Qur'anic Exegesis (Tafsir) : Classical Approaches
Hermeneutical Methodologies for Interpreting the Qur’an: From the Classical Islamic Period to the Contemporary Context
Live Online Course
Wednesday , January 22, 2025
Saturday , February 15 , 2025
4 weeks
Saturdays, weekly at 3 PM Mecca/Istanbul time
16 hours (8 contact hours & 8hours self-learning)
Tuition: Free
Administrative fee: US$25
You can Apply for a fee waiver
Advanced
English
Motaz Al-Thaher
Senior Research Fellow - Quranic Studies
Dr. Motaz is a Lecturer and Online Course Manager at CMCS in Houston and Manager of the Maqāsid Scholars Fellowship Program at the Maqasid Institute in Virginia. He holds a PhD from IIUM on Maqāṣid interpretation, with a background in engineering, Uṣūl al-Dīn, and Qur’anic interpretation. He spent two years as a visiting scholar at Baylor University and has published a review on Maqāṣid methodology, focusing on analytical studies and future insights.
Program Synopsis:
The program explores the diverse methodologies and approaches used by classical and modern scholars in interpreting the Qur’an. Students will engage with the evolution of Tafsīr from early Islamic interpretations to contemporary analysis, gaining a deeper understanding of the complexities of hermeneutical tools applied throughout history. This course is offered in collaboration with The Center for Muslim & Christian Studies, Houston, fostering a unique interdisciplinary approach to Qur’anic studies.
Course Objectives
- Understand the need for Tafsir and the reasons behind its emergence in the early stages of Islam.
- Understand the historical development of classical Tafsīr methodologies.
- Distinguish between key classical Tafsīr approaches.
- Analyze case studies applying classical interpretation methods.
- Critically appraise classical approaches to Tafsir and their methodologies.
Intended Audience Students and scholars interested in Islamic studies and Qur’anic interpretation.
Learning Outcomes By the end of the course, participants will be able to critically analyze classical Tafsīr approaches, understand their historical contexts, and apply learned methodologies to interpret Qur’anic texts
Course Outline
- Session 1: Emergence and Fundamentals of Tafsīr
- Session 2: Al-Tafsīr Al-Maʾthūr (Narrative-based Exegesis)
- Session 3: Tafsīr Al-Raʾy (Rational-based Exegesis)
- Session 4: Al-Tafsīr al-Ishārī (Sufi Mysticism-based Exegesis)
Participants' Responsibilities
- Attend live sessions.
- Submit their answers to thought-provoking questions after each lecture.
- Participate in the discussion forum after each unit.
Certification/Completion Criteria
Participants will receive a certificate of completion if they meet the following criteria:
- Attend at least 75% of the sessions.
- Submit all assignments on time.
- Actively participate in discussions and presentations.
- Complete the final project after completing “Qur’anic Exegesis: Contemporary Approaches.”
Explore More
To continue your exploration of Qur’anic interpretation, consider enrolling in the related course “Qur’anic Exegesis: Contemporary Approaches” scheduled for April-May 2025. This complementary course builds on classical foundations by examining modern interpretative methodologies, including thematic exegesis, historical analysis, and the Maqāṣid Methodology.
