The American University in Cairo

Department of Arab and Islamic Civilizations

ARIC3435: Introduction to Islam
Spring 2018
Instructor: Dr. Mohamed Serag
Ext:1740, Office: WALEED 2170
E-mail:mohserag@aucegypt.edu
Office Hours: M.1:00-2:00 and by appointment.

1- Course Objectives:
The aim of this course is to broaden the outlook of students with regard to Muslim societies,
history and civilization through offering them objective and systematic knowledge of the major
areas of “Islamic studies.” Though introductory in its nature, the course provides necessary
basic tools and examines primary sources in a way that helps developing understanding of the
vast areas of Islamic studies discipline that includes: Prophetic biography, Islamic jurisprudence,
theology, philosophy and mysticism from the viewpoints of various sects and schools. The
course, moreover, will bring to discussion certain contemporary issues such as Islam and gender,
democracy, relations with others.
Students should be aware of having to cross the gap between the introductory nature of this
course and the hope for deeper examination of all topics discussed in the class over the
semester. This is only possible through punctuality, participation and doing assigned readings
before coming to class.
Questions and terms to be discussed will include:
-What is the concept of Islamic studies/ Islamic civilizations?
-How was Arabia before Islam and in what way it changed?
-What are the main themes of the Quran?
-What are the sources for the study of the biography of the prophet?
-How do the following terms can be understood: Islamic governance (during Rashideen,
Umayyads, Abbasids, Ottomans, Safavids, and Moguls)
- The differences between Sunni and Shia?
-What is meant by Quranic legislation and Islamic Sheria?
-What are the basic sources for the study of Islam and how was it interpreted by different sects,
schools and groups?
-The change in the modern times and reforms: causes, horizons and impact.
-How do we understand the modern approaches with regard to: women, identity, democracy,
sectarianism, secularism and relations with others with reference to the clash of civilization
theory.

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2-Requirements:
- 1-2 page response papers answering a question based on the assigned readings of the week.
-20 minute in-class presentation of a selected topic in consultation with me. The topics and the
dates of the presentations are as follows:
1- 19/2 Formative period of Muslim community.
2- 19/3 Shi`ism and others.
3-19/4 Theology.
4-2/5 Sufism.
3-Exams:
-Mid-term exam (22/3/2018) and final comprehensive exam based on the readings and class
discussions. A study guide will be provided.

4- Contents of the course distributed over the semester:

1-Pre-Islamic Arabia (social structure, values) and the changes brought by Islam
Readings:
-Sirat IbnIshaq, translated by A.Guillaume, pp.16-40
-Crone, Patricia, Meccan Trade and the rise of Islam, Blackwell Publishing, republished by
Gorgias press Pp.102-109.

2-Basic Sources of Islamic Studies:

The Holy Quran: Message, Contents and interpretation.
Hadith: its authenticity text and chain of narrators.
Readings:
-Selected surahs (1,112,2: 254-257)
- Selected Traditions from the 6 main collections of Hadith.
-Andrew Rippin and Jan Knappert, Textual Sources for the study of Islam, PP.42-59.

3-Formative Period of Muslim Community:

Readings
-John Esposito, Islam .The Straight Path,( New York: Oxford University Press,1991) Pp.34-51)
-Peters, pp.117-120, al Tabarion the succession of Abu Bakr
- Ibn Ishaq on the constitution of Medina,pp.74-75

4- After the Death of the Prophet: Shi`ites and other sects:

Readings:
-Annemarrie Schimmell, The Shi`a and related sects, Islam, An Introduction (Albany: State
University of New York,1992) pp.91-100.

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-W.M.Watt. The Formative period of Islamic thought, One world Publication, Oxford 2002,
pp.119-125.

5-Islamic law:
Readings:
- George Makdisi “Freedom in Islamic Jurisprudence: Ijtihad and Taqlid and Academic Freedom,”
in Religion, Law and Learning in classical Islam(Great Britan:Variorum,1991pp.79-88)
-Al-Shaf`I, Al Ressala,pp. 57-81(translated by Majid Khadduri)
6-Theology and Philosophy
Readings:
-Henry Corbin, History of Islamic Philosophy ( London: Kegan Paul International,1993), pp105-
124and 153-186.

7-Sufism:
Readings:
-Ibn Tufail, Hayy Ibn Yaqzan
-Sayyed Husain Nasr, Sufi Essays (London: Goerge Allen and Unwin, 1972) pp.11-20
- Peters,pp.310-311,IbnKhaldun on Sufism-Jalal al-Din al Rumi,” “Discourse Four,” in Arberry
trans. Discourses of Rumi, London: John Murray,1961) pp.26-30.

8-Modern crisis and search for identity:

Readings:
- John J. Donohue and John Esposito, Islam in Transition pp.9-39

9-Islam and Human Rights: Readings

-Abu lA`la al Mawdudi, Human Rights in Islam (web)

10-Islam and Economics:

Readings:
-J.J Donohue and J.Esposito, Islam in Transition, pp.228-261
-Sayyed Nawab Naqvi, Ethical Foundations and Rules of Economic Behavior in an Islamic Society
in Islam, Economics and Society(London: Kegan Paul International) pp24-37.

11-Woman in Islam:
Readings:
1- A.Schimmell, My Soul is a Woman (Woman and the Prophet and Woman in The Quran
and in the Traditions)Trans. Susan Ray. Egypt, The American University in Cairo
Press1998pp.26-33,54-68.

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 2- Liberal Islam pp 107-122

12- Islam and Democracy

Readings:
Liberal Islam, pp 89-95
13-Islam and the Other:
Readings: Liberal Islam, pp. 161-168
14-Salafism:
Readings: Liberal Islam. pp196-221

Grading:
Attendance and Participation 10%
Assignments (3 response papers/ one page each) 15%
Definition of 3 terms (one paragraph long each) 5%
Group Presentations (each consists of 3 students) 15%
Term Paper (5 pages) 15%
Mid-Term exam 15%
Final Exam 25%