Assignments

Lesson 2 Assignment (4 marks each) Digital Ethics: Based on the Hadith of Gheebah (backbiting), create a 5-point “Digital Conduct Code” for an online educational platform. Environmental Sunnah: Identify three narrations regarding the treatment of animals or nature. How can these be applied to the current climate crisis? Conflict Resolution: Analyze the “Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.” What negotiation tactics did the Prophet (ﷺ) use that could be applied to modern corporate or political disputes? Mercy as a Metric: How does the concept of “Mercy to the Worlds” (Rahma-tan lil-‘Alameen) override harsh interpretations of specific rulings? Future-Proofing: Propose a way to teach Prophetic ethics to children using modern technology (VR, apps, or gaming) without compromising the sanctity of the message.

Lesson 1 Assignment (4 marks each) Fabrication Case Study: Research one historically famous Mawḍū‘ (fabricated) Hadith. Why was it created, and how did the Muhaddithun identify it as a lie? Critique Analysis: Choose a common contemporary critique of Hadith literature. Draft a response that utilizes both classical methodology and modern logical reasoning. Contextualization: Explain the difference between a “universal” Prophetic teaching and a “circumstantial” one. Give an example of each. Intellectual Integrity: Why is it dangerous to accept Hadiths found on social media without verifying their source and grade (Takhrij)? Historical Defense: Briefly outline how the early codification of Hadith (Topic 1) serves as a defense against claims that the Sunnah is unreliable.

Lesson 2 Assignment (4 marks each) Legal Framework: Analyze the Hadith “The Halal is clear…” and map out how it creates a three-tiered system for ethical decision-making. Theological Deep-Dive: Select a “Master Hadith” related to the Day of Judgment from Sahih al-Bukhari and outline its core theological implications. Cross-Reference: Find a “Master Hadith” found in both Bukhari and Muslim (Muttafaqun ‘Alayh) and explain why its presence in both increases its legal weight. Commentary Exploration: Summarize one major point made by Imam Ibn Hajar (in Fath al-Bari) regarding a pivotal Hadith from Lesson 2. Synthesis: Explain how “Master Narrations” ensure that Islamic law remains consistent even when applied in different cultures and eras.

Lesson 1 Assignment (4 marks each) Thematic Selection: Choose one Hadith from the Arba‘īn and explain why it is considered a “foundation of the religion” (Asl al-Din). Structural Breakdown: Analyze the “Hadith of Sincerity” (Innamal a’malu bin-niyyat). How does the second half of the Hadith (regarding Hijrah) provide a practical example of the first half (intentions)? Linguistic Nuance: Identify a metaphor or specific word choice in a selected Hadith from Riyāḍ al-Ṣāliḥīn and explain how it deepens the meaning of the command. Comparative Analysis: Compare two Hadiths from the collection that deal with social ethics. How do they complement each other? Pedagogical Methodology: Why did Imam an-Nawawi focus on short narrations for his “Forty” collection? What was the intended impact on the student?

Lesson 2 Assignment (4 marks each) Social Ethics: Analyze the Hadith “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” How does this apply to modern social media interactions? Mercy in the Home: Discuss the Hadith “The best of you are those who are best to their families.” What specific behaviors did the Prophet (ﷺ) exhibit that modeled this? Marketplace Integrity: Explain the Prophetic warning regarding a merchant who hides defects in their goods. Conflict Resolution: Based on Prophetic teachings, what is the “ethics of disagreement” when dealing with friends or business partners? Service to Others: How does the Hadith “The leader of a people is their servant” redefine traditional concepts of authority and conduct?

Lesson 1 Assignment (4 marks each) Reflective Essay: Based on the Hadith of Jibril, explain the relationship between Islam (submission), Iman (faith), and Ihsan (excellence). Sincerity Audit: Analyze a Hadith regarding “Showing Off” (Riya). Why is it described as “minor shirk”? The Heart’s Role: The Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned a “piece of flesh” that, if sound, makes the whole body sound. Identify this Hadith and explain its spiritual significance. Tazkiyah Process: List three specific Prophetic practices mentioned in the texts that aid in the purification of one’s character. Application: How does a “sweetness of faith” manifest in a person’s daily life according to the Hadith of the Three Qualities?

Lesson 2 Assignment (4 marks each) Maqāṣid Discovery: Choose a well-known Hadith and identify its “Higher Objective” (Maqṣad) beyond the literal words. Prophetic Roles: Explain the difference in legal weight between a Hadith where the Prophet acts as a Judge versus one where he acts as a Messenger delivering a universal command. Application: In the context of Maqāṣid, how would you explain the Prophetic emphasis on using a Siwāk to someone who only has access to a modern toothbrush? Literalist Pitfalls: Describe a situation where a strictly literal interpretation of a Hadith might lead to an outcome that contradicts the general mercy of Islam. Critical Thinking: How does understanding “Prophetic Wisdom” help a student deal with modern issues not explicitly mentioned in the texts?

Lesson 1 Assignment (4 marks each) Terminology: Define Istinbāṭ and explain why it requires more than just a literal reading of a Hadith. Scenario Analysis: If one Hadith says “Do not face the Qibla while relieving yourself” and another says “The Prophet was seen facing it,” how does the method of Al-Jam‘ (Reconciliation) resolve this? Abrogation: Define An-Naskh. Why is it necessary to know the timeline of when a Hadith was spoken? Contextual Depth: Why is knowing the Asbāb al-Wurūd (circumstances of the Hadith) crucial for correct interpretation? Scholarly Tools: List three qualifications a person must have before they are considered fit to perform Istinbāṭ.

Lesson 2 Assignment (4 marks each) Tirmidhi’s Contribution: What is the benefit of Imam at-Tirmidhi’s “Commentary” section for a student of Fiqh? Legal Focus: If you were looking for Hadiths specifically regarding the details of a contract or marriage law, which of the four Sunan would be the most specialized resource? Criteria Comparison: Why is Sunan an-Nasā’ī often ranked right after the Ṣaḥīḥayn in terms of the reliability of its narrators? Ibn Mājah’s Place: Despite having more weak Hadiths, why do scholars still include Ibn Mājah in the “Six Books”? Classification: Define the difference between a Jāmi‘ (like Bukhari or Tirmidhi) and a Sunan (like Abu Dawud).

Lesson 1 Assignment (4 marks each) Methodological Contrast: Explain the difference between Al-Bukhari’s “Proof of Meeting” and Muslim’s “Contemporaneity.” Which one is considered stricter? Structural Analysis: Why did Imam Muslim place all narrations of a single topic in one place, while Imam Bukhari often repeated Hadiths across different legal chapters? Historical Impact: How did the compilation of the Ṣaḥīḥayn change the way scholars approached legal disputes? Terminology: What does the title “Ṣaḥīḥ” signify about the content of these two specific books compared to the Sunan books? Biographical Research: Mention one unique fact about Imam al-Bukhari’s journey or memory that highlights his dedication to the science.