Foundations Program - Islamic Fiqh: Worship and Daily Life - Winter 2026
The CIK Foundations Program aims to equip students with a grounded understanding of the essential ideas, sources, and values of the Islamic intellectual tradition. While rooted in classical knowledge, the program emphasizes practical relevance, nurturing students to become ethically aware, spiritually grounded, and socially responsible members of the Umma. It links learning to action, thereby encouraging service (khidma) and positive contribution to the Muslim community and wider society.
Module Information:
Aims: This module aims to familiarize students with the foundations of Islamic legal thought and practice, enabling them to perform the core acts of worship correctly in accordance with recognized Sunni schools of law. It also equips them to apply Islamic principles to everyday transactions and social interactions, fostering a mindset in which fiqh is understood as a means to serve Allah, protect the rights of others, and strengthen the unity and well-being of the Umma.
Key Themes:
● Foundations of Fiqh – Sources of law, schools of thought, the role of scholars, and understanding differences of opinion.
● Core Acts of Worship (ʿIbādāt) –
○ Ṭahāra: Purification, wuḍūʾ, ghusl, tayammum.
○ Ṣalāh: Obligatory and voluntary prayers, conditions, nullifiers, common mistakes.
○ Ṣawm: Ramadan fasting, exemptions, qaḍaʾ, fidya, voluntary fasting.
○ Zakāt: Eligibility, nisab, types of wealth, distribution.
○ Ḥajj & ʿUmra: Rites, obligations, common errors, spiritual preparation.
● Core Transactions (Muʿāmalāt) –
○ Financial dealings: Buying, selling, renting, hiring, employment contracts.
○ Contemporary issues: Insurance, warranties, Islamic banking principles, subscriptions.
○ Social dealings: Neighbour rights, ethics in speech, promises, and trust.
● Ethics in Practice – Fiqh as a framework for justice, mercy, social action, and community well-being.
● Fiqh and Khidma – Using legal knowledge to serve others, helping them fulfil obligations, avoid harm, and live Islamically.
