ITKI 6005 Tafsīr and Modern Muslim Exegetics

This course seeks to explore the methodologies of selected Muslim scholars of Tafsīr emphasizing the Modern Muslim Exegetics. It explains various methods of Tafsīr used by contemporary Muslim scholars in explaining the Qur'anic Text in order to respond to the challenges and problems faced by Muslim Ummah during their respective times, locations, and situations. Also, the relevance of Tafsīr methods and their usage in dealing with contemporary issues are discussed.     
   
This course introduces the students to a very important subject, entitled: Tafsīr and Modern Muslim Exegetics. Tafsīr (Exegesis) is used to understand and interpret al-Qur’ān, the Primary Source of Islam, which was revealed to Prophet Muḥammad (p.b.u.h.) during a period of 23 years. It emerged in its basic form during the time of Revelation. After the Prophet (p.b.u.h.)’s death, it developed further in the Era of Righteous Companions, Abū Bakr as-Siddīq, ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān, and ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, (may Allah S.W.T. be pleased with all of them), and by the end of the ninth century, it became an established discipline. The content of this course is divided into two parts. The first part covers the meaning, significance, methods and early development of Tafsīr. It provides brief information on selected classical exegetics, like al-Ṭabarī (d.923) and al-Zamakhsharī (d.1144), their works and methodologies. The second part deals with modern trends in Tafsīr from the early 18th century until the 20th century. It examines the works of selected Muslim exegetics on Tafsīr that explain and interpret al-Qur’ān to address the social, cultural, and political realities of the modern time. Modern exegetics, such as Muḥammad ʿAbduh (d.1905), Shaykh Ṭanṭāwī Jawharī (d.1940), Said Nursi (d.1960), Sayyid Quṭb (d.1966), Abul Aʿlā Maudūdī (1979), Fazlur Rahman (d.1988), are discussed. Lastly, it covers contemporary issues on the scholarship of Tafsīr and its future prospect.

The instructor uses synchronous and asynchronous methods in the teaching process in order to provide a conducive learning environment. Pre-recorded video lectures, slides, and other related reading materials are uploaded on the IKI LMS website., enabling students to prepare themselves ahead of the class in order to interact, comment, and discuss. Indeed, this course provides the best platform for students to develop their approaches to dealing with the Qur'anic texts while responding to contemporary challenges and realities.