Safar Year 8 Islamic Studies Textbook

This set of books continues to deliver our aim and ambition to ensure our books are not just perfect for use in the classroom, but they are also life guides for Muslims growing up today.  Our secondary series fulfils a purpose beyond the classroom; the books may be used by advanced learners, home schoolers, youth clubs, informal study groups, ḥalaqahs and independent readers and adult learners.

A learning tool fit for today’s learners

The secondary series has been developed with a wide frame of reference in mind. This includes consideration of subjects taught in state schools, such as Religious Education (RE), SRE (Sex and Relationship Education) and humanities, current political and cultural trends, and contemporary socio-economic issues and contexts.

This makes this textbook not only relevant to the experiences of young Muslims today, but also a guide to thinking about and developing a good understanding of the world and actively engaging with complex questions and issues they face growing up.  There is a wide range of new content in this book which we know our readers and teacher will love and appreciate. Examples include:

• An expanded and comprehensive unit on Islamic beliefs that also covers contemporary questions and issues such as belief in God in the modern world and understanding divine justice in a world that is often fractured, unstable and complicated.
• A complete new feature on Muslim history with a unique fold-out map and timeline. This not only provides information on the rich cultural and religious history of Muslim civilisations, but also brings to light insights to more recent events, such as Muslim migration to Europe and America.
• An expanded unit on personal and spiritual development that covers spiritual purification (from a knowledge-based and practical perspective) as well as a creative and functionally designed feature on the beauty of the Prophet ﷺ.
• Keywords and vocabulary lists help with overall Arabic and English literacy skills of students, ensuring we introduce a rich variety of vocabulary with clear and simple definitions.
• The textbook actively engages issues related to contemporary society, identity and modernity across all the chapters. This will equip Muslim students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills they need to navigate the moral and ethical maze of a postmodern secular world, and do so with confidence, integrity and flair.
• As a continuing feature of all our books, we have ensured chapters contain interesting supplementary information, case studies, connected learning and thought provoking facts to enhance the learning experience of both the student and the teacher.

The series allows learners to fulfil their religious rites and duties in an informed manner through learning, understanding and embodying the Qur'an and Sunnah. And with ample focus on spiritual and personal development, learners can grow to make moral choices as confident Muslims living in a modern world.

• The book follows a unit-based structure, featuring units such as Essential Knowledge, Essential Beliefs, Fiqh (rituals and rulings), Islamic History, Contemporary Issues, Islam and the Social world and Spiritual and Moral development.
• The national curriculum has been thoroughly consulted in order to ensure the content in our books is relevant, appropriate and meaningful to young Muslims and teachers, today. This includes consideration of subjects such as RE (Religious Education), SRE (Sex and Relationship Education), the humanities, as well as objectives such as SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural development), life skills and citizenship skills.
• Detailed and authentic content will allow learners to fulfil their religious rites and duties in an informed manner through learning, understanding and embodying the Quran, Sunnah and the rich Muslim scholarly tradition.
• With ample focus on spiritual and personal development, learners using this syllabus can grow to make moral choices and decisions as confident Muslims living in a globalised and modern world.
• The books showcase bespoke illustrations and infographics, making the design creative, engaging, and complementary to the Islamic content and values of the book.
• Keywords and vocabulary list which help with overall Arabic and English literacy of students.
• As with all our publications, the books are tried and tested by teachers and students at Safar Academy.

Key Features

• Part Of A Curriculum - Islamic Studies series is that it is part of a curriculum composed of four parts, which cross-link with each other. The other three parts being Tajwīd, Memorisation and Arabic.
• Cumulative Knowledge - The series aims to cumulatively build children’s essential Islamic knowledge, cultivate good character and instil God-consciousness.
• Core Subjects - Elements from all core subjects are covered in this book: Qurʾānic stories, Islamic tenets of faith (ʿaqīdah), religious rulings (fiqh) and major episodes from the life of Prophet Muḥammad, as well as areas of personal development, in an age-appropriate manner.
• Extensive References - All textbooks contain extensive references from the Qurʾān and aḥādīth and all stories are always built only on material from Qurʿān and ḥadīth.
• Fully Illustrated - The full-colour and illustrated editions have been developed to ensure that it is enjoyable for children as well as being comprehensive and reliable.
• Clear Lessons - Special attention has been given to ensure that the content is not only relevant to children but that the lessons and morals are also comprehendible and engaging for each age category.
• Cumulative Learning Path - All books in the series follow a cumulative learning path; a solid practical knowledge base is built before theoretical concepts are added and expanded upon.
• Schemes Of Work - Each textbook comes with schemes of work and also has a workbook with two tiers of assessment, based on Bloom’s Taxonomy of learning objectives.
• Practical Lessons - Practical lessons have been clearly marked to ensure that different learning modes are utilized during teaching
• Clear Themes - To ensure gradual and logical progression, textbook lessons have been grouped into themes as well as containing Safar’s own week structures.
• Reinforced Learning - Central elements, such as God-consciousness and manners are constantly revisited throughout the series to ensure broadening of knowledge as well as reinforced learning.
• Revision - All the textbooks contain sections dedicated to core revision as well as revising key concepts and content from the previous year.
• Accompanying Workbooks - Workbooks have questions designed to encourage thought, expression and connection with the teaching material.
• Bespoke visual design brings information to life- High spec illustrations enable learners to engage visually, thereby aiding learning and comprehension.
• Unique step-by-step guides to clarify and unfold- Another beautiful feature of Textbook 8 is step-by-step guides for Ḥajj,ʿUmrah and Ṣalāh for example. Far from being a rote text of fiqh, these chapters simplify rituals and combine rules and rulings with spiritual, ethical and practical information, making learning holistic. Key events are captured in detail, allowing learners to understand how Muslim empires and figures of days gone by have shaped the world and our heritage today.
• Infographics and flow diagrams - To assist both students and teachers, an extensive range of infographics, diagrams and summaries enhance the learning experience for all involved. These allow learners to readily understand complex ideas and arguments, both contemporary and classical.
• Bridging the classical with the contemporary-  Throughout Textbook 8, there is also a combination of the classical and the contemporary. This approach is also evident in the Muslim Contributions to Modern Civilisation and Islām and Science chapters, allowing readers to appreciate the richness of Muslims and Islam in the past and their impact in the world today.
• Centrality of the ṣaḥābah رضي الله عنهم - A key tenet of the Muslim community is the love and reverence of the Prophet ﷺ and his companions رضي الله عنهم. To truly bring this to life for a teenage audience, an entire chapter – Lives of the Ṣaḥābah رضي الله عنهم: The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ – has been dedicated to the topic. 
• Something for everyone -  This will give you an insight in to the topics and contents covered in this book.

Textbook 8 – like the rest of the Safar Learn about Islām Series – serves as a life guide beyond the classroom. This makes it ideal for use beyond the classroom and can be used by independent teenage or adult readers. 

Along with facts and information, the textbook contains practical tips and advice for Muslims of all ages. These are tailored to help readers practically navigate through physical, social and emotional challenges they face whilst being true to Islamic values and practice.

Helping learners navigate circumstances of the modern world through deep engagement and embodiment of the sacred Islamic tradition.

Other Titles included in Safar Workbook Series

• Safar Year 1 Islamic Studies Workbook
• Safar Year 2 Islamic Studies Workbook
• Safar Year 3 Islamic Studies Workbook
• Safar Year 4 Islamic Studies Workbook
• Safar Year 5 Islamic Studies Workbook
• Safar Year 6 Islamic Studies Workbook
• Safar Year 7 Islamic Studies Workbook

Other Titles included in Safar Textbook Series

• Safar Year 1 Islamic Studies Textbook
• Safar Year 2 Islamic Studies Textbook
• Safar Year 3 Islamic Studies Textbook
• Safar Year 4 Islamic Studies Textbook
• Safar Year 5 Islamic Studies Textbook
• Safar Year 6 Islamic Studies Textbook
• Safar Year 7 Islamic Studies Textbook

About The Authors

Shaykh Hasan Ali

Shaykh Hasan Ali graduated in 1997 as a scholar/’alim in Islamic Education and then gained a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology at the Institute of Education (University of London). He became the Imam of London Islamic Cultural Society (LICS) mosque in North London (www.lics.info), where he founded Safar Academy, enrolling a handful of students who went on to become teachers and lead staff. He also worked at the Brondesbury College for Boys as the Head of Islamic Studies and Imam. After several flourishing years there, he joined Ebrahim College where he taught several subjects, after which he devoted all his time to the development of Safar Academy and Safar Publications. Today, Safar has five branches around the southeast of the UK with over 90 staff and 700+ students.

Hashim Uddin

Part of the Safar family for almost 20 years, Hashim started his Safar journey as one of the first 5 students in 1998. Many years later, Hashim is now the Amir of North Finchley.

Hashim has a passion for teaching and completed a PGCE at the ‘Institute of Education’ in Business Economics (2009). He completed ‘The teaching leaders programme’ in 2016 and is currently a ‘Head of Department’ at a state school. Hashim is also an examiner with AQA and has been an active member of the teacher training team since its inception.

Editor and Ilustrator

Muhammed Tufail

Muhammed has a background in Islamic Studies and currently works as a researcher at the School of Oriental and African Studies, working on a project on Muslims in Britain. He has been an editor and developer for the Safar Islamic Studies curriculum since 2013 and has delivered several teacher development programs based on his background in teaching Islamic Studies both at a maktab level as well as to teenagers and adults.

Maulana Muhi Uddin

Muhiuddin memorised the Quran, completed the Alimiyyah course and gained Ijazah in the 10 Qiraa’aat from the Institute of Islamic education in Dewsbury. He has taught Tajwid and Arabic Grammar at Ebrahim College before becoming an Imam and head-teacher of a weekend Islamic supplementary school. He has been working with Safar since 2012 and is the editor of the Learn to Read Series and the Learn by Heart Series. Most recently, Muhiuddin has also received Ijazah in the recitation of Imam Asim from Qari Basheer Siddique al-Madani and continues to train under the Shaykh.

About Safar Publications

Safar Publications is part of Safar Academy Trust, an Islamic supplementary school with branches across the South East of the UK founded by Shaykh Hasan Ali in 1998. Safar Publications is a growing publishing arm of the trust, and through this dedicated and distinct service, we aim to create the best and most innovative tools to meet the learning needs of today’s students, particularly in Islamic education. 

Safar Publications has developed and honed its curriculum over the last 20 years. The curriculum is structured into four distinct syllabuses, all aimed at giving learners a firm foundation in their Quranic reading and understanding, Islamic knowledge, spiritual development and grasping the Arabic language. Our curriculum includes Qāidah, Tajwid, Juz Amma (Learn to Read Series), Duas and Surahs (Learn by Heart Series), Islamic Studies (Learn about Islam Series) and Arabic (Learn Arabic Series) related publications. All our publications contain many innovative features and interconnections, to ensure students learn in an engaging, steady and coherent fashion.

Safar publications are based on traditional Islamic sources and understanding and are also shaped by effective educational theories and practices. Most importantly, they are a result of practical feedback from students and teachers across the world, including our very own staff and students at Safar Academy. One of our core values is seeking perfection and quality;  because of this, our curriculum and comprehensive support services are continually improved and refined, ensuring that we stay ahead of the curve and meet the needs of learners and educators in today’s ever-changing world.

Our curriculum and extensive teacher support services privilege the art of learning and teaching in a holistic, contextual and student-centred manner. Furthermore, the curriculum includes the learning of key Muslim values, skills and attitudes, such as God-consciousness, respect, tolerance and mercy for all life. It also aims to give learners the skills to live and build healthy relationships with others in furthering the common good. Through such a values-based approach, learners can grow to realize their full potential and play an active role as Muslims in their communities and wider society.

Additional Product Information

• ISBN 13: 
• ISBN 10: 
• ISBN 1: 
• ISBN 2: 
• ISBN 3: 
• SKU: SKU: LIS-TB8-1ER20X1
• SKU 1: 24920
• SKU 2: SAFARTEXTBOOK8
• Author: Shaykh Hasan Ali, Hashim Uddin
• Edited and illustrated By: Maulana Muhi Uddin, Muhammed Tufail
• Publisher: Safar Publications
• Cover: Paperback
• Format: Paperback
• Binding: Paperback
• Pages: 171
• Dimensions: 24.2 x 17cm
• Weight: 590(Gram) Approx
• Digital Bank: cwp-0007

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