (HS401) Analytic Hadith (3 Cr. Hrs)
This course aims to discuss certain accounts of the Prophet from different aspects such as: their meanings, ascriptions (chain), and words from the following books: - Sahih al-Bukhari with Fath al-Bari, 15 accounts from the following chapters: (Bad' al-Wahy, al-'Ilm, al-'Umrah and Khabar al-'Ahad). - Sahih Muslim with Sharh al-Nawawi, 15 accounts from the following chapters: (al-Iman, al-Jihad wa al-Imarah, al-Libas wa al-Zinah and Sifat al-Munafiqin). - Al-Sunan al-Arba'ah and Musnad al-Imam Ahmad, 20 selected accounts.
11- (HS307) Prophetic Tradition and its place in Islamic Legislation (3 Cr. Hrs)
This course includes an Introduction to deductive methods; studying and memorizing 30 Hadiths from the book of Subol Al-Salam and Nayl al-Awtar. The course also aims to train the student in using Hadiths in arguments in Fiqh .
12- (HS305) Hadith Authentication & the Study of Chains (3 Cr. Hrs)
This course includes the concept of Al-Jarh wal-Ta'dil , its legitimacy, importance, and the most eminent and distinguished scholars in this field. It includes the basis of rejecting and accepting the narrators in addition to studying the special terms used in this field and their influence on the final judgment on whether the prophetic saying is to be accepted or not. The course also includes how to find Hadiths in these classified books; evaluating the hadiths, books of narrative, and books of Hadith; the definition of scientific research, its bases and procedures, and how to edit manuscripts of Hadiths.
13- (HS404) Hadith Scholars’ Manners (3 Cr. Hrs)
The course includes a study of the concept of methodology: its importance and history of writing the books of Hadith; methodology of certain Scholars of Hadith, such as: al-Bukhari, Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, Abu Dawud, al-Darimi and Malik; to know and discuss the conditions of every one of them in his book. This includes an applied and comparative study to these books.
14- (JF303) Jurisprudence of Worship (3 Cr. Hrs.)
Introduction to jurisprudence doctrines; their founders and their methods of deduction; definition of Fiqh; purity; ablution; washing; types of water; menses; prayers; prayer of travelers, Friday prayer, prayers of feasts; prayer of the sick; funeral prayer. The jurisprudence of Fasting: definition; pillars of fasting; its time; I'tikaf, definition and conditions. The jurisprudence of Alms: its concept, legislation, conditions, the kinds of wealth which apply to alms, the relationship between alms, tax and ways of spending alms. The course also discusses the Jurisprudence of Hajj (pilgrimage): its concept, legislation and rules. This covers its time, kinds of Hajj, to do hajj instead of others, and the rules of Umrah.
15- (JF106) Introduction to Islamic Legislation & Jurisprudence (3 Cr. Hrs.)
Introduction to Islamic Fiqh; defining Islam; sources of legislation; properties of Islamic legislation; relationships between Islam and other religions; features and history of Islamic Fiqh; schools of Fiqh; introduction to some Scholars.
16- (JF416) Jurisprudence of Family (Islamic Law: Family) (3 Cr. Hrs.)
This course includes the definition of personal status rules, the marriage contract (its concept, importance, effects), and the methods of canceling the marriage contract (divorce, khul', separating by judgment because of apostasy or breastfeeding or disagreement between husbands, etc. The course also includes the influences of canceling the marriage contract, such as: 'iddah, descent, breast- feeding, nursing and payment.
17- (JF312) Jurisprudence of Inheritance (3 Cr. Hrs.)
The course discusses the rules of Wills: their conditions, cancellation, different Kinds; inheritance: its kinds and distribution according to Islamic legislation.
18- (JF101) Islamic Foundations of Jurisprudence (3 Cr. H.)
This course discusses the concept of the foundations of jurisprudence, the jurisprudence bases, the differences between jurisprudence and its foundations, and the linguistic fundamental bases of jurists. Also the rules of Fiqh; the effects of the legal rules, the indications (their obvious or obscure words, the implicit and explicit indications, the text and the concept, the general and special indications).
19- (JF410) Jurisprudence of Adjudication and Arbitration (3 Cr. Hrs.)
This module deals with the definition of Arbitration, the difference between it and adjudication and reconciliation, its legitimacy, its legal position and its principles which include: arbitration contract formula, parties, their capacity, contract conditions, the implications of the decline of some conditions, subjects of the arbitration; arbitration in financial deals, arbitration in civil issues, arbitration in criminal and penal cases, the arbitrator, his capacity and qualities, his authority and limitations and the expiry of his governance, the proof value of the verdict towards the dispute parties and in the eyes of the judge and the authority of the arbitrator in implementing the verdict.
20- (GE430) Jurisprudence of Transactions (Islamic Law: Commercial) (3 Cr. Hrs.)
This course aims to give the student an introduction to transaction (mu'amalat or mu'awadat) in Islam; selling and its regulations and conditions; choices and their conditions; illegal selling; profit making; usury and its conditions; renting; mortgage bails. It is also discusses companies and participations in Islam, kinds of companies, contracts of irrigation and agriculture.
21- (AR101) Arabic Syntax (Grammar) (3 Cr. H.)
In this course students will study the parts of speech including: the mabni, muarab, marfooat alasma’ such as almubtada’ walkhabar, the subject and substitute of the subject, the rules of nawasikh (superseding), conditions which cause the name to be mansoob, kinds of almafa’eel, exceptions, adverbs, distinguished, kinds of jar by addition or by jarr letters which will be identified, as well as the different uses of these letters. Also, this course teaches the scale of sarf, almujarad and almazeed, almuta’adi wallazim, the two kinds of verbs that reflect known and unknown subjects, tasgheer, nasab (lineage), ali’lal (verbs that contain vowels), and ibdal (replacement). The students will be trained in i’rab, the rhyme of Arabic words, and in tracing the origins of Arabic words through I’rab of selected suras form the Holy Quran, prophetic hadiths, and literary texts. In order
for this course to be a practical application of what has been studied in the course on Arabic Grammar, students will engage in a comprehensive study of i’rab, based on the modern method of i’rab that is currently used.
22- (AR402) Rhetoric and Statement Methods (3 Cr. H.)
This course includes an extensive study of rhetoric and its three divisions: the bayan (explanation), ma’ani (the meanings), and the badi’ (magnificent). Students will study comparison, borrowing, aliases and related issues, and will focus on the characteristics of styles, the secrets of original Arabic expression, and knowledge of the systems and regulations that are applicable to speech in the present time. Finally, they will study badi’ enhancers such as: saja’ (assonance), jinas (alliteration), tawria, and more.
23- (GE119) Prophetic Biography (Legacy of the Prophet) (3 Cr. H.)
This course includes an introduction to the study of the Prophet's biography: the sources and characteristics of the Prophet's biography; the events and episodes of the Prophet's biography from birth to death. An attempt will be made to link these events to the current reality of Muslims, so that our journey through life may be safer, as we live in the shadows of his biography (pbuh); and work to achieve our goal of being true followers of the Prophet (pbuh).
24- (GE224) The Foundations of Da'wah (3 Cr. H.)
This course discusses the main issues of Islamic Dawah, such as the meaning of Islamic Dawah, its characteristics, rules and importance. How to guide the people, the etiquettes of enjoining the doing of all that is right, and forbidding the doing of all that is wrong.
25- (GE329) Methods of Teaching Islamic & Arabic Studies (3 Cr. H.)
Training the students in the ways to teach the main sources of Islam (Qur’an, Sunnah, the Creed, the prophet legacy) for the Islamic schools’ students.
26- (GE328) Research Writing (3 Cr. H.)
This course aims to introduce students to scientific research, including: its features, divisions and types, methodology of research, and characteristics of the researcher. This course will also illustrate the most important scientific steps involved in the preparation of scientific research, including the selection of a topic, creation of a research plan, collection of material, effective articulation, how to write the introduction and conclusion, as well as the correct usage of sources and references, and creation of the indexes.
27- (GE122) The Arts of Public Speaking (3 Cr. Hrs.)
This includes: The Caller and his role, the rights of those whom are called, how to assure their faith and morals, an applied study to the main styles of the Call, such as delivering the speech of Jumu’ah, and other circles and lectures that eventually form the best preachers and callers
28- (GE412) Raising Children in the American Society (3 Cr. Hrs.)
The ways to raise children in American society and the challenges facing the parents and how to solve them.
29- (GE201) General Morals and Decorum (3 Cr. Hrs.)
The course aims to teach the student the Islamic manners and decorum.
30- (GE308) Islamic Economy (3 Cr. Hrs.)
Definition of Islamic economics; significance, objectives, sources, characteristics of Islamic economy, economic problem and how to handle them, economic doctrine in Islam, possession in Islam (types, system), possession restriction, possession duties, financial system and sources, protection of Islamic economy and protection of Islamic economy systems (hiba, weights and measures control judiciary and police).
31- (GE309) Islam in the West (History and present) (3 Cr. Hrs.)
Including the history of the Islam in west, and the current situation of them, their institutions and organizations, their duties, the challenges facing them and the future of them.
32- (GE227) International Relations (3 Cr. H.)
This course shows the development of the political society from past to present, the schools of understanding international relations, the aims of war, the different jurist schools regarding how to deal with state authority, the division of the world into Islam home and call home or Islam home and war home, rules of killing and fighting, civilians’ rules and rights, war effects, withdraw rules and conditions, contracts in Islam and their kinds and influences.
33- (GE218) Quranic Narratives (3 Cr. Hrs.)
The course discusses the concept of the (story) in Qur'an; the characteristics and goals of Qur'anic narratives; methods of research in Qur'anic stories; al- Isra'iliyat (the accounts narrated by Israelites).
The course also concentrates on how the Qur'anic Story assists in understanding the Divine bases of change, in life, soul and society. An applied discussion is required on some narratives of certain Prophets.
34- (GE410) American Political System (3 Cr. Hrs.)
The knowledge of the political system of the place in which the individual lives is an important requirement, so that the person can participate actively and effectively, as well as his community, and avoid all evil.
The course of the American political system will cover the explanation of the following topics: description of the American political system and its structure, the history of its establishment and development, the American political experience in the field of democracy and human rights, as one of the most successful and influential political experiences in the world, and the legislative and executive functions of the American system.
35- (GE203) Raising Children in Islam (3 Cr. Hrs.)
The subject of raising children in Islam is one of the most important subjects, which includes the message of Islam, and methodology, in the advancement of the individual and society alike.
The purpose of this course is to benefit from the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet, in the upbringing of generations, the correct and sound education, which depends on the approach of Allah and His Messenger, peace be upon him, as well as benefiting from the efforts of the scholars and educators in this field in establishing strong communities on strong basis.
36- (GE411) Constitution and American Culture (3 Cr. Hrs.)
It is very important for all residents and citizens of the United States to study the U.S. Constitution and the American culture to educate themselves of the system and of their rights.
This course is aimed to cover the following topics:
1. Definition and explanation of the principles of the American Constitution, which is one of the best constitutions of the world.
2. Explain the subject of American culture, especially as a distinguished culture from other cultures of the world, and its impact on global culture.
3. American history and how It is the practical application of the principles of both the American Constitution and American culture.
4. The study of American culture will not be limited to the historical and constitutional aspect, but will address more aspects of American life, such as American culture in the arts and American culture in the social, economic, health and other fields of life.
37- (GE225) Misconceptions about Islam (3 Cr. Hrs.)
This course addresses the misconceptions about Islam and teaches methods to correct them.
38- (JF208) Purposes of Islamic Law (3 Cr. Hrs.)
The course of Higher Intents of Islamic Law includes the introduction of Islamic knowledge, its history, its status among the sciences of Shari'a, the characteristics of the purposes of the Shariah, its importance in Islamic jurisprudence, especially on emerging issues, and the distinction between the types of legitimate purposes and their supplements. The course teaches the rules of jurisprudence and jurisprudence dispute; to identify the methods of uncovering the legitimate purposes through the scientific methods of this science; and to know in detail the five necessities and other necessities and purposes, such as security, justice, peace, construction, affirmation and the establishment of the right, and identify the interest and its types and the conditions of its consideration and adoption, and then the purposes and means and some applications to the jurisprudence of purposes.
39- (JF309) Rules of Jurisprudence and its Applications (3 Cr. Hrs.)
The course contains a general introduction to the definition of jurisprudential rules, their branches, types and rank, the importance of studying them, and their great impact on the mentality of the student.
40- (JF313) Jurisprudence of Sanctions (3 Cr. Hrs.)
The course will cover the following issues: General introduction on crime and punishment, the definition of each of them, their sections, the purposes of Sharia in the penal system, its characteristics, and penalties in the positive laws. The course addresses a) the misconceptions about Islam regarding Sharia, b) the conditions of application and crimes: retribution and compensation; and related issues and branches, and c) borders and solidarity in terms of their concept, nature, quantity and controls.