Introduction to the Islamic Philosophy and Mysticism and Islamic Philosophy and Wisdom Programs at Hoda Faculty, and the Islamic Philosophy and Theology Program at the Master’s Level

Undergraduate Programs in Islamic Philosophy and Mysticism and Islamic Philosophy and Wisdom at Hoda Faculty
The two programs “Islamic Philosophy and Mysticism” and “Islamic Philosophy and Wisdom” have been examined as the main foundation for entering the professional world of Islamic thought and intellectual inquiry.

1. Islamic Philosophy and Mysticism Program (Islamic Philosophy and Mysticism)
At the undergraduate level, the Islamic Philosophy and Mysticism program provides a foundation for the intuitive and inner understanding of existence, God, and the human being. Rather than relying solely on demonstrative reasoning, this program is grounded in epistemic spiritual wayfaring and understanding the levels of existence through the lens of theoretical and practical mysticism.

Educational Nature: This program serves as a roadmap for understanding the inner levels of existence. Students become familiar with courses such as Theoretical Mysticism, Commentary on Fusus al-Hikam, Foundations of Spiritual Wayfaring, History of Sufism and Islamic Mysticism, and an introduction to the school of Ibn Arabi.

Main Approach: The program’s approach is intuitive and interpretive (hermeneutic). The primary emphasis is on understanding the “inner levels” of existence through scholarly discipline, contemplation of mystical texts, and discovering the relationship between the human being and the Absolute Reality.

Career Path: Graduates of this level acquire a solid scientific foundation for advancing to master’s programs in philosophy and theology. They can work in areas such as teaching mysticism and ethics, research on mystical texts, cultural-promotional activities, and spiritual counseling.

2. Islamic Philosophy and Wisdom Program (Islamic Philosophy and Wisdom)
Unlike Mysticism, which has an intuitive-interpretive nature, the Islamic Philosophy and Wisdom program has a “demonstrative” and “reason-centered” character. This program is specifically designed to prepare students for the rational analysis of the foundations of ontology, epistemology, and anthropology.

Educational Nature: The focus of this program is on acquiring skills in logical analysis, understanding philosophical texts, and demonstrative reasoning. Courses such as Logic, Peripatetic Philosophy (Mashsha’), Transcendent Philosophy (Mulla Sadra), Illuminationist Philosophy (Ishraq), and the History of Islamic Philosophy form the core of this program.

Main Approach: The program’s approach is demonstrative and analytical; meaning that from the outset, students become familiar with the method of rational argumentation, critique and examination of philosophical schools, and the rational explanation of ontological issues.

Career Path: Graduates of this program work in environments such as research centers of wisdom and philosophy, seminary and university educational institutions, cultural organizations, and centers for the critique and examination of intellectual schools. The focus of these graduates is more on the “rational explanation” of religious foundations rather than their intuitive discovery.

Introduction to the Islamic Philosophy and Theology Program at Hoda Faculty (Master’s Level)
The master’s level in Islamic Philosophy and Theology offers an opportunity to move from general philosophical knowledge to specialized and issue-oriented expertise in the rational defense of religious beliefs.

Islamic Philosophy and Theology (Islamic Philosophy and Theology)
Islamic Philosophy and Theology, which comparatively studies the rational foundations of philosophy with the doctrinal issues of religion, serves as a bridge between demonstrative philosophical thinking and the systematic defense of religious teachings. This program prepares students for providing rational responses to doctrinal doubts and analyzing emerging theological issues.

Areas of Study: Study of classical and modern theology (Kalam), philosophy of religion, issues of theology and proofs for the existence of God, prophethood and Imamate from a rational perspective, and critique of atheistic and skeptical schools.

Educational Objectives: Equipping students with methods of theological and philosophical argumentation, developing the ability to respond to contemporary doctrinal doubts, and familiarizing them with emerging issues in the philosophy of religion in order to rationally explain religious beliefs.

Applications and Job Market: Graduates of this program engage in research and explanatory activities in research centers of theology and philosophy of religion, institutions for responding to doubts, educational and promotional institutions, religious media, and international centers for the propagation of Islamic thought.