Muslims stand before their Lord five times every day to devote themselves, for a few minutes, to the purpose of their existence: to worship their Lord. This takes its form in the ritual prayer, of which recitation of the Quran is an obligatory element.
Many, however, lose out on fully experiencing the meanings of guidance and admonition which the Speech of Allah conveys. “Allah is who has sent down the fairest of word, a mighty Book, perfect in accord, recurrent in point; The skins of those awed in dread of their Lord shiver thereat, then come to soften in relief, as do their hearts to the remembrance of Allah: That is the guidance of Allah, guiding by it whom He wills” (The Quran Beheld, 39:23).
This course aims to strengthen our connection with Allah’s Book and the live-giving guidance it conveys by shedding light on some of the inexhaustible meanings found in the chapters of the Quran we recite most often in our daily prayers: the Fatiha (1), Ayat al-Kursi (2:255), the final verses of Sura al-Baqara (2:284–6), and the last 12 chapters of the Quran, from Sura al-‘Asr (103) to Sura al-Nas (114).
Drawing on classical commentaries, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani shares valuable insights on the meanings of these verses, as well as offering practical points of reflection on how they should impact our lives.
- Teacher: Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
[While drawn primarily from classical books of tafsir (Quranic exegesis), this course is not based on any particular work.]
This course is for anyone seeking to deepen their connection with the verses of the Quran we recite every day. Apart from the obligatory basics of faith and practice (fard ‘ayn), no previous study is required.
- Gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Quranic chapters and verses we recite everyday.Explain the importance of the Basmala.
- Understand how Sura al-Fatiha outlines the purpose of our existence, and why it is recited in every prayer. Summarize the explanation of the last twelve suras of the Qur’an.
- Acquire tools for deeper reflection on the meanings of Allah’s Book.
- Benefit from practical insights on how the meanings of the Quran can manifest in our daily lives.
- Appreciate the immense contributions of classical Islamic scholarship in explaining the Quran’s inexhaustible meanings.
Introduction
The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, greatly emphasised the recital of sura al Kahf and sura al Waqi’a, due to their significance. The former is a guide to staying safe from the various tribulations we are faced with in this life. It looks at the matters which shake people’s faith, and how they should be dealt with.
Sura al Kahf also discusses the matters which delude people and turn them away from God - guiding us to the way of safety. Blessings, wealth, knowledge, and power are all temptations which can turn people away from the Afterlife.
Consequently, Sura al Waqi’a provides a powerful message to every one of humanity about the Afterlife. The Elite learn of their great rewards, as do the rank and file of the believers. The sura also discusses those to succumbed to the temptations and chose not to believe.
- Teacher: Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Introduction
Introduction to Quranic Exegesis: Surat Yasin and Surat al Mulk: A Linguistic and Thematic Analysis of the chapters which focus on proving Allah's oneness, the prophethood of Muhammad, the Resurrection, Allah's omnipotence, and all-encompassing generosity.
Curricular Context
This is a second-level course in Step Two.
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Before taking this course, take Introduction to the Qur'an: What It Is, How It Was Preserved, and Why It Is True
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Take this course before all courses in Step Three.
Course Outline
Lesson One
- Ya Sin 01 Introduction and verses 1-4
- Ya Sin 02 verses 5-8
Lesson Two
- Ya Sin 03 verses 9-12
- Ya Sin 04 verses 13-15
- Ya Sin 05 verses 16-19
Lesson Three
- Ya Sin 06 verses 20-25
- Ya Sin 07 verses 26-29
Lesson Four
- Ya Sin 08 verses 30-32
- Ya Sin 09 verses 33-36
Lesson Five
- Ya Sin 10 verses 37-39
- Ya Sin 11 verses 40-44
Lesson Six
- Ya Sin 12 verses 45-48
- Ya Sin 13 verses 49-53
- Ya Sin 14 verses 54-58
Lesson Seven
- Ya Sin 15 verses 59-62
- Ya Sin 16 verses 63-67
- Ya Sin 17 verses 68-70
Lesson Eight
- Ya Sin 18 verses 71-76
- Ya Sin 19 verses 77-83
- Al Mulk 01 Introduction and theme
Lesson Nine
- Al Mulk 02 basmala and verse 1
- Al Mulk 03 verse 2
- Al Mulk 04 verse 3
- Al Mulk 05 verse 4
Lesson Ten
- Al Mulk 06 verse 5
- Al Mulk 07 verse 6
- Al Mulk 08 verse 7
- Al Mulk 09 verse 8
- Al Mulk 10 verse 9
- Al Mulk 11 verse 10
- Al Mulk 12 verse 11
Lesson Eleven
- al Mulk 12 verse 11
- al Mulk 13 verse 12
- al Mulk 14 verse 13
- al Mulk 15 verse 14
- al Mulk 16 verse 15
- al Mulk 17 verse 16
- al Mulk 18 verse 17
- al Mulk 19 verse 18
- al Mulk 20 verse 19
Lesson 12
- al Mulk 21 verse 20
- al Mulk 22 verse 21
- al Mulk 23 verse 22
- al Mulk 24 verse 23
- al Mulk 25 verse 24
- al Mulk 26 verse 25
- al Mulk 27 verse 26
- al Mulk 28 verse 27
- al Mulk 29 verse 28
- al Mulk 30 verse 29
- al Mulk 31 verse 30
What You Will Learn:
- The science of Tafsir (Qurʾanic Exegesis) is rich and nuanced. This course looks at its intricacies through the analysis of two frequently recited chapters in order to present a semblance of the experience the Arabs had when they first heard the Qurʿan.
- Ya Sin and al Mulk are two of the most profound chapters of the Qurʾan, which the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, encouraged us to recite frequently and memorise.
- The former focuses on establishing the realities of faith: belief in the oneness of Allah, the truth of Muhammad being His Messenger, and the resurrection in the Afterlife. The latter establishes one of the main reasons for Allah deserving worship, and that He alone is omnipotent and in complete control of everything.
Course Requirements:
- Introduction to the Qur'an: What It Is, How It Was Preserved, and Why It Is True
About the Course Text
This course is based on a number of classical and contemporary Qurʾanic commentaries, dictionaries, and related works.
- Teacher: Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
