Diploma in Islamic Studies

This Diploma programme offers a broad and flexible syllabus which allows students to gain a deep understanding of traditional Islamic scholarship in its various manifestations as well as contemporary Islamic thought. The degree will enable students to appreciate the diversity of Islamic intellectual discourses past and present.  Students will engage with the study of Qur’an and Hadith . They will also engage with Islamic history and the foundations of the Shari‘a. In addition, students will focus on the main branches of Islamic scholarship such as law and legal theory, theology, Sufism, and Qur’anic exegesis (tafsir).  Students also will engage with the contemporary developments and debates about these branches.

Diploma holders of the programme will be well placed to prepare for teaching, further studying, work in the public sector or elsewhere requiring knowledge of different faith communities.

Programme Structure:

Total credits: 120 credits

Students will be studying the some of the following modules within an academic year:

1. Introduction to Quranic sciences

(The Course is intended to provide a deep understanding of the Quran, examined under the twin concepts of the oral and the written, indicated by the names given to it: al-Qura’an (Recitation) and al-Kitab (The Book). It will explore the history of the muṣḥaf, collection, readings, makki & madani, and occasions of revelations. It will also investigate the oral aspect of the Qur’an and its role in the life of Muslims. The investigation will engage with both the classical and modern scholarship of the Qur’an. )

2. Islamic History and Civilisation 

(The module aims to develop a critical understanding of methods, procedures, and materials appropriate to the study of Islamic History and Civilisation. It will present a general introduction to the concept of History from both the Muslim and non-Muslim Sources and an introduction to Pre-Islamic society. The Life of the Prophet Muhammad will be studied in four stages; before Prophet-hood, the revelation and key events leading up to migration, the building of a nascent Muslim community in Medina and key events leading to conquest of Mecca and the death of Prophet Muhammad. It will also cover the lives of the four caliphs after the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad.)

3. Introduction to Islamic Law: Sources, methodology and schools

The module examines history, sources and terminology of Islamic jurisprudence. It will introduce key concepts along with historical impact while examining different phases, through its sources and methodologies, leading to the development of schools of law, legal theory and practices in pre-modern period.

4. Science of Hadith 

This module focuses on the science of Hadith (Ulum al-hadith). The module will explore the importance and the development of Ḥadīth in Islam .  It will examine Hadith criticism with regards to both sanad and matn to establish the authenticity of Ḥadīth.  It surveys the terminology, authority, origins, formation, collections, criticism and classifications of Ḥadith in both Sunni and Shi‘i traditions. It will further explore legal and theological significance of Ḥadith and its use by the Sufis.

5. Major themes in the Quran

Most commentators approach the Qur’an as a sequence of verses to be understood as separate items in a series, leading to a loss of the coherence of the Qur’an. The module aims to introduce students to thematic reading of the Qur’an by examining selected topics in the Qur’an.  The focus will be on two methods namely: thematic interpretation and the sura as a unity. The themes that will covered include God, prophethood, salat, din, islam, du‘a’, huda, ‘ibada, taqwa and ghayb.

6. Sufism: past and present

This course explores the nature and development of Sufism as an intensification of spirituality in Islam from the earliest manifestations up to the modern times. The course will remain anchored by focusing on scriptural foundation of Sufism in the Qur’an and Sunna. It will examine the essential teaching and practice including maqamat (stations), ahwal (states), Zikr , Divine love and Sufi orders.

7. Islamic law: comparative ‘ibadat law

This module examines the lives, works, methodologies of the founders of the four Sunni schools of law Abu Hanifa, Malik, al-Shafi ‘i and Ibn Hanbal.  The module will also cover a comparative treatment of the essential features of the four pillars of Islam (‘ibadat) in the four schools.

8. Islamic theology

The module introduces students to major theological schools and foundational doctrines in Islam. The first part examines historical development of Islamic theology focusing on the Mu‘tazilites, Ash‘arites, Maturidies, Shi‘its, Salafi hanbalism.  The second deals with the six articles of the Islamic faith as articulated by the two major Sunni schools the Ash‘arites,and the Maturidies. The main doctrines are God, the angels, the prophets and messengers, the sacred scriptures and the Divine decree.

9. Introduction to Qur’anic Arabic -non-assessed optional module runs for two terms

Arabic is the language of the divine revelation; the Qur’an. Therefore studying Arabic is essential to whoever aims to acquire a deep understanding of Islam and its scripture. The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the basics of Arabic grammar and to enable them to read and understand selected parts of the Qur’an. It will cover essential features of Classical Arabic grammar in a clear and logical way.  Moreover, the module will enable the students to read and translate various texts extracted from the Qur’an and prophetic tradition.

10. Life of the Prophet

The module on the Life of the Prophet provides a comprehensive overview of the key events, teachings, and characteristics of Prophet Muhammad, the final messenger of Islam. It covers his early life in Mecca, including his birth, upbringing, and his journey as a successful merchant. The module delves into the pivotal moment of his prophethood, the revelation of the Qur’an, and the challenges he faced in conveying the message to his people. Throughout the module, it explores Prophet Muhammad’s unwavering commitment to monotheism (Tawḥīd) and his emphasis on social justice, compassion, and ethical behavior.