17. Quran Studies: Midterm, Paper Proposals, and Thematic Overview 9/15/25
Upcoming deadlines and schedule
Midterm date clarified: October 6 weekend (week six timeframe). Plan to cover material up to that point, including discussion on Quran preservation.
By week 11, the proposal paper is due. The lecturer emphasizes having a proposal ready by then so they can plan sources and scope.
Paper options: theme-based, pattern-based, or analysis of a surah. Students should bring their own ideas (not simply regurgitating class notes) and cite external sources assigned by the instructor.
A baseline cadence: aim to complete roughly 6–7 juz by the midterm, with a broader plan to cover approximately 13–15 juz across the term. Realistic pacing considered given time constraints.
Biweekly PRS (progress review submissions) recommended to ensure content retention and alignment with course content.
Topic development timeline: week 6 (midterm week) to week 11 (proposal due), with ongoing guidance and feedback from the instructor.
Attendance logistics discussed for online and in-person students; a dedicated attendance email setup is being tested.
Midterm and exam scope
The midterm will include content discussed about the Quran’s preservation as a key focus.
Material covered in class from Juz 1 to Juz 6 (and beyond) will feed into midterm questions, including discussions held about the Quran’s miraculous nature and preservation.
Paper proposal structure and guidance
Required elements: title, topic, a two-paragraph summary describing what you will study, what you will argue, and what your main sources will be.
You may choose to focus on a theme, a pattern, a specific topic, or an analysis of a surah.
Sources: the instructor will assign basic tafsirs (in English) and translations with brief footnotes to serve as starting points
Important constraint: you should leverage your own notes and understanding as the primary basis; external sources should supplement, not replace, your own analysis.
The proposal is intended to reveal what you will study and how you will approach it; the instructor will review and align expectations.
Example topic ideas discussed: examine how the Quran talks about battles (e.g., Surah Baqarah) and how Allah prepares the Sahaba for battle, how the narrative shifts across passages, and how this connects to modern narrative or contextual interpretation.
If you pursue a surah-based analysis, you must cite other sources beyond class notes (allowed and encouraged).
Due date: week 11; exact day to be confirmed; the instructor will communicate the precise due date.
Online students are included in the paper requirement; auditing students may opt out but should confirm with the instructor.
If bandwidth or resources allow, interdisciplinary or cross-topic ideas (e.g., a theme that connects to a broader issue) are welcome.
Paper planning and submission milestones
Week 6: start focusing on the midterm material and topic brainstorming; begin compiling a few core passages and possible tafsirs to compare.
Week 11: formal submission of the proposal (title, topic, two-paragraph summary, main sources).
After Week 11: finalize the main paper topic and sources, with the expectation to write a full paper that expands on the proposed argument using passages from the Quran and supporting tafsir translations.
Thematic focus: taqwa (piety) in the Quran
Central verse discussed: لَن تَنَالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ (You will not attain piety until you spend from that which you love) — Qur’an, Surah Ali Imran, 3:92.
Different dimensions of spending from what you love:
Financial wealth (money) – the classic interpretation: give financially from wealth that you’ve earned.
Time and priorities – spending time away from preferred activities to engage in acts of worship or community service.
Family and relationships – balancing family time with worship (e.g., attending jama‘ah vs. family obligations).
Examples and scenarios discussed:
Attending jama‘ah at the masjid may require sacrificing some family time (e.g., 5 minutes to reach the masjid, 20 minutes for prayer, 5 minutes back; total about 30 minutes). The idea is sacrificing time spent on loved activities for the sake of Allah.
Sports and leisure example: giving up a basketball game or a basketball practice to attend the masjid for prayer as an illustration of spending from what you love for the sake of faith.
Family example: balancing time with family versus spiritual obligations; emphasis on context and prioritization rather than blanket rules.
The quality over quantity principle: a person may give a smaller amount of wealth with great sincerity and significance (e.g., Umar’s donation vs. Abu Bakr’s donation) to illustrate piety, love for Allah, and intent.
Abu Bakr vs. Umar anecdote (hadith discussion):
Umar donates half of his wealth, thinking he has outdone Abu Bakr.
The Prophet asked Abu Bakr, “What did you leave behind at home?” Abu Bakr responded that he left Allah and His Messenger, implying total reliance and prioritization.
The story demonstrates that true piety is not always about the quantity of donation but the quality and the value of what is sacrificed for the sake of Allah.
Key takeaway: piety involves sacrificing what you love for the sake of Allah; the sacrifice is situational and depends on what one loves most, not simply on wealth or time alone.
Commentary on the broader application: the example can be extended to other loves (time, hobbies, relationships) and how one’s intention and sacrifice reflect true taqwa.
Qibla change and the status of the Kaaba
Context: The qibla (direction of prayer) changed in the second year of the Prophet’s mission; this change prompted questions and debate among some followers.
Objections to the new qibla (toward Kaaba in Mecca) vs. Jerusalem:
Some claimed Jerusalem had a higher reward or status; the speaker notes this claim is illogical and not an accepted basis for allegiance to a directional change.
Three qualities that establish the Kaaba as the greatest place on earth (as explained in the lecture): 1) It is the first place of worship on earth; the earliest masjid, establishing a precedent for communal worship. 2) Its surrounding sacred objects emphasize its status:
Makam Ibrahim (the station of Abraham) with preserved footprints of Ibrahim, historically displayed as Makam Ibrahim; these footprints symbolize a divine connection and human lineage in building the Kaaba.
Zamzam well, described as the greatest water on earth; signifies divine provision and sacred nourishment connected to the Kaaba’s sacred geography.
3) Protection of the Haram: if a crime is committed outside, the perpetrator cannot be punished inside the Haram; those inside the Kaaba’s precinct enjoy sanctuary and protection, illustrating its sanctity and legal status.
Additional notes and tangential topics touched on during the discussion:
The discussion about how the Makam Ibrahim and Zamzam are displayed and preserved, and the concept that the Kaaba is surrounded by sacred features that elevate its status.
The narrator mentions debates about exact historical details (e.g., who built the Kaaba, the exact status of Makam Ibrahim) and emphasizes that some topics may be more controversial or uncertain; the primary focus remains on the three central points above.
A brief aside on the “Night of Mamur” (the Night of the Angelic visitation) and the question of whether 70,000 angels visit daily and what happens to them after they “leave,” including the alternate figure of a “fresh crew” (49 or other numbers in some narrations) and the need to verify sources.
Clarification about sources and accuracy:
The lecturer encourages checking the actual hadith sources to resolve confusion about numbers (70,000 vs. alternate figures) and to avoid relying on informal internet sources.
Real-world relevance and critical thinking
Emphasis on connecting Qur’anic themes (e.g., guidance, taqwa, battles, and the concept of guidance in the Quran) to contemporary contexts and readers’ own experiences.
Students are encouraged to build arguments that synthesize class notes, translations, and Tafsir, while acknowledging the historical context and avoiding over-generalizations about entire groups or communities.
Key terms and concepts to remember for the exam
Taqqlo: taqwa (piety) as a function of sacrificing what one loves for the sake of Allah.
The concept of spending from what you love as a criterion for piety.
The qibla change narrative and its theological implications.
The Kaaba’s threefold significance: first place of worship, sacred surrounding signs (Makam Ibrahim, Zamzam), and legal sanctuary within the Haram.
The ongoing discussion about hadith sources and verification of numerical claims (e.g., 70,000 angels daily; “Mamur” narration) and the need for primary sources.
Connections to foundational principles and broader significance
The course aims to illustrate how the Qur’an presents themes through pattern- and narrative-driven analysis, rather than through isolated verses.
Emphasis on analytical thinking, critical engagement with translations and Tafsir, and the application of learned material to contemporary religious practice and ethical decision-making.
The session reinforces how to structure academic work: topic selection, crafting a thesis, outlining passages, citing translations and Tafsir, and presenting a coherent argument aligned with class notes and external sources.
Ethical and philosophical implications discussed
Avoidance of sweeping generalizations about entire groups (People of the Book, Shia, etc.) in favor of nuanced, evidence-based discussions; recognizes complexity and diversity within communities.
Emphasis on intention, sacrifice, and sincerity in religious practice as defining factors of piety, beyond mere quantity of outward acts.
The balance between tradition and inquiry: respecting established sources while encouraging critical inquiry, cross-referencing, and original thinking.
Formulas, equations, and numerical references
Quranic verse on piety and spending: لَن تَنَالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ (you will not attain piety until you spend from that which you love).
Angels and Kaaba numerics discussed, noting textual variation and the need to verify against primary hadith sources:
70{,}000 angels visiting daily (Mamur), with debates on whether this is an ongoing daily process
Summary of practical takeaways for exam prep
Understand the midterm timeline and what topics will be covered (Quran’s being preserved, patterns, themes, and possible surah analyses).
Be prepared to discuss how to construct a proposal: topic, two-paragraph summary, and main sources.
Be ready to articulate the theme of taqwa via the “spending from what you love” verse, with at least two real-world examples (money, time, family, hobbies).
Be able to explain the qibla change narrative and why the Kaaba holds priority based on the three main points mentioned.
Be familiar with the logistical aspects of class attendance and how to use the attendance system if needed.