Lote Tree Foundation

The course content is based on Shaykh Muhammad ‘Alī al-Sābūnī’s book on ‘Ulum al-Qur’an (Sciences of the Qur’an) which provides a comprehensive introduction to the foundational aspects of Qur’anic studies. The work explores key topics such as the stages of revelation, preservation, compilation, and the miraculous nature of the Qur’an. It delves into essential sciences like Asbab al-Nuzul (circumstances of revelation), Makki and Madani verses, abrogation (naskh), and the principles of Qur’anic interpretation (tafsir).

The book is notable for its clarity, accessibility, and systematic approach, making complex topics understandable for students and scholars alike. It also emphasizes the spiritual significance of the Qur’an alongside its academic study, bridging intellectual engagement with devotional understanding. Widely regarded as a valuable resource, the book highlights Shaykh al-Sābūnī’s expertise and his dedication to preserving and disseminating the sciences of the Qur’an.

Shaykh Muhammad ‘Alī al-Sābūnī (1930–2021) was a distinguished scholar from Aleppo, Syria. Born into a scholarly family, he studied under esteemed teachers such as Shaykh Muhammad Najīb Sirājuddīn, Shaykh Ahmad al-Shamā‘, Shaykh Muhammad Sa‘īd al-Idlibī, Shaykh Muhammad Rāghib al-Tabbākh, and Shaykh Muhammad Najīb Khayātah. He excelled in both Islamic and secular studies, graduating with distinction from Aleppo’s Khasrawiyya School of Sharī‘ah and later from Al-Azhar University in Egypt.

Shaykh al-Sābūnī taught in Aleppo and for 28 years in Saudi Arabia, mentoring many scholars and contributing to academic research, including editing Ma‘ani al-Qur’ān by Imām Abū Jā‘far al-Nahhās. He authored globally recognized works like Safwat al-Tafāsīr and Rawā’i al-Bayān fī Tafsīr Āyāt al-Ahkām. His efforts in Qur’anic sciences earned him the 2007 Islamic Personality of the Year award.