Structuring Your Islamic Studies Curriculum
How do you structure an Islamic studies curriculum that truly nurtures the mind, heart, and soul of students? This is the central question every Islamic school administrator and teacher should consider. While secular subjects like math, science, and English often receive well-structured curricula with defined objectives, Islamic studies can sometimes lack the same level of clarity and focus. Yet, the responsibility of teaching Islam—a faith that integrates belief, practice, and character—demands no less.
Let’s explore how to shape a comprehensive Islamic studies program that addresses these needs.
1. Plan the Content: Foundations and Structure
Crafting the curriculum content begins with organizing the essential topics to cover within an academic year. We will outline four categories of various sciences that group well together, each providing a year’s worth of content. This grouping ensures coherence and helps teachers plan effectively for structured annual learning cycles. It also enables students to complete the curriculum in Elementary (1st-4th), then Middle School (5th-8th), and High School (9th-12th grade).
a. Begin with the Essentials: Islam, Iman, and Ihsan
The Hadith of Jibril outlines the three dimensions of Islam: Islam (practice), Iman (belief), and Ihsan (excellence in worship and character). These dimensions provide a solid foundation for structuring a year of material. Given their significance, they form the starting point of the curriculum:
- Fiqh (Islam): Focus on the Pillars of Islam after the Shahadah: Salah, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj. Known as “Ibadat” (acts of worship), these serve as the building blocks. From this foundation, age-appropriate supplemental lessons can be added—such as Tahara (purification), financial transactions, Riba, marriage and divorce, and guidelines on food, drink, and clothing tailored to the students' maturity levels.
- Aqidah (Iman): Cover the six pillars of faith, helping students develop a firm understanding of Allah, the angels, the books, the prophets, and Qadr (Divine Decree). Challenge students intellectually as they mature by exploring topics such as Allah’s existence, the beliefs of atheists and agnostics, and reconciling free will with Divine Decree. For middle and high schoolers, discussing modern ideologies and comparing Islamic economics with other systems can add relevance and depth.
- Tazkiyah (Ihsan): Focus on character building and spiritual purification by addressing practical, relatable topics. For younger students, emphasize good manners, the tongue, and anger. For older students, explore issues such as arrogance, wanting fame, and managing desires. Avoid overwhelming students with classical texts that may feel disconnected from their daily lives; instead, present tazkiyah in ways that resonate with their experiences and challenges.
b. Islamic Identity: Strengthen Identity Through Stories
One-third of the Quran consists of stories, emphasizing their importance in shaping identity and teaching values. Stories captivate students’ imaginations and provide relatable examples of faith. To solidify their Islamic identity:
- Teach Stories of the Prophets and the Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to inspire students with lessons from the messengers, and the exemplary character, wisdom, and strength of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Follow with Stories of the Sahaba, then move to Islamic History, beginning from the end of the time of the Khulafa.
- Include biographies of Islamic luminaries across different eras, showcasing diverse ways individuals have served the deen. This helps students see the many paths they can take to contribute to their faith and community.
Stories nurture pride, belonging, and a sense of purpose, making them an essential component of any curriculum.
c. The Revelations: Develop Knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah
Engaging deeply with the Quran and Sunnah builds yaqeen (certainty) and equips students to understand the sources of Islamic knowledge. Focus on:
- Tafsir (Exegesis): Prioritize select surahs, ensuring students develop a comprehensive understanding. For example, completing the tafsir of Juz ‘Amma by the end of high school allows students to grasp Quranic understanding from beginning to end. Note that indirect tafsir will also occur through other sciences like Prophet stories, Tazkiyah, Aqidah, and Tafsir Ayat al-Ahkam. However, there should be a focused and direct study of select chapters.
- Ulum Al-Quran: Introduce the sciences of the Quran, including its compilation, structure, and associated disciplines.
- Hadith: As Aisha ﷺ described, the Prophet ﷺ was a “walking Quran.” Select hadiths on Tazkiyah to teach practical applications of Quranic principles in daily life.
- Hadith Studies: Gradually introduce the science of hadith classification (Mustalah Al-Hadith) and the methods of hadith compilation and preservation. This approach fosters critical thinking and builds confidence in the authenticity of Islamic sources.
This strategy ensures students develop both intellectual and spiritual connections to the Quran and Sunnah.
d. Ilm Foundation
Lastly, the curriculum should expand to include advanced studies that encourage deeper critical thinking:
- Fiqh II: Reinforce foundational knowledge while introducing more practical applications of Islamic rulings.
- Usul Al-Fiqh (Principles of Jurisprudence): Teach the methodology behind deriving rulings from Quranic verses and hadith. This builds critical thinking skills and mirrors aspects of the scientific method, which has roots in Islamic scholarship.
- Tafsir Ayat of Ahkam and Hadith of Ahkam: Focus on verses and hadiths related to practical day-to-day rulings, such as Salah, hijab, and ethical conduct. This strengthens yaqeen and shows the relevance of Islamic sources in guiding daily life.
This stage transitions students from passive learners to independent thinkers capable of applying their knowledge.
2. Break It Down: Plan to Finish the Category of Sciences in One Academic Year
Just as secular subjects like math or science are taught within a single school year, Islamic studies should follow the same structure. To avoid gaps in understanding:
- Break each subject into clear lessons with a defined beginning and end, much like chapters in the Quran.
- For example, Aqidah can be organized around the six pillars of faith, with subtopics under each.
- Ensure students achieve a sense of completion and mastery by covering each science comprehensively within one academic year.
3. Create Structured Lesson Plans
While it’s important not to be overly rigid, having a structured lesson plan provides essential guidance for teachers. This includes:
- Clear objectives, activities, and projects to make lessons interactive and engaging.
- A balance of flexibility and structure, allowing teachers to adapt while maintaining focus on outcomes.
- A mix of group discussions, hands-on projects, and reflective assignments to cater to diverse learning styles.
Structured lesson plans ensure consistency and help deliver high-quality instruction across all grades.
4. Scaffold Learning Across Educational Stages
The most challenging aspect of curriculum design is ensuring continuity. Students should revisit and deepen their knowledge as they progress through elementary, middle, and high school. This requires:
- Reintroducing core sciences like Fiqh, Aqidah, and Tazkiyah with age-appropriate content in elementary, middle, and high school.
- Expanding topics in complexity and depth as students mature.
- Adapting activities and projects to developmental levels, transitioning from storytelling and simple games in elementary to self-reflection, critical thinking, debates, and research in middle and high school.
This scaffolded approach ensures that foundational knowledge is retained and built upon progressively.
Conclusion: The Importance of Structure
A solid Islamic studies curriculum is crucial for nurturing students who embody faith in belief, practice, and character. It provides the clarity and structure necessary to ensure meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for life beyond school.
A well-crafted Islamic studies curriculum integrates belief, practice, and character. At Diwan, our team of Islamic scholars and curriculum developers—all born and raised in the West—have created a comprehensive and relevant Islamic Studies curriculum for schools in the English language. Many schools have already seen tremendous results from implementing our curriculum.
If you are a school administrator or an Islamic studies teacher, book a free demo with us today to explore our program and receive free physical samples. A well-structured curriculum is a transformative tool for shaping the next generation of confident, knowledgeable Muslims.
Any Questions? Send us an email at info@DiwanEdu.com