Lahore University of Management Sciences

SS101 – Islamic Studies

Fall 2021

Instructor Aurangzeb Haneef

Room No. 229, HSS Wing, first floor, Academic Block (PDC side)
Office Hours Wed, 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, or by appointment (especially, if online).
Email aurangzeb.haneef@lums.edu.pk
Telephone (0)42-3560-8065
TAs
TA Office Hours
Course URL (if any) -

Course Teaching Methodology

• Teaching Methodology: Synchronous and live remote classes due to class size
• Lecture details: 100% live interaction lectures

Course Basics
Credit Hours 2 credit hours
Lecture(s) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week 1 Duration 1 hour and 50 min.

Course Distribution
Core Yes
Elective
Open for Student Category
Close for Student Category

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This short survey course has clearly defined aims. Conversely, this means that it has its limitations too. Its overriding aim is to introduce the
student to the academic study of Islam—Islam here denoting both a religious system, grounded upon certain normative revealed sources, as well
as a civilization unfolding over time as a complex network of cultures shaped by historical contingencies. In other words, it may be called as the
study of the Islamic Religious Tradition.

The course remains indifferent to the personal beliefs of the students, to any sectarian identity they espouse, and any doctrinal point of view they
hold. The course also does not take any sides. It aims to report, as much as possible, what has been discussed within the Islamic religious tradition

We shall begin by contextualizing this course by looking at the traditions of learning and transmission of knowledge in Muslims societies, enabling
students to understand the rationale and function of this course at LUMS in a better way. From there we shall move to the fundamental
methodological question: How does one study a given religious system? What are the scholarly tools and conceptual frameworks for exploring a
civilization radiating from a religious core? What are the limitations of an academic study of Islam? In what way is it different from the account
and conception of the believer or, in the case of cultures, of the actor? In short, how do we approach the study of Islamic religious tradition in the
modern world in a university? This question shall be at the background of all sessions in this course.
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From here we move on to a historical overview of the tradition. We look at the ‘doctrinal’ aspects including the Qur’an, and the life and person of
the Prophet (PBUH). We move to the ‘intellectual’ aspects exploring the body of text regarding the customs of the Prophet, legal/jurisprudential,
theological, and philosophical developments, and discussions in the Muslim experience. Next, we delve into the spiritual realm looking at the
mystical tradition of Sufism. We also take up a general study of aesthetics in the context of Islamic literary expressions and material culture,
particularly in the realm of literature, art, and architecture. The course ends with a discussion of Islam and Muslims in the contemporary world,
looking at the post-18th century revivalist, reformist, and modernist movements and connecting it with the 21 st century critical issues, such as
extremism and violence.

COURSE PREREQUISITE(S)

None

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Apart from the general objectives associated with a Humanities course, the course aims to achieve the following learning
objectives:
1. The students will gain a basic, yet somewhat nuanced, understanding of the formative period of Islamic civilization.
2. They would have a better historical understanding of the origins and development of the fundamental doctrines
including Qur’an, Hadith, and biography of the Prophet (PBUH).
3. They would appreciate the internal dynamism and diversity of the legal tradition in as much complexity as possible.
4. They would also learn the basics of the mystical aspects, and theological and philosophical traditions in Islam, which
are often somewhat misunderstood in the society.
5. The students will also be able to appreciate the modern context which has influenced the understanding and
manifestation of Islamic religious tradition in Muslim societies.
6. The students would be able to relate the learning on Qur’an, Hadith, Sira, and Law to some of the critical issues in
today’s Muslim societies.
7. The students will be able to distinguish between academic and a confessional study of Islam leading them to
appreciate the former and becoming interested in the subject for higher education.

Learning Outcomes
Consequently, the students would learn that
1. Islam is not monolithic.
2. Islamic religious tradition cannot be reduced to just ‘Islam’. There is a human agency involved where its ideals and
foundational texts are contextually manifested and interpreted by people.
3. Even the legal tradition, considered normative, is internally flexible, dynamic, and pluralistic.
4. Islam is actually a complex combination of a diverse Muslim experience which includes various doctrinal, intellectual,
spiritual, and cultural aspects and trends.
5. It is difficult to separate religion from culture or politics for the sake of a more complete understanding of the
religious phenomenon and its impact on the transformation of human life and culture.
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Course Assessment

Type Description Weight

Four reflections
Attendance
Mid-term assignment
Students will be required to submit reflections based on the lecture and the readings: three before 25%
and two after the mid-term assignment, of their choice. Students will be given four simple pointers
to reflect on the material. Four bests will be considered for grading.
Attendance will be marked based on presence in live sessions verified by video link. Students are 10%
required to keep their cameras on (if there is a problem, communicate to the TAs in a timely
manner). Late joining will be warned the first time and penalized thereafter with a half mark. Four
unexcused absences in the course will lead to an ‘F’ grade. A total of 6 absences (a combination
of excused and unexcused absences) will also lead to an ‘F’.
A written and take-home assignment. To be announced. 30%

Final assignment This will also be a- take-home written essay. Details to be communicated later. 35%

Policy on Harassment and Sexual Harassment

MGSHSS, LUMS, and particularly this class, is a harassment-free zone. There is absolutely zero tolerance for any behavior that is intended or
has the expected result of making anyone uncomfortable and negatively impacts the class environment, or any individual’s ability to work to
the best of their potential.

If you think that you may be a victim of harassment, or if you have observed any harassment occurring in the purview of this class, please
reach out and speak to the instructor. If you are a victim, I strongly encourage you to reach out to the Office of Accessibility and Inclusion
at oai@lums.edu.pk or the sexual harassment inquiry committee at harassment@lums.edu.pk for any queries, clarifications, or advice. You
may choose to file an informal or a formal complaint to put an end of offending behaviour.

Policy on Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

I have zero tolerance for plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty. Please refer to the Student Handbook to understand what
plagiarism is. Ignorance is not an excuse.

Examination Detail

Take home
Midterm
Assignment
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Take home
Final
Assignment

Some important resources:

1. For connectivity/internet issues, please contact IT helpdesk@lums.edu.pk

2. Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) askcaps@lums.edu.pk
3. Learning Mentoring Centre (For help in English, Math, and Class participation) Mgshss.lmc@lums.edu.pk
4. Academic Writing Lab writinglab@lums.edu.pk
5. Academic Advisors and Advising Unit for MGSHSS: undergradadvising.mgshss@lums.edu.pk
6. NOP Center nop@lums.edu.pk

Course Overview

Week/Lecture Topics Assigned Readings

1 Introduction to the Course and Contextualization of • Haneef, Aurangzeb, “Education in Muslim Societies: Learning
Education in Muslim Societies from the Past,” in Basit, Abdul, The Global Muslim
Community at a Crossroads, pp. 93- 112
Date: 18 Jan

2 Contextualization of Education in Muslim Societies • Haneef, Aurangzeb, “Education in Muslim Societies: Learning
Cont’d from the Past,” in Basit, Abdul, The Global Muslim
Date: 25 Jan Community at a Crossroads, pp. 93- 112

3 Studying the Islamic Religion and Civilization in the • Mir, Shabana, “Deploying critical distance in a religious
contemporary world academic context”
Date: 1 Feb • Tareen, SherAli, “Being more critical of a critical secular
pedagogy”
• Martin, Richard C., Heather J. Empey, Mohammed Arkoun
and Andrew Rippin, “Islamic Studies” in The Oxford
Encyclopedia of Islamic World

4 The Qur’an and its interpretation • Esack, Farid, The Qur’an: A user’s guide, pp. 78-99, 121-145
Date: 8 Feb

5 Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) • Selected passages from Ibn Ishaq. SiraturRasul Allah (Trans.
Date: 15 Feb The Life of Muhammad)
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• Afsaruddin, Asma, The first Muslims: History and Memory,
pp 1-18

6 The Hadith Tradition • Al-Shaf`i, Al-Risala, Chapter 5, pp 109-122

Date: 22 Feb • Encyclopedia of Islam 2nd Edition, Hadith.
• Abdul-Jabbar, Ghassan, Makers of Islamic Civilization:
Bukhari, pp 79-89, 117-126

7 The Islamic Legal Tradition • Readings TBA

Date: 1 March

8 Mid-Term Week
Date: 8 March

9 Islamic Philosophy, Theology, and Sciences
Date: 15 March
• Ziai, Hossein, “Islamic Philosophy (falsafa)” in Winter, Tim,
The Cambridge Companion to Classical Islamic Theology, pp
55-76
• Fakhry, Majid, Islamic Philosophy, Theology and Mysticism,
pp 1-20, 63-72

10 Sufism: Islamic Spiritual Tradition • Chittick, William, Sufism: A beginner’s Guide, Chapter 1: The
Date: 22 March Sufi Path, pp 1-21
• Handouts

11 Islamic Aesthetic and Cultural Expressions • Ogunnaike, Oludamini, The Silent Theology of Islamic Art
Date: 29 March

12 Adab: The Islamic Literary Tradition • Makdisi, George, The Rise of Humanism in Classical Islam
and Christian West, Chapter 1: Humanism in the
Date: 5 April Organization of Religious Knowledge, pp 88-96, Chapter 2:
Relation of Adab to Authority, Hadith and Law, pp 97-115
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13 Islam in pre-modern and modern South Asia • Readings TBA

Date: 12 April

14 Contemporary Issues in Muslim Societies • Readings TBA

Date: 19 April