الجغرافيا GEOGRAPHY

Geography Component

Raodotul Irshad wal Is’ad Institute, Nigeria

The Geography module explores Earth’s physical and human landscapes through an Islamic lens, emphasizing environmental stewardship, cultural awareness, and the divine wisdom in creation. This program equips students to analyze Nigeria’s ecosystems and global Muslim communities while integrating Quranic principles.

Core Objectives

1. Divine Cosmology: Study natural phenomena as Āyāt (signs) of Allah’s creation.
2. Environmental Ethics: Promote Khalīfah (stewardship) through sustainable practices.
3. Cultural Unity: Map the Muslim Ummah’s diversity to foster global solidarity.

Curriculum Structure

1. Physical Geography & Islamic Ecology

• Quranic Geomorphology:
  • Analyze verses describing landforms (e.g., mountains as "pegs" in [Surah An-Naba: 7]) and their scientific parallels.
  • Field studies of Nigerian terrains (Jos Plateau, Niger Delta) to assess erosion, resource distribution, and conservation.
• Climate Justice:
  • Investigate water scarcity in Sahel regions through Ḥifẓ al-Bī’ah (environmental preservation) principles.
  • Design flood-response plans for communities using rainfall data and Islamic disaster-management ethics.

2. Human Geography of the Muslim World

• Islamic Urbanism:
  • Compare historical cities (Timbuktu, Kano Sultanate) with modern Nigerian Muslim hubs (Sokoto, Ilorin).
  • Map trade routes that spread Islam across West Africa, linking scholarship and commerce.
• Demography & Ummah:
  • Visualize global Muslim populations using GIS tools, highlighting migration patterns and cultural exchange.
  • Case studies on refugee resettlement guided by Quranic concepts of asylum (Ijārah).

3. Sacred Geography

• Pilgrimage Studies:
  • Model the Hajj journey from Nigeria to Mecca, calculating distances, climate adaptations, and logistical challenges.
  • Simulate Mīqāt boundaries using latitude/longitude and traditional astronomy.
• Mosque Ecosystems:
  • Survey Nigerian mosque architectures (e.g., Zaria’s mud-brick designs) and their adaptation to local climates.

Teaching Methodology

• Geospatial Analysis:
  • Use QGIS software to overlay Quranic ecological injunctions onto Nigerian land-use maps.
  • Track deforestation near Muslim farming communities via satellite imagery.
• Faith-Based Fieldwork:
  • Organize "Green Deen" cleanups at riverbanks, documenting biodiversity while reciting verses on nature’s sanctity.
  • Interview Nigerian elders on indigenous Islamic ecological knowledge.

Assessment & Impact

• Projects:
  • Sustainability Proposal: Design an eco-mosque with rainwater harvesting, solar energy, and native gardens.
  • Cartographic Journal: Document Nigeria’s Islamic heritage sites with annotated maps.
• Certification:
  • Diploma in Islamic Geography endorsed by the Nigerian Geographical Association.
• Community Action:
  • Partner with Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT) on reforestation drives.

Vision: To nurture geographers who read landscapes as divine texts, advancing ecological and social justice through faith-informed scholarship.