Course Title: Inside Islamic Law: The Foundations, Methods, and Historical Development of the Four Sunni Schools

Course Overview: Explore the intellectual architecture of the Shari'a.

This course offers a panoramic study of Islamic law (fiqh)—its foundations, methods, and enduring debates from the classical era to the modern day. Students trace the development of the legal tradition from its Near Eastern roots through the canonization of the Shari'a and the rise of the four Sunni schools: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali.

Guided by Dr. Omar Qureshi, the course examines how jurists balanced text, reason, and moral purpose through tools such as analogy (qiyas), consensus (ijma?), legal maxims (qawa'id), and the objectives of the law (maqa'id al-shari'a). Students engage key scholars—Imam al-Shafi'i, al-Qarafi, Ibn 'Abidin, and Wael Hallaq—to understand the interpretive logic that shaped the tradition and its modern re-articulations.

Moving from the classical courts and madrasas to the Ottoman and colonial reforms, participants explore how law has mediated questions of authority, reform, and modernity. Readings from classical jurisprudence and modern scholarship cultivate the ability to analyze the Shari'a as a living intellectual tradition—internally coherent yet dynamically responsive to change.

Course Outcome: A historically grounded, methodologically rigorous, and critically engaged understanding of how Muslim jurists have reasoned about law, ethics, and society—from revelation to reform.

Who Should Enroll: Ideal for advanced students of Islamic studies, seminary learners, and lifelong seekers.

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: December 6, 2025 - February 28, 2026

Day: Every Monday and Wednesday

Time: 5:00-7:00 PM

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

Course Duration: 9 Sessions

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.