Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can join the Easy Qur'an Course?
Any person from any background, profession, qualification, age and gender is welcome for “Easy Qur'an - the Qur'anic Arabic Understanding Course" You need to be of the age that you can understand. The only other thing you need to have is a strong desire to study the Qur'an, the Book of Allah.
2) What is the duration of the Easy Qur’an Course?
The Easy Qur’an Course is taught in 100 hours. The classes are of two types:
Morning Batch: Tuesdays/ Thursdays/ Saturdays 3 days a week for one and half hour in the morning from 8:00 am – 9:30 am
Evening Batch: Tuesdays/ Thursdays/ Saturdays 3 days a week for one and half hour in the evening from 8:00 pm -
9:30 pm
Ladies Special Batch: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm daily except Friday and Sunday.
3. Are there any pre-qualifications required to attend the course?
There are no pre-qualifications required for the level - I of the Easy Qur'an Course. However the advanced levels of the course (Diploma and Degree) need a person to have passed the previous level since they will build on the previous knowledge. It is necessary that a student should know to read the Arabic text of the Qur’an correctly. However if a student does not know, he/she can join the “Tajweed” course also parallel at the Center.
4) Will I be able to understand the Qur’an as I read or as it is read in Salah?
The goal of this course is to help students understand the Qur’an as they read it and as it is read in Salah.
5) What is the method that will be followed during this course?
In this course we focus on making students learn the meanings of the words of the Qur’an. There is only a brief journey through Arabic Grammar initially with some additional explanations later. The main focus is on learning the Qur’anic vocabulary. For example when a child learns how to speak he picks up individual words and starts using them. When guided by a parent or elder who knows the language he proceeds to understand sentences and consequently speak. The child is not taught rules of grammar initially. Following the same methodology the “Easy Qur’an Course” seeks to teach the words from the Qur’an under the guidance of a teacher who is an expert in the language so that the student understands what Allah has said in the Qur’an.
There are 80,000 words in the Qur’an but the actual words are only around 2000!!! This is one of the miracles of the Qur’an that the whole book has been produced with so few words.
6) Will I be learning Arabic grammar too?
The focus of this course is not on the grammar. Hence apart from basic grammer, there will be much that will not be taught. We have conducted several classes in the past with intense coaching in Arabic Grammer. However we found that very few students are able to sustain interest in the course after a few days, since Arabic grammar is very tedious. In this current, “Easy Qur’an Course” what keeps a student attached is the book of Allah. The Qur’an has the charm and attraction to keep a student going as we study the best book on earth. The purpose of this course is hence to bring a person closer to the Book of Allah. More grammer will be covered in the advanced levels of the course.
7) What is required to study the Qur’an?
To study the Qur’an we also need the explanation given by Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) since he (PBUH) had been sent as an explainer of the Qur’an (16:44). We also need to refer to the statements of the Sahaba regarding the explanation of the verses. Hence we advise the student to additionally refer to an authentic commentary on the Qur’an for better understanding.
8) Will I be able to speak in Arabic?
No with this course you will not be able to speak much of Arabic. If you are looking at this course to learn spoken Arabic then this is not the right course for you. However the level 3 (to be held later) of this course is on intense grammar.
9) Will I be able to translate the Qur’an after doing this course?
The knowledge you acquire from this 100 hour course is sufficient to make you familiar with the meaning of the verses of the Qur’an with sufficient practice and training. However it is not enough to write any literary work or to translate the Qur’an. For that good knowledge of Arabic Grammar is required. Even generally a good knowledge of Arabic Grammar will help a student understand the Qur’an better.
10) What books will be provided as part of the Qur’anic Arabic Kit?
The Qur’anic Arabic Kit is available in both English and Urdu. It contains:
• Dictionary of the Qur’an which contains words from the Qur’an in the order in which they appear.
• Arabic Workbook for practice in elementary Arabic grammar
• Qur’an Arabic Text for practice in the class and personal reading.
• Booklet 80% words of the Qur’an
• Folder for keeping all this material.
11) What will the higher levels of the course be?
The Islamic Information Center has prepared the syllabus for 2 other higher levels of this course after this initial level. The second level is “Easy Qur’an – the Diploma Course” and the third level is “Easy Qur’an – the Degree Course”. These levels will be conducted only when sufficient number of students have qualified and are interested in studying these levels. Each of these levels build on the knowledge imparted in the previous course.
12) How qualified are your instructors?
Islamic Information Center pays great attention to having qualified people on board. We firmly believe that student satisfaction and performance is largely dependent on the excellence of the teacher. We make every effort to ensure that our instructors take effectiveness and expertise to the maximum.
Our instructors have good knowledge of Qur’anic Arabic and Islamic Sciences. Our Gents Qur’anic Arabic instructors have done a post graduation in Arabic language.
Our instructors themselves go through an instructor training session in order to be acquainted with Islamic Information Center's educational culture before they give their first course.
13) Do you have an exam after your courses?
Upon the completion of the “Easy Qur’an Course” to test your learning, you will be required to sit for a final written exam. The exam will be held 1 week after the completion of the course. It is our intention that this exam is designed in such a manner, so as to help the student give himself honest feedback, Increase his/her understanding of the topic and identify any problems encountered.
14) What if I miss an exam? What if I fail one?
If a student is unable to take the exam or fails the exam, then he/she can appear in the next exam along with the next batch of students. Only after the student passes the exam will he/she receive the certification from the Center.
15) Is distance learning offered as a facility or does one have to attend all the classes?
Islamic Information Center is currently unable to offer distance courses. This is a feature that may be available in the near future.
16) What if I can only attend only half the course? What if I have to miss some classes?
A lot of things in life depend on how seriously we want to do it. If you are serious about studying Islam then you will surely find ways to adjust your schedule and somehow be present. Why do we leave our religion only for the “extra” time that we have left with us? Allah says in the Qur’an 3:92, “Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah ] from that which you love.”
However if someone has an absolutely unavoidable situation and drops out from the course then he can take permission to complete the course with the next batch .
17) What will be the language of the course content provided?
The Course content is ready in two languages: English and Urdu. Notes will be provided to the student in only one of the two languages which should be specified in the form itself.
18) What will be the language of instruction?
The language of instruction of the Course will be Simple Urdu with several English words. It will be the language of the average man in India. We have plans to start a full fledged batch with English as the medium of instruction in the future inshaAllah.
19) What to do about the differences that are prevalent today in the Ummah? How does the IIC decide which view to follow?
At the IIC, we believe that all Muslims should refer back all their disputes to the Qur'an and the authentic Hadith and end them there (See Qur’an 4:59, 4:65, 33:36). We believe that all the scholars of Islam should be respected and followed. However, whenever the opinion of any scholar contradicts the Qur'an and the Saheeh Hadith then his opinion should be abandoned (as taught by all great scholars, themselves). We treat all controversial matters in an academic manner with concern without abusing or belittling anyone. We believe in greatly stressing on authenticity. Hence throughout the course and throughout the hundreds of quotes from the Qur'an and the Sunnah you will find all references mentioned and authenticity proven. References which have been very tediously traced in many cases.
If you want a place where you can study your religion in an ambience where great importance is given to authenticity - then you have found just the place. We are sure that you will find our courses a refreshing, pure, energizing and rejuvenating study of the topic, InshaAllah.
20) Is there a cost involved in learning the 'Easy Qur'an Course' ?
The current cost of the Easy Qur’an Course for 2007 is a nominal Rs 500/- for a 100 hours course. This translates to a cost only Rs 5/- per hour. People pay over Rs 200/- per hour for worldly courses even for the ones of elementary level like maths and science in school. It is common to find people paying more than this as a months fee for nurseries and schools for children.
The Course material costs will be separate.
The Islamic Information Center is a non-profit organisation and we only seek to cover a part of the costs involved. The costs involved are: 100 hours of instructor led teaching, followed by an examination and certification.
Currently even after charging a nominal fee we are not even covering our costs in teaching this course and are depending partially on voluntary supporters.
In addition, we usually only give value to things that we have a financial commitment towards.
21) I can't afford the fee for the courses. Do you have any means to help me out?
If this cost is not viable for you, then you should coordinate at the reception so that we can work out a payment plan for you or make alternative arrangements to help you.
22) Are Islamic Information Center courses accredited?
Currently the Easy Qur’an Course is not accredited with any University. However it is open for anyone to compare our course with some of the “accredited” courses and compare the richness of the content. We intend to get accreditation for our courses in the future, InshaAllah.
23) How many courses will you have per year?
InshaAllah we are planning to have multiple batches per year.
24) Does studying to get a degree or diploma affect the rewards that I get from Allah, because I thought gaining knowledge was supposed to be purely for the sake of Allah?
Surely the reward of a deed is based on a person’s intention (See Saheeh Bukhari 1:1). Prophet Muhammed صلى اللهم عليه وسلم said: “A person who gains knowledge in order to gain only pride among scholars, or defeat the foolish or to turn the heads of people towards himself, Allah will make him enter hell” [Ibn Majah, Saheeh al Jaami 6382]. We need to purge our hearts and take great care of our intentions.
However, when the primary intention is to please Allah, it is permitted to gain some other worldly benefit alongside. For instance the Mujahid in a battle gets spoils of war. Another example is when a person goes for Hajj, it is permitted for to seek gains from business even on the day of Arafah (Qur’an 2:198). Another example is the salary that an Imam or an Aalim receives for being able to cover his living expenses as he teaches Allah’s deen. Similarly if a student, does this course purely for Allah’s pleasure and gets a certificate also alongside without that ever becoming his prime intention.
However the heart of a person changes frequently and we should take care that Shaitan does not mislead us even into changing out intention and making it worldly.
Additionally, these days it is also possible that several more opportunies may open for Dawah among some people due to a certificate.
25) How do I prepare for the Easy Qur’an Course?
Before the course starts
Spiritually :
While preparing for the course:
Purify your intention. You should be doing this Course only for the pleasure of Allah. Allah is the One who is free of all needs, it is we who are in need.
Do Duaa to Allah to increase you in your knowledge (Qur’an 20:114]. Seek from Allah all beneficial knowledge.
Increase your reading of the Qur’an (with translation, if you don’t know Arabic). Try to read an average of one Juz atleast. This will give you the necessary motivation and an improved Imaan level throughout the course.
Don't come to the class tired, washed out and sleepy.
Avoid heavy meals just before the class since it may make you sleepy in class.
26) How can I join up and be part of the Islamic Information Center team?
Dawah and assisting it is the duty of the entire Muslim Ummah. There are millions of people today who have not recieved the correct message of Islam - both Muslims and Non-Muslims. We have to come to come together and work hard for this. The IIC is working with this massive goal at heart. We need many more people to join hands with us in this. You can make yourself more valuable by doing this course with sincerity. Whatever you learn is for passing on. Prophet Muhammed صلى اللهم عليه وسلم said, “Pass it on from me even if it is one verse” [Saheeh Bukhari 4:667]
So get in touch with as many people as possible, speak what you know and take them to the center speak with the more knowledgeable people there. The best way to speak to a person is one-to-one and without doubt this is the most important work.
Also fill the volunteer form at the center to let us know that you are there with us in this great work.
