Lahore University of Management Sciences

SS 101 – Islamic Studies (S4)

Spring Semester 2020
Friday 4 - 5:50 pm
Location: SC-1

Instructor Aurangzeb Haneef

Room No. 229, HSS Wing, First floor, Academic Block, Opposite PDC.
Office Hours 11:30 – 1:00 pm Tuesday and Thursday
Email aurangzeb.haneef@lums.edu,pk
Telephone 042-35608092
Teaching Assistants Bushra Shahid – Head TA (bushra.shahid@lums.edu.pk), Mohammed Zaid, Noor Fatima
TA Office Hours Wednesday (10:00 – 11:00 AM) and Friday (9:00 – 11:00 AM)
Course URL (if any)

COURSE BASICS
Credit Hours 2
Lecture(s) Nbr of Lec(s) Per 1 Lecture Duration 1 hour 50 minutes
Week
Recitation/Lab (per week) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Duration
Week
Tutorial (per week) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Duration
Week

COURSE DISTRIBUTION
Core Yes
Elective
Open for Student Category All
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 students 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
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LUMS in a better way. From there we 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?
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-18 th
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, students will achieve the following specific
learning outcomes:
The students will gain a basic, yet somewhat nuanced, understanding of the formative period of Islamic
CLO1
civilization.

CLO2 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).
They would appreciate the internal dynamism and diversity of the legal tradition in as much complexity
CLO3 as possible.
They would also learn the basics of the mystical aspects, and theological and philosophical traditions in
CLO4
Islam, which are often somewhat misunderstood in the society.
The students will also be able to appreciate the modern context which has influenced the understanding
CLO5
and manifestation of Islamic religious tradition in the Muslim societies.
An important learning outcome is that they would be able to relate the learning on Qur’an, Hadith, Sira,
CLO6
and Law to some of the critical issues in today’s Muslim societies.
The students will be able to distinguish between academic and a confessional study of Islam leading them
CLO7
to appreciate the former and becoming interested in the subject for higher education.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES
Consequently, the students would also 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.

GRADING BREAKUP AND POLICY

 Attendance: 20%.
-Unexcused absence: Deduction of grade. No communication necessary. Four unexcused absences will lead to a
FAIL in this course.
-Excused absence: Deduction of grade but does not count as one of the four unexcused absences which will lead to
a fail. For this, the student will be required to communicate with the instructor in advance or immediately after the
absence with a reasonable explanation subject to instructor’s approval of the excused absence. One excused
absence allowed.
-Excused absence with official petition: No deduction of grade.
-If late to class (after lecture has started), only half marks will be given for that class.
-If left before class has ended, only half marks will be given for that class. Two half absences will count as one
unexcused absence.

 Quiz(zes): 20%
(2 announced and 2 unannounced quizzes, 2 pre-mid and 2 post-mid quizzes, 3 best will be counted towards the
final grade)
 Midterm Examination: 30%
 Final Examination: 30%

EXAMINATION DETAIL

Yes/No: Yes
Midterm Combine/ Separate: Separate
Exam Duration: 90 minutes
Preferred Date:
Exam Specifications: TBA
Final Exam
Yes/No: Yes
Combine/ Separate: Separate
Duration: 120 minutes
Date: 12th May, 2020 (11:30 AM – 1:30 PM)
Exam Specifications: TBA
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COURSE OVERVIEW
Week/ Required Objectives/
Topics
Lecture Readings Application

Introduction to the Course and

Contextualization of Education in
Muslim Societies
1.
Date: 24th January, 2020

Studying the Islamic Religion and

2. Civilization in the contemporary world

Date: 31st January, 2020

The Qur’an and its interpretation

Date: 7th February, 2020

3.

4. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Date: 14th February, 2020

5.
The Hadith Tradition
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Date: 21st February, 2020

The Islamic Legal Tradition (I)

6.
Date: 28th February, 2020

7. Islamic Legal Tradition (II)

Date: 6th March, 2020

Mid-Term Week
8.
Date: 9th-13th March, 2020
Mid-Semester Break

Date: 16th-20th March, 2020

Islamic Philosophy, Theology, and

9. Sciences

Date: 27th March, 2020

10.
Adab: The Islamic Literary Tradition

Date: 3rd April, 2020

Islamic Aesthetic and Cultural Readings TBA

11. Expression

Date: 10th April, 2020

12.
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Sufism: Islamic Spiritual Tradition

Date: 17th April, 2020

Islam, Modernity, Reform and Revival

(guest lecture by Ali Usman Qasmi)
13.
Date: 24th April, 2020

Critical Issues: Extremism, Violence,

Jihad, ‘Islam’ and the ‘West’
14.
Date: 9th May 2020
(class rescheduled due to Labour day Holiday)

Finals Week

Date: 10th - 20th May, 2020