Status: In Development

What is Islam — a religion, a civilization, a legal tradition, or a global community of believers? How did it emerge, how does it function, and how has it shaped societies across fourteen centuries?

The Foundations of Islam course offers a rigorous, structured journey through the intellectual and lived foundations of Islam. Built on a 17-chapter progression from conceptual orientation to applied modern case studies, this program guides students from historical grounding and textual development to theology, law, worship, diversity, and contemporary ethical debates.

Students will explore:

• The structure of Islam as a faith, civilization, and global Muslim community (ummah)

• The historical development of Islam from the life of the Prophet Muhammad through the formation of early Muslim societies and empires

• The Qur’an and its structure, preservation, recitation traditions, and interpretive methods (tafsir)

• The Hadith and prophetic tradition (Sunnah) as the intellectual backbone of Islamic theology and law

• Core theological doctrines including divine unity (tawhid), prophecy, revelation, judgment, and the unseen world

• Sharia and the scholarly traditions of Islamic law, including legal schools and interpretive reasoning

• The Five Pillars of Islam and the practices that shape Muslim religious life

• Sacred time, including Ramadan, the Islamic calendar, and major religious observances

• Muslim identity, conversion, family life, and lifecycle practices

• Islamic philosophy, ethics, and major intellectual figures

• Mysticism and spirituality within the Sufi traditions

• Diversity within Islam including Sunni, Shia, Ibadi, and global cultural traditions

• Islam’s relationship with Judaism and Christianity

• Modern issues including secularism debates, science and religion, gender discussions, and the experience of Muslims in contemporary societies

Estimated Time Commitment:

Most students complete the program in 60–80 hours, comparable to a college-level semester course. Learners may progress at their own pace.