110-211 Great Texts of Islam: Qur'an and Hadith

This subject is taught in English and is an introduction to the foundation texts of Islam: the Qur'an and Hadith. Students will be introduced to the origins of the texts of the Qur'an and Hadith; their overall structure, content and style; their interpretation; and their functions in Muslim religious and social life. The subject will also cover the nature and development of Hadith literature; the history of the Hadith collections; and the place of the Hadith in various branches of Islamic thought. Students will be introduced to selected texts from the Qur'an and Hadith and their interpretation by leading authorities, both early and modern. Themes covered in the subject should assist students in understanding contemporary debates on the relevance of Islam in the modern period.