Faith Foundations

IMAN1: Understanding Theology - Divine Oneness

The discipline of theology sets the foundation for making sense of human existence on Earth. When studied correctly, it provides students with a coherent and cohesive lens to view and comprehend the physical and metaphysical. Through a detailed, evidence-based study of God’s existence, His oneness, His attributes, the genuineness of the Prophet ﷺ’s prophethood, and the miracle of the Qur’an, students will be able to rationally demonstrate the veracity of Islam’s foundational truth-claims and will clearly see why Islam is unlike any other religion. Students will see why atheism along with its materialistic worldview is logically incoherent and inherently self-defeating, and why the worship of one God (tawheed) is rational, meaningful, and both spiritually and intellectually uplifting.

Text Covered: Risala fi Ilm al-Tawhid by Al-Imam Ibrahim al- Bajurī (d. 1276 AH) Tr. Rashaad Jameer, Published by Imam Ghazali Institute.

ISLM1: Joy Through Worship
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When you come to know the truth of God’s existence, you cannot help but want to venerate and submit to Him. The sacred law comes to teach you how to live a life of joyful submission. By situating ‘worship’ in the backdrop of divinely ordained rights and moral responsibility, students will gain clarity on both the inner, spiritual dimensions and the outer, physical dimensions of purification, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and the pilgrimage. Through studying the key rulings of these chapters along with the relevant underlying wisdoms of the sacred law, students will come to the realization that submission to God through ritual worship is liberating and brings inward joy and happiness. 

The module will begin with a brief study of the historical formation of the major schools of law, introducing students to the practical function of the madhāhib in fiqh. It will then proceed to an overview of the legal values (al-ahkām al-taklīfiyyah) employed by Muslim jurists in their works of fiqh.

Text Covered: Ascent to Felicity by Imam Abu al-Ikhlas al-Shurumbulali (d. 1069 AH) Tr. by Faraz A. Khan published by White Thread Press

IHSN1: The Prophetic Model

After teaching us why and how we should live a life of slavehood to God, the Prophet ﷺ demonstrated to us what loving submission feels like. By perfecting your belief and practice, you will reach higher spiritual states and, thereby, truly “worship God as though you see Him”. Join us as we embark on a semester-long journey illuminating our hearts and minds – and simultaneously perfecting our faith - through a close reading of Imam al-Tirmidhī’s (d. 279) celebrated hadith collection ‘al-Shamāil al-Muhammadiyya’, a comprehensive collection of prophetic reports detailing the physical appearance, character, habits, and lifestyle of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ. When you come to know him ﷺ, you will love him. And when you love him ﷺ, you will yearn to emulate his perfect example.

Text Covered: al-Shamāil al-Muhammadiyya by Imam al-Tirmidhī (d. 279 AH): Translation published by Imam Ghazali Institute  

IMAN2: Understanding Revelation - Divine Address
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God revealed the Qur’an and sent the example of the Prophet ﷺ to guide mankind toward the beauty of submitting to One God. This course offers a historically grounded study of the primary sources of sacred law, with a particular focus on how they have been preserved, transmitted, and understood across time. Rather than a purely theoretical overview, it immerses students in three core areas: (i) Islamic historiography—examining how Muslim scholars recorded, evaluated, and interpreted the past; (ii) the history of the preservation and transmission of the Qur’an—from its revelation and early codification to its manuscript tradition and the study of modern masāhif; and (iii) the history of the preservation and transmission of the Sunna—including the development of hadith sciences and a close study of the major canonical collections.  The following module will introduce the students to the intricacies of scholarly differences and its influence on the formation of the schools of law (madhāhib). The course culminates with a study of the ahkām taklīfiyyah (moral and legal categories of human action), enabling students to appreciate how Islamic law moves from revealed evidence to practical ethical guidance. Through this framework, students gain a deeper appreciation for the intellectual rigor, coherence, and enduring reliability of the Islamic scholarly tradition and its foundational texts.

ISLM2: Proximity through Divine Obligations

God created us so that we can love and draw nearer to Him. Gaining proximity depends on our internalizing of the commands of God and the Sunnah of His Beloved ﷺ. This course will familiarize students with the key obligations and guidance related to food and drink, clothing and adornment, recreation and pastimes, and gender interactions. Students will contextualize these rulings in the juristic framing of rights owed to God and rights owed to His creation, thereby appreciating the comprehensiveness of divine guidance and the ease by which it fulfills individual and communal human needs.
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IHSN2: Prophetic Wisdom

Spiritual growth and a meaningful relationship with the Qur’an go hand-in-hand. Through an immersive exploration of selected verses and chapters, students will study the core principles that underpin Islamic spirituality, uncovering the deeper meanings that inspire personal growth, ethical living, and a profound connection with the Divine. The course encourages reflection, discussion, and practical application of Qur'anic principles in everyday life.

Text Covered: Selected chapters from the Qur’an, starting with Surah al-Fatiha

IMAN3: Understanding Prophetic Biography - Divine Guidance
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Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was in truth the prophet of God. This course provides an in-depth and analytical exploration of his life and legacy through a detailed, critical, and contextualized study of the Seerah. It aims to offer students a comprehensive understanding of the historical, social, and spiritual contexts of the Prophet’s life, shedding light on his genuine character, divine mission, and the profound impact he had on humanity. Students will explore contemporary contentions and doubts made against the genuineness of the Prophet’s messengerhood through the lens of the Muslim Historical-Critical Method (MHCM) to further strengthen their conviction in his message and prophethood. Students will learn how to situate non-muslim salvation, international law, issues in marriage and sexuality, the islamic penal code, and the institution of slavery within the context of genuine messengerhood, true revelation, and ancient arab society.

ISLM3: Contentment Through Family

The family institution forms the backbone of human civilization and is essential to human happiness, hence the need to protect and honor it. This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the legal rulings governing family law. It is methodically designed to offer students an in-depth understanding of the key rulings and inward realities underlying the chapters of marriage, divorce/separation, child rearing, and rights of kinfolk. Students will appreciate why the Qur’an and Sunna strongly emphasize protecting family ties and honoring the sacredness of the marriage contract and will realize how individualistic and selfish lifestyles of contemporary society can never bring true contentment and joy.

IHSN3: Prophetic Living

The Qur’an describes the Prophet of Allah ﷺ as “an excellent example” for Muslims to admire and emulate. This course delves into the profound and transformative concept of Prophetic Living in Islam, drawing inspiration from the life, teachings, and practices of the Prophet ﷺ. By studying various traditional texts on the topic, students will explore how his example provides a timeless model for spiritual growth, personal development, and ethical conduct. The course covers various aspects of the Prophet's life, including his spirituality, character, and leadership, and examines how these elements can be applied in contemporary contexts to foster a holistic and balanced lifestyle. 

Text Covered: Minhāj al-‘Abideen by Imam al-Ghazali (d. 505 AH)

IMAN4: Understanding History - Divine Wisdom
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The early history of Islam permanently shaped its trajectory and forever demarcated the lines between orthodoxy and heresy. This course delves into the complex and often contentious issues surrounding the early history of Islam, from its inception in the 7th century through the Umayyad period. By equipping students with the prerequisite knowledge and academic rigor necessary to approach these topics with objective clarity, students will learn how to do ‘Islamic’ historiography. They will analyze key events and incidents such as the apostasy wars, military expansion, establishment of governance structures, emergence of the Khawarij, civil wars, and the splintering of the Shi’ah through a critical Muslim-lens and see why these seemingly problematic occurrences do not undermine the reliability of the Companions and truth of their message - contrary to popular Western narratives.

ISLM4: Mutual Satisfaction Through Transactions

The test of moral excellence is in the application of justice in trade and personal agreements. True religion seeks to uphold ethical trade and fair dealings while corrupt worldviews seekto advance personal interest, whatever the cost. This course is designed to demonstrate how the Sacred Law advocates for mutual satisfaction in all financial dealings and why it has forbidden gambling, usury, and other exploitative practices. It will take students through the key rulingson trading and service contracts to show the inherent wisdom and justice in choosing God tobe the arbiter in all of one's affairs. Students will appreciate why the Sacred Law emphasizes theinviolability of the wealth of others and why modern capitalist economics result in discord and exploitation leading to utter ruin and upheaval.

IHSN4: Prophetic Wisdom

The Prophet of Allāh ﷺ was the paragon of wisdom which was inherited, internalized, and disseminated by the ‘ulamā of this Ummah. Through a careful study of Shaykh Ibn ‘Atā’illāh al-Iskandarī’s renowned work, the "Hikam" (Aphorisms), students will delve into the profound spiritual insights and practical wisdom that have guided seekers on the path to Ihsān for centuries.

Text Covered: Kitāb al-Hikam by Ibn ‘Atā’illāh al-Iskandarī (d. 709 AH): Translation published by White Thread Press