Internet Resources

Peace, one and all…

As I said in the last post, internet sites are a useful source of information.  However, it is important to be careful when using material from the web.  Remember, not all of it is useful; not all of it is balanced and not all of it is accurate. 

You must be extremely careful when using an Internet site.  Just because it appears on the screen, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is any good.  In short, evaluate your material before you use it (that is, think carefully about what it is saying).

That said, there are some useful exceptions.  I have listed some of the better ones below.  If you have any problems with a particular website, let me know and we can all look at it together in class.

• Internet Islamic History Sourcebook
• Wikipedia
• Written in Stone
• 40 Hadith Qudsi
• Fortification of the Muslim
• Forthy Hadith.com
• The Message of the Quran
• Muslim Wiki
• Quran.org.uk
• The Amman Message
• MSA-USC Hadith Database
• MSA-USC Quran Database

I hope you find these sites useful.  Insha Allah, we will discuss them next week in class.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

The Concept of God in Islam

Peace, one and all…

In Monday’s session (12th November 2007), we looked at The Concept of God in Islam.  We also looked at the Hadith of Gabriel (Jibril) and what it has to say about Islam, Iman and Ihsan.

Next week, insha Allah, we will look at the history of the Muslim community after the death of Muhammad (see these notes from my university course: When a Prophet dies).  In preparation, please read about this period.  Use the notes I gave you previously, and please visit the college library and make use of the resources there.

Moreover, our worthy brothers will also offer us a 10 minute presentation on the idea of shirk.  Please do use powerpoint if you want to.  Remember to save your notes, as you will need them when we come to make our own wall display.

Here are the presentation topics for all of the groups:

1. What is Islam?  And what is a Muslim?
2. Islamic Ideas about God
3. Prophets and prophethood
4. Judgement Day
5. Sin and Forgiveness
6. Shirk

When preparing your presentation, please use the library, as well as at least 3 internet sources.  When you are preparing, make notes about each source: which one was the best?  Which one did you find most helpful?  Which one seems the least biased?

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Life in Medina

Peace, one and all…

Here are the slides for Monday’s session on Life in Medina.  Here are the Passages from the Medinan chapters we looked at, as well as the text of the Farewell Sermon.

Enjoy!

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Lecture Notes: The Life of Muhammad

Peace, one and all…

As promised, here are the lecture notes for the first three sessions:

• The Life of Muhammad 1: Pre-Islamic Arabia
• The Life of Muhammad 2: from the Beginnings to the Hijra
• The Life of Muhammad 3: Understanding the Hijra

Here are some extra slides, from our first week:

• Thinking About Prayer

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Welcome

Peace, one and all…

Welcome to my new blog.  This blog aims to support my teaching.  Specifically, it aims to support the AS Level Islamic Studies course at Coleg Glan Hafren, during the 2007-2008 academic year.

I have uploaded the course handbook, which gives information on the shape and structure of the module:

• Course Handbook

Insha Allah, I will be uploading course materials, lecture notes and other such useful information.  This blog will also allow students to ask questions online.

May Allah help it to grow.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman