Course Description
The life of the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace) is a cornerstone for the full understanding of Islam. Every other Islamic discipline serves to elucidate how the tradition (sunnah) of the Prophet was embodied in his noble life.
In the third and final term of our year-long course, we shall conclude the Medinan period with the passing of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace). This period of the Prophet's life saw significant changes in the spiritual and social life of the community: the finalising of the ritual fast, the call to prayer, and alms-giving, as well as new rules relating to trade and to newly-sanctioned military engagement. In treating these matters, we will highlight the Prophet's (Allah bless him and grant him peace) steadfastness, unfailing resolve, and wisdom in how he implemented these new laws and how he overcame the barriers and challenges he faced. As we shall see, his response was always informed by the Qur'anic command ’and push back with that which is better’ (Q41:34). Through a close study of this final period in his life, students will develop a greater appreciation for the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and draw inspiration and wisdom that will inform their own lives.
About the Instructor
Thaqib Mahmood
Sheikh Thaqib Mahmood is a traditionally-trained Muslim scholar and instructor in Arabic. He has studied the traditional Islamic disciplines in Yemen, Syria, the UK, Mauritania, and Turkey. He currently teaches Arabic at the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford. He holds a PGDIP in Arabic teaching from the School of Oriental and African Studies, and is completing a Master's degree in linguistics at the same institution.