Aqeedah 101

Islamic Online University

I. Class Description
A. Name of Class: Aqeedah 101,
B. Credit Hours:
C. Catalog Description: This course is comprised of a study of the
fundamental issues in the Science of
Tawheed/ ‘Aqeedah most relevant today. It
gives an overview of the categories of
Tawheed and Shirk.
D. Prerequisites: None

II. Instructor Information

A. Name: Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips
B. Location: Doha, Qatar
C. Instructional methods: Recorded Lectures, Live discussions and
independent student research

III. Textbook and Supplies

A. Required Text: The Fundamentals of
Tawheed, Bilal Philips,
A Commentary on THE BOOK OF
TAWHEED PART ONE by Dr. Abu
Ameenah Bilal Philips

B. Supplementary Texts: ‘Abdullah Al-Athari, Islamic Beliefs

IV. Objectives
A. To enable the student to understand the origins of the Science of Tawheed.
B. To further develop the student’s grasp of the basic three categories of
Tawheed and their antithesis Shirk.
C. To develop the student’s basic knowledge regarding some of the controversial
issues related to Tawheed.
D. To enable students to critically analyze the customs and culture which affects
the implementation of Tawheed in Muslim countries today.
E. To teach students correct approach to understanding the Islaamic Creed.

V. Class Content
Class Procedure/Instruction Methodology
Recorded Lectures dedicated to the course material will be available for
online viewing or download and periodic Live Discussions will be held
with the instructor on topics covered.

Homework Assignment
One Homework assignment will be assigned in the course.

Exams
The course will contain Module tests, a mid term exam and a final
exam. The final exam is not cumulative. All students will take the
exams on the scheduled day and time.

Aqeedah 101
VI. Attendance Policies
A. Attendance: The students are required to login and access the weekly
sessions each week for all subjects available. There is no
fixed time for accessing the content. Students may do it
at their own convenience but within the week in which
the content is required to be studied.

Students are encouraged to make every effort to join the

Live Sessions as this will be best for them. If sometimes
circumstances do not allow, then they may listen to the
recording of that Session.

B. Special requirements
1. Students should behave respectfully during Live Discussions,
in their correspondences and forum posts. If a student is
disrespectful to the instructor or to another student he or she
will be removed from class.
2. The Video and Audio study material provided to you is
confidential and copyrighted. You are allowed to keep a copy
on your PC but you are not allowed to distribute copies to
others.
3. All students should participate fully in Live Discussions.

4. As a student of the Islamic Online University, you should

pledge that all tests taken by you and that all work turned in by
you will be original and solely the result of your own efforts.
Any form of academic dishonesty, including cheating and
plagiarism, will be recorded in the student’s permanent file.
Breaches of academic integrity will be dealt with severely, as
per the University policy. After the first instance of a breach of
academic integrity, the student will receive a failing grade IN
ALL CLASSES FOR WHICH HE/SHE IS CURRENTLY
ENROLLED. After the second instance, the student will be
expelled permanently from the program.
Note: Besides the definition of cheating in the Student
Handbook, cheating in this class includes using others’
planning or drafting to generate one’s own essay, copying any
part of another person’s homework, or collaborating on
assignments that are meant to be individual efforts. Unless
otherwise indicated, all assignments completed outside of class
should be completed individually.
 Aqeedah 101

Class Schedule
Module 1 Topics: Introduction to ‘Aqeedah, Meaning of Tawheed,
Categories of Tawheed, Reasons for the emergence
of the Science of Tawheed

Reading ‘Abdullah Al--Athari, Islamic Beliefs, pp. 41-43 and Bilal

Assignments: Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter
One: The Categories of Tawheed, pp. 17-19

Module 2 Topics: Reasons for the emergence of the Science of

Tawheed, Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah (Maintaining
the Unity of Lordship/Dominion)

Reading ‘Abdullah Al-Athari, Islamic Beliefs, pp. 41-43 and Bilal

Assignments: Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter
One: The Categories of Tawheed, pp. 19-26

Module 3 Topics: Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat (Maintaining the Unity

of Allah’s Names and Attributes) upto second aspect

Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter

Assignments: One: The Categories of Tawheed,pp. 26-27

Module 4 Topics: Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat (Maintaining the Unity

of Allah’s Names and Attributes) from third aspect

Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter

Assignments: One: The Categories of Tawheed,pp. 27-31

Module 5 Topics: Tawheed al-‘Ibaadah (Maintaining the Unity of

Worship)

Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter

Assignments: One: The Categories of Tawheed, pp. 31-41

Module 6 Topics: Definition of Shirk

Shirk in Ruboobiyyah: 1. Shirk by Association & 2.
Shirk by Negation
Shirk in Asmaa wa Sifaat: 1. Shirk by Humanization &
2. Shirk by Deification
Shirk in ‘Ibaadah: 1. Major Shirk & 2. Minor Shirk
(Riyaa)

Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter

Assignments: Two: The Categories of Shirk, pp. 43-58

Module 7 Topics: Allah’s Covenant with Adam: The Barzakh, Pre-

Creation & The Fitrah

Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter

Assignments: Three, pp. 59-70.
 Aqeedah 101
Module 8 Topics: Charms and Omens: Definitions
Qur’anic Charms
Ruling on Charms and Omens
Fa’l (Good Word Omens)

Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter

Assignments: Four, pp. 71-90

Module 9 Topics: Fortunetelling: Definition

World of the Jinn, Islamic Ruling on Fortunetelling,
Visitation & Belief in Fortunetellers

Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter

Assignments: Five, pp. 91-104.

Module 10 Topics: Astrology: Definitions

Muslim Astrologers, Islamic Ruling on Horoscopes

Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter

Assignments: Six, pp. 105-114

Module 11 Topics: Magic: The Reality

Role of the Jinn
Exorcism

Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter

Assignments: Seven, pp. 115-126

Module 12 Topics: Magic: Exorcism (contd)

Islamic Ruling on Magic

Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter

Assignments: Seven, pp. 126-131

Module 13 Topics: Transcendency (‘Uloo)

Significance, Danger of the Immanence Concept,
Natural Proof, Prayer Proof, Mi’raaj Proof, Qur’aanic
Proofs, Hadeethic Proof,

Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter

Assignments: Eight, pp. 133-147

Module 14 Topics: Transcendency (‘Uloo)

Logical Proof, Consensus of Early Scholars

Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter

Assignments: Eight, pp. 147-153

Module 15 Topics: Seeing Allah

Allah’s Image, Moses Asks to See Allah, Did
Muhammad See Allah, Wisdom of not Seeing Allah,
Seeing Allah in the Next Life,
 Aqeedah 101
Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter
Assignments: Nine, pp. 155-166

Module 16 Topics: Seeing Allah

Seeing Prophet Muhammad

Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter

Assignments: Nine, pp. 166-168

Module 17 Topics: Saint Worship

Allah’s Favor, Taqwa

Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter

Assignments: Ten, pp. 169-176

Module 18 Topics: Saint Worship

Sainthood, Fanaa, Ittihaad, (Union), Spirit of Allah

Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter

Assignments: Ten, pp. 176-194

Module 19 Topics: Grave Worship

Prayers to the Dead, Evolutionary Model of Religion,
Beginning of Shirk, Excessive Praise of the
Righteous, Grave Restrictions, Taking Graves as
Places of Worship, Masjids with Graves

Reading Bilal Philips, The Fundamentals of Tawheed, Chapter

Assignments: Eleven, pp. 195-223

Module 20 Topics: The Fundamentals of Tawheed Summarization

Module 21 Topic: Questions and answers

About Muhammed ibn Abdul-Wahhaab, Chapter 1 (At-

Module 22 Topic: Tauhid)
Reading The commentary on The Book of Tawheed: Page 7
Assignment: to Page 34

Chapter 1(At Tauhid) and Chapter 2 (The superiority of

Module 23 Topic: Tauhid and what it removes of sins)
Reading The commentary on The Book of Tawheed: Page 34 to
Assignment: Page 50

Chapter 3 (Who purifies Tauhid [from Shirk etc.] will

Module 24 Topic: enter Paradise without giving an Account)
Reading The commentary on The Book of Tawheed: Page 51
Assignment: to Page 63

Module 25 Topic: Chapter 4 (Fear of Shirk [Polytheism])

 Reading The commentary on The Book of Tawheed: Page 64
Assignment: to Page74

Chapter 5( The call to testify that there is nothing

Module 26 Topic: deserving of Worship in truth except Allah)
Reading The commentary on The Book of Tawheed: Page 75
Assignment: to Page 96

Chapter 6 (An Explanation of Tauhid and the

Module 27 Topic: Testimony: La ilahailla-Allah)
Reading The commentary on The Book of Tawheed: Page 97
Assignment to Page 108

Chapter: 6 An Explanation of Tawheed and the

Module 28 Topic: Testimony.Laailaaha ill Allaah
Reading A commentary on THE BOOK OF TAWHEED
Assignment Pg110-122

Chapter 7 Wearing Bracelets, Strings,etc for Removing

Module 29 Topic: or Preventing Affliction is Shirk
Reading A commentary on THE BOOK OF TAWHEED
Assignment Pg123-135

Module 30 Topic: Chapter 7 Wearing Bracelets, Strings,etc for Removing

or Preventing Affliction is Shirk, Chapter 8
Ruqaa,Talismans and Amulets
Reading A commentary on THE BOOK OF TAWHEED Pg123-
Assignment 135, 136-150

Module 31 Topic: CONTINUATION OF CHAPTER 8

Reading A commentary on THE BOOK OF TAWHEED
Assignment Pg136-150

Module 32 Topic: Chapter: 9

Reading A commentary on THE BOOK OF TAWHEED Pg151-
Assignment 162

Module 33 Topic: chapter 10,11,12,and 13

Reading A commentary on THE BOOK OF TAWHEED
Assignment Pg163-195

Seeking Help From or Calling on Others Besides

Module 34 Topic: ALLAAH is Shirk
Reading A commentary on THE BOOK OF TAWHEED
Assignment Pg196-210