Introduction to Hawza StudiesLESSON ONESheikh 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:1. Laws of status (laws pertaining to the

self)2. 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:1. Introductory (MOQADIMAAT),

basics of understanding the evidences.4-5 years

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

3. 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.