Foundations of Islam (5 Lectures) - Hamza Yusuf

Description of the content

One of the most popular and effective series for teaching the basics about Islam. Given at the annual Dar al Islam Teachers' Institute in New Mexico, these lectures are meant to provide a comprehensive overview of the religion and world of Islam for non-Muslims. The classroom style presentation covers five main areas: the Holy Qur'an, basic practices, core beliefs, spirituality and the end of time. The program is based on the well-known hadith (prophetic saying) of Angel Gabriel that teaches Islam, iman (faith) and ihsan (spirituality). Hamza Yusuf, a European-American convert fluent in Arabic and gifted with a vast knowledge of Islam, presents the material in a style that is unique to most of his other lectures since he is speaking to non-Muslim academics. Although he focuses on the basic teachings, his deeper exploration of the subject results in a series which any non-Muslim, new Muslim or life-long Muslim can appreciate and benefit from. These lectures are essential for any person or organization seeking to educate others about the true teachings of Islam. Some of the topics discussed: Islam as the teaching of previous prophets, rationalizing God's rulings, the problem of evil, God's imminence, capital punishment, suicide, losing the spirit of the Law, Dajjal (anti-Christ), and secularization in the Muslim world. (Duration: 8 hours, 55 min)

Five topics:
How the Qur'an Was Revealed and Compiled
Pillars of Practice
Articles of Faith
The Concept of Ihsan
Signs of the Last Day

How the Qur'an Was Revealed and Compiled
1) The Root Meaning of "Qur'an"
2) Civilization's Foundational Books
3) The Recital: An Oral Book
4) Prophet Muhammad's (P) Early Life
5) The Revelation Experience
6) Conveying the Message
7) Monotheism
8) The Hereafter
9) The Qur'an: A Non-Linear Book
10) The End of Time
11) Memorization
12) The Madinan Period
13) Collection and Compilation
14) Standardizing the Text
15) The Authenticity of the Qur'an (Koran)
16) Q&A: The Royal "We"? / Q&A: Stolen Manuscripts?
17) Q&A: Are Heaven's Descriptions Literal?
18) Q&A: Mistakes in the Torah?
19) Q&A: How Many People Have Memorized the Qur'an?
20) Q&A: Seven Variants?

Pillars of Practice
1) Normative vs. Descriptive
2) The Meaning of "Deen"
3) The Meaning of "Islam"
4) Islam is Not a New Religion
5) Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)
6) Free Will
7) Salah (Prayer)
8) Wudu (Cleansing)
9) Why Many Muslims Don't Reflect
10) Rationalizing God's Rulings
11) Why Pig is Prohibited
12) Zakah (Poor-due)
13) Syam (Fasting)
14) Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Articles of Faith
1) Religion: The Concept of Binding Together
2) Iman: To Make Oneself Secure
3) Belief in God
4) Negation/Affirmation
5) Revelation
6) Messengers
7) God's Immanence
8) Nafs (The Self)
9) The Angels
10) The Difference Between Prophets and Messengers
11) Qadr (The Divine Decree)
12) The Problem of Evil
13) Capital Punishment, Fatwahs and Salmon Rushdie
14) Islamic Law Preserves Five Things
15) Inheritance
16) Good and Evil
17) Homosexuality
18) The Day of Judgment
19) Stages of the Dunya (Material World)
20) Death
21) The Grave and Resurrection
22) The Reckoning
23) The Bridge of Siraat
24) Q&A: The Mercy and Wrath of God
25) Q&A: Suicide? / Q&A: Do Children Go Straight to Heaven? / Q&A: Did Prophet Muhammad (P) Absolve Sins?
26) Q&A: Shariah, Blasphemy and Punishment?
The Concept of Ihsan
1) Secularization in the Muslim World
2) The Failure of Political Islam
3) Losing the Spirit of the Law
4) What is Ihsan?
5) How Do We Achieve Ihsan?... Repentance
6) Guarding the Heart
7) Avoid Backbiting
8) Eating Halaal / Ascertaining the Hukm (Judgment) / Showing Off
9) Envy
10) Vanity
11) Arrogance
12) The Root of All Misdeeds
13) The Cure For All Misdeeds

Signs of the Last Day
1) The Qur'an Is Not a History Book
2) The Concept of Time
3) Don't Be Fatalistic
4) Disruption of the Social Order
5) Some Signs That Have Already Occurred
6) Some Signs That Continue to Intensify
7) The Dajjal (Anti-Christ)
8) Destitute Herdsmen Constructing Tall Buildings
9) The Imminence of the End of Time
10) Q&A: Determining the Prayer Times
11) Q&A: Prejudice, Stereotyping and Misuse of Terms
12) Q&A: Reconciling Hope With the End of Time

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