Course curriculum

    1. Understanding Context

    1. Reflection and Discussion

    1. Reading and Analysis

About this course

  • £40.00
  • 4 hours, over 2 weeks
  • Sunday 3.30-5.30pm UK
  • Start Sunday 6th July 2025

Arabic L1 - Reader: Sacred Texts & Spiritual Poetry

Course Overview:

A 2-week immersive reading practicum designed for Level 1 Arabic students ready to engage with profound Islamic spiritual literature. This course bridges foundational Arabic skills with authentic sacred texts, offering both linguistic development and spiritual enrichment.

Week 1: 

Divine Discourse - Ibn Arabi's Mishkat al-AnwarExplore selections from Ibn Arabi's luminous collection of Hadith Qudsi (sacred traditions where Allah speaks in the first person). These intimate divine communications offer accessible Arabic while revealing profound spiritual truths. Students will:

  • Read and translate selected hadith with guided support
  • Learn key vocabulary related to divine attributes and spiritual states
  • Reflect on the meanings through group discussion
  • Practice pronunciation and comprehension skills

Week 2: 

Poetry of Devotion - Classical QasidaImmerse yourself in the melodic beauty of Islamic devotional poetry. The class will collectively choose one masterpiece to study from:

  • Du'a al-Madhlum (Prayer of the Oppressed) - A powerful supplication for divine justice
  • Qasida al-Burda - Imam Busiri's celebrated ode praising the Prophet ﷺ
  • Hizb al-Bahr (Litany of the Sea) - Imam Shadhili's prayer for protection and spiritual opening

Students will experience how Arabic poetry combines linguistic beauty with spiritual power, learning to read with both mind and heart.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Gain confidence reading authentic Arabic spiritual texts
  • Build vocabulary in religious and poetic contexts
  • Understand basic rhetorical devices in Arabic literature
  • Connect language learning with spiritual contemplation

Prerequisites:Completion of Arabic Level 1 or equivalent (ability to read Arabic script and basic vocabulary)

Format:Interactive reading sessions with line-by-line exploration, group recitation, and reflective discussion.

Instructor(s)

Sulaiman Safdar

Sulaiman has been a student of the Arabic language for over a decade. Having studied a variety of curriculums including Ibn Jabal and with private tutors from Jordan, Egypt and Pakistan, he brings his years of experience of learning Arabic as a non-native together with an interest in Ibn Arabi and Sufi commentators on the Qur'an.

FAQ

  • Q: Do I need to have completed a specific Arabic course to join?

    A: You should be comfortable reading Arabic script and have basic vocabulary (Level 1 equivalent). If you can read Quranic Arabic slowly with vowel marks, you're ready for this course. We'll provide support for challenging passages.

  • Q: What texts will we be reading?

    A: Week 1 focuses on selections from Ibn Arabi's Mishkat al-Anwar (Hadith Qudsi collection). In Week 2, the class will choose together from three classical poems: the Burdah, Hizb al-Bahr, or Du'a al-Madhlum (Prayer of the Oppressed).

  • Q: Will the texts be provided?

    A: Yes, we'll provide PDF copies of all texts with vowel marks (tashkeel) and share screen during class. You're welcome to bring your own copies if you have them.

  • Q: Is this a grammar course?

    A: No, this is a reading practicum focused on comprehension and spiritual reflection. While we'll explain grammatical points as they arise, the emphasis is on reading fluency and understanding meaning in context.

  • Q: Will classes be recorded?

    Yes

Ready to transform your Arabic learning into a spiritual journey?

Join us as we unlock the treasures of Ibn Arabi's divine wisdom and classical Islamic poetry

Enroll today