01.
Hubs for Inquiry
Classical Arabic Studies
Develop the ability to read, comprehend, and reflect on classical Arabic texts. This track grounds you in grammar, rhetoric, and traditional methods of meaning-making.
Language Studies
Explore linguistics, semantics, and the philosophy of language through a comparative lens—tracing how meaning, structure, and expression have been understood in both the Arabic and English intellectual traditions.
Islamic Political Economy
Study the ethical, legal, and institutional foundations of economic life in Muslim societies. This track combines classical sources with contemporary challenges in governance and development.
02.
Forthcoming Classes
Classical Arabic Literature I
(September 20-December 6)
Course Description
Classical Arabic Literature I is the first part of a two-semester journey through the Arabic literary tradition. This fall, we will explore masterpieces from the Jahiliyyah, Umayyad, and early Abbasid periods — tracing the development of eloquence, poetry, and prose in the formative centuries of Arabic literature.
Students will read and analyze selections such as the Muʿallaqa of Zuhayr, the Umayyad oratory of Ziyād b. Abīhī (al-Khuṭba al-Batrāʾ), the sharp poetic rivalries of the naqā’iḍ poets al-Farazdaq, Jarīr, and al-Akhtal, and the pioneering Abbasid prose of Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ, and al-Jāḥiẓ.
The course is designed for students who already have a background in Arabic (the four skills, as well as sarf and naḥw) and are ready to advance by engaging directly with classical texts. By the end of the semester, participants will not only sharpen their reading and analysis but also gain a refined perspective on how these works shaped the sciences of Arabic grammar and rhetoric within the Islamic scholarly tradition.
Classical Arabic Literature I will be delivered online via Zoom, with one two-hour session per week over the course of twelve weeks (3 months). To ensure accessibility, all sessions will be recorded and stored on the course platform (Circle), where participants will have full access to the recordings throughout the term.
03.
Open Circle
A space for thoughtful conversations on everything from literary works to film scenes and everyday questions. Here, we reflect together, exchange insights, and explore meaning across diverse topics in an open and welcoming atmosphere.
Within this space, we host a variety of formats:
Discussion on Concepts – A category dedicated to exploring ideas, theories, and frameworks in depth. Here, we engage in reflective dialogue, break down abstract notions, compare perspectives, and connect concepts to broader contexts. It is a place where curiosity leads the way, and collective reasoning helps us better understand the world around us.
Lectures – A category focused on structured talks delivered by experts, scholars, or practitioners. Lectures provide organized knowledge-sharing, presenting research, lived experience, or in-depth analysis on particular themes. They serve as a foundation for reflection, offering participants a chance to learn and then carry insights into broader conversations.
Reading & Reflections – A category devoted to engaging with texts, from classical works to contemporary articles. Participants share reflections, raise questions, and critically analyze ideas together, fostering both personal growth and collective insight.
Media & Culture – A category where films, documentaries, music, and other cultural works become starting points for reflection. This space encourages us to explore how cultural products shape our worldview, values, and understanding of society.
Together, these categories create a rich environment where spontaneous conversation, critical inquiry, and knowledge-sharing come together, inviting all members to grow through dialogue.
✨ To attend events and receive notifications, join the TafakkurHub Community with free membership: Join Here
04.
Institutional Consultation
We offer tailored consultation services to help institutions, learning communities, and homeschooling groups integrate TafakkurHub’s content into their specific educational goals. Whether you seek to enrich Arabic language instruction or design a values-based Islamic economics curriculum, we work closely with you to customize our programs for your unique context—ensuring relevance, coherence, and philosophical depth.
