K A Nizami Centre lecture series
Aligarh : Prominent Islamic scholars from across the Country participated in detailed deliberations on the Holy Quran as a compelling literature expressing collective morality, equality, justice, fairness, brotherhood and mercy with guidance for all aspects of life in the recently concluded online extension lectures series of the K A Nizami Centre for Quranic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
The series began with a lecture on ‘How to understand the Quran’ in which Prof Saud Alam Qasmi (Department of Sunni Theology) emphasised that it is important to reflect and ponder on the Quranic verses.
“The Holy Quran is the Final Revelation to provide us the necessary understanding. It is a source of guidance for those who are aware, and conscious of the existence of God”, said Prof Saud.
The more you read the Quran carefully, the more you will understand,” he added.
In the talk on ‘Quranic Teachings for an Ideal Society’, Prof Tauqueer Alam Falahi (Department of Sunni Theology) explained the Six Quranic principles for achieving an ideal society.
He spoke on the principles of attaining justice and excellence, maintaining the rights of relatives and staying away from immorality, evil and transgression.
Speaking on ‘Ethical and Social teachings of the Quran’, Prof Obaidullah Fahad (Department of Islamic Studies) discussed how Tazkiyah (Purification) contains guidance in both ethical and social aspects.
“The core of the Islamic faith is purification of the self, which means that human beings must keep both their bodies and souls clean. A pious person is not one who keeps himself dirty and unkempt, unaware of his surroundings, dress and bodily needs. In fact, cleanliness and the concept of purity has been ingrained in the Muslim psyche, through instructions of the Quran and Ahadith of the Holy Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) and his practices”, he stressed.
Prof Zafarul Islam (Department of Islamic Studies) delivered a lecture on ‘A Study of Exegesis and Quranic Studies in the Muslim Era”.
He discussed classical works on the Holy Quran including those by At–Tabari, At–Tusi, Ibn ‘Arabi, Al-Qurtubi, Ibn Kathir, Al-Jalalayn and At–Tabataba‘i among others.
In the talk on ‘Scientific Temperament and Research in the Light of the Quran’, Prof Aslam Parvaiz (New Delhi) said: “The Holy Quran exhorts Muslims to study nature and investigate the truth. For many Muslim writers, the study of science stems from Tawhid (Monotheism). There are prescient statements about scientific phenomena in the Quran that were later confirmed through scientific research for instance as regards the structure of human biology, solar system, and the creation of the universe among other things”.
Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali (Lucknow) delivered a talk on ‘What does the Quran demand from the Muslims’ and pressed the need for a life based on the guidance in the Quran and ‘Sunnah’.
Speaking on ‘Basic Teachings of the Quran’, Maulana Mohammad Fazlur Raheem Mujaddidi (Jaipur) discussed belief, good deeds, morality and life after death.
Professor Akhtarul Wasey (New Delhi) discussed ‘The Tradition of Quranic and Islamic Studies in Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia’.
Dr Ziauddin from AMU delivered a talk on ‘A Study of Urdu exegesis in 20th century’ with references from the works of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Allama Hamid Uddin Farahi, Maulana Amin Ahsan Islahi, Maulana Abul Ala Maududi, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Abdul Majid Daryabadi.
Dr Ashhad Jamal Nadvi (Aligarh) spoke on ‘Basic Beliefs of the Quran’ –in which he delineated belief in the unity of God, belief in angels, belief in Prophets, belief in scriptures and belief in the final judgement.
Dr M Tariq Ayubi Nadwi (Aligarh) deliberated on ‘The tradition of Study of the Quran in Nadwatul –Uloom and other Religious Schools’.
Prof Abdur Raheem Kidwai (Honorary Director, K A Nizami Centre for Quranic Studies) convened and moderated the lecture series.
Dr Arshad Iqbal (Programme Coordinator) introduced the speakers.