HomeAcademicsYear One ʿĀlimiyyah

The Foundation Programme - Year One ʿĀlimiyyah

Students begin their journey with the study of foundational Arabic grammar and morphology. Throughout the first year, they build the necessary skills to read and understand the Qur’an as well as classical Islamic texts in Arabic. Some of the subjects explored are highlighted below:

Introduction to Naḥw (syntax)

The language is approached from angles of grammar and literature. In grammar the two fundamental disciplines of Naḥw (syntax) and Ṣarf (morphology and etymology) are studied. Naḥw is studied from a simplified reader, Arabic Grammar, in which the focus is placed on the most essential rules of grammar. Grammatical issues of greater complexity and therefore of less practical value, are eschewed.

Ṣarf (morphology and etymology)

Ṣarf is done through board exercises and memorization of declension tables. The study of syntax theory usually runs for the first few months only. For the rest of the year the knowledge gained from theoretical study is brought into application in the reading of graded texts such as that of Sayyid Abu l-Ḥasan al-Nadwī's, Qaṣạs al-Nabiyyīn. The objectives of the study of Arabic in this year are to impart to the student a working knowledge of both disciplines of grammar: Naḥw as well as Ṣarf to enable the student to employ theoretical grammar towards a correct reading of a diacritically unmarked text to broaden his vocabulary. This segment consists of an intensive study of Taṣrīf al-ʿIzzī, one of the most well-known and widely studied classical texts of Arabic morphology, written by ʿAbd al-Wahhāb b. Ibrāhīm al-Zanjānī (d. 655/1257).

Beginners Arabic Literature

Qaṣạs al-Nabiyyīn, written by Shaykh Abu ‘l-Hasan ‘Ali al-Nadwi (d.1377/1999) sectioned in multiple volumes/parts detailing the stories of various Prophets and concluding with the Sīrah (biography) of the Prophet Muḥammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) in the final book. The author methodically and systematically developed this series of books for students to apply the theories of Arabic grammar while continuously building on vocabulary pertaining to further studies within the Qurʾānic sciences. The goal for the students is to complete the first three volumes/parts of the series throughout the year. Through the reading and comprehension of the books, students will develop an adab towards Arabic reading and understanding.

Tajwid and Recitation

Tajwīd is taught theoretically as well as practically. In the first semester the basic rules of Tajwīd are taught followed by practical application in the recitation of the second half of the 30th juz. In the second semester the basics of Tajwīd are repeated in the study of a simple and well accepted versified text, viz. al-Jamzūri's, Tuḥfat al-Aṭfāl. This text is supplemented by the recitation of the first half of the 30th juz. This component's objectives are:

• ❖to produce a good understanding of the basic rules of Tajwīd.
• ❖to impart the ability to apply the rules of Tajwīd in practical recitation.
• ❖to acquaint the student with the narration of Ḥafs from ʿĀsim via the ṭarīq (i.e. by way) of the Shāṭibiyyah.

Tarbiyah (Islamic Spirituality)

This module focuses upon spiritual and moral rectitude. The seeker of knowledge is addressed and pointed in the right direction in terms of their intention, attitude and conduct. The aims of this module are:

• ❖to foster spiritual and moral rectitude within the student.
• ❖to generate the correct approach to studies.
• ❖to provide the student with a fundamental code of conduct.
• ❖Learn how to develop taqwā.
• ❖Start actualising one’s knowledge through practice.

Bidāyat al-Hidāyah, is one of Imām al-Ghazālī’s final works. Thereby, this masterpiece embodies an erudite scholar’s lifetime of learning, experience, and spirituality. Within it, he elucidates how leading a life guided by the divine is achieved through God-consciousness (taqwā), and he details the keys to success in one’s initial stages of learning. The teacher will expound on other deeper dimensions of self-reformation.

Introduction to Islamic Jurisprudence

Abū al-Ikhlāṣ Ḥasan b. ʿAmmār al-Shurunbulālī’s Nūr al-Īḍāḥ wa Najāt al-Arwāḥ is often one of the first fiqh books formally studied. From Egypt’s Azhar University to the eminent Dār al-ʿUlūms of South Asia, this work has featured as a mainstay book. This primer focuses on the fiqh of worship, covering purification to the pilgrimage. The author lucidly presents rulings dealing with these chapters in concise and meaning filled passages. One will engage Ḥanafī Fiqh through this time-tested primer while building a foundation in the subject that he can build on through further study. This component's objectives are:

• ❖To introduce the student to the key areas of Fiqh.
• ❖To familiarize the student with the language of Fiqh at a basic level.
• ❖To acquaint the student with fundamental concepts in Fiqh.
• ❖Prepare to study intermediate jurisprudence from Mukhtaṣar al-Qudūrī

In addition to these objectives, the teaching incorporates the further dimensions of facilitating a grammatically correct reading of a diacritically unmarked classical text with an introduction to basic proofs from the Qurʾān and Sunnah side by side with learning Fiqh.

Introduction to Theology

Its primary subject consists of Allah and His attributes, the relation between the Creator and creation, and the nature of prophethood. Islamic theology differs from philosophy in that it considers revelation as a true source of knowledge and studies epistemology, ontology, and eschatology with the light of revelation Allah revealed to His final Messenger and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Introduction to Ḥadīth

The prophetic tradition form the core of this segment with the first book, Zād al-Ṭālibīn, a ḥadīth compilation initiating the novice. It includes our beloved Prophet ﷺ words and advices. The Messenger ﷺ provided us with the guidance that we need to find nearness to our Lord and determination in our dīn. By studying this work, one will be inspired to follow his way. The objective includes:

• ❖introducing the student to ḥadīth of a specifically edifying nature.
• ❖to draw moral lessons out of ḥadīth.
• ❖to acquaint with the language of ḥadīth.
• ❖to cultivate basic translation skills.

Urdu

Learn the most important rules of the Urdu language while expanding one’s vocabulary. The objectives are:

• ❖Learn the Urdu language’s rules.
• ❖Begin building one’s ability to access the writings of ʿulamāʾ that have been penned in Urdu.
• ❖Complete the GCSE Urdu course