ISL271 Islamic Spirituality II: Advanced Concepts in Islamic Spirituality (8)
CSU Discipline Area: Theology (THEOL)
Duration: One session
Abstract:
This subject addresses critically the advanced spiritual concepts in Islamic mysticism (tasawwuf), coupled with its historical development and the influence of the major Muslim mystics and their works on this development.
+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations
| Session 2 | |
|---|---|
| Distance * | United Theological College |
*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: ISL271
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
Assumed Knowledge:
Students should have a good understanding of the basic concepts of spirituality as covered in ISL170 ; the heart, soul and the spirit. Students would also need to have understanding of the Islamic worldview as covered in ISL100 .
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to demonstrate in-depth understanding of key concepts in Islamic mysticism
- be able to evaluate critically Islamic mysticism and its various forms
- be able to articulate critical understanding of the historic development of Islamic mysticism
- be able to recognise and evaluate critically the scriptural basis of mystical concepts
- Be able to demonstrate independent research, organisation, written and oral communication skills through the presentation of a substantial work
Syllabus:
The subject will cover the following topics:
- Introduction to Islamic mysticism (tasawwuf) and its scope
- Historic development of tawawwuf
- Critical evaluation of tasawwuf
- Mystical journeying and the Universal Human
- Qalb (The Heart) and its finer faculties
- Haya (Modesty) and Tawadu (Humility)
- Sakina (Serenity) and Itmi'nan (Peacefulness)
- Wara' (Abstinence) and Zuhd (Asceticism)
- Halwat and 'Uzlat (Privacy and Seclusion) and Huzn (Sadness or Sorrow)
- Raja (Hope or Expectation) and Khawf and Khashya (Fear and Reverence)
- Qabd and Bast (Contraction and Openness) and Qurb and Bu'd (Nearness and Remoteness)
- Wahy and Ilham (Revelation and Inspiration) and Waliyy and Awliyaullah (God's Friend [Saint] and God's Friends [Saints])
Residential School
This subject contains a optional 2 day residential school.
The residential school is optional.
The purpose of the optional residential school is to provide an opportunity for exploration of the overall coursework covered. In addition to content review, this part of the course aims to facilitate an interactive session between the teaching academics and students.
Students will be involved in small group discussion, lectures, visual presentations and one-on-one sessions with the subject coordinator and lecturers to address any issues that may arise. Material and summary content covered in this session will be a valuable contribution towards the major assessment tasks.
Students unable to attend the optional residential school will be provided with an alternate assessment.
The information contained in the 2013 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 24 April 2013. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.