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Decoding Islamic Epistemology : Traditions, Texts, and Truths ~ Sisters


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Enrolment for this course is currently closed.

Decoding-Islamic-Epistemology

About The Course

“Decoding Islamic Epistemology: Traditions, Texts, and Truths” is an enlightening course that delves into the philosophical study of knowledge, specifically within the Islamic tradition. Spanning ten comprehensive sessions, the course is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of religious epistemology, with a special focus on its Islamic dimensions. Participants will explore a variety of topics, including the introduction to religious and Islamic epistemology, the dynamics within communities of knowers, historical knowledge, Kalam epistemology, and the interplay between natural theology and Islamic epistemology. The course also covers Fitra-based epistemology, contemporary issues in Islamic epistemology, hermeneutics, and the significance of Islamic religious epistemology in Da’wa. This course is ideal for individuals interested in philosophy, theology, and religion, and it welcomes learners at all levels of prior knowledge.

Course Team

Ustadh Safaruk Chowdhury
Ustadh Safaruk Chowdhury (Humanities Team and IB Theory of Knowledge Coordinator, Tutor in History and Religious Studies)
Ustadh Jamie Turner
Ustadh Jamie Turner (Doctoral researcher at the Centre for Philosophy of Religion, University of Birmingham)

At A Glance

  • 10+ Live Online Sessions 10+ Live Online Sessions
  • Duration: 4 Months Duration: 4 Months
  • Sundays, 3 PM - 4:30 PM (London, UK) Sundays, 3 PM - 4:30 PM (London, UK)
  • Video Recordings Available Video Recordings Available
  • Access to Mobile App Access to Mobile App
  • Certificate Certificate
  • From £17.49/Month (For 4 Months) From £14.99/Month (For 9 Months)

Enroll Now

  • Starts on 4th February, 2024
  • Course Fee:
    Pay in Full: £79.99 £59.99
    Pay in 4 Installments: £14.99 per month
  • Registration Deadline: 3rd February, 2024

Al Balagh Scholarship

AlBalagh Scholarship is available for learners who cannot afford the fee. Learn More and Apply

Course Overview

  • In-Depth Exploration: “Decoding Islamic Epistemology: Traditions, Texts, and Truths” takes participants on a profound journey into the intricate realm of Islamic epistemology through a series of ten engaging sessions.
  • Foundational Insights: Beginning with an introduction to religious epistemology, the course sheds light on its pivotal role in the modern Islamic context, emphasizing its significance in Da’wa – the propagation of Islamic teachings.

Learning Objectives

  • Understanding Religious Epistemology: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the foundational concepts of religious epistemology and its crucial role in contemporary Islamic thought and practice.
  • Exploring Qur’anic Perspectives: Delve into the Qur’anic perspective on knowledge, examining how Islamic teachings view the acquisition, dissemination, and application of knowledge within the context of the sacred text.

Learning Outcomes

  • Deeper Understanding: By the conclusion of the course, students will have acquired a profound understanding of the nature, ideas, and sources that underpin religious knowledge in a general context, with a specific focus on how these concepts manifest within the rich tapestry of Islamic tradition.
  • Comparative Analysis: Students will develop a framework for critically evaluating and comparing various religious epistemologies. This skill set will empower them to discern the nuances and unique aspects of Islamic epistemology in relation to other religious traditions.

Here is the course outline:

Welcome Aboard: Course Introduction

Spanning ten comprehensive sessions, the course is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of religious epistemology, with a special focus on its Islamic dimensions.

Session 1 - Introduction to Religious Epistemology

What is Religious Epistemology (definition, outline) Why Religious Epistemology is Important (pressures from science, rationalism) Introducing Analytic Religious Epistemology (fideism, evidentialism, reformed) Islamic Analytic Epistemology (emerging field, outlines, key questions, directions, future prospects, relevance)

Session 2 - Introducing Islamic Epistemology

What is Islamic epistemology (definition, outline) Qur’anic Vocabulary and Perspective on Knowledge (aims, outcomes, sources) Key Qur’anic Epistemological Ideas (signs/portents [ayat], knowledge [‘ilm], authority [hujja], proof/demonstration [burhan], evidence [dalil], testimony [khabr], wisdom [hikma], intuition (hads), inspiration [ilham], fitra) The Role of the Prophet Muhammad as the Paradigm Exemplar of Knowledge and as Knower

Session 3 - Natural Theology and Islamic Epistemology

What is Natural Theology Knowledge of Allah (reason, revelation, fitra) Role of Proofs and Evidence in Belief in Allah Nature as Pointer or Set of Signs to Allah

Session 4 - Fitra-Based Epistemology

The Fitra (different views from Qur’an & Hadith) Ibn Taymiyya and the Fitra Classical Kalam Epistemology vs. Fitra-based epistemology Models of Fitra-based epistemology (Turner, Chowdhury)

Session 5 - Kalam Epistemology

Foundationalism & Evidentialism Sources of Knowledge Kalam Epistemic Stock (core terms) Epistemic Degrees (shakk, zann, ghalabat al-zann, yaqin)

Session 6 - Communities of Knowers

Dynamics of Group Belief (the Companions, Scholarly communities [madhhabs], Sufi fraternities [turuq]). Normativity and Group Knowledge (how are believers positioned to construct true knowledge) Social Isolates and Knowledge of God (Hayy b. Yaqzan) Peer Disagreement (ikhtilaf, khilaf, tanaqud, tarjih)

Session 7 - Contemporary Issues in Islamic Epistemology

Islamic Virtue and Vice Epistemology Allah's Unknowability and Ineffability Sufi Epistemology Spiritual Perception

Session 8 - Historical Knowledge

Testimonial Knowledge The Objectivity Problem The Possibility of Historical Knowledge The Epistemic Rigour of the Science of Hadith Transmitters (‘ilm al-rijal)

Session 9 - Islamic Epistemology and Hermeneutics

What is Hermeneutics (assumptions and principles) The Access Problem of Authorial Intent Epistemology and Methodology of the Scientific Method Islamic Scientific Hermeneutics (principles and problems)

Session 10 - Islamic Religious Epistemology and Da’wa

Understanding the basis of Islamic religious beliefs Evaluating arguments for and against Islamic religious beliefs Responding to objections to Islamic religious beliefs Comparing different religious beliefs

Completion

The following certificates are awarded when the course is completed:

COA_Decoding Islamic Epistemology
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