Wed, 6 February 2013, 8 to 10 pm (every Wednesday across 18 weeks) | English

Wisma Indah

Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail

Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail

course

Fees: $180 per pax

1. Course Synopsis:

After the 'Beginners' course on Islam', which concisely and adequately prepares Muslim/Muslimah towards his/her basic Islamic education upon the paradigm of 'Iiman-'Amal-Ihsan', after which students will be introduced to an 'intermediate' level of learning in Fiqh.

2. Course Outcomes:

By 'intermediate', it means gaining deeper understanding, conviction and commitment in the aspects of Fiqh. The subject will be approached systematically, with adequate introduction; explanation of important terminologies; its history and development; the raison d'etre of its study; appropriate explanation of current controversies or confusion (if any) on the subject; equipping students with the basis so as to remove any doubts or conjectures.

Notwithstanding, the essential spirit in learning at this 'intermediate' level is the inculcation of 'Adab' as faithfully practiced in traditional learning circles and Madrasah since we are not learning Islam as a subject but subjecting ourselves to Islam, insya-Allah. It can also benefit any young English speaking Muslims in preparing them for future work in Da'wah and their assisting the education of our next generation, insya-Allah.

3. Course Target Group:

This course is designed especially for Muslim converts and young adults English-speaking Muslims. It is also a recommended refresher course for Muslim parents and educators living in contemporary Singapore. It provides students from the recently concluded 'Beginners' course on Islam' to proceed to this 'Intermediate' level.

4. Course Venue:

Wisma Indah, 448 Changi Road, Level 2
(5 minutes walk from Kembangan MRT Station)

5. Course Frequency & Duration:

Commences on 6 Feb 2013 for 18 sessions weekly on Wednesdays
8.00 - 10.00 pm

Course Fees: $180/participant

6. Course Registration:

Register online via http://goo.gl/UVuYf

7. Sample of Students' Testimonies:

'Alhamdulillah. I have benefited much from the lessons in approaching the study of Fiqh. The difference between knowledge and information is something to be kept in mind in the pursuit of learning. Before attending the lessons, I was 'hungry' to get my hands on the various books available. Not to mention, the internet too became a source of 'knowledge' for me. I have now understood that mere reading of the books, articles and watching videos without the guidance of a teacher can benefit only in the least manner. Perhaps it could even lead to more harm than benefit. I have realised how important and crucial the role of the teacher is in guiding the student to arrive at meanings from the texts available.'

'The aims and purpose of Shari'ah eliminated whatever prejudice I had before attending the class. The media has made it seem that Shari’ah is a traditional, barbaric ruling system which oppresses women. I have now learnt that the Shari'ah is more than just a legal system; it is a divine-inspired path shown by Allah Most High for mankind.'

'I've learnt Qur'an or a Hadith itself requires understanding of the text under the guidance of a teacher and should not be subject to our own interpretation. This is especially important since many of us who go back to the Qur'an and Ahadith ourselves can end up in confusion; as a hadith may seem to us to contradict another hadith, or a verse of the Qur'an may seem to contradict an act of the Prophet (s.a.a.w). Now I appreciate role of Islamic scholars better.'

'I appreciate Ustaz's approach to teaching Fiqh, which follows the approach of traditional scholars, which is lacking in the current situation we live in (at least from my personal experience). I've not come across many Ustaz who will design the curriculum such that there will be a Muqaddimah (Introduction) module (across 16 weeks) which aims to establish clarity in foundational concepts in the seekers of 'ilm before delving deeper into a subject matter. Ustaz background in da'wah benefited not just the converts but also born Muslims like me. For example, the clarification on understanding between Fiqh and Shariah.'
'I appreciate the topic covering the historical background of Islamic education in Singapore's context and how I have to be aware that there is a different curriculum for layman vs. that for scholars. Truly, the teacher will give what we need instead of what we want (this reflects adab).'

'I really appreciate the sharing on the history of the spread of Islam in Nusantara and the da'wah and Islamic education in Singapore, where Ustaz shares a brief outline of the contributions of the earlier 'Ulama. This indeed, is a 'gem' rarely taught by others.'

'This class is indeed something different for me. Though the contents may have mostly been familiar to me, the fact that these very contents are specifically organised into a course is something totally new for me. Normally, in a fiqh class setting that I was normally exposed to, the teacher will start by mentioning about the origin of the word 'fiqh', the various rulings of hukum taklifi and the 4 sources of sharia rulings in Islam, namely the Qur'an, Hadith, Ijma' and Qiyas. However, in this course, Ustaz not only went into most of these in depth, but he covered other aspects as well such that a whole course is made out of it.'

'What is normally, at least to my own limited learning experience, covered in the first session of a fiqh class, namely the muqaddimah, is now a course on its own. The most interesting and unique to this class will be the history of Islam in Nusantara and in Singapore.'

'This is truly a void in the Islamic education in Singapore but all praise be to Allah (High and Exalted is He), Ustaz has truly given us several gems with which we now have a sense of history of Islam in this part of the world. Many Singaporean Muslims, be they young or old, but especially the young, do not know about the local 'ulama here. And yet, in this muqaddimah, Ustaz has given such valuable gems which, in all honesty, are very very difficult to find.'

View more students' testimonies via http://www.slideshare.net/zhulkeflee/poster-interm-coursefiqhfeb2013slideshare

Wisma Indah