The course will provide an introduction to the Quran. It will briefly explore the history of Quranic sciences, meanings, and methods. While a multiplicity of interpretations is a consistent historical feature in Qur’anic scholarship, the course will apply the methodology of the intra-textual method (tafsir al-Qur’an bi-l-Qur’an) that has been accepted as a central method of interpretation. Building upon this method, the course will explore and furthers the methodology of Al-wahda al-bina’iyya li-l-Qur’an (the Qur’an’s structural unity) to analyze and discuss different themes.

The students will analyze Quranic concepts to understand contemporary issues such as: self-transformation, family structure, and community development. The holistic method reads the Qur’an as unified text through its, and conceptual elements. The goal is the awakening of the heart in an effort to understand and engage with the Qur’an on a deeper, more personal level.

Upon the completion of the class, the students will be able to strengthen their relationship with the Qur’an by applying the skills they learned in contemplating the Quran. The students will be able to re-evaluate their perceptions and perspectives of Allah’s creations, the role they play maintaining the sanctity of relationship and using the Qur’an for finding solutions to contemporary challenges.