What is the Deoband Syllabus based on?

The Dars-i-Nizami is the core syllabus followed by Darul Uloom Deoband and the majority of Islamic institutions from where Ulama graduate, especially those connected to the founding Madaaris of the Indian subcontinent. This syllabus has progressed over the centuries and it is often not understood how it has come to be in its present form. For this reason Mufti has summarized this in the following table. May Allah Jalla Jalaalahu increase him in ilm, understanding and grant him long life and good health.

In the time of Nabi (S.A.W)

1) Quraan 2) His noble actions

In the time of Hadhrat Umar (R.A.)

1) Quraan

2) Sunnat

3) Way of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (R.A.)

From the middle of 2nd century till the end of 4th century

1) Quraan

2) Sunnat

3) Fiqh

4) Arabic Poetry

5) Tafsir

6) Principles of Fiqh

7) Grammar and syntax

8) History

9) Medicine

10) Astrology

11) Astronomy.

5th – 7th century

Added to above:

Dialectics on Scholastic Theory

Logic and Philosophy

In Egypt/Syria etc.

Series of Tafsir Hadith

Asmaur-Rijal

In Andalusia (Spain)

1) Literature 2) Poetry

3) History

In Iran

Logic Dominant

Philosophy Dominant

In Khursaan/Transovania

1) Fiqh

2) Principles of Fiqh

3) Tasawwuf

In India

From 7th century Hijri till end of 10th +- 200 years

1) Grammar

2) Syntax

3) Literature

4) Rhetoric

5) Fiqh

6) Principles of Fiqh

7) Logic

8) Scholastic Theory

9) Tasawwuf

10) Tafsir

11) Hadith

Late 9th century:

More stress on Ahadith – not successful

Then: (Shah Waliullaah time)

Introduction of Sihah Sitta as integral part of Syllabus Logic and Philosophy

From the beginning of the 12th century

Syllabus by Mulla Nizamuddin Sahalvi – contemporary of Shah Waliullaah

Objective:

1) Create depth of insight and power of reading in every subject

2) Through ones own independent reading and hard work one can acquire proficiency in any subject of ones liking

– Stress on Tafsir and Hadith –

No focus of literature

Middle of 13th Century Hijri

3 centers – Dehli – Lucknow – Khairabad

Dehli:- Stress on Tafsir and Hadith

Lucknow: – Stress on Fiqh and principles of Fiqh – Tafsir (Jalalayn/Baizawi)

Khairabad:- Restricted to logic and philosophy

Darul Uloom Deoband Curriculum:-

Combination of “ALL” above 3 with post graduate studies, whilst stressing on Hadith and practice on the Sunnat

Researched and Summarized By:

Mufti Afzal Hoosen Elias

(May Allaah protect him)

1434-2013