Home / Our Departments / Islamic Studies Dept.
What we do
The department of Islamic Studies is a department in IMSA that conducts various online classes as a reflection of our belief that as Muslims it is encumbent upon us to seek knowledge and especially knowledge of the deen. There are 7 Sub Departments under this department:
1. SubDept Qur'an Studies
a. Ulumul Quran
b. Qur'an Tafseer
2. SubDept Hadith Studies (Hadith Arba'in)
3. SubDept Fiqh Studies (Ikhtilaf Fiqh)
4. SubDept General Studies
a. Asmaul Husna
b. Seerah Nabawiyah
5. SubDept Tahfidzh (sisters only)
6. SubDept Arabic
a. Sisters Arabic
b. General Arabic
7. SubDept Tahsin
a. Sisters Tahsin
b. Brothers Tahsin
c. Youth Tahsin
d. Muallaf Tahsin
For Tahfidzh, Arabic, and Tahsin, the classes are restricted to only registered participants. All other classes are open to the public. Anyone can join the live sessions on Zoom and watch the recordings on Radio IMSA, Youtube, and Facebook.
1. SubDept. Quran Studies
a. Ulumul Quran
Al-Quran is the guide of life for Muslims.
ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah (Al Baqarah: 2)
The preservation of Qur'an is a task that Allah has taken upon himself.
QS. Al-Hijr verse 9:
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا ٱلذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَٰفِظُونَ
"Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an, and indeed, We will be its guardian."
The ability to memorize the Qur'an is not limited to the young. Many of the world's great scholars started studying religion in their 30s. They not only memorize and understand the Quran but also become role models for many Muslims.
2. SubDept. Hadith Studies
Allah mentioned:
قُلْ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ فَإِن تَوَلَّوا فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْهِ مَا حُمِّلَ وَعَلَيْكُم مَّا حُمِّلْتُمْ وَإِن تُطِيعُوهُ تَهْتَدُوا وَمَا عَلَى الرَّسُولِ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ
“Say: Obey Allah and obey the Messenger; but if you turn back, then on him rests that which is imposed on him and on you rests that which is imposed on you; and if you obey him, you are on the right way; and nothing rests on the Messenger but clear delivering (of the message).” (Quran 24:54)
Quran and Hadith are the backbones of Islamic teachings. While Quran is the direct words of Allah SWT, Hadith is a reported chain of narration that refers to the action, word, and behavior of Prophet Muhammad SAW. The Quranic verse above gives way to the sacred authority of the hadith itself.
Hadith covers a range of topics from Tawheed (monotheism), which is the most important Islamic principle, to instructions on how to carry out other ibadah like salah, fasting, zakat, and many more. As Muslims are encouraged to emulate the teachings of Prophet Muhammad SAW and his way of life, the study of hadith has become even more prominent.
IMSA will be offering its Hadith Study Program in May 2022, Insha Allah. This program will discuss the Hadith of Arbain Imam Nawawi and be taught by Ustadz Dr. Agus Setiawan Lc., M.A. He is a Hadith scholar and a lecturer on Hadith and Hadith Science at STIQ Al Multazam Kuningan West Java.
3. SubDept. Fiqh Studies
a. Ikhtilaf in Fiqh
It is part of the nature of mankind to have differences, as that is how Allah has created us in His Wisdom. To be able to embrace those differences is both a blessing and a test for us in order to be better servants of Allah. Allah SWT says in the Quran:
وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِى مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۖ فَٱسْتَبِقُوا۟ ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ ۚ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ
"If Allah had willed, He would have made you one community, but His Will is to test you with what He has given ˹each of˺ you. So compete with one another in doing good. To Allah you will all return, then He will inform you ˹of the truth˺ regarding your differences."
(Al Maidah: 48)
Embracing differences as a blessing and a test from Allah is part of perfecting our faith as part of the ummah of Rasulullah SAW. In the effort of Rasulullah (SAW) to establish the best civilization of all time, differences and disputes also arose. However, with Allah's Mercy, the differences among the people of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) resulted in a tolerance that did not undermine the basic principles of aqeedah nor the strong unity of the ummah. For example, we learned from the seerah that there was a dispute that showed the tolerance and openminded-ness of the sahabah and the transparent mediation of Prophet Muhammad SAW.
The Companions differed on the Prophet's command to pray Asr at Banu Quraidhah. As a result, several companions chose to pray on time even though they had not yet reached Banu Quraidhah, while others postponed their prayers until they arrived at Banu Quraidhah. Rasulullah SAW did not criticize either of the two opinions, showing that he approved of both opinions.
The 2022 IMSA Fiqh Studies aims to discuss Islamic law in the context of differences. IMSA Fiqh Studies focuses on Ikhtilaf Fiqh and embraces the following motto: Unity in Aqeedah, Together in Worship, Tolerance in Khilafiyah, Cooperating in Da'wah, Samara in Family. The Ikhtilaf Fiqh class studies the differences in Fiqh and has been held since February 2022. This program is taught by Ustadz Jamaludin Achmad Kholik, Lc., M.A, a Postgraduate Lecturer at IAIN Kediri.
4. SubDept. General Studies
a. Asmaul Husna
Tauhid is the principal foundation of Islamic teaching. Tauhid consists of three tenets: Rububiyah, Uluhiyah, and Asma wa Sifat.
Asma wa Sifat is also known as Asmaul Husna, which literally translates to The Most Beautiful Names (of Allah). Allah mentioned:
اللّٰهُ لَآ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ. لَهُ الْاَسْمَآءُ الْحُسْنَٰى
"There is no God ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him. He has the Most Beautiful Names." (Thaaha: 8)
Rasulullah SAW reported:
اِنَّ لِلّٰهِ تِسْعَةً وَ تِسْعِيْنَ اِيْمًا مِاءَةً اِلَّا وَهِدًا مَنْ اَحْصَاهَا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ.
"Indeed, Allah has 99 names, one less than a hundred. Whoever knows them by heart, he will enter paradise."
IMSA's Asmaul Husna Class first started in 2020. In this program you will learn 99 Asmaul Husna under the guidance of Ustadz Mohamad Joban, M.A, The Imam of Ar Rahmah Mosque in Redmond, WA.
5. SubDept. Tahfidzh
The preservation of Qur'an is a task that Allah has taken upon himself. QS. Al-Hijr verse 9:
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا ٱلذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَٰفِظُونَ
"Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an, and indeed, We will be its guardian."
The ability to memorize the Qur'an is not limited to the young. Many of the world's great scholars started studying religion in their 30's. They not only memorize and understand the Quran, but also become role models for many Muslims.
Abu Walid Al-Baji for example, started studying the Qur'an at 30 years old. He was already a married man and working as a security guard. He became a great scholar of the Maliki School. Determination, sincerity, and istiqamah in learning the Qur'an are the main provisions for memorizing the Qur'an.
TAHFIDH IMSA CLASS is ready to become a buddy and facilitator to support this noble cause in sha Allah.
Program requirements: completion of the Tahsin program, strong will, sincerity, and istiqomah in learning the Qur'an.
Program logistics:
Once a week sessions for 2 hours (max) using the TES method, which covers reading, memorization, and repetition of the parts to be memorized
Let the noor/light of the Qur'an penetrate into our hearts and remove any darkness inside.
6. SubDept. Arabic
Allah mentioned:
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ قُرْءَٰنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
"Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an, so that you may understand it." (Surah Yusuf: 2)
The Quran was revealed in Arabic. Therefore, it is essential to learn Arabic in understanding Islam.
Umar bin Khattab RA said,
تعلموا العربية فإنها من دينكم
"Learn Arabic; indeed, it is part of your religion."
Imam Ash-Shafi'i also said,
من تبَحَرَّ فى النحو اهتدى إلى كل العلوم
"Whoever masters nahwu, it will be easy for him to understand all knowledge."
IMSA offers two Arabic programs, namely BARIS and TAFHAM.
BARIS (which is a word play for ‘Arabic IMSA’) is a particular program for sisters that began in 2019. This program teaches grammar (nahwu) and conjugation of words (sarf) in Modern Standard Arabic that play an important role in understanding the Quran and Hadith. BARIS program is taught by Ustadz Abu Muhammad, an Arabic teacher at the Tunas Ilmu Islamic Boarding School, Purbalingga, Central Java.
TAFHAM (which literally means ‘you understand’) is a general Arabic program that started in 2020. This program focuses on daily conversation (hiwar) as a starting point for understanding the Quran and Hadith. The TAFHAM program is taught by Ustadz Taufik Hamim, Lc., M.A, who is the General Chairman of the Muntada Ahlil Quran Foundation and Chairman of the Al Siddiq International Foundation in Indonesia.
7. SubDept. Tahsin
Allah SWT ordered us to read the Holy Quran with proper manner and in no haste (tarteel).
اَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ الْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيْلَا
"... Or a little more—and recite the Quran properly in a measured way." (Al Muzammil: 4)
Proper recitation with tarteel needs to be honed with the right knowledge. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
الْمَاهِرُ بِالْقُرْآِنِ مَعَ السَّفَرَةَ الْكِرَامِ الْبَرَرَةِ وَ الَّذِيْ يَقْرَاُ الْقُرْآنَ ووَيَتَتَعْتَعُ فِيْهِ وَ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ شَاقٌّ لَهُ اَجْرَانِ
"The one who is proficient in the recitation of the Qur'an will be with the honourable and obedient scribes (angels) and he who recites the Qur'an and finds it difficult to recite, doing his best to recite it in the best way possible, will have two rewards." [Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and Abu Daud]
A student of Quran is blessed, whether he is still a beginner or proficient. Praise be to God, with this motivation, IMSA started its tahsin program. The program consists of four groups:
Group 1: Tahsin for Sisters, which started in 2003
Group 2: Tahsin for Youth Girls, which started in 2015
Group 3: Tahsin for Muallaf, which started in 2019
Group 4: Tahsin for Brothers, which will start in May 2022
Currently all mentors of IMSA Tahsin Talaqi are trained by Ustadz and Ustadzah from Yayasan Rumah Tajwid under the guidance of its founder Ustadz Hartanto Saryono, Lc, Al Hafidz.