Introduction

Islamic Studies attempts to study the whole range of Islamic civilization and culture. Its main interests include, beside the religion of Islam, topics such as the socio-economic structure, military, administration, development of various sciences and thought, cultural life, cosmology, mysticism, literature and fine arts, and many other aspects of Islamic civilization.

Islamic Studies has been a part of Jamia’s curriculum since its inception in 1920 at Aligarh. Prominent scholars of Islam have taught Islamic Studies in Jamia as an optional as well as a compulsory subject, to name a few: Maulana Mohd. Ali Johar, Maulana Mohd Aslam Jairajpuri, Maulana Mohd Abdus Salam Kidwai Nadvi, Maulana Qazi Zainul Abideen Sajjad Meeruti, Prof Mohd Mujeeb, Dr. S. Abid Husain, Prof Ziaul Hasan Faruqi, Prof Mushirul Haq, Prof Majid Ali Khan and Prof I.H. Azad Faruqi.

In 1975, a separate multi-disciplinary Department of Islamic and Arab-Iranian Studies was instituted. Following a trifurcation, a full-fledged Department of Islamic Studies was established in 1988.

The Department offers courses at Honours and Masters level, besides two compulsory papers in Islamiat and Indian Religions and Culture for undergraduate students. At graduate and Postgraduate Level, the Department has adopted semester system and revised and expanded its syllabus. There are 18 papers in B.A (Hons) covering Islamic history and Culture, Indian Religion and Culture, Islam in India, Muslims in Spain, Muslim Educational and Reform Movements, fine arts and religious sciences and origin and development of Muslim sects from the early phase of Islam to the modern period. At postgraduate level, the Department offers papers in History of Muslim Civilization, Islamic Religious Sciences: The Quran, Hadith, Fiqh, Tasawwuf, Muslim Sects and Kalaam, Contribution by non-Muslims to Islamic Studies, Muslim Philosophy, Islam in India, Muslim Reform Movements and Thinkers, Contemporary Muslim World, Major World Religions, Medieval Muslim Contribution to Science, Technology and Fine Arts and Proficiency in Arabic. The Department also offers Ph.D programme in the above mentioned areas.

The Department of Islamic Studies presently has positions of 02 Professors (one vacant), 01 Reader (vacant) and 06 Lecturers (Five promoted as Associate Professors remaining one Asstt Professor). The teachers are actively engaged and involved in academic, semi-academic activities and they also contribute to the corporate life of the University in different capacities. Some of the academic achievements and contribution during the last Five-Year Plan (2008-2012) of the faculty members are given below: