1. Introduction to Hawza Studies
LESSON ONE
Sheikh Safdar Razi

2. Introduction to Hawza Studies
The subjects:
Principles of Qur’anic Science
Principles of Qur’anic Interpretation
Science of Narrations
Science of Narrators
Logic
Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence
General Rules of Islamic Jurisprudence
Islamic Jurisprudence
Arabic Language
Theology and Philosophy
Ethics and Morals

3. Principles of Qur'anic Science
This subject is focused on the study of the Holy Qur’an, the miracle of Allah (swt), and the ultimate resource of knowledge until the day of judgment.
Areas of study include:
Recognizing the time frames of descendent for the different chapters of the Qur’an (Meccans and Madinians).
Dispelling the misconceptions and confusions about the inimitability of the Qur’an, the Qur’ans’ challenge, and the strength in its knowledge.
Understanding how the Qur’an was written and compiled.

4. Principles of Qur’anic Interpretation
This subject focuses on:
The types of interpretation.
Causes of dissention.
The issue of abrogation and all other issues related to the interpretation.
Interpretation of the verses of Jurisprudence or laws.

5. Principles of Narrations - (DIRIYATUL HADEETH)
This subject focuses on:
Studying the sanad (link) and the matan (Text) of narrations.
The history of the science and the fabrication of hadeeth.
Types of hadeeth.
Authentication of the different types of hadeeth.
The major books of hadeeth used in both schools of Jusrisprudence, (ahlul bayt (as) and the comapnions).
Authentication of the four books.

6. Principles of Narrators (USOOL AR-REJAAL)
This study focuses on:
Studying the sanad (link) of the hadeeth.
The history of the science and the fabricators of hadeeth.
Levels of the rejaal.
Authentication of the Narrators.
The major books of narrators (encyclopedia) and the books of the principles of narrators in the school of Ahlul bayt (as).
Syed Abulqasim Alkhoei was the reformist in the science of Rejaal.

7. Logic - ALMANTIQ This study focuses on:
How to define, principles of terminology.
How to prove and idea or a concept.
Types Principles of analogy.
Induction, deduction, reasoning.
Principles of debate, argument, dialogue, presentation, and sermoning.

8. Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence - ELM USSOL ALFIQH
This is the back bone of the entire study of Jurisprudence and it entails the study of:
The logical methodology of Islamic Jurisprudence.
The rules needed to understand religious evidences (the texts) i.e. Qur’an and hadeeth.
The logical concepts used to deduce Islamic laws.
The practical principles which define the practical responsibility in the absence of evidence.
Conflicts of evidence and the principles of resolving such conflicts.

9. General Rules of Jurisprudence
This study focuses on:
The rules of jurisprudence that can be used by laypeople.
The rules that can be used by a mojtahid.
The evidence of such rules (QAWAID)

10. Arabic Language This subject entails the study of:
Basic Arabic grammar.
Qur'anic grammar.
E’raab, analyzing syntax of the Arabic sentence.
Us-Sarf, studying the etymology, structure of the Arabic word.
Balaghah, the science of eloquence.

11. Islamic Jurisprudence - FIQH
This entails the study of Islamic law of which there are two types:
Laws of status (laws pertaining to the self)
Laws of action (direction towards and action or prevention from an action)
Also, the difference between:
A fatwa (law) and a hokm (verdict) is studied.
A personal hokm on a subject, and the hokm on a dispute (Judiciary).
Understanding the hokm of a mojtahid or hakim (wali alhokm).

12. Theology and Philosophy
Debates and misconceptions about our creed and beliefs (ELAHYAAT)
Religion and sects.
Introduction to Philosophy.

13. Ethics and Morals - AKHLAAQ
Studying ways to improve the behavior from examples in the Qur’an and life style of Ahlul Bayt (as).
Studying the purpose of creation, the knowledge of death and the life, the hereafter, mystic studies, the study of the soul,…..etc.

14. The Levels of Hawza Education
Three levels:
Introductory (MOQADIMAAT), basics of understanding the evidences.4-5 years
Upper level (SOTOOH) learning the laws and the process of deduction. 4-5 years.
Observing the Practice of deduction (EJTIHAAD) performed by MOJTAHID (Bath Kharij or external researches), until a person obtains the skills of EJTIHAAD and becomes a complete Mojtahid.