The purpose of the class is for students to gain understandings of
how Muslims, traditionally, came to know the Will of God through the
development of practical “hands on” methods. The course is designed
to resemble classes in theology (kalam), jurisprudence (usul al-
fiqh), and law (fiqh) in a medieval Islamic college (madrasah, pl.
madaris). Each section of the course will be divided into halaqat
(sing. halqah) or discussion circles focused on specific topics. As
students move from one circle to the next they will be issued ijazat
(sing. ijazah) or permissions to move on to the following level of
study. Role playing and debate will be central to our efforts to
develop detailed understandings of Muslim views of God’s Will.
Students will have the opportunity to act as theologians in debate
(jadal), Muftis issuing legal opinions (fatawa, sing. fatwa), and
Qadis (judges) hearing legal disputes. The ultimate purpose of the
course is for students to not only know how Muslims traditionally
interpret the Will of God, but to turn to the texts themselves and
carryout methods of interpretation.