Shari’ah Intelligence

Masterclass
Wednesday 26^th April (6pm) to Monday 1^st May (5pm) 2023

Introduction to Shari’ah Intelligence Masterclass

“SHARI’AH INTELLIGENCE” is a course resulting from the need to handle the mindset crisis and distortions of faith experienced by contemporary Muslims which arise from the lack of a basic understanding or neglect of the faith-inspired critical thinking tools of juristic reasoning (Ijtihad) - Usul al-Fiqh (Principles of Jurisprudence), Qawa’id al-Fiqhiyyah (Maxims of Islamic Jurisprudence) and Maqasid al-Shari’ah (Higher Objectives of the Islamic Path).

In addition to knowledge of contemporary realities, these 3 inter-related subjects, used together form a powerful and synergistic fatwa- quality-control mechanism. When triangulated, these fields guide and regulate better the conduct of ijtihad or “juristic reasoning” when responding to current realities and emerging challenges.

The role of these classical fields of Usul al- Fiqh, Qawa’id al-Fiqhiyyah and Maqasid al-Shari’ah is to design for the jurist, a consistent methodology and transparent protocols by which a jurist can as best as humanly possible, represent the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) in any societal situation or context, especially when the text of the Qur’an and Sunnah are either inconclusive or silent.

Competence in this critical field qualifies a scholar to become proficient to give religious verdicts (as a Mufti) or even become a distinguished jurist consult (Mujtahid). Understanding just the fundamentals of these fields is itself an inoculation for the average Muslim against the folly of acting as if they don’t exist.

Course Modules:

1. An Introduction to Usul al-Fiqh (The Principles and Sources of Islamic Jurisprudence)
2. Qawa’id al-Fiqhiyyah (the Islamic Legal Maxims and philosophy)
3. Maqasid al-Shari’ah (the Higher Intents of Islamic Law)

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, participants should be able:

• To introduce Muslim activists, students, academics to the classical methodologies of juristic reasoning and the formulation of fatwas.
• To equip participants with the necessary knowledge for identifying and deconstructing some common extremist or problematic verdicts and opinions; those which have not been formulated using the classical methodologies of Usul al-Fiqh, Qawa’id al-Fiqhiyyah and Maqasid al-Shari’ah.
• To enable participants, understand why scholars differ in their verdicts, and empower them with knowledge of what decisions or actions may be taken when diverse opinions exist on a particular issue.
• To understand how scholars reconcile the consequences of their juristic opinions with the higher purposes and intents (Maqasid) of the Shari’ah in response various contexts of needs and necessities.
• To explain why Muslims should have greater appreciation and not just respect for diversity of opinions and the synergy of multiple approaches to derivations of rulings from texts.
• To assist those new to Islamic jurisprudence, understand the nuanced language and terminologies used by jurists, and how to be more precise in articulating their questions for the consideration of scholars, and in critiquing of the arguments and answers given.
• To develop faith-based critical thinking tools that serve to build resilience against various extremist ideologies, which encourage intellectual humility and curiosity, and which support the realisation of the Maqasid al-Shari’ah in our engagement with contemporary realities in all fields.

Course Target Audience

Muslim Activists, Students, Imams, Judges, Lawyers, Youth and Community Influencers, Women Leaders and Da’wah workers

Course Content

1. Introduction to Usul Al- Fiqh
2. Evolution of Usul Al-Fiqh
3. Tools of Ijtihad: Primary and Secondary Sources of Shari’ah
4. Schools of Juristic Thought and their Methodologies
5. Certainty and Speculation in Authenticity and Meaning of Texts
6. The Sunnah in the Sirah of the Prophet and his Companions
7. The Legislative and Non-legislative in the Sunnah
8. Introduction to Qawa’id al-Fiqhiyyah and Maqasid al-Shari’ah
9. The Universal Legal Maxims and the Principles of Permissibility (Halal) and Prohibition (Haram)
10. Introduction to the Higher Intents (Maqasid) of Shari’ah
11. Maqasid As a Compass on the Map of Usul Al-Fiqh
12. Why, and What to Do When Scholars Differ

Course Resources

In the delivery of the course, we make use of the following:

Shari’ah Intelligence Book: This is a 322-page textbook used for training during the course. The same material has also been published in two parts for those who find smaller books easier to digest.

Shari’ah Intelligence Workbook: We also have an accompanying workbook that can help participants consolidate their learning by writing down their answers to thought provoking questions based on the course content. We also engage participants in facilitated group discussions, drill sessions as well as multiple choice questions (MCQ) exams to aid and test comprehension.

Case Studies and Examples: This is an additional list of case studies and examples related to various chapters of the Shari’ah Intelligence book which is not included in the book.

Audio-visuals: The Shari’ah Intelligence book, including additional case studies and examples have been produced in video format in the following languages: English, Arabic, French, and some common Nigerian languages including Hausa, Yoruba, Nupe, Kanuri and Fulfulde.

Selection Criteria for shariah Intelligence Course Participants

• Islamic Scholars and teachers, Preachers, Imams, Heads of Islamic Institutions or organizations, as well as leaders of youth and women religious organizations.
• Community actors involved in faith-based engagements and active discourse in multiple fora.
• Religious actors with a pre-existing grounding in Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence)
• Religious actors who are respected by other scholars and actors and can thus conduct step-down training for peers.
• Religious actors with existing congregations and platforms or affiliated with an existing organization have a large followership (including online).
• Religious actors with a commitment to fully participate in all the modules.

No. of participants: 30

No. of Faciltators: 3

Lead Course Facilitator:
Shaykh Nurudeen Lemu
Nuruddeen Lemu is Director of Research and Training at the Da’wah Institute of Nigeria, Islamic Education Trust in Nigeria. He develops, facilitates and conducts train-the-trainer courses in enhancing inter-faith dialogue and engagement, intra-faith cooperation, building resilience against various forms of religious extremism among Muslims, and promoting faith-based critical thinking (“Shari’ah Intelligence”). Nuruddeen is a director of several organisations including Lotus Capital (Halal Investments) Limited, the Development Initiative of West Africa, the Almajiri Child Rights Initiative and ICICE-Al-Noor Academy. He is also a co-founder of the Inter- Faith Activity and Partnership for Peace, and the Regional Centre of Expertise, Minna which focuses on education for sustainable development.

Salatu E. Sule
A lawyer who transitioned into education in 2003 and is a coach, international speaker, and trainer in faith–based personal development. She is the Director of Training and Development at New Horizons College. She is a trainer at the Dawah Institute and Islamic Education Trust. She is also a Director at the Aisha Lemu Learning Initiative. She is the author of One Breath at a Time: Finding solace in Faith, published by Kube.

Nasir Bello
Nasir Bello has made tremendous contributions to both thought and strategy for promoting intra and interfaith dialogue and bridge-building in Nigeria and beyond, for over a decade. He has been a trainer and facilitator with several local and international organizations involved in building resilience against violent extremism. These include the Da'wah Institute (DIN), Islamic Education Trust, the Muslim University Morogoro(MUM) Tanzania, Institute for Da'awah and Training (IDT)Malaysia, Emoa Foundation Ghana, the Development Initiative of West Africa (DIWA), Search for Common Ground, etc.

His interests cover pluralism, governance and democracy, gender equality, realistic alternatives to violence for youth in dealing with grievances, personal development, and leadership, Resource Management and community mobilization, Conflict Transformation, community peacebuilding, etc. He was the President of the Muslim Student Society, at the University of Maiduguri in his Undergraduate days, and has served in different capacities in various other organizations and committees working on providing a better understanding of Islam, promoting peaceful coexistence, and greater respect in the intra-and inter-faith space. He is an alumnus of Cardinal Onaiyekan Peace Fellowship (COPF) and holds a bachelor's degree in Geology from the University of Maiduguri and a Masters's degree in Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies, and Policy and Administration(MPPA) from Ahmadu Bello University(ABU) Zaria and Bayero University Kano respectively.

Nasir is currently the head of the Project Implementation Unit in the Better Education Service Delivery for All project(BESDA) in Gombe State, Nigeria.

Course Fee: £295 (includes tuition, course pack, meals and accommodation for 6 days and 5 nights)

Venue: Markfield Conference Centre, Leicester, UK 

Course Organisers:

The Islamic Foundation: A charity established in UK in 1973, dedicated to research, publishing, education, community support and inter-faith dialogue. Set amidst almost 10 Acres in Markfield, it provides a tranquil environment for studying. The site houses a Masjid, an extensive library, a residential conference centre and a bookshop.

TYLP: A network of faith inspired people. Through purpose-driven courses, mentorship and ventures, TYLP empowers everyone to become changemakers.

Further Information: Dr Riza Mohammed Mobile: +44(0)7939919872