Uṣūl al-Fiqh: Foundations of Jurisprudence

Course Description:

Uṣūl al-Fiqh has always occupied a prominent place in the teaching curricula of Islamic institutions of legal learning. As a discipline of shari’a, Uṣūl al-Fiqh is concerned with the sources of Islamic law, their order of priority, and the methods by which legal rules may be deduced from the source materials of the shari’a. It is also concerned with regulating the exercise of ijtihad.

This course offers an advanced study of Uṣūl al-Fiqh in which the students will be introduced to the legislative sources of Islamic Law, rules of interpretation, and the methodology used by the jurist to produce the rules of fiqh.

Studying Uṣūl al-Fiqh enables the students to develop a profound appreciation of the Islamic law and the high standards applied by the jurists throughout Islamic history in their effort to adhere to the commands and goals of the shari’a while proving its miraculous flexibility and responsiveness to the ever-changing needs of the Muslim community.

Daylight savings time will begin in the United States on Sunday, November 3, 2024. Depending on where you live, this may or may not affect your class timing. In countries where DST is not applied at all, class will be one hour earlier starting November 3.

Course Logistics:

• Designed in an easy to follow format.
• Interactive Q&A
• Recordings available until end of term
• Based on the aqida of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’a.
• Women only.
• Ages 17+ can register.

Recordings:

Live attendance is recommended whenever possible for the best learning experience. Recordings of the sessions will be made available for registered students who cannot attend live. Students will have access to course forums, recordings, and files until January 10, 2025.

Course Prerequisites:

1. Students should be women above the age of 17.
2. Successful completion of FQH 201 and 202: Fiqh al ʿIbādāt: al-Madhhab al-Shāfiʿī | Parts 1 & 2.

Course Requirements:

Students are expected to attend the online lectures, complete one or more weekly assignments, complete and present a project, and submit 4 short quizzes. This is an online course so students will need:

• Access to internet with an internet speed of at least 2 Mbps recommended for best performance.
• Headphones, camera and microphone may be required for in-class participation.
• To access the live class and recordings, students will need a computer, smartphone, or tablet/iPad with the Zoom app.

Text:

Required: Usul Al-Fiqh Methodology of Islamic Jurisprudence, by Recep Dogan

Recommended: Ibn Ashur Treatise on Maqasid al Sharia’ah, by Muhammad al Tahir Ibn Ashur

Students are responsible for ordering their textbooks before the start of class. Ribaat textbooks are available to enrolled students at a discounted rate through Rabata Bookshop. Once enrolled, students will have access to the discount code through the course forum.

Registration:

Registration Fee: Non-refundable, non-transferable

• $225. (not including the cost of the course materials)
• $20.00 late registration fee on September 14th (if seats are available)
• Registration closes September 30.
• Auditing is not available for this course.

Registration Options:

Before enrolling, please read the Registration Fees & Policies. Then choose one of the registration options below.

Contact: For inquiries, contact registration@rabata.org