Taking as a starting point, the concept of "Islamic knowledge", this course presents an in-depth study to the two fundamental sources of Islam. It aims to analyse the overall structure, content and style of the Qur'an and hadith according to classical and modern approaches and the differentia that sets these two approaches apart. It provides the theoretical framework to critically analyse Islamic exegetical traditions, tracing their unfolding and demonstrating the variety of ways in which Muslims have approached and understood the Qur'an and hadith.
The integral unity and hierarchal nature of knowledge—revelation, inspiration, intuition, intellection, ratiocination and information.
The nature of the Logos and the Word of God—eternal/temporal (qadim/hadith) in Islam and other Abrahamic faiths.
The Qur'an and its historical and substantial integrity—incidences of revelation, memorization, recitation, compilation, and proliferation; different types and levels of understanding and their corresponding exegetical schools critically analyzed.
The Hadith and its traditional and authoritative content—sources of immaculate inspiration, memorization, transcription, canonization, and perpetuation; categorizations of ahadith and the major compilers/compilations critically analyzed.
The discussion regarding the relation between the Qur'an and the Hadith—Revealed scripture and the living magisterium.
Tradition: Hadith, khabar, athar, and sunnah—oral, written, and practical transmission.
The Oral Tradition—textual authority, and its complement, the Intellect—rational demonstration.
Examine selected texts from the canonical collection of traditions together with commentaries, which scrutinize traditions from theological, legal and linguistic perspectives.