Course Description
 

This course covers the inhabitants of the spirit world beginning with the Angels, the Jinn and human souls.

I. Objectives 

• To develop the student’s basic knowledge of the Second Pillar of Faith: Belief in the Angels.

• To enable the student to understand the spirit world and to distinguish between fact and fiction regarding its inhabitants and their relationships.

• To enable students to comprehend the significance of Satan and to be aware of his snares and his weapons.

• To teach students about spiritual ailments and how they are to be treated according to the Qur’aan and Sunnah.

• To clarfy for students the wisdom behind Satan’s creation and role of evil in the world.

II.  Class Content

A. Belief in the Angels and the Last Day

1. Linguistic and Technical definitions of an Angel
2. Proofs for the Existence of Angels
3. Reality of Angels
4. Characteristics of Angels
5. Categories of Angels 
6. Relationship Between Angels and Humans

B. Jinn and Devils

1. Linguistic and Technical Definitions of Jinn and Devils
2. Evidence for the Existence of the Jinn
3. Reality of the Jinn
4. Control over the Jinn
5. Relationship Between Jinn and Humans

C. Belief in the Last Day

1. The Necessity for Belief in the Last Day
2. Reasons Used by Those who Doubt the Last Day
3. Signs of the Hour; Minor and Major
4. Events Leading Up to the Last Day
5. Events of the Last Day

III. TEXTBOOKS

A. Required Text:

• Umar al-Ashqar, The World of the Noble Angels

• Umar al-Ashqar, The World of the Jinn and Devils

• Umar al-Ashqar, The Day of Resurrection

• Ibn Abil-‘Izz, Sharh al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah (Eng. Trans.)

B. Supplementary Texts:

• Abdullah Al Athari, Islamic Beliefs: A Brief Introduction to the ‘Aqeedah of Ahlus Sunnah wal-Jama‘ah

• Al-Qurtubee, Luqat al-Murjaan fee Ahkaam al-Jaann

• Al-Qurtubee, at-Tathkirah fee Ahwaal al-Mawtaa wa Umoor al-Aakhirah