Assignments

Lesson 2 Assignment (4 marks each) The Art of the Question: Draft three “Critical Questions” you should ask when starting a new Sūrah to understand its deeper structure. Misinterpretation Case Study: Take a commonly misunderstood verse (e.g., regarding conflict or gender) and explain how applying Context (Topic 4) and Linguistics (Topic 2) corrects the misconception. The Danger of Cherry-Picking: Why is it dangerous to interpret a single verse without looking at the verses immediately before and after it? Connection (Munāsabah): Find a link between two adjacent verses in a Sūrah you have studied and explain how the second verse completes the thought of the first. Pattern Discovery: Identify a recurring theme or “pattern” in the Qur’an (e.g., the mention of “Mercy” after “Punishment”) and explain its psychological impact on the reader.

Lesson 1 Assignment (4 marks each) Style Contrast: Explain the primary difference between Al-Ṭabarī’s “encyclopedic” style and Ibn Kathīr’s “authentic-selection” style. The Root of Difference: List two legitimate reasons why two classical scholars might provide slightly different explanations for the same word. The Father of Tafsīr: Why is Al-Ṭabarī’s work considered the essential foundation for almost all scholars who came after him? Ibn Kathīr’s Filter: How did Ibn Kathīr use the Sunnah to “filter” earlier interpretations? Comparative Reading: Select a verse (e.g., the meaning of “Al-Kawthar”) and summarize how two different scholars describe it. Are their views contradictory or complementary?

Lesson 2 Assignment (4 marks each) The Sabr of Yusuf: Identify three different “tests” Prophet Yūsuf faced and how his response demonstrated Sabr. Narrative Symmetry: How does the beginning of the Sūrah (the dream) connect to its conclusion (the fulfillment)? Social Constitution: List five social “prohibitions” mentioned in Sūrah al-Ḥujurāt and explain why they are vital for community peace. Verification of News: Based on Al-Ḥujurāt, what is the specific procedure a believer must follow when receiving news from a questionable source? Drafting the Guide: Draft a one-page “Social Conduct Guide” for a modern community using only the principles found in Sūrah al-Ḥujurāt.

Lesson 1 Assignment (4 marks each) Summary of the Whole: Explain why Al-Fātiḥah is considered a summary of the entire Qur’an. The Covenant: Based on the study of Al-Baqarah, what is the “covenant” between Allah and the believers? Linguistic Sovereignty: Analyze one name of Allah from Āyat al-Kursī and explain how it reinforces the theme of Divine Power. Guidance Request: In Al-Fātiḥah, we ask for “The Straight Path.” How does Al-Baqarah begin to define what that path looks like in practice? Responsibility: Reflect on the final verses of Al-Baqarah. How does Allah balance “Legal Burdens” with “Divine Mercy”?

Lesson 2 Assignment (4 marks each) Ethics vs. Law: Explain why a legal rule in the Qur’an is often followed by a reminder to fear Allah or do good. Social Responsibility: List three groups of people the Qur’an repeatedly commands the believers to protect and provide for. The Concept of Iḥsān: Define Iḥsān (Excellence/Beauty) and give an example of how it applies to personal conduct in the Qur’an. Justice (ʿAdl): Find a verse where Allah commands justice even if it is against one’s own self or family. Explain the weight of this instruction. Summarizing Ethics: In your own words, describe the “Qur’anic character” based on the verses studied in this lesson.

Lesson 1 Assignment (4 marks each) Thematic Link: Select a Sūrah and identify one verse for each of the three pillars (Tawḥīd, Risālah, Ākhirah) within it. Naming Logic: Find a verse ending with two of Allah’s Names. Explain why those specific Names “fit” the subject of that verse. The Prophetic Chain: How does the Qur’an emphasize the “unity” of the message across different Prophets? Logical Tawḥīd: Identify a verse where the Qur’an uses the natural world (the sun, rain, or stars) to prove the existence and oneness of Allah. Thematic Map: Create a thematic map (visual or descriptive) showing how Tawḥīd is reinforced in three different Sūrahs (e.g., Al-Ikhlāṣ, Al-Baqarah, and Al-Mulk).

Lesson 2 Assignment (4 marks each) Thematic Contrast: Contrast the primary themes of a Makkan Sūrah with a Madinan Sūrah. Atmospheric Tone: How does the environment of persecution in Makkah impact the “tone” and language used in the verses revealed during that time? Governance vs. Creed: Why was legislation (like business or inheritance laws) primarily revealed in Madinah rather than Makkah? Identifying Characteristics: List three linguistic features that often help identify a Sūrah as Makkan. Historical Transition: Explain why the Hijrah (Migration) is the dividing line between these two eras.

Lesson 1 Assignment (4 marks each) Contextual Impact: Choose one verse and explain how knowing its Asbāb al-Nuzūl (the story behind it) changes or deepens your understanding of it. Terminology: Define Asbāb al-Nuzūl and explain why it is considered a “tool” for the Mufassir. General vs. Specific: Explain the scholarly rule: “The consideration is for the generality of the wording, not the specificity of the cause.” The Quest for Clarity: Why would a verse be revealed in response to a question from a companion rather than just being revealed proactively? Historical Source: Where do we primarily find the information regarding the occasions of revelation? (Hint: See Topic 3 sources).

Lesson 2 Assignment (4 marks each) Methodological Comparison: Compare an analytical commentary of a verse with a thematic commentary of the same subject. Which is better for understanding a specific word, and which is better for understanding a concept? Thematic Mapping: Pick the theme of “Water” or “Light.” Briefly describe how a thematic Tafsīr might combine verses from different Sūrahs to explain this theme. Analytical Benefits: Why is the chronological, verse-by-verse method essential for preserving the flow of a specific Sūrah? Modern Preference: Why do you think thematic Tafsīr has become popular in the modern era for addressing social issues? Defining Terms: Define Tafsir Tahlihi and Tafsir Mawdu’i in your own words.

Lesson 1 Assignment (4 marks each) Internal Evidence: Explain the concept of Tafsir al-Qur’an bil-Qur’an using an example where a brief verse is clarified by a longer one elsewhere. The Role of the Messenger: Why is the Sunnah considered the secondary source of Tafsīr rather than a separate, unrelated book? The First Generation: List two reasons why the interpretation of the Ṣaḥābah holds more weight than that of a modern linguist. Ranking Authorities: Create a list ranking the sources of Tafsīr from highest authority to lowest. Preservation: Briefly explain the role of the Tābiʿīn in the “Chain of Interpretation”.