Course Title: The Hadith Tradition: Transmission, Authority, and Critique

Course Overview:
This course examines the origins, transmission, authentication, and use of ḥadīth in shaping Islamic law, theology, and spirituality, combining classical Muslim scholarship with modern academic inquiry. Students will analyze the methodologies of isnād (chain of transmission) and matn (content) criticism, exploring how early Muslim scholars assessed reliability and authenticity. Core readings include Jonathan A.C. Brown’s The Canonization of Al-Bukhārī and Muslim, G.H.A. Juynboll’s Muslim Tradition, and Harald Motzki’s The Origins of Islamic Jurisprudence. The course will also address Joseph Schacht’s influential critiques and subsequent scholarly responses, situating the debates within broader questions about canon formation and the authority of the Sunnah. Through case studies, students will learn to evaluate hadith reports critically, considering both traditional criteria and contemporary academic methodologies. By semester’s end, participants will be equipped to navigate the complexities of hadith literature and its role in Muslim thought, law, and devotional life. 

Who Should Enroll: We welcome students from diverse academic, professional, and personal backgrounds. No seminary degree is required—just intellectual curiosity, commitment, and readiness to engage with advanced readings.

Recommended Background:
 • Prior study in Islamic or Religious Studies (ʿĀlimiyyah program, university coursework, or sustained self-study with recognized scholars)
 • Relevant academic training in philosophy, political science, history, anthropology, or related fields
 • Ability to read and engage with advanced academic texts in English

Date: 9/8/25 - 11/12/25

Day: Every Monday and Wednesday

Time: 6:30PM-8PM

Location: IOK Diamond Bar (1009 Vía Sorella, Diamond Bar, CA 91789) in Room 104 Left Side-Musalla and ONLINE Via Zoom

Course Duration: 10 weeks

Format: Weekly in-person or online lectures, interactive discussions with readings, and assignments.

Instructor: Shaykh Omar Qureshi, PhD in Religion, University of Southern California

Dr. Omar Qureshi was born and raised in Southern California and comes from a distinguished family of Subcontinent ulama from the city of Tonk, such as Haydar Hasan Khan, Mahmoud Hasan Khan, and Wali Hasan Khan. After earning his undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Qureshi traveled to Damascus, Syria where he spent three years (2008-2011) building a foundation in Arabic and Islamic sciences at Abu Noor University. He then enrolled at Cairo’s al-Azhar University (2011-2016), graduating from the Shari'ah College and receiving licenses (ijazat) to teach various Islamic sciences from numerous scholars. He then pursued his doctorate at the University of Southern California’s School of Religion (2016-2025). Specializing in Islamic intellectual history, Western philosophy, politics, and social theory, his research focused on the evolution of the Hanafi legal tradition, highlighting its dynamism and methods of continuity. After completing the PhD, Shaykh Omar began working on a monograph centered on the works of the Hanafi mufti Muhammad Amin Ibn 'Abidin and the societal role of fatwas. He is a full-time seminary instructor Institute of Knowledge Seminary. In addition to his legal scholarship, Professor Qureshi is also engaged in Quranic studies, writing an exegesis of selected verses from the Meccan and Medinan periods of revelation.

Enroll now! Join us on this transformative journey into the heart of the Islamic intellectual tradition and its relevance for today.

Cost: $300

If you are auditing, the class will be $200. Please email rsohail@instituteofknowledge.com to pay for the course. Please note that you may attend lectures and participate in discussions. You will not receive any assignments, grading, or credential for this course. It is ideal for personal enrichment and flexible learning.

Please note that this course is NON-REFUNDABLE and will close 2 weeks after the course ends.