Introduction to Hawza Studies lesson one

Introduction to Hawza Studies

• LESSON ONE

• Sheikh Safdar Razi

Introduction to Hawza Studies

• The subjects:

• Principles of Qur’anic Science
• Principles of Qur’anic Interpretation
• Science of Narrations
• Science of Narrators
• Logic
• Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence
• General Rules of Islamic Jurisprudence
• Islamic Jurisprudence
• Arabic Language
• Theology and Philosophy
• Ethics and Morals

Principles of Qur'anic Science

• This subject is focused on the study of the Holy Qur’an, the miracle of Allah (swt), and the ultimate resource of knowledge until the day of judgment.

• Areas of study include:
• Recognizing the time frames of descendent for the different chapters of the Qur’an (Meccans and Madinians).
• Dispelling the misconceptions and confusions about the inimitability of the Qur’an, the Qur’ans’ challenge, and the strength in its knowledge.
• Understanding how the Qur’an was written and compiled.

Principles of Qur’anic Interpretation

• This subject focuses on:

• The types of interpretation.
• Causes of dissention.
• The issue of abrogation and all other issues related to the interpretation.
• Interpretation of the verses of Jurisprudence or laws.

Principles of Narrations - (DIRIYATUL HADEETH)

• This subject focuses on:

• Studying the sanad (link) and the matan (Text) of narrations.
• The history of the science and the fabrication of hadeeth.
• Types of hadeeth.
• Authentication of the different types of hadeeth.
• The major books of hadeeth used in both schools of Jusrisprudence, (ahlul bayt (as) and the comapnions).
• Authentication of the four books.

Principles of Narrators (USOOL AR-REJAAL)

• This study focuses on:

• Studying the sanad (link) of the hadeeth.
• The history of the science and the fabricators of hadeeth.
• Levels of the rejaal.
• Authentication of the Narrators.
• The major books of narrators (encyclopedia) and the books of the principles of narrators in the school of Ahlul bayt (as).
• Syed Abulqasim Alkhoei was the reformist in the science of Rejaal.

Logic - ALMANTIQ

• This study focuses on:

• How to define, principles of terminology.
• How to prove and idea or a concept.
• Types Principles of analogy.
• Induction, deduction, reasoning.
• Principles of debate, argument, dialogue, presentation, and sermoning.

Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence - ELM USSOL ALFIQH

• This is the back bone of the entire study of Jurisprudence and it entails the study of:

• The logical methodology of Islamic Jurisprudence.
• The rules needed to understand religious evidences (the texts) i.e. Qur’an and hadeeth.
• The logical concepts used to deduce Islamic laws.
• The practical principles which define the practical responsibility in the absence of evidence.
• Conflicts of evidence and the principles of resolving such conflicts.

General Rules of Jurisprudence

• This study focuses on:

• The rules of jurisprudence that can be used by laypeople.
• The rules that can be used by a mojtahid.
• The evidence of such rules (QAWAID)

Arabic Language

• This subject entails the study of:

• Basic Arabic grammar.
• Qur'anic grammar.
• E’raab, analyzing syntax of the Arabic sentence.
• Us-Sarf, studying the etymology, structure of the Arabic word.
• Balaghah, the science of eloquence.

Islamic Jurisprudence - FIQH

• This entails the study of Islamic law of which there are two types:

• Laws of status (laws pertaining to the self)
• Laws of action (direction towards and action or prevention from an action)

• Also, the difference between:

• A fatwa (law) and a hokm (verdict) is studied.
• A personal hokm on a subject, and the hokm on a dispute (Judiciary).

• Understanding the hokm of a mojtahid or hakim (wali alhokm).

Theology and Philosophy

• Debates and misconceptions about our creed and beliefs (ELAHYAAT)

• Religion and sects.

• Introduction to Philosophy.

Ethics and Morals - AKHLAAQ

• Studying ways to improve the behavior from examples in the Qur’an and life style of Ahlul Bayt (as).

• Studying the purpose of creation, the knowledge of death and the life, the hereafter, mystic studies, the study of the soul,…..etc.

The Levels of Hawza Education

• Three levels:

• Introductory (MOQADIMAAT), basics of understanding the evidences.4-5 years

• Upper level (SOTOOH) learning the laws and the process of deduction. 4-5 years.

• Observing the Practice of deduction (EJTIHAAD) performed by MOJTAHID (Bath Kharij or external researches), until a person obtains the skills of EJTIHAAD and becomes a complete Mojtahid.