Course Structure
| Study Mode | Online |
| Course Duration | 8 Lessons |
| Start Date | 21 April 2026 |
| End Date | 9 June 2026 |
| Day | Tuesdays |
| Time | 12:00 - 13:30 | Calgary 14:00 - 15:30 | New York 19:00 - 20:30 | London 22:00 - 23:30 | Dubai 23:30 - 01:00 | Mumbai 02:00 - 03:30 | Singapore |
| Cost | Free |
| Instructor | Ustadh Jamie B. Turner |
| Textbook | In-house resources will be shared |
All lesson recordings available on-demand!
Spanning the rich traditions of kalām, falsafa, and Sufism, this course offers students a comprehensive exploration of classical Islamic theology and philosophy, engaging the Māturīdī, Ashʿarī, and Ḥanbalī/Atharī schools on enduring questions of faith, reason, and the nature of reality.
Beginning with the foundational frameworks of Islamic thought, students will examine key theological and philosophical traditions, exploring how scholars articulated concepts of God, causality, knowledge, and the natural world. The course then guides participants through the distinctive contributions of major thinkers, highlighting their approaches to divine action, human agency, and the structure of existence.
Utilising the volume Seven Classical Perspectives for Islam and Science, edited by Shoaib Ahmed Malik, as a foundational text, the course not only imparts knowledge but also cultivates critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deeper appreciation of the Islamic intellectual tradition. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to engage philosophical debates, understand key historical developments, and apply classical insights to contemporary challenges in science and religion.
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Topics Covered
| Lesson 1 | Introduction to Course • Outline of the key themes examined • Mapping out the major traditions in Islamic thought • Introduction to each key thinker to be explored in the course |
| Lesson 2 | The Māturīdī Tradition • Examination of divine wisdom (ḥikma) and purposeful action. • Exploration of causality and the natural order. • Discussion of human responsibility and rational ethics. |
| Lesson 3 | The Muʿtazilī Tradition • Examination of objective moral values. • Exploration of human free will and accountability. • Discussion of causality and rational order in nature. |
| Lesson 4 | The Falsafa Tradition (Neoplatonism) • Examination of emanation and cosmic hierarchy. • Exploration of necessary causality. • Discussion of the eternity of the universe. |
| Lesson 5 | The Ashʿarī Tradition • Examination of occasionalism and denial of natural causality. • Exploration of human agency (kasb). • Discussion of reason within a scriptural framework |
| Lesson 6 | The Falsafa Tradition (Aristotelianism) • Examination of natural causality and science. • Exploration of harmony between reason and revelation. • Discussion of allegorical interpretation. |
| Lesson 7 | The Sufi Theosophical Tradition • On the unity of being (waḥdat al-wujūd). • Examination of reality as divine manifestation. • Exploration of spiritual knowledge (kashf). • Discussion of symbolic causality and divine action. |
| Lesson 8 | The Ḥanbali/Atharī Tradition • Examination of critiques of philosophy and kalām. • Exploration of real causality under divine sovereignty. • Discussion of harmony between reason and revelation. |
Learning Outcomes
Learn traditional Islamic knowledge in a thorough, practical and transforming way
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Understand and analyse the major traditions of classical Islamic theology and philosophy, including kalām, falsafa, and Sufism, as well as the Māturīdī, Ashʿarī, and Ḥanbalī/Atharī schools.
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Explore competing theological and philosophical frameworks concerning God, causality, knowledge, and the natural world, and how these were articulated by key classical thinkers including major figures such as Abū Manṣūr al-Māturīdī, Ibn Sīnā, and Ibn Taymiyya.
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Examine gain proficiency in comparing and contrasting different Islamic intellectual traditions, analysing their agreements and disagreements on issues such as reason and revelation, causality, free will, and divine action.
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Analyse the relationship between classical Islamic thought and contemporary discussions on science, religion, and human understanding.
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Develop skills in closely reading theological and philosophical texts, engaging critically with their arguments, and applying their insights to both historical contexts and modern intellectual challenges.
Course Fees
Our courses are free!
(Only *£10 to cover admin fees)
*The inclusion of the small nominal admin fee helps us to counter bots and spam.
Join our mission to keep them free and become a means for sacred knowledge to be readily accessible, professionally delivered (by qualified scholars) for the Muslim community - globally!
Become a supporter by donating as little as £10pm - together we can make it happen inshā'aAllāh.
Ustadh Jamie B. Turner
Senior Instructor
Testimonials
Amer Nazri | Animation Director
Kamran Ahmed | Finance Director
FAQs
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How long is this course?
This course is based on 8 lessons (1 hour 30 mins each).
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What do I need to access this course?
All you need is a reliable internet connection and access to a personal computer, tablet or phone – our online courses are responsive and designed to work across all platforms. We also recommend that you study the courses somewhere quiet so that you can concentrate and get the most out of the rich, helpful information they contain.
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Do I require additional resources?
No. Various course material will be shared during the course.
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Will there be recording available if I miss a class?
Yes. Recordings of each lesson will be posted within a day. All recordings will remain accessible for the academic year.
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Why is there a £10 admin fee?
We're able to offer our courses free of charge (rather than pay £££) as they are largely funded through sponsors and student donations. The inclusion of the small nominal admin fee helps us to counter bots and spam. We do however encourage students to support our cause by becoming a monthly supporter: https://lote.org.uk/donate (UK) https://lote.org.uk/donate-international (Non-UK)
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Will I get a qualification or ijazah?
If you complete the course, you will receive a certificate of completion.
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I'm not in the UK, does that matter?
No, absolutely not – in fact that’s one of the main reasons we developed our online courses, so that more people from around the world could benefit from our training.
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I'm having trouble logging in, what can I do?
If you are having problems logging in, it may be that you need to delete your browser cookies and/or empty your cache. If you’re still having trouble after having done that, then please contact us.
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