Class Title

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

ا
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the Name Of Allah (God), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

In



بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the Name Of Allah (God), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

In



بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the Name Of Allah (God), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

In



بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the Name Of Allah (God), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

In



بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the Name Of Allah (God), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

In


لجامعة الإسلامية بولاية منيسوتا

Islamic University of Minnesota

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Seerah of Prophet Muhammad: Makkan Period

3 credits

Instructor name: Dr. Lamya Almas

Instructor email: [e-mail]

Semester: Spring 2011

Course time: Saturday, 2:30-5:30pm

Location: Rm 220 (Islamic Cultural Center)

Class blog: nabiyunna.wordpress.com

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Registration:

Issues regarding registration for this course – including late registration, course fees and withdrawals must be processed through the administration office. Make sure you have completed the registration process for this course prior to the second week of class.

Textbooks and material:

• 
  We will be using The Sealed Nectar by Safiur Rahman al-Mubarakpuri [you may either choose to purchase this book which is widely available in bookstores in the Twin Cities or I will be providing a link on the course blog with a free copy available online insha Allah].
  

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  I will also be suggesting other texts for further reading, and possibly links for full texts if available online. If not I will be providing links for purchase insha Allah.
  

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  I am open to suggestions from students for resources for the class, and for the blog. So, feel free to email me or submit resources you believe will be of use to us all during the course of this semester. We will also make use of the audio material available online, related to the course topics.
  

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Attendance:

Your attendance is important to master the content of this course. When absent you are responsible for all of the information presented in class—so make sure you check the blog for the course [nabiyunna.wordpress.com] for updates. Also make sure you are in contact with your classmates so they can fill you in on what you have missed. If you have a valid reason for your absence you must inform your instructor prior to your absence and arrange any assignments you may miss. It is your responsibility to attain any missed class notes, handouts or announcements from your instructor or fellow students.

Course Description:

We will seek through this course to acquire knowledge of the Prophet’s (saw) personality with regard to his guidance, wisdom, his method of da’wah, and his kind treatment of all people. We will attempt to know him through his gentleness, humility, patience and forgivingness in his struggles as the prime example to humanity. This is with the firm objective to plant love in our hearts for him, correctly understanding his Seerah so as to further understand the Qur’an, and equally importantly to both propagate and follow his teachings. We understand that the Seerah is an integral part of our religion in accordance to what the Qur’an tells us:

 “O mankind!  The Messenger has come to you in truth from Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.  Believe in him: it is best for you...”    (Qur’an 4:170)

 “Say (O Muhammad): ‘If you do love Allâh follow me: Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins for Allâh is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.’  Say: ‘Obey Allâh and His Messenger.’  But if they turn back Allâh loves not those who reject Faith.”    (Qur’an 3:31-32)

“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet  (sallallâhu  ‘alayhi wasallam), whom they find mentioned in their own (Scriptures);  -- in the Torah and the Gospel; for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil.  He allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure).  He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them.  So it is those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him -- it is they who will prosper.”   (Qur’an 7: 157)

We hope that the in-depth exposure to the evidences of his Prophethood we will strengthen and increase our faith. This call will only deal with the Makkan Period of his (saw) Seerah.

The course satisfies the _____________ requirements needed for graduation.
Course Requirements: Total of 100 points

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  In-class, dicussion forum, and class blog participation: (5 pts)
  

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  Group Dawah Project: (5pts)
  

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  Quizzes: (20pts)
  

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  Midterm Exam: (20 pts)
  

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  Final Exam: (50pts)
  

Note: All assigned work will be due on due date—please check class block nabiyunna.wordpress.com for homework, assignments etc.
Grade Distribution: A = 90 - 100 pts, B = 80 – 89 pts, C = 70 – 79 pts, D= 60 – 69 pts, F = < 59
Missed Exams:

No exams, including the final, may be taken outside of their scheduled exam times. If you have a time conflict with these exam times you must resolve them as soon as possible with your instructor to determine an alternate time. No make-up exams will be given. You are expected to be present and prepared for each exam.

Incompletes:

Students who have completed the course assignments at an adequate level but have a valid excuse for missing the final exam may discuss with his/her instructor the option of receiving an incomplete for the course. These arrangements must be made prior to the last week of class, and an alternate time must be scheduled to complete the final exam. This exception is expected to be used only in highly unusual circumstances and remaining course material must be completed by the student within one year to receive a final grade. If material is not completed within the year, the student will receive a "W" (withdrawal) and need to retake the course and pay the full course tuition.

Withdrawals:

It is hoped that every student will be able to successfully complete this course. If, however, there is a need for you to drop the course, you must follow the official withdrawal procedures. See the administration office for the rules regarding withdrawal from a course.

Discussion Forum:

We have a discussion forum associated with the course. The url address to the forum is http://nabiyunna.proboards.com/ you will find it under “Important Links” on the class blog. I will be posting questions there after the in-class lecture so we can have active discussion outside of class as well. Your participation on the discussion forum will be included in your participation grade, and you quiz grade in some instances insha Allah. So, hope to see you express yourself and enlighten us all about your ‘aha’ moments while studying the Seerah of the Prophet (saw)

Tentative Class Schedule and Assignments:

Note: I call this “tentative” as we might need to make changes as we go along in terms of the time allotted to topic discussed in each lecture. All that page numbers are according to the online version of the Sealed Nectar that you can access online through the class blog: nabiyunna.wordpress.com

Week # Date Topic Assignment Due Notes 1 Feb 19th Introduction to course? Why study Seerah? Prior to Islam [Tribes in Pre Islamic Arabia; Religious and Political etc] Read pages 8-31 in the Sealed Nectar 2 Feb 26th Continue with “ Prior to Islam [Tribes in Pre Islamic Arabia; Religious and Political etc]” Read pages 8-31 in the Sealed Nectar Always be prepared for a surprise quiz on the former lecture 3 Mar 5th Prophet’s birth ancestry [events at the time of his birth] Life among Bani Sa’ad [Allah’s protection against idolatry] Read 32-39 in the Sealed Nectar 4 Mar 12th His orphaning and adoption by his grandfather. His youth [the Fudool pact, travels, rebuilding the Kaa’ba and arbitration], early signs of his Prophethood. Read 40-43 in the Sealed Nectar First test Nag-o-gram: be prepared for a surprise quiz 5 Mar 19th Marriage to Khadija (raa); the Cave of Hiraa and the coming of the revelation and Secret Dawah Read 44-52 in the Sealed Nectar 6 Mar 26th Open Dawah; Pagan opposition to his Dawah and his [and the companions] suffering. Read 52-62 in the Sealed Nectar 7 Apr 2nd The House of Al Arqam; first migration to Abysinnina; Quraish’s machination against the emigrants. Read 63-67 in the Sealed Nectar Midterm Exam 8 Apr 9th Quraysh approaches Abu Talib; assassination plot; conversion of Hamzah and Umar. Read 67-74 in the Sealed Nectar 9 Apr 16th General social boycott and the year of grief. Read 75-81 in the Sealed Nectar Group Dawah Project due ONLINE! Peek-a-boo: remember that I may you give you a surprise quiz! 10 Apr 23rd Calling unto Islam beyond Makkah. Al-Israa wa Al Mi’raaj Read 82-89 in the Sealed Nectar 11 Apr 30th The First and Second Pledge of the Aqabah Read 93-100 in the Sealed Nectar Last time—I promise—I just might give you a surprise quiz. 12 May 7th Migration of the Prophet to Al-Madinah. Read 103-108 in the Sealed Nectar 13 May 14th No Class!* See end of the syllabus for details Revision 14 May 21th No Class!* See end of syllabus for details Revision 15 May 28th Final Exam Insha Allah.

Classroom Etiquette:

Students are expected to follow Islamic etiquette on campus and within the classroom. This includes dressing modestly. Students must observe Islamic protocol concerning gender interaction. Observe the assigned seating for both men and women [we don’t have to worry about that since this is an all-women’s class]. Students are expected to be on time for every class and to address teachers and students with respect.

Use of Electronic Devices:

Personal electronics, including cell phones, ipods/mp3 players, laptops and iPods are allowed on campus, but personal or academic use of these devices during class time will be determined by individual instructors. Respect your instructor and fellow classmates and do not answer or use cell phones in class.

Scholastic Dishonesty:

Any form of scholastic dishonesty including plagiarism, cheating on assignments or exams, submitting false student records or working to obtain a dishonest grade, will be grounds for an "F" in the course. As a student of Islamic knowledge you are expected be honest in all of your coursework. If you have questions regarding what specifically constitutes scholastic dishonesty in the context of the class, please see the instructor, who can expand upon the method of citing sources, rules for group collaboration and other course-specific expectations.

Makeup Work for Legitimate Absences:

Absences due to unavoidable circumstances will not result in penalization. These situations include participation in Hajj, documented illness, jury duty and religious observances. Please communicate with your instructor about your absence to ensure your progress in the course is not affected.

Grading and Transcripts:

You may email your instructor following two weeks after the final exam to receive your final grade for the course. You may also see the administration office for your final grade and term and cumulative GPA.

*Al Maghrib seminar is coming to Minneapolis with their “The Divine Link: Fiqh of Salah.” I know that many of you are [or will be] registering for it—me included. So, if we have yet a lot to catch up [which I doubt we will], we will arrange to meet a weekend or two to complete the syllabus and postpone the exam.