Status: In Development

Description

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

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Course Structure

This is a fully self-paced program designed for serious independent learners.

Each of the modules includes:

• Structured video instruction

• Guided reading sections

• Reflection questions

• Key term mastery lists

• Discussion prompts

• Supplemental readings and curated resources

• Applied exercises and case analysis

To deepen engagement, students will complete:

(1) Two Structured Projects

Focused on textual interpretation, legal reasoning, and historical/theological synthesis within Islamic traditions.

(2) Final Capstone Project

A comprehensive integrative assessment requiring students to analyze a complex ethical or social issue using textual, theological, historical, and legal frameworks developed throughout the course.

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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.

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Certification and Digital Credential

Upon successful completion of all modules, projects, and the final capstone, students will receive:

• An official Michaelis University Certificate in Foundations of Islam

• A verified digital badge suitable for LinkedIn and professional profiles

This credential signifies demonstrated competency in Islamic foundational studies, interpretive methods, and applied ethical reasoning.

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Ideal for independent scholars, homeschool educators, ministry leaders, interfaith learners, and those seeking structured religious literacy, this course provides not merely information, but intellectual formation.