Early Islamic Texts

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

This course introduces students to early Arbro-Islamic texts from the formative period of Islam, up to the 3rd/9th century. Through selected readings, students will analyze excerpts from a variety of Arabic sources and genres, including the Qurʾān, tafsīr, qiṣaṣ al-anbiyāʾ, al-sīra al-nabawiyya, fiqh, ḥadīth, and tārīkh. To deepen their understanding, students will also engage with critical academic scholarship that offers insights into the cultural, historical, and political contexts of this period. While instruction is in English, Arabic reading fluency is required.