The Formative Creed (ʿAqīdah): From Revelation to Codification

Part of the Qurtuba Islamic Sciences Program

Why this course matters: Understand how Islamic theology developed and how scholars preserved orthodox belief.

Course Description

This course explores the formative development of Islamic creed (ʿaqīdah) during the first three centuries of Islam.

Students will trace how the lived faith of the Companions evolved into structured theological formulations preserved in classical Sunni texts such as al-Fiqh al-Akbar and al-ʿAqīdah al-Ṭaḥāwiyyah.

The course examines:

Early political and theological developments
The emergence of sectarian movements (Khawārij, Muʿtazilah, Murji’ah, Jahmiyyah)
The response of Ahl al-Sunnah in preserving orthodoxy

Students will also engage foundational theological principles such as:

Affirming revelation without speculation (bilā kayf)
Understanding divine decree and human responsibility (kasb)
The Sunni middle path (al-wasaṭiyyah)

This course serves as the first part of a two-part study of classical Sunni theology.

Course Details

Instructor: Ustadha Kouthar Muttardy
Location: ADAMS Sterling
Schedule: Thursdays, 7:00–9:00 PM
Start Date: April 16, 2026
Duration: 16 weeks (calendar may extend due to breaks)

Who Should Attend

Adults and committed students of Islamic studies seeking a deeper, structured engagement with Islamic creed.

Registration & Support

This course is free and open to all. Our work is only possible through your support—please consider donating to sustain and grow these programs.

Contact

qurtuba@adamscenter.org