kiu
KIU - BA Islamic Studies
The below stuff are my personal opinions/contents. These are not approved or official materials from KIU
An 8 Semester Usool-ud-Deen (Islamic Sciences) Course from Knowledge International University KIU. Official website http://www.kiu.org/website/
01. Why should I learn?
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said “Seeking Knowledge is Fard (Obligatory) upon every Muslim” [Ibn Majaah]
The first pillar of Islam (even before Salaah / prayer) is reciting and having a firm faith in “There is no God worthy of worship except Allah, and….”. Now, ask yourself these questions
Q1: What are the attributes of God?
Q2: What are the various forms/types of “Worship”? Do Love & Trust have anything to do with Worship?
Q3: What are the differences between Shari’ah and Fiqh?
Q4: What is the reason for Mi’raj? Why was the Prophet taken to Masjid al-Aqsa first, and not to heaven directly?
Q5: What are the differences between a Pillar of prayer and an Obligation of prayer?
“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge” - Stephen Hawking
02. Why do I need to enroll in a formal/structured course?
OR
I attend Jumuas, have Saheeh Bukhari & Quran translation at home, attend conferences, browse Islamic websites, etc. Aren’t these enough?
Please visit http://seyedibrahim.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/methodology-of-seeking-knowledge/
03. What did they start the KIU-College of Islaamic Studies?
Vision: To spread authentic Islamic knowledge at an academic level
Mission: To bring Islamic higher education to people who are unable to enroll in conventional Universities
04. Tell me about the degree. Will that suit me?
BAIS – Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Studies is an 8 semester degree program. Each semester is about 16 weeks.
This degree suits you
- If you dream to study Islaam in an academic setup
- If you want the flexibility in timings
- If you want to study at home / work
05. What are the subjects covered?
Most of the courses are of three credit hours. A credit hour is approximately 10 hours of learning effort (Reading, listening, writing etc). Here are the courses for the first four semesters
06. How are the classes conducted? How about course materials?
You will learn each course thru
- Recorded video & audio sessions
- PDF files (Course materials)
- Notes from some lecturers
- Live sessions (about once every 2 weekends) – You talk to the lecturer
- Quizzes, Assignments, Mid-term & final exams
You can download the audio, video, PDF and other files, and watch / read them any number of times.
07. I want to get the look & feel. Show me some screenshots, please.
The first screenshot is sort of your “home page” once you login.
The next one shows (partial) how a Course (in this case FIQH 1) page looks like.
08. What are the eligibility criteria?
Passion to learn Islam
A pass in Higher Secondary School (Class 12)
09. I’m ready. Where do I apply?
Thank Allah for His blessings. Knowledge is a true blessing. Please have the Scanned copy of below listed items
- First page of your passport (Preferably Color), or National identity card
- Your 12th standard, IB, or A Level Mark sheet [Not your Degree Marks]
Apply at http://www.kiu.org/website/
10. I have got some questions on the application form.
Full Name in English: As in passport
Full Name in Arabic: you can enter your name in English too. It is OK
Address: Just the city name is enough.
Iqama: Leave it blank, unless you are in Saudi (thought it’s marked *)
National Identification Number: Passport Number
Educational Qualification: You can choose yours, but 12th would be fine. Remember, you are going to scan 12th mark sheet
For further clarifications, please email the KIU
11. How many hours do I need to spend a week?
It depends on many factors, including:
- How knowledgeable you are in the topics/lessons covered in a course
- How proficient you want to be
- Your reading speed and other learning traits
- Hours also vary by semesters
This course isn’t like a typical correspondence education. These are serious things, and require some sacrifice (like cutting down entertainment hours). Once you focus on studies, you will be amazed at the barakah Allaah gives in your time.
For the first semester, you may have to invest (I say invest because you will reap the rewards for every minute spent) about 15 hours a week. It may seem impossible, but know that your brothers & sisters, with families, social obligations and a full time jobs, are already in Semesters 5, 4, 3 & 2. Allaah has blessed their hours, and insha Allaah He will do the same in your hours.
Remember the great Imaams. Ibn Taymiyyah wrote a condensed book between Dhuhr and Asr, and some people are struggling to learn that book in one Semester.