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Religions and teams

Course Description: Understanding the history of living religions, identifying the history of sects and divisions, related terminology, and how to respond to opposing views.

Credit hours: 3

Prerequisites: AGDH255

Objectives of the course :

1- Understanding the beliefs of the history of living religions.
2. Understanding the correct scientific methodology for criticizing religions.
3. The ability to describe doctrinal deviations in distorted religions.
4- The ability to infer the effects of distortion on religions.
5- Knowing the difference between the religion of Islam and other religions.
6. Knowing the proofs of the validity of Islam and the invalidity of other religions.
7- Knowing the history of the split, sects, and theological denominations.
8- Identifying the terminology of theological sects, theological schools, esoteric sects, and contemporary theological sects.
9- A Statement on the Beliefs of Doctrinal Sects, Kalam Sects, and Esoteric Sects in Light of the Creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah.
Deduce the reasons for the emergence of sects in the past and present.
11- Comparison between the beliefs of doctrinal sects, theological schools, and esoteric sects.
12- Refuting Doctrinal Sects, Scholastic Factions, and Esoteric Groups in Light of the Creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah.
13- Adopting Islamic morals in etiquette and skills for dealing with those who hold differing views.
Leveraging modern technology to access knowledge and conduct scientific research.

Course outputs :

Knowledge and understanding:
1- To become familiar with the history of living religions.
2- To know the correct scientific methodology for critiquing religions.
3. To describe the doctrinal deviations in distorted religions.
4. To recognize the history of the schism and the doctrinal sects and groups.
To recognize the terminology of theological sects, theological schools, esoteric sects, and contemporary theological sects.
6. To describe the beliefs of theological sects, jurisprudential schools, and esoteric groups in light of the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah.
Skills:
To deduce the effects of alteration in religions.
2. To deduce the difference between Islam and other religions.
3. To prove the validity of Islam and the invalidity of other religions.
4. To deduce the reasons for the emergence of sects in ancient and modern times.
5. To compare the doctrines of theological sects, kalam sects, and esoteric sects.
6. To respond to doctrinal sects, theological groups, and esoteric affiliations in light of the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah.
Values, autonomy and responsibility:
1- The student should embody Islamic ethics, manners and skills for dealing with dissenters, and professional ethics.
2. Utilize modern technology to access knowledge, conduct scientific research, and benefit from it.

Additional information:

Course Topics:
Definition of Religions, and Their Origin.
Benefits and Importance of Studying Religions.
A Brief Overview of the History of the Science of Religions and its Prominent Methodologies in Muslim and Western Studies.
The division of religions, and an overview of interfaith dialogue.
The rulings on dealing with people of other religions.
The stance on holy books in religions, and the ruling on consulting them.
Judaism: (Its Definition, History, Denominations, Beliefs, Sources, and Judaism in Modern Times).
Christianity: (Its definition, history, relationship with Judaism, denominations, beliefs, sources, and Christianity in the modern era).
A brief overview of the most prominent pagan religions.
Hinduism: (Its Definition, History, Beliefs, Sources, Hinduism in the Modern Era).
Buddhism (Definition, History, Beliefs, Sources, Buddhism in Modern Times).
. The Moderation and Merits of Islam Among Religions
The Seal of Prophethood and Messengership and the Good Tidings of the Prophet, peace be upon him, in Previous Books.
An Introduction to the History of Difference in Islam Generally, and Doctrinal Difference Specifically, and the Stance of the Salaf Towards It.
The most important works in the science of sects and denominations.
Definition of the term "Separation," explanation of what is meant by the science of sects, explanation of the terms: sects, groups, and articles, and the most prominent related terms to the science of sects.
Study (Causes of Separation and Stance Towards It):
A study of the hadith of separation, in narration and understanding, the characteristics of the saved sect, and the concept of (Sunnah and the Community).
Reasons for the emergence of theological schools and creedal sects, historically and presently.
The efforts and methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah in refuting sects and factions, and their most prominent works in this regard.
A detailed study of the following theological sects: (Khawarij, Shi'a, Sufism) in light of the doctrine of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah.
A Detailed Study of the Following Theological Schools: (Mu'tazila, Ash'ari, Maturidi) in Light of the Creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah.
A Study of the Following Esoteric Sects: (Ismailism, Nusayris, Druze) in Light of the Doctrine of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah.
A Study of Contemporary Doctrinal Sects: (Baha'i Faith, Bahaism, Qadianism, and the Ethiopian Movement) in Light of the Doctrine of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah.
A general study on the contemporary extensions of Islamic sects and denominations in methodology and content.

Last updated: 2026-06-03