Islam & Western Modernity: A Critical Online Course

Course Overview:

In this unique course designed for traditional scholars (including Darul Uloom students and graduates), we will attempt to deconstruct and analyse Western ideals and values. We’ll be examining the texts of scholars such as Talal Asad, Sherman Jackson, Naquib Attas, Wael Hallaq, Charles Taylor, Max Weber and numerous other writers.

One of the ways Western critics of Islam attempt to dismantle Islam is by actually studying Islam. Just think for a second, every Western university has a dedicated branch for Oriental studies of Islam. But how many traditional Islamic studies can we point to that have a dedicated part of the syllabus wherein they teach, study, and critique the Western worldview and compare that with the Islamic worldview? This course attempts to fill that gap! Designed for both traditional scholars, including Darul Uloom graduates, and academics, we’ll study and critique the Western worldview, particularly in the context of modernity’s influence. What is freedom of speech? Where did it come from? Why is it automatically assumed to be a good thing? What is liberalism, and where did it come from? Why is it automatically assumed to be a good thing? What are the foundations of feminism? Is the current Western society really the greatest society to live in in the history of mankind? All these answers will be discussed in this course.

Course Instructor: Dr (Maulana) Haroon Sidat

Start date: 8th October 2025

Course Duration: 13 lessons (3 months)

Lesson Length: 1 hour a week

Lesson Timings: Every Wednesday 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm UK time

Course fee: £70 (payment taken closer to the start date) or £35 over 2 months

FOR THOSE UNABLE TO ATTEND LIVE, ALL RECORDINGS AND DOCUMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED IN YOUR ONLINE PORTAL WITH LIFETIME ACCESS

Students will be provided with reading lists and guidance on how to read various Western works critically.

Lesson 1: The Enlightenment
Lesson 2: Modernity
Lesson 3: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
Lesson 4: Loss of Metaphysics and Meaning
Lesson 5: The Theological Origins of Modernity
Lesson 6: The Self
Lesson 7: The Human Condition
Lesson 8: Formations of the Secular
Lesson 9: Islamic Worldview
Lesson 10: The Islamic Secular
Lesson 11: The Impossible State
Lesson 12: Islam and Liberal Citizenship
Lesson 13: Where next for the modern Muslim?