Semester A: Formative Era
Class Timings:
Spring 2026: January 12 – May 1
Saturday
8AM – 10AM
Asynchronous learning with live discussion timings every week
Course Description:
This comprehensive course delves into the life and times of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), exploring the historical, social, and spiritual contexts of his life. Students will gain a deep understanding of the Sīrah, the biography of the Prophet (ﷺ), through a detailed study of key events and themes.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the historical and social context of the Prophet’s life.
- Analyze the key events and themes in the Sīrah.
- Appreciate the spiritual and moral lessons from the Prophet’s (ﷺ) life.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the development and spread of Islam.
This course is designed for students of all backgrounds who seek to deepen their knowledge of the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the early history of Islam.
Course Outline:
- Introduction
- Overview of the Sīrah
- Importance and relevance of studying the Sīrah
- Development of Sīrah
- Sources of Sīrah
- Methodologies in Sīrah studies
- History of the Arabian Peninsula
- Pre-Islamic Arabia
- Social, political, and economic conditions
- Quraysh
- The tribe of the Prophet
- Their role and influence in Makkah
- World History
- Global context during the Prophet’s (ﷺ) time
- Major empires and civilizations
- Yemen
- Historical significance
- Relations with Makkah
- Year of the Elephant
- The event and its significance
- Impact on Makkan society
- Auspicious Birth
- Birth of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)
- Early childhood
- Baḥīrā
- The meeting with the Christian monk
- Its implications
- Adolescence
- Early life and character
- Key events and experiences
- Marriage
- Marriage to Khadījah (RA)
- Age of Khadījah (RA) and controversy
- Rebuilding the Kaʿbah
- The role of the Prophet (ﷺ) in the reconstruction
- The Black Stone incident
- Solitude
- The Prophet’s retreats to the Cave of Ḥirāʾ
- Spiritual reflections
- Beginning of Revelation
- The first revelation
- Initial reactions and support
- Secret Daʿwah
- Early converts
- Strategies and challenges
- Open Daʿwah
- Public preaching
- Growth of the Muslim community
- Persecution
- Opposition from the Quraysh
- Hardships faced by early Muslims
- Enemies of Islam
- Key figures and their opposition
- Strategies against the Prophet (ﷺ)
- Islam of Ḥamzah (RA)
- Conversion of Ḥamzah (RA)
- Its impact on the Muslim community
- Temptations
- Offers made to the Prophet (ﷺ) to abandon his mission
- His steadfastness
- The First Migration
- Migration to Abyssinia
- Reasons and outcomes
- Islam of ‘Umar (RA)
- Conversion of ‘Umar (RA)
- Its significance
- Boycott
- Social and economic boycott of Muslims
- Effects and resolution
- The Final Negotiation
- Attempts at reconciliation
- Key discussions and outcomes
- The Year of Grief
- Deaths of Khadījah (RA) and Abū Ṭālib
- Impact on the Prophet (ﷺ)
- The Journey to Ṭāʾif
- The Prophet’s visit to Ṭāʾif
- Rejection and its aftermath
- Isrāʾand Miʿrāj
- The night journey and ascension
- Spiritual significance
- Invitations During Ḥajj
- Efforts to spread Islam during pilgrimage
- Responses from various tribes
- The First Pledge of ‘Aqabah
- The pledge and its terms
- Significance for the Muslim community
- The Second Pledge of ‘Aqabah
- Strengthening of the Muslim community
- Preparations for migration
- The Hijrah of the Ṣaḥābah
- Migration of the Prophet’s companions
- Establishment of the Muslim community in Madīnah
- The Hijrah of the Prophet (ﷺ)
- The Prophet’s migration to Madīnah
- Key events and significance
Semester B: Establishment Era
Class Timings:
Spring 2026: January 12 – May 1
Sunday
8AM – 10AM
Asynchronous learning with live discussion timings every week
Course Description:
This course offers an in-depth exploration of the significant events and milestones in the Sīrah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) from the establishment of the Islamic society in Madīnah to the pivotal treaties and battles that shaped the early Muslim community. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Prophet’s leadership, the challenges faced by the early Muslims, and the strategies employed to establish and expand the Islamic state.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the historical context and significance of key events in the Sīrah.
- Analyze the strategies and leadership qualities of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
- Appreciate the challenges faced by the early Muslim community and their responses.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the establishment and expansion of the Islamic state.
This course is designed for students of all backgrounds who seek to deepen their knowledge of the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the early history of Islam.
Course Outline:
- Establishment of an Islamic Society
- Formation of the Muslim community in Madīnah
- Constitution of Madīnah
- Jihād
- Concept and significance in early Islam
- Ethical guidelines and objectives
- Military Expeditions
- Establishment of military presence
- Strategic importance and outcomes
- Battle of Badr
- Causes and events leading to the battle
- Key moments and aftermath
- Christian Delegation
- Interaction with Christian communities
- Outcomes
- ʿAbd Allāh ibn Ubayy ibn Salūl
- Role and influence in Madīnah
- Challenges posed to the Muslim community
- Campaign of Banū Qaynuqāʿ
- Causes and consequences
- Impact on the Jewish tribes in Madīnah
- Events Before Uḥud
- Preparations and intelligence
- Key incidents
- Battle of Uḥud
- Causes and events
- Lessons learned and impact on the Muslim community
- Incident of Rajiʿ and Biʾr Maʿūnah
- Details and implications
- Impact on the Muslim community
- Removal of Banū al-Naḍīr
- Causes and events
- Consequences for the Jewish tribes
- Expedition of Dhāt al-Riqāʿ
- Objectives and outcomes
- Strategic importance
- Rendezvous at Badr
- Key events and significance
- Expedition of Banū al-Muṣṭaliq
- Causes and events
- Outcomes and impact
- Expedition of Khandaq
- Causes and events
- Strategic significance and outcomes
- Expedition of Banū Qurayẓah
- Causes and events
- Consequences for the Jewish tribes
- Treaty of al-Ḥudaybiyyah
- Negotiations and terms
- Significance and impact on the Muslim community
Semester C: Expansive Era
Class Timings:
To be determined.
Course Description:
This course delves into the later years of the Sīrah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), focusing on significant conquests, diplomatic missions, and the Prophet’s lasting legacy. Students will explore the strategic and spiritual milestones that defined the final years of the Prophet’s life and the early Islamic state.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the historical context and significance of key events in the later years of the Sīrah.
- Analyze the strategies and leadership qualities of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
- Appreciate the challenges faced by the early Muslim community and their responses.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) legacy and its impact on the Islamic state.
This course is designed for students of all backgrounds who seek to deepen their knowledge of the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the early history of Islam.
Course Outline:
- Conquest of Khaybar
- Background and strategic importance
- Key events and outcomes
- Messengers Around the World
- Diplomatic missions to various leaders
- Impact on international relations
- The Compensatory ‘Umrah
- Events leading to the ‘Umrah
- Significance and outcomes
- Expedition of Muʾtah
- Causes and key events
- Impact on the Muslim community
- Conquest of Makkah
- Preparations and key events
- Significance and aftermath
- Expedition of Ḥunayn
- Causes and key events
- Strategic importance and outcomes
- Expedition of Tabūk
- Objectives and challenges
- Key events and outcomes
- Kaʿb ibn Mālik (RA)
- His story and significance
- Lessons learned
- Hajj of Abū Bakr (RA)
- Events and significance
- Impact on the Muslim community
- Masjid Ḍirār
- Background and events
- Significance and lessons learned
- Delegation of Thaqīf
- Interaction and outcomes
- Impact on the spread of Islam
- Mass Acceptance of Arab Tribes
- Factors leading to mass conversions
- Key events and significance
- Islam of ʿAdī ibn Ḥātim
- His story and significance
- Impact on the spread of Islam
- The Farewell Ḥajj
- Key events and significance
- The Prophet’s final sermon
- The Passing of the Prophet
- Events leading to his passing
- Impact on the Muslim community and legacy

