“Thus do We explain in detail the signs for a people who give thought…” (Al-Qur'ān, 10:24)

Allāh Almighty encourages us to contemplate and explore His Book – we must question ourselves, in reality, how connected are we to His Divine Words? How well do we know the Book of Allāh?

This special unit has been carefully designed for anyone who wishes to strengthen their connection with the Qur'ān by exploring its deeper meanings and guidance. Although it is not possible to explore the entire Qur'ān in sufficient depth in a short period of time, this course will provide you with a unique insight into the most commonly recited chapters, including: Al-Fatihah, Al-Ikhlâs, Al-Falaq and Al-Naas; thus, becoming a strong foundation for any future Qur'ān studies.

Your journey through the Qur'ān will consist of a distinctive blend of traditional explanations, modern linguistic analyses, spiritual insights, and stylistic frameworks, so that you can appreciate and understand the miraculous nature of this Divine Book and practically apply it to your life.

Unit Aims:

• To attach oneself to the Qur'ān and make it a means of gaining closeness to Allāh Almighty.
• To understand the meanings of certain chapters of the Qur'ān.
• To understand the miraculous nature of the Qur'ān.
• To apply a variety of frameworks including linguistic, stylistic and exegetical to the Quran.
• To evaluating our own lives in light of the Qur'ān.

What will I learn?
You will learn about:

• The meanings of Surah Al-Fatihah and other short chapters.
• Topics that effect the fabric of society and which are central to our daily lives.
• The stylistic features of Surah Al-Fatihah and other short chapters.
• The motives and purposes for the revelation of these chapters.
• Comprehensive explanations of each of these chapters.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• Understand Surah Al-Fatihah and explain key concepts in detail.
• Draw on the implications of these chapters and apply them to your own lifestyle.

Explain the spiritual benefits of these chapters.

Introduction

Allah is with you, but you choose to distance yourself from Him through the veils of sin. The more you sin, the further away you become from Allah. This course will teach you everything you need to know to answer questions like:

Why do people commit sins?
How do I stop myself from disobeying Allah?
How do I become a better Muslim?
Are my problems a direct result of my sins?
What can I do to spiritually grow stronger and increase my Iman?

Unit Aims:

• Understanding the concept of sin in religion as a whole and Islam specifically.
• Understanding the links between sin, spiritual growth, and calamities.
• Appreciating Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.

What will I learn?
You will learn about:

• Different levels of sinning.
• The spiritual ramifications of particular sins.
• The pillars of repentance (tawbah) and how to do it.
• Differences between desires of the ego and whispers of Satan.
• How to protect one’s self against disobedience to Allah.
• The root causes for sinning and how to treat them.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• Analyse various textual sources from the Quran and Hadith relating to at least 10 major sins.
• Compare the nature of sin across Islam and one other faith.
• Assess yourself and synthesise effective plans to support your own spiritual growth.
• Explain scholarly differences about the nature of sin.
• Define the different types of ego and explain how to identify your type.
• Describe the fundamental ways for purifying the heart.

Introduction

By accepting core Islamic doctrines, a person becomes a believer. These doctrines includebeliefs about Allah, angels, divine books, prophets, the day of resurrection, and destiny. It is through studying these fundamental beliefs thatwe can strengthenourfaith in Islam, especially in these testing times. This course will equip you with foundational knowledge needed to answer questions such as:

What did the Prophet (peace be upon him) teach us about Allah?
What is meant by the Speech of Allah?
What is the Islamic belief about scriptures such as the Bible and the Torah?
Why did Allah send prophets?
How many prophets and messengers were sent to mankind?
If everything is pre-destined, then why are people punished for sinning?
What will happen in the grave?

Unit Aims:

• Understanding the core beliefs of Islam.
• Understanding the nature of free-will and destiny.
• Identifying beliefs which lead to disbelief.

What will I learn?
You will learn about:

• The attributes of Allah based on the Quran and Sunnah.
• The existence of angels, what they are created from and what they were created for.
• The difference between a prophet and a messenger.
• The day of judgement, the intercession of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon) and much more.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• Explain the Oneness of Allah.
• Define the termsDivine Attributes and Divine Action.
• Describe key qualities of prophets and messengers.
• Explain the difference between the Quran and previous revealed books.
• Analyse the concept of abrogation in the Quran.

Introduction

We often hear the famous hadith that purification is half of faith. Correct purification and ablutions are the keys to prayer, because without purification, our prayers would be invalid.

Can you imagine someone who has been praying for years without learning the correct method of ablutions, (wudu), or bathing, (ghusl); there is a strong possibility that their prayers are invalid.

This 10-week unit is a comprehensive way to learn everything you need to know about purification; from wudu, wiping on bandages, and ghusl to personal cleanliness.

Unit Aims:

• Understanding the importance of purification in Islam.
• Understanding purification as a pre-requisite for worship.
• Understanding the spiritual implications of ablution.
• Understanding a range of core issues related to wudu, ghusl and female specific issues.

What will I learn?
You will learn about:

• The fundamentals of ritual ablution, bathing, and dry ablution.
• Correct etiquettes of purification based on Prophetic teachings.
• Different types of impurities and how to correctly cleanse them.
• How to avoid common mistakes pertaining to purification.
• Rules of purification for female-specific issues such as menstruation and post-natal bleeding.

What will I achieve?

By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• Explain the core fundamentals for ablutions to be valid.
• Describe the sunna method of making ablutions and bathing.
• Explain which factors necessitate bathing.
• Explain how to make ablutions during an illness.
• Explain a variety of other issues related to purification.

Introduction

Prayer, or Salah as it is called in Arabic, is the means for human beings to communicate with Allah Almighty. It is, in the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him), what distinguishes a believer from a non-believer. In fact, the importance of the 5 daily prayers can be understood from the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) saying: “The prayer is the coolness of my eye.”

The question you should ask yourself is, am I praying correctly? The Prophet, (peace be upon him) instructed us to pray just as he did. So how did he pray exactly? What if I’m running late for something; can I delay the prayer? How do I make up years of missed prayers?

This intensive and detailed unit will answer these very questions and much more. This unit has been designed to enlighten you and teach you about the outer rulings of prayers and its inner spiritual meanings so that you can pray to Allah with both body and heart.

Unit Aims:

• Understanding the significance of prayer.
• Understanding how prayer is affected by extenuating circumstances.
• Understanding the spiritual implications of prayer.
• Understanding the detailed legal rules of prayer.

What will I learn?
You will learn about:

• The fundamentals of prayer, its etiquettes, and method based on the Quran and Hadith.
• What nullifies the prayer and what to do if you forget a part of it.
• How to pray as a traveller or in a vehicle.
• The pre-requisites of prayer.
• Different types of prayers for different occasions, based on the Quran and Hadith.

What will I achieve?

By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• Describe the Prophetic method of praying.
• Evaluate the underlying reasons for some differences regarding the method of prayer.
• Explain how a traveller prays and the effects of extenuating circumstances.
• Explain how to make up missed prayers.
• Explain a variety of other issues related to prayer.

Introduction

Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam and an effective means for fostering our relationship with Allah Almighty and for enhancing our empathy of less fortunate people in the world.

Along with detailing core legal rulings pertaining to fasting, this unit also focuses on a range of contemporary questions facing Muslims around the world in relation to fasting, such as:

Does smoking invalidate my fast?

Can I use injections while fasting?

Is it true that fasts are invalidated by using inhalers?

Do I have to fast when I’m pregnant?

Unit Aims:

• Understanding core rulings pertaining to fasting.
• Identifying acts which invalidate fasts.
• Understanding the spiritual levels of fasting and how to achieve them.
• Exploring a range of modern issues facing Muslims in Ramadan.

What will I learn?
You will learn about:

• Acts which invalidate fasts and those which do not.
• The difference between expiating and making up invalidated or missed fasts.
• Moonsighting in the 21st Century and the debate surrounding it.
• The correct methods for moonsighting based on the Quran and Hadith.
• The Prophetic way of fasting and worshiping in Ramadan.
• The legal status of using injections and medicines while fasting.
• Spiritual implications of fasting.
• Practical strategies to improve your level of fasting.
• Different types of fasts.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• Explain the reasons why fasting was legislated in Islam.
• Analyse the physiological and spiritual effects of fasting.
• Explain which acts invalidate fasting and why.
• Explain how to compensate for missed or invalidated fasts.

Introduction
Zakah is a humanitarian device given to us by Allah Almighty by which we can help the poor and needy.Classical textbooks explained Zakah for their respective eras. However, the financial and zakah related issued facing Muslims in the 21st century are very different to those of the past. This unit will teach you rules which will allow you to answer questions like:

Do I need to pay Zakah on my car and my house?
Can I give zakah to my parents?
I have a mortgage; do I still need to pay zakah?
Do I pay zakah on my student finance?
I haven’t paid zakah in years; what do I do?
What are the spiritual implications of giving charity?
How do I calculate zakah by myself?

Unit Aims:

• Understanding the obligation of zakah and the conditions which necessitate it.
• Identifying the different recipients for zakah.
• Understanding the outer and innerbenefits of giving zakah.

What will I learn?
You will learn about:

• The linguistic and technical definition of zakah.
• Types of wealth for which zakah must be paid.
• The thresholds (nisab) for gold, silver and fiat money.
• The different types of recipients for zakah.
• The conditions which necessitate giving zakah.
• Circumstances where one is not required to give zakah.

What will I achieve?

By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• Explain the definition of Zakah and upon whom it is obligatory.
• Describe the different types of wealth on which Zakah is compulsory
• Assess different situations and determine whether or not an individual is required to pay Zakah.
• Apply the theory learnt and calculate whether or not the value of your wealth reaches the minimum level (nisaab).
• Explain the different types of people for whom Zakah is payable to.
• Describe scenarios where it would not be permissible to give Zakah to a certain recipient and explain why this is the case.

Introduction

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and one of the duties of every Muslim. Every person dreams to not only perform Hajj but for Allah to accept it too because the reward of an accepted Hajj is that the person’s sins are forgiven and they are restored to a state of purity;just like the day they were born. While outer rules teach you essential rites of this pilgrimage, inner rules guide you about the subtle meanings of every rite of Hajj and how to attain a state of spiritual purity through Hajj.

This course will equip you with foundational knowledge needed to answer questions such as:

Why do we circambulate the Ka’aba?
What is the meaning and purpose of wearing Ihram?

I have debt, am I still able to perform Hajj?

What is the main purpose of performing Hajj?

If I have performed Hajj previously, can I perform it on behalf on another person?

Is there an age limit for when one must perform Hajj?

What are the different types of sacrifices that can be made, does a specific animal need to be slaughtered?

I am performing Hajj with my family; will one sacrifice be sufficient for the entire family?

If I am unable to perform the stoning, is my Hajj legally valid?

Unit Aims:

• Understanding the fundamental pillars of Hajj and what is required to fulfil its obligation
• Understanding that Hajj consists of ensuring the pilgrim is present at particular locations at specific times.
• Appreciating that the pilgrimage consists of both a spiritual aspect and legal aspect.

What will I learn?
You will learn about:

• Different types of Hajj.
• The factors which make it obligatory upon you to perform Hajj.
• The essentials practicesin Hajj.
• The types of violation and the penalty which must be performed.
• The spiritual implications of travelling to Mecca, Arafa, Muzdalifa and Mina.
• Up-to-date and practical tips on having a successful journey.
• The inner dimensions and aspects of Hajj.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• Describe the different types of Hajj including.
• Explain the essential rites of Hajj.
• Discuss the rules of ihram for men and women.
• Explain the spiritual implications of each rite.
• Identifythe different supplications which are recited while performing the pilgrimage.
• Explain the penalties for violating rules of ihram.
• Identify the answer to modern issues pertaining to Hajj and ‘Umrah.

Introduction

There was a person whose humility was like the Earth and whose generosity like the Sun. A man whose speech was gentler, subtler, and clearer, than the dew which adorns meadows in the early mornings of summer. Although he walked the Earth over a millennium ago, his personality, his message, and his very essence, continue to inspire and attract over 1 billion people today.

We all know we have to love him, follow him, and imitate him if we want to pursue happiness in this world and the next. Think about it: Is any of this possible if we do not know about him? Can love for the Prophet (peace be upon him) blossom in our hearts while we remain ignorant about him, his sacrifices and life? This unit is about the early life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in Mecca. Unit FPHM2 focuses on the latter part of his life called the Medinan Period.

Unit Aims:

• Understanding the early context in which Islam emerged.
• Understanding the perfection of Allah’s Prophet (peace be upon him), even before Islam.
• Understanding the sacrifices and persecution suffered by the Prophet (peace be upon him) and early Muslims.
• Understanding the application of the Prophet’s life to the modern age.

What will I learn?
You will learn about:

• The Prophet’s birth.
• His infancy and childhood.
• The first revelation and the beginnings of Islam.
• Differentmiracles of the Prophet (peace be upon him) including his Night Journey (Mi’raj).
• The first migration of the Muslims.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• Explainearly context and social dynamics in which Islam developed.
• Evaluate different approaches to studying this subject.
• Explain how the Prophet’s life is relevant to modern times.
• Describe key events in the Prophet’s early life.

Introduction

This unit is a continuation of unit FPHM1, Chosen Prophet: Meccan Life, although it can be taken as a stand-alone unit.

After the migration from Mecca to Medina, the Prophet (peace be upon him) initiated the first Islamic government, the basis of which was mercy, tolerance, and mutual understanding.

The historical achievements of the Prophet (peace be upon him) are significant today; from his humanitarian treaties with non-Muslims to his unparalleled approach to governance, all provide a model for modern life.

In this unit, you will actively journey through key landmarks in this period of the Prophet’s life, year by year, to gradually deepen your relationship with and to draw on his life to better yours in today’s world.

Unit Aims:

• Understanding the development of the first Islamic government.
• Understanding the underlying principles behind key Prophetic decisions.
• Understanding the implications of those decisions and teachings for the modern world.
• Understanding how Islamic laws developed.

What will I learn?
You will learn about:

• The Prophet’s migration to Medina.
• Key agreements and treaties between the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the people.
• The nature of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a variety of roles, as father, spouse, leader, and Messenger.
• Differentmiracles of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
• Key events during the Medinan Period.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• Explainthe Prophet’s (peace be upon him) approach to nurturing an entire civilisation.
• Describe decisive battles and expeditions during the Medinan period.
• Analyse the narrative of the Prophet’s life to draw on its application to your life.

Introduction

The rich heritage and matchless of history of the Islamic World has intrigued Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Beginning with the Golden Age of the Prophet (peace be upon him) until our times, the Islamic World has seen the rise and fall of some of history’s most epic rulers and civilisations.

We have structured this unit so that it provides you with a holistic overview of Islam’s history, beginning with the first caliph Sayyiduna Abu Bakr right up to the Ottoman Period and into the modern age.

You will be introduced to key figures and dynasties along with their contributions to the world. It’s an intriguing tale of piety, politics, deceit, heroes, and villains which will take you across Arabia, India, North Africa, and Europe.

What will I learn?
You will learn about the:

• Rashidun Caliphate: God’s Law on Earth
• Omayyad Dynasty: Conquests and Captives
• Abbasid Dynasty: Knowledge, Wisdom, and Bloodshed
• Andalusian State: The Mediterranean Jewel
• Mameluke Dynasty: The Slave Kings
• Ayyubid Dynasty: Liberating Palestine
• Moghul Empire: At the Heart of India
• Ottoman Empire: The Gunpowder Nation

What will I achieve?
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• Chart the expansion of various Islamic dynasties across 1300 years.
• Analyse the impacts of Islam’s history on the current state of Muslims.
• Evaluate the nature of significant events, like the Crusades, from Muslim and Western sources.
• Identify the social, scientific, cultural, technological, and academic contributions of Muslim scholars from across 1300 years.

Introduction

We often hear that the first word to be revealed in the Qur'ān is ‘read’. Sacred Knowledge of the religion is special. It is different to other types of knowledge as it takes you on the path to Allāh Almighty.

Due to being unaware of the correct etiquettes concerning knowledge, many students attempt to tread this sacred path but are unable to reach their goals. Consequently, they become deprived of the fruits and benefits of knowledge. This brief but comprehensive unit will equip you with the provisions required to set out on this sanctified journey.

Unit Aims:

• To understand the importance of seeking Sacred Knowledge
• To comprehend the inner and outer dimensions of seeking knowledge
• To recognise the dignified etiquettes required when studying the religion

What will I learn?
You will learn about:

• The reality of knowledge and its virtues
• Intentions for the seeker of knowledge
• The respect for knowledge and teachers
• The respect for tools of knowledge and peers
• Suitable times in which knowledge is sought
• Obtaining benefit from knowledge gained
• Piety when acquiring knowledge
• Guidelines for studying and improving memory

What will I achieve?
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• Demonstrate the correct manners and etiquettes when seeking knowledge
• Explain the importance and virtues of Sacred Knowledge
• Practically implement the higher purposes of seeking knowledge