Beginners Course in Aqidah (Tenets of Faith)

Aqidah al-Tahawiyah, Islamic Theology and the Quintessentials of Muslim Belief

Synopsis: A beginners Introduction to Aqidah with a commentary of the recognised Al Sunnah Wal Jammat text by Imam Abu Ja'far al-Warraq al-Azdi al-Tahawi. The course is a continuation of the previous term and will start from point 60.

In an ever changing world man continues to question his purpose for being.  Allah (swt) reminds us in Surat Al Imran (3:14) “It has been attractive for people to love the desired things; that is, women, children, hoarded heaps of gold and silver, branded horses, cattle and tillage. That is an enjoyment of the worldly life...”  How much do these words ring true today ?, providing man with such a potent reminder of the state we are in today; wanton consumerism and competitive capitalism which has brought misery to billions in the form of the credit crunch.

In recent times it is against this backdrop that the question of belief has plagued man and continues to be of importance to the way any community perceives itself and its role in the wider world.  Thus the methodology in which people respond to their daily struggles, be they personal or social, is highly indicative of the essential beliefs each individual holds and to what extent they allow those beliefs to influence their choices. A Muslims’ belief in Allah (swt) is tantamount to how they address these challenges which may range from Prophet hood, predestination and the way they perceive secular authority. 

This course will set out to address those issues that Muslim theologians and scholars over the centuries have held to be significant with regards to what a Muslim believes and, more importantly, how these beliefs should be articulated.

Those familiar with the development of Islamic theology acknowledge the creedal text of al- Tahawiyah as one of the earliest and primal works in its field, which was to gain acceptance by the Sunni community as representational of its rudiments in belief.

The text of al- Tahawiyah is dogmatic and is in precise keeping to the fundamentals of a Muslims’ belief.  It has truly stood the test of time, having been used for centuries by Muslims all over the world as a creedal text to be memorised with basic commentary. By covering this creedal work it is hoped those attending will obtain a principle understanding of what is meant by the oneness of Allah; What can and cannot be ascribed to Him or described of  Him; an understanding of the infallibility of His Messengers and the necessity of this. As well as what constitutes a tenet of faith that must be believed in and areas of belief that are subsidiary. The emphasis will be on bringing the meanings and implications of these beliefs into your life – thus your daily life is 'touched by faith' and so enabling you to begin to look at life around you in light of your beliefs.

After great deliberation the instructor has deemed it to be more conducive that the text be taught in its normal order. This is to enable an instruction more accurate to the author’s conception.  The creedal text of al-Tahawiyah states point covering six major themes of Islamic theology including; Attributes of Allah (swt), divine decree, belief, Prophet hood, unseen matters and the muslim community.  

Download detailed course outline

Text: The course will be based on the Arabic Text by Imam Tahawi Text named Aqeeda Tahawi, although the teaching will be entirely in English. 

A free e-copy of the text will be provided to all those that register.

Supplementary Reading:

1. The creed of Imam al – Tahawi translated by Hamza Yusuf 
   ISBN 0-9702843-9-6 (beginners)
2. Fiqh al Akbar translated by Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf (beginners)
3. The story of Philosophy by Bryan Magee (beginners)
4. Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder ISBN 1-85799-291-1 (beginners)
5. Introduction to Muslim theology by W. Montgomery Watt (beginners)
6. A guide to conclusive proofs for the principles of belief translated by Dr Paul b. Walker (intermediate)
7. Roots of synthetic theology in Islam by Mustafa Ceric (intermediate)
8. Abdul Wadod Shalabi's Islam: Religion of Life, edited by Abdul Hakim Murad;
   Shaykh Nuh Keller's Becoming Muslim;
9. Habib Ahmad Mashhur al-Haddad's Key to the Garden translated by Mostafa al-Badawi.

For listening: 5 CD set entitled  Attributes of God by Hamza Yusuf and Dr. Umar Abdullah

Resource: www.muslimphilosophy.com

Course Instructor: Sidi Temoor Khan
Start Date: Tuesday 11th January 2011
Duration: 12 weeks
Time: 7:30 -9.00pm

Current Registration Status: Open
Entry requirements: None

Registration Fee: £40, no charge to WLSIS Student Pass holders.
Registration Deadline: None
Notes: It is recommended to have studied a basic text in Aqida and Fiqh.

Registration:

Please ensure you bring a copy of your paypal payment to to the course.

WLSIS Student Pass:

All Student Pass applications should be submitted at least 3 days prior to the course start date.

To register using an alternate method, please send an email to admin@wlsis.org  including:

• Full Name
• Address
• Contact number(s)
• Chosen course(s)

Payment can be made in advance by post, or in person at the first day of the course. It is strongly advised for students to arrange advance payment to guarantee their place. Please note registration is not complete until both student details and payment are processed.

Back to Classes Page