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The Classics of Islam

Sharḥ al-ʿAqāʾid al-Nasafiyyah: Advanced Arabic Seminar on Classical Islamic Theology


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Omar Qureshi
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Purchase for $120

Explore the foundations of Sunni theology through one of the most influential texts in the history of Islamic education. In this advanced Arabic seminar, students will read Sharḥ al-ʿAqāʾid al-Nasafiyyah in the original language while examining major debates concerning God, reason, revelation, faith, prophecy, and human freedom.

Instructor: Dr. Shaykh Omar Qureshi
 
Date: July 1 - August 26, 2026
 
Schedule: Wednesdays, 7:30–9:00 PM (Pacific Time)
 
Course Duration: 9 Sessions
 
Location: Online Via Zoom
 
Course Format:  Advanced Arabic Reading Seminar
 
Primary Text:
 
Saʿd al-Dīn al-Taftāzānī (d. 792 AH / 1390 CE)
Sharḥ al-ʿAqāʾid al-Nasafiyyah
 
Course Description
Sharḥ al-ʿAqāʾid al-Nasafiyyah is one of the most widely studied works of Sunni theology in the Islamic tradition. For centuries, it served as a foundational text in madrasas across the Muslim world and remains among the most important introductions to the doctrines and arguments of classical kalām.
 
This advanced seminar is devoted to a close reading of the text in Arabic. Students will examine the theological foundations of Islam through the lens of the Māturīdī tradition while engaging broader debates involving Ashʿarīs, Muʿtazilīs, philosophers, and other theological schools.
 
The course explores questions concerning reason and revelation, the existence and attributes of God, prophecy, human freedom and divine decree, faith and salvation, miracles, the unseen world, and the nature of religious knowledge. Along the way, students will gain direct exposure to the methods, terminology, and argumentative structure of classical Islamic theology.
 
Why Study Sharḥ al-ʿAqāʾid al-Nasafiyyah?
Few texts have exercised greater influence on the teaching of Sunni theology. More than a summary of beliefs, the work introduces students to the intellectual foundations of Islamic doctrine and the methods scholars used to defend and articulate those doctrines.
 
The text addresses enduring questions such as:
  • What can human reason know about God?
  • How do reason and revelation relate to one another?
  • What are the attributes of God?
  • Do human beings possess free will?
  • What is faith?
  • Why are prophets necessary?
  • How should Muslims understand divine decree and human responsibility?
  • What distinguishes Sunni theology from competing schools of thought?
For students of Islamic thought, this work serves as a gateway into the broader world of kalām and theological debate.
 
Learning Outcomes
 
By the end of the course, students will:
  • Read substantial portions of the text in Arabic.
  • Strengthen their ability to engage advanced theological literature.
  • Understand major doctrines of Sunni theology.
  • Become familiar with the terminology and methods of classical kalām.
  • Analyze key debates among Muslim theological schools.
  • Develop a deeper appreciation for the role of reason and revelation in Islamic thought.
Seminar Format
 
This course is structured as an interactive reading seminar rather than a lecture.
 
Students are expected to prepare assigned readings before class and come ready to engage the text. During each session, students will have opportunities to read passages aloud, translate, analyze grammatical constructions, and examine the theological arguments presented by the author.
 
Readings will be corrected and discussed in real time, helping students improve both their Arabic reading ability and their understanding of classical Islamic theology.
 
Major Themes
  • Reason and revelation
  • The existence of God
  • Divine attributes
  • Human freedom and divine decree
  • Prophethood and revelation
  • Miracles and supernatural events
  • Faith (īmān) and salvation
  • The unseen world
  • The nature of religious knowledge
  • Sunni theological schools
  • Māturīdī and Ashʿarī theology
  • Muʿtazilī and philosophical critiques
Who Should Enroll?
 
This course is intended for:
  • Seminary students
  • Graduates of Islamic studies programs
  • Imams and community leaders
  • Advanced students of theology and philosophy
  • Students seeking direct engagement with classical kalām texts
Prerequisites:

Ability to read classical Arabic.

Classes will involve reading the texts in Arabic, translating them, and discussing their meanings, arguments, and historical significance. Students with Arabic proficiency will benefit most from the readings.

Those without Arabic are also welcome to attend and participate in the discussions. While some portions of the course will be more accessible to readers of Arabic, the lectures and conversations will remain beneficial to all interested students.

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

Here is the class outline:

1. RESOURCES

2. Lesson #1

Jul 1 7:30pm .. 9pm

3. Lesson #2

Jul 8 7:30pm .. 9pm

4. Lesson #3

Jul 15 7:30pm .. 9pm

5. Lesson #4

Jul 22 7:30pm .. 9pm

6. Lesson #5

Jul 29 7:30pm .. 9pm

7. Lesson #6

Aug 5 7:30pm .. 9pm

8. Lesson #7

Aug 12 7:30pm .. 9pm

9. Lesson #8

Aug 19 7:30pm .. 9pm

10. Lesson #9

Aug 26 7:30pm .. 9pm
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