At a time when Islam is unwillingly represented as barbaric, monstrous and far from any sense of civilisation, it is a timely obligation for Muslims to read their authentic tradition with eyes on the current reality and look deep to see where we were and where we are. Muslims’ biggest challenge today is that they do not read; rather, ignorantly argue and irrationally behave. Absence of wisdom is the biggest calamity and that absence is caused by neglecting tradition and authenticity; we ended up either blindly following or blindly rejecting others. The balance in between is to wisely take, wisely make and wisely undertake.
What is Al-Taratib Al-Idāriyyah?
A Book in which Sayyid Abdul-Hayy Al-Kittani summarised (in around 1000 pages) how the society of the Prophet e was run and organised. What structure of government it had, what jobs and professions were there. Looking at the different sectors of public service, private professions, use of the then-very advanced techniques of administration, leaves us that the concept of a modern state is by no means alien to the Prophetic tradition. From a perfect judiciary system and organised security and police force to structured religious affairs, from perfect fiscal and book keeping system to market law enforcement and from specialised professions and handcrafts to a unique health and quarantine system, the Prophetic society was ahead of its time and unique in the whole of the Arabian peninsula and even the neighbouring Persian and Byzantine super empires. The book is stimulating, mind-blowing, informative and eye-opening.
Why this course?
Because our studies of the Prophetic Sirah is always focused on events rather than the society; and it is society that makes people feel intimate and connected.
Because there are voices within Muslim circles that claim that modern society and its structure has nothing to do Islam and its Prophet e.
Because there are many gems which our scholars have written and this is one of them that need to be discovered and utilised.
Because we need to realise - through proper reading and study - how civilised and advanced was the society of the Prophet e as this sheds light on one of the many aspects of his greatness and fosters our belief in his message.
Course Outline in Brief
What’s Civilisation: What are its measurements?
A Structural Outlook of the Society
Prophetic Society
State Jobs
Ministry & Caliphate (Top Government)
Religious Affairs & Related Jobs
Scribes & Correspondence {Diplomacy}
Governors & Representatives
Judiciary & Related Jobs
Prisons & Courts {Interesting Facts}
Military {Tactics, Weapons, Armies and Military Personnel Affairs}
Financial (Fiscal Collections- Currency- Measurement Units and System- Tax system- Budgeting)
State Supervised Jobs
Hospitality [Guest Houses- Inns- Guest Supervisors]
Medical Services [Hospitals- Physicians- Forecasters- Lineage Trackers - Traditional Healers- Poor Lodges- Nurses- Quarantine]
Common Crafts & Services
Trade Ethics in Islam
Trade [Traders- Food Sellers - Mercers- Sugar Sellers- Druggist- Perfume Dealers- Measurer- Money Exchange- Spear Seller - Tanning Seller- Leather Seller - Milk Seller]
Industrial [Weaver - Tanner- Tailor- Carpenter- Oiler- Sculptor- Blacksmith- Jeweller- Engraver- Builder- Mill Maker- Frond Weaver - Sword Maker- Potter]
Service [Swimming Life-Saver - Cook - Woodman - Baker- Beautician - Midwife - Barber - Broker- Butcher- Wet-nurse - Farm Workers- Hunters- Water-place Finder]
Activities in the Society: [Singing - Competitions - Wrestling- Pet Keeping - Confetti]