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T. B. Yacoubi

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.

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.

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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...

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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Iman: the 1st dimension

- 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

Summary of the Articles of Iman
Exam 3: the Articles of Iman
Islam: the 2nd Dimension

-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: the 3th Dimension

- Ihsan, known as Sufism
- Rumi and Rabi'a al 'Adawiya

Final Quiz

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a comprehensive overview of Islam, catering to beginners and those interested in learning more about the religion
Covers the essential practices and beliefs of Islam, including the Five Pillars of Islam, Six Articles of Iman, and Ihsan (Sufism)
Explores philosophical arguments for the existence of God from Muslim scholars, offering a deeper understanding of Islamic theology

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Islam, An Intensive Course for Beginners with these activities:
Translate Arabic-English Terms
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
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
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.
Four other activities
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Create a Presentation on the Five Pillars of Islam
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
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
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
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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Learners who complete Islam, An Intensive Course for Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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