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ISL840

Mutazilism And Ash’arism (Reason And Revelation)

  • Arts
  • 800 level
  • 3 credit units
  • 83 pages
  • 7 units

This course explores Mutazilism and Ash'arism, delving into the interplay between reason and revelation in Islamic theology. It examines early Islamic sects, their ideologies, and the historical development of theological thought. Key topics include revelation, taqlid, tauhid, determinism, predestination, and the concepts of reward and punishment. The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of different schools of thought within Islamic theology and their impact on Islamic intellectual history.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
156 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

ISL840 · UNIT 1 REVELATION MEANING, MODES AND ISLAMIC THEOLOGY

It emphasized reason and rational thought, positing that the injunctions of Allah are accessible to rational thought and inquiry and that the Qur‘an, albeit the word of Allah, was created rather than uncreated, which would develop into one of the most contentious questions in Islamic theology.

What you should be able to do

  1. Explain the meaning and modes of revelation in Islam
  2. Identify and describe the major early Islamic sects and their ideologies
  3. Discuss the significance of *taqlid* in Islamic law
  4. Explain the concept of *tauhid* and its different types
  5. Analyze the concept of determinism in the Quran and Hadith
  6. Compare and contrast different views on predestination in Islamic theology

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Religious Teacher
  • Islamic Scholar
  • Theologian
  • Religious Affairs Consultant
Where it is applied
  • Religious Organizations
  • Educational Institutions
  • Research Institutes
  • Government Agencies (Religious Affairs)

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 3:

    Unit 2: the concept of predestination; the Qadarites, the Murji'ites, the Jabarites, the Mu'tazilites and the Ash'arites

    The unit requires understanding complex theological arguments and philosophical concepts related to free will and divine decree.

  • Module 3:

    Unit 3: the theory of reward and punishment and the effects of free will.

    The unit demands a deep understanding of various theological perspectives on divine justice and human responsibility.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 74 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1:
    • Unit 1: Revelation meaning, modes and position in Islamic theology. · 4 hours

      Define revelation, its modes, and its significance.. Explore relevant Qur'anic quotations.. Understand the concept of Islamic theology (*Aqidah*)..

  2. Week 2Module 1:
    • Unit 2: early sects and their ideologies in theology. · 4 hours

      Understand the historical development of various Islamic sects.. Identify the various Islamic sects and their ideologies.. Note the differences between the various sects..

  3. Week 3Module 2:
    • Unit 1: The origin and application of *taqlid* · 4 hours

      Explain the meaning of *taqlid*.. State the significance of *taqlid*.. Understand the Sunni and Shia perspectives on *taqlid*..

  4. Week 4Module 2:
    • Unit 2: *Tauhid* significance and types · 4 hours

      Explain the meaning of *tauhid*.. State the different types of *tauhid*.. State the significance of *tauhid*..

  5. Week 5Module 3:
    • Unit 1: Determinism in the Quran and Hadith · 4 hours

      Understand the meaning of determinism.. Understand the incorrect interpretations of the Qur'an concerning determinism.. Explore the philosophical and theological views of determinism..

  6. Week 6Module 3:
    • Unit 2: the concept of predestination; the Qadarites, the Murji'ites, the Jabarites, the Mu'tazilites and the Ash'arites · 5 hours

      Understand the concept of predestination.. Compare and contrast the views of the Qadarites, Murji'ites, Jabarites, Mu'tazilites, and Ash'arites.. Analyze the implications of predestination on human responsibility..

  7. Week 7Module 3:
    • Unit 3: the theory of reward and punishment and the effects of free will. · 5 hours

      Define reward and punishment in Islamic theology.. Discuss the conditions for receiving reward.. Explore the concept of divine grace and entitlement..

  8. Week 8Module 1:
    • Unit 1: Revelation meaning, modes and position in Islamic theology. · 4 hours

      Review Module 1 Units 1 and 2. Complete TMA 1.

    • Unit 2: early sects and their ideologies in theology. · 4 hours

      Review Module 1 Units 1 and 2. Complete TMA 1.

  9. Week 9Module 2:
    • Unit 1: The origin and application of *taqlid* · 4 hours

      Review Module 2 Units 1 and 2. Complete TMA 2.

    • Unit 2: *Tauhid* significance and types · 4 hours

      Review Module 2 Units 1 and 2. Complete TMA 2.

  10. Week 10Module 3:
    • Unit 1: Determinism in the Quran and Hadith · 4 hours

      Review Module 3 Units 1, 2, and 3. Complete TMA 3.

    • Unit 2: the concept of predestination; the Qadarites, the Murji'ites, the Jabarites, the Mu'tazilites and the Ash'arites · 4 hours

      Review Module 3 Units 1, 2, and 3. Complete TMA 3.

  11. Week 11Module 3:
    • Unit 3: the theory of reward and punishment and the effects of free will. · 4 hours

      Review Module 3 Units 1, 2, and 3. Complete TMA 3.

  12. Week 12Module 1:
    • Unit 1: Revelation meaning, modes and position in Islamic theology. · 8 hours

      Comprehensive course review.. Focus on key concepts and definitions.. Prepare study notes..

  13. Week 13Module 2:
    • Unit 2: *Tauhid* significance and types · 8 hours

      Final revision and exam preparation.. Practice answering past questions.. Review all TMAs..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create a detailed study schedule allocating specific time for each module and unit.
  • Summarize the key concepts and arguments of each Islamic sect discussed in the course.
  • Compare and contrast the different perspectives on predestination, determinism, reward and punishment.
  • Practice answering past examination questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format.
  • Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and incorporate feedback into your study notes.

Questions students ask about this course

What is ISL840 about?

This course explores Mutazilism and Ash'arism, delving into the interplay between reason and revelation in Islamic theology. It examines early Islamic sects, their ideologies, and the historical development of theological thought. Key topics include revelation, taqlid, tauhid, determinism, predestination, and the concepts of reward and punishment. The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of different schools of thought within Islamic theology and their impact on Islamic intellectual history.

How many units does ISL840 have?

ISL840, Mutazilism And Ash’arism (Reason And Revelation), has 7 units across 3 modules, over 83 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is ISL840?

ISL840 carries 3 credit units, at 800 level in Arts.

Is ISL840 hard?

ISL840 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.

How long does ISL840 take to study?

About 156 hours of study, spread across its 7 units.

How is ISL840 assessed?

ISL840 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with ISL840?

Religious Teacher, Islamic Scholar, Theologian and Religious Affairs Consultant.

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