Course Overview

This course is the first part of a 4 part Tafsir series with Shaykh Akram Nadwi,  in which four important chapters (surahs) of the Quran will be studied with theological, legal and spiritual emphases. Classical and contemporary interpretations of the Quran in the Muslim world will also be discussed and critically analysed, as well as highlighting the concept of thematic and structural coherence in the Quran; a concept which was developed by the great Indian scholar Mawlana Hamid al-Din Farahi (d.1930).

In part 1 Shaykh Akram will be teaching Surah al-Anbiya, a challenging surah which has been heavily discussed by Orientalists and presented as proof of Prophet’s lack of knowledge of earlier Prophets. Shaykh Akram responds to these accusations, resolving some of the challenges presented by this Surah whilst also elaborating on the real purpose for engaging in a study of the Qur’an.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:

• Knowledge of the Orientalist critiques of the Surah, as well as their proper rebuttals.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of classical and contemporary scholarly discussions with regards to Surah al-Anbiya
• Understand the multiple meanings of the Surah by reference to exegetical works
• Demonstrate critical ability to deduct theological, legal and spiritual meanings from the verses by following correct exegetical methodology

The other three surahs in this series are

Surah al-Hajj

Surah al-Mu’minun

Surah al-Nur

Please look out for them as they will soon be added to the On-Demand platform!