Early History of Islam (Course Syllabus)

Description

The course aims at covering basics of early Islamic History. After a short and general introduction to Islamic historiography, the students are first taken back to the era of Jahiliyya, i.e. pre-Islamic period. In surveying that period, they get familiar with the historical, social and political context in which Islam was born, and also with the mutual effects they (Islam and its context) had on one another. Then the course moves on to study the life of Muhammd, the prophet of Islam. His life is significant both in terms of the historical origin of Islam and also as the spiritual inspiration and authoritative source of Islamic teachings for the later generations of Muslims. Some controversial issues, like wars and slavery, are to be addressed either separately or within other discussions. The historical problem of leadership after Muhammad, Caliphate or succession to the Prophet, is among the main topics of the course.

Aim

To provide students with the basics of early Islamic history

Objectives

Know and get basic information about:

1. Historical origins of the religion of Islam;
2. Life and personality of Muhammad (the Prophet of Islam);
3. His role in growth and expansion of Islam
4. Problems of Caliphate and the divisions started therefrom.

Course Content

1. General and basic Islamic historiography
2. Terminology: Meaning of Islam, Jahiliya, etc.
3. The Jahiliya period
4. Muhammad’s biography and his central role in Islamic tradition
5. The birth and development of Islam
6. The Caliphate Problem
7. Some controversial issues

Detailed Outline

1. Introduction
   1. Ancient and Islamic historiography
   2. Different types of early sources of Islamic history
   3. Problematic Issues in Early Islamic Historiography
   4. Islamic History through others’ eyes
   5. Motives to attend to recording and reading History
2. Pre-Islam Arabs or the period of jahiliya
   1. Arabian Peninsula in the ancient world/Qahtan and Adnan Arabs
   2. Positive and negative traits of Jahili Arabs
   3. Religion, culture and sciences in Jahiliya period
   4. Important events during this period (the year of elephant circa. 569 C.E./ wars of fijar)
3. Muhammad before Bi’tha (Receiving the first Revelation)
   1. His linage and parents
   2. Birth to adolescence
   3. Shepherd and merchant 
   4. Second trip to the Levant and marriage with Khadija
   5. Children of Muhammad
4. Start of Prophethood
5. Years in Mecca
   1. Migration to Abyssinia
   2. 3 year Sanctions
6. Migration
7. The first year of Hijra
   1. Building the mosque
   2. Makki and Madani verses
   3. Encounter and treaty with Jews and Christians
8. The second year of Hijra
   1. Change of Qibla direction
   2. Battle of Badr
9. Third year of Hijra
   1. the battle of Uhud
10. Fourth and fifth year of Hijra
    1. the battle of Ahzab
    2. the story of Banu Qurayza
11. Sixth year of Hijra
    1. the treaty of Ridwan
    2. Treaty of Hudaybiyya
    3. Sending envoys and Invitation of other nations (kings) to Islam
12. Seventh year of Hijra
    1. The battle of Khaybar
13. Eighth year of Hijra,
    1. the triumphant return to Mecca
14. Ninth year of Hijra ;
    1. Munafiqun (the Hypocrites),
    2. Sura al-Bara’a
    3. Tabuk, Muta,
    4. Delegations of Arab tribes
15. The farewell pilgrimage, the final gathering of all Muslims around Muhammad
16. 11 H/632C.E. Last days and Deathbed
17. Different dimensions of his character and how it influenced Muslims throughout history
18. The problem of succession and the divisions therefrom (1)
19. Controversial issues: polygamy, slavery, wars etc.

Course assessment

Course work: 2 essays - 25% of the final marks.

Semester final examination: 75% of the marks.

Course Methodology

Lectures, Presentations and Tutorials

Course Sources

• Jafar Subhani, The Message.

Free download at: https://www.al-islam.org/the-message-ayatullah-jafar-subhani

• Mahdi Pishva'i, History of Islam up to the Demise of the Prophet (S)

Free download at: https://www.al-islam.org/history-islam-up-to-demise-prophet-mahdi-pishvai

• Murtadha Mutahhari, The Unschooled Prophet (Available free at al-Islam.org)
• Ibrahim Amini, Prophethood and the Prophet of Islam (Available free at al-Islam.org)
• Sayyid Sa'eed Akhtar Rizvi, The Life of Muhammad The Prophet.

Free download at: https://www.al-islam.org/life-muhammad-prophet-sayyid-saeed-akhtar-rizvi

• Rasul Ja'fariyan, History of the Caliphs.

Free download at: https://www.al-islam.org/history-of-the-caliphs-rasul-jafariyan

• Sayyid Ali Ashgar Razwy, A Restatement of the History of Islam and Muslims.

Free download at: https://www.al-islam.org/restatement-history-islam-and-muslims-sayyid-ali-ashgar-razwy

• Sayyid Mujtaba Musavi Lari, Imamate and Leadership.

Free download at: https://www.al-islam.org/imamate-and-leadership-sayyid-mujtaba-musavi-lari

• Yasin T. Al-Jibouri, Muhammad.

Free download at: https://www.al-islam.org/muhammad-yasin-jibouri

• Mansour Leghaei, The Spread of Islam, From its beginning to the 14th Century.

Free download at: https://www.al-islam.org/articles/spread-islam-its-beginning-14th-century-shaykh-mansour-leghaei

S. Ahmad Rahnamaei, Life of the Prophet Mohammad before Starting the Mission (Available free at al-Islam.org)

Kamal al-Sayyid, Abu Talib b. abdul Muttalib (Available free at al-Islam.org)

Dr. Hatem Abu Shahba, Muhammad and His God Before the Revelation (Available free at al-Islam.org)

Shahnaze Safieddine, Migration to Abyssinia (Available free at al-Islam.org)

Focused readings might be assigned prior to certain sessions.

Other relevant sources might be introduced during the course.