MIN 408 – Classical Islamic History

Course Overview

The course aims to provide the opportunity to approach the Muslim world from its historical perspective. It will explore the historical, cultural, theological and ideological factors and questions that dictated their response and moulded the policies developed by the theologians, jurists and the caliphs of the day to deal with passing internal and external problems. The course explores the history of Islam up to the decline of the Qurayshi power. It critically examines the theory that the power thrust bloc who laid the foundation for the feudal military rule that dominated the Muslim world for centuries gradually defeated the representatives of the religious values.

Module Info

Module Title: Classical Islamic History

Module Type: Designated

Program: MA/PG – Equivalent Dip Islamic Studies Distance Education (DE)

Prerequisite(s): none

Credit(s): 15

Module Code: MIN 408

Semester: 2

Component(s): Activities: 30% Review Questions & Discussion Group: 10% Final Essay: 60%

Syllabus
Strategy
Material

sYLLABUS

Pre-Islamic Arabia on the eve of Islam
The message and the Messenger
The Mecca period and the early Muslim community
The Medina community and its boundaries
The Meccan Qurayshi rulers
The Qurayshi Umayyad state and its opposition’
The Nature of the Umayyad opposition
The Qurayshi ‘Abbasid first period
The emergence of the religious regional powers
The rise of the non-Qurayshi military rule in the late ‘Abbasid period
Religion and polity – the chronic clash of the community

Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy

All learning materials are developed according to the SCATE format. Students are advised to study units available online followed by timetabled activities which are of crucial importance and require a serious attention. Students need to consult suggested reading materials which are not necessarily available online. At the same time, students are expected to contribute to Discussion Group as an integral part of their study. They would receive feedback regarding their activities and contribution by the module tutor. Extra reading and activities are provided for students who are interested to have a deeper and broader understanding of the issues of concern.
1. Formative Assessment:
Formative assessment for this module will consist of written feedback from the lecturer, questioning and discussion through the online forums. One draft of the students’ final essay (coursework) may be handed in to the lecturer at the 12th learning week for formative assessment, in which the lecturer will give the student feedback on how to improve their research and quality of writing.

2. Summative Assessment:
Students are required to submit 3 out of 5 Review Questions (RQ) and 3 out of 5 Activities (Act) as the weekly assignments for each module during the semester. All of these assignments as well as students’ final essays at the end of the semester will be commented and marked by tutors. Students can see those comments and marks in their drop box which are available in their D2L accounts. Finally, students are required to submit an Individual coursework -final essay (4000 words) on a relevant topic approved in advance by the module tutor.

Assessment Weighting
Activities: 30%
Review Questions & Discussion Group: 10%
Final Essay (Coursework): 60%
Students should get at least a pass mark for all three above components.

Learning Material

Core readings

Al-Dimishqi, Ibn Kathir. (1998) The Life of Prophet Muhammad, Reading: Garnet Publishing
Afsaruddin, A. (2013) The First Muslims: History and Memory. Oneworld Publications.
Anon (1996) The History of al-Tabari Vol. 17: The First Civil War: From the Battle of Siffin to the Death of ’Ali A.D. 656-661/A.H. 36-40. Albany, State University of New York Press.
Ayub, M. M. (2003) The Crisis of Muslim History, Religion and politics in early Islam, Oxford: One World, 2003 Publications
Berkey, J. (2003) The Formation of Islam, Cambridge, 2003.
Duri, A. al-A. (2011) Early Islamic Institutions: Administration and Taxation from the Caliphate to the Umayyads and Abbasids. London, I.B.Tauris & Co Ltd.
Fisher, S. N. (1996) The Middle East: A History. NY: McGraw-Hill., Volume I, 1996
Hawting, G.R. (2000) The First Dynasty of Islam: The Umayyad Caliphate AD 661-750. 2 edition. London ; New York, Routledge
Ibn Ishaq, Muhammad. (1982) The Life of Muhammad, A. Guillame (trans.), Oxford University Press
Jafri, S.H.M. (1979) The Origins and Early Development of Shi’a Islam. Oxford University Press
Ja’faryan, R. (2003) History of the Caliphs from the death of the messenger to the decline of the Umayyad dynasty 11-132 AH, Qum: Ansariyan
Karen, A. (2006) Muhammad: Prophet for our Time, London: Harper Press
Kennedy, H., (2004), The Prophet and the Age of the Caliphates. Longman, 2004
Lings, M. (1991) Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources, Cambridge: Islamic Texts Society
Madelung, W. (1997) The Succession to Muhammad: A Study of the Early Caliphate, Cambridge University Press
Rogerson, B. (2007) The heirs of Muhammad : Islam’s first century and the origins of the Sunni-Shia The Overlook Press