Islam, An Intensive Course for Beginners
Welcome to our introductory course on Islam. This course will take you on a fascinating journey to explore one of the world's most influential religions.
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Welcome to our introductory course on Islam. This course will take you on a fascinating journey to explore one of the world's most influential religions.
Welcome to our introductory course on Islam. This course will take you on a fascinating journey to explore one of the world's most influential religions.
You'll learn about the core beliefs of Islam and how they shape the daily lives of Muslims around the world.
The course will cover the Pillars of Islam and Iman, which are the core practices and beliefs that all Muslims are expected to follow. These include the declaration of faith, prayer, giving alms tax, fasting during Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Mecca, as well as the belief in one God, angels, prophets, holy books, the day of judgment, and fate.
Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to be introduced to Ihsan, known as Sufism, a spiritual tradition of Islam that focuses on the inward and mystical aspects of the faith.
The aspects of free will and the purpose of life will be explained as well.
You will also have access to a range of books and resources that will continue to enrich your knowledge and understanding of Islam.
Whether you're a student of religion, a curious traveler, or simply interested in learning more about Islam, this course is a must. Enroll today and join us on a journey of discovery into one of the world's most fascinating religions.
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Developing an understanding of the basic beliefs and practices of islam, including the five pillars of islam, the six articles of iman and ihsan (sufism).
- Understanding what muslims believe in.
- Offering a simplified perspective on one of the most widely debated religions in the world.
- Onthological issues like the purpose of life, predestination, free will, and life after death
- Arguments of the existence of god from muslim philosophers.
- Developing cultural competence: gaining an understanding of islamic customs, and be better equipped to communicate with muslim colleagues, classmates...
- Developing an understanding of the basic beliefs and practices of islam, including the five pillars of islam, the six articles of iman and ihsan (sufism).
- Understanding what muslims believe in.
- Offering a simplified perspective on one of the most widely debated religions in the world.
- Onthological issues like the purpose of life, predestination, free will, and life after death
- Arguments of the existence of god from muslim philosophers.
- Developing cultural competence: gaining an understanding of islamic customs, and be better equipped to communicate with muslim colleagues, classmates...
Syllabus
Introduction
- Hadith of Gabriel
- The definition of each of the dimensions of the religion: Islam, Iman & Ihsan
- Definition of a Muslim
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Syllabus
- Hadith of Gabriel
- The definition of each of the dimensions of the religion: Islam, Iman & Ihsan
- Definition of a Muslim
- Who is Allah?
- How do the Muslims know God?
- The 99 names of God
- Some arguments for the existence of God according to Muslims philosophers
Five arguments for the existence of Allah as used by Mutakkalimun and Muslim philosophers, such as Ibn Sina and al-Farabi.
- Who are the angels?
- The story of human creation: Adam and Eve in paradise
- The human free will
- Why humans are created?
- The purpose of life
- Human vs. Jinn vs. Angel
- Satan (Ibliss)
- The problem of evil
- The definition of the day of judgment
- The concept of human responsibility, reward, and punishment
- Life after death and life on earth
- The prophets mentioned in the Qur'an
- Who are the prophets?
- Why do we have prophets?
- Why do we have many religions?
- The prophet Muhammad
- Sanctifying the prophets?
- The 5 holy scriptures Muslims believe in: Torah, Bible, Psalms, Scrolls and the Qur'an.
- What makes the Qur'an special?
- The oldest copies of the Qur'an
- Who is the Imam?
- Qur'an recitation (tajweed)
- Definition of Qadar
- Are humans predestinated or have free will?
- The problem of evil
-The 5 pillars of Islam: Profession of Faith (shahada), Prayer (salat), Alms tax (zakat), Fasting (sawm), Pilgrimage (hajj)
- The shahada
- Salat in Arabic
- The time of the 5 daily prayers
- Ablution and facing mecca
- The movements of the prayer
- The types of prayer: salat & du'a
- The importance of the 5 daily prayers
- Equality in front of God
- The definition of zakat
- How much is the zakat?
- Horizontal vs. vertical relationship
- The definition of the month of Ramadan and fasting Ramadan
- Who should not fast?
- The triple function of Ramadan
- The spiritual virtue of Ramadan
- The lunar Muslim calendar
- Definition
- What is Ka'ba? (the black cubic building)
- An insight into the performed rituals during hajj
- Ihram; the hajj clothing etiquette
- Ihsan, known as Sufism
- Rumi and Rabi'a al 'Adawiya
Good to know
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Activities
Translate Arabic-English Terms
Show steps
Enhance understanding of Arabic terminology and improve language skills by translating words and phrases.
Show steps
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Compile a list of Arabic-English terms relevant to the course content.
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Practice translating the terms from Arabic to English and vice versa.
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Review and correct translations for better comprehension.
Watch Online Lectures on Islamic History and Culture
Show steps
Gain a deeper understanding of Islamic history and culture by following guided online tutorials.
Show steps
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Find a series of online lectures on Islamic history and culture.
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Watch the lectures and take notes.
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Reflect on the content of the lectures and how it applies to your life.
Summarize Hadith of Gabriel
Show steps
Summarize the Hadith of Gabriel to develop an understanding of the basic beliefs of Islam, including the Five Pillars of Islam.
Show steps
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Read the Hadith of Gabriel.
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Write down the main points of the Hadith.
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Summarize the main points of the Hadith in your own words.
Four other activities
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Create a Presentation on the Five Pillars of Islam
Show steps
Develop an understanding of the Five Pillars of Islam and how they are practiced.
Show steps
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Research the Five Pillars of Islam.
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Create a presentation that explains the Five Pillars of Islam and how they are practiced.
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Present the presentation in class.
Create a Timeline of Islamic History
Show steps
Develop a strong understanding of Islamic history by creating a timeline of significant events.
Show steps
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Research and gather information about important events in Islamic history.
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Create a timeline that presents the events in chronological order.
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Label and describe the events on the timeline.
Read and Understand the Quran
Show steps
Develop an understanding of the Quran and its teachings.
View
The Study Quran
on Amazon
Show steps
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Read the Quran in Arabic or a translation of your choice.
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Understand the meaning of the Quran by reading commentaries and interpretations.
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Reflect on the meaning of the Quran and how it applies to your life.
Volunteer at a Mosque or Islamic Community Center
Show steps
Experience Islam firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of its teachings by volunteering in the community.
Browse courses on
Islam
Show steps
-
Find a mosque or Islamic community center.
-
Get involved in volunteer opportunities.
-
Meet and interact with Muslims and non-Muslims.
Translate Arabic-English Terms
Show steps
Enhance understanding of Arabic terminology and improve language skills by translating words and phrases.
Show steps
- Compile a list of Arabic-English terms relevant to the course content.
- Practice translating the terms from Arabic to English and vice versa.
- Review and correct translations for better comprehension.
Watch Online Lectures on Islamic History and Culture
Show steps
Gain a deeper understanding of Islamic history and culture by following guided online tutorials.
Show steps
- Find a series of online lectures on Islamic history and culture.
- Watch the lectures and take notes.
- Reflect on the content of the lectures and how it applies to your life.
Summarize Hadith of Gabriel
Show steps
Summarize the Hadith of Gabriel to develop an understanding of the basic beliefs of Islam, including the Five Pillars of Islam.
Show steps
- Read the Hadith of Gabriel.
- Write down the main points of the Hadith.
- Summarize the main points of the Hadith in your own words.
Create a Presentation on the Five Pillars of Islam
Show steps
Develop an understanding of the Five Pillars of Islam and how they are practiced.
Show steps
- Research the Five Pillars of Islam.
- Create a presentation that explains the Five Pillars of Islam and how they are practiced.
- Present the presentation in class.
Create a Timeline of Islamic History
Show steps
Develop a strong understanding of Islamic history by creating a timeline of significant events.
Show steps
- Research and gather information about important events in Islamic history.
- Create a timeline that presents the events in chronological order.
- Label and describe the events on the timeline.
Read and Understand the Quran
Show steps
Develop an understanding of the Quran and its teachings.
View
The Study Quran
on Amazon
Show steps
- Read the Quran in Arabic or a translation of your choice.
- Understand the meaning of the Quran by reading commentaries and interpretations.
- Reflect on the meaning of the Quran and how it applies to your life.
Volunteer at a Mosque or Islamic Community Center
Show steps
Experience Islam firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of its teachings by volunteering in the community.
Browse courses on
Islam
Show steps
- Find a mosque or Islamic community center.
- Get involved in volunteer opportunities.
- Meet and interact with Muslims and non-Muslims.
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