This course introduces the Sunnah, or the Prophet’s speeches, lifestyle, and practices that encompass both Prophetic narratives and traditions. It places the Sunnah in its perspective as a source of legislation and jurisprudence, fiqh. Through lectures, direct instructions, student-centred learning activities, case studies, and scenario-based teaching and learning activities, students explore questions and issues related to jurisprudence (fiqh), the meanings, authority, and importance of the Sunnah, Prophet Muhammad’s roles, divine preservation of the Sunnah, and a range of rulings concerning the Sunnah. Students examine and delve into an analysis of a general framework for the steps to be followed in the correct and holistic approach, namely, to survey the Qurʾan for relevant verses, to check the authenticity of the chain of narrators as well as the content, to gather all the other related narrations in one context, and finally to make holistic and integrated conclusions. A number of case studies are presented and explained in the areas of public affairs, family law, women in Islam, and the relationship between Islam and previous scriptures.
