Join us in person at AMI or online (via Teams) every Tuesday at 7:00pm – 8:30pm (BST) starting from Tuesday 23rd July 2024 as we discover the deeper meanings of the holy Qur’an through guided sessions led by AMI faculty. These sessions will involve students reading, analysing and discussing the profound insights and lessons the holy Qur’an offers for humanity.
The schedule for the first 7 weeks will be as follows:
Week 1-5: Ethical Interpretation of the Qur’an led by Professor Ali Fanaei
In this course, we will aim to examine the Qurʾān from an ethical perspective. The Prophet’s mission was not merely to teach religious and moral principles but to build ethical individuals and society. We will practice examining the Qurʾān through the lens of morality.
Ethics has two parts: meta-religious and religious. Meta-religious ethics forms the basis of religious understanding and practice, as religion is not revealed in an ethical vacuum. Qurʾānic ethics encompasses both parts of ethics. Ethical reforms in various aspects of humans’ private and public lives are one of the main missions of the Prophets. However, fulfilling this mission is impossible without assuming certain ethical values that were accepted or acceptable by the recipients of revelation before its descent. Religion must necessarily assume and endorse these values in order to engage in dialogue with its audience, critique the existing situation, introduce the desired state, and invite them to accept the intended reforms.
Some of the topics that we will briefly examine in this course are as follows:
(1) Review of various approaches to Qurʾānic interpretation
(2) Ethical approach in Qurʾānic interpretation
(3) Meta-religious ethics vs. religious ethics
(4) Pillars of Islamic ethics:
(a) Qurʾānic understanding of God
(b) Qurʾānic anthropology
(c) Qurʾānic worldview
(d) Qurʾānic eschatology
(5) Ethical discourse in the Qurʾān
(6) Ethical exemplars in the Qurʾān
(7) Ethics of belief in the Qurʾān
(8) Ethics of speech in the Qurʾān
(9) Ethical values emphasized in the Quran
(10) Piety (God-consciousness) as the mother of moral virtues in the Qurʾān
Week 6-7: The Nature of Mankind in the Qur’an led by Professor Seyed Mohammad Fatemi
وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَمَ وَحَمَلْنَاهُمْ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ وَرَزَقْنَاهُمْ مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَفَضَّلْنَاهُمْ عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٍ مِمَّنْ خَلَقْنَا تَفْضِيلًا، اسراء
And indeed, We have honoured the Children of Adam, and carried them over land and sea, and provided them with all the good things, and preferred them with a complete preference over many of those We have created. (Quran 17:70)
In the Quranic view, human beings occupy a central and significant position in the system of creation. This centrality underscores the importance and unique role of humans in the grand design of the universe. Consequently, the Quran contains numerous verses that delve into the nature of human beings, exploring their inherent qualities, attributes, and the purpose of their existence. These verses provide profound insights into the spiritual, moral, and intellectual dimensions of humanity. They emphasize the potential for growth, self-awareness, and the pursuit of higher truths, guiding individuals toward the realization of their full potential and the fulfilment of their ordained role in the cosmic order. The Quran highlights human beings’ capacity for reason, moral discernment, and the ability to choose between right and wrong, which are fundamental aspects of their distinguished status in creation.
However, the Quran also acknowledges the weaknesses and limitations inherent in human nature. It speaks to the susceptibility of humans to temptation, forgetfulness, and ingratitude. Some verses point to the human tendency to prioritize immediate pleasures over long-term spiritual and moral considerations. Others mention the “unjust and ignorant” character of men. Despite these weaknesses, the Quran does not present them as insurmountable obstacles but rather as challenges that can be overcome through faith, self-discipline, and divine guidance. The Quran encourages believers to seek forgiveness, strive for moral excellence, and rely on God’s mercy and wisdom to navigate their imperfections. This balanced view reflects the Quranic perspective on human nature, recognizing both its noble potential and its fallibility, and providing a comprehensive framework for understanding and improving the human condition.
In these two sessions of Quranic exegesis, we shall read some of the verses focusing on human nature and their lessons for our day-to-day activities and challenges.
