This course introduces students to the core beliefs of Islam through the framework of Islam, Īmān, and Iḥsān as outlined in the Hadith of Jibrīl. Grounded in classical Sunni theology, students explore the six pillars of faith and key concepts such as tawḥīd, prophecy, and Divine decree. Emphasis is placed on understanding creed as a foundation for worldview, character, and spiritual growth.

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to Islamic worship (ʿibādāt) through the Shāfiʿī school of law, covering purification, prayer, fasting, zakat, and pilgrimage. Students study legal rulings alongside spiritual purpose, gaining practical fluency in applying Shāfiʿī fiqh. Emphasis is placed on integrating ritual into daily life with awareness, reverence, and confidence in the broader context of Islamic legal tradition.

The first of a two-part course providing an in-depth study of the sixty companions discussed in the book Stars in the Prophet’s Orbit. Students will learn the stories of these companions, draw conclusions about Islamic precepts from their lives, understand their relationship to the Prophet ﷺ, and derive personal lessons from their lives. Students will apply and extend what they have learned in class by writing an analysis paper about one of the companions studied.

The first thirty companions of this text are covered in Part 1 of the course, and the second thirty are covered in Part 2. It is not required to complete Part 1 before Part 2.

An in-depth study of the sixty companions discussed in the book Stars in the Prophet’s Orbit, this is a continuation of Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, Part 1. Students will learn the stories of these companions, draw conclusions about Islamic precepts, understand their relationship to the Prophet ﷺ, and derive personal lessons from their lives. Students will apply these skills to an additional companion upon whom research will be done.

The first thirty companions of this text are covered in Part 1 of the course, and the second thirty are covered in Part 2. It is not required to complete Part 1 before Part 2.

This course offers a chronological and thematic study of the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ life, examining major events alongside the development of the sīra tradition. Students explore key sources, narrative methods, and the integration of sīra with hadith, law, and ethics. Emphasis is placed on understanding the Prophet’s ﷺ enduring legacy and the role of sīra in shaping Muslim identity, spirituality, and community across time.

This course surveys the rich diversity of Quranic interpretation across classical, spiritual, linguistic, and modern reformist traditions. Students engage with works by scholars such as al-Ṭabarī, al-Tustarī, and contemporary voices, including women’s exegesis. Emphasis is placed on understanding tafsīr methodologies, historical development, and the evolving role of interpretation in responding to social and theological contexts.

This course invites students into a journey with the Quran, exploring its meanings while developing the skills needed to teach tafsīr effectively. Through the study of selected sūras, students will learn to explain verses using reliable classical and modern resources, reflect on thematic lessons, and design ways to communicate those lessons to diverse audiences. Emphasis is placed on understanding the linguistic, historical, and spiritual dimensions of revelation and translating that understanding into engaging, age-appropriate lessons. By combining study, reflection, and pedagogy, students will strengthen both their relationship with the Qur’an and their ability to share its light with others.

This course introduces the principles of tajwīd, the science and art of Quranic recitation, emphasizing linguistic precision and spiritual depth. Students study articulation points, phonetic rules, and recitational aesthetics while developing critical listening and analytical skills. Focus is placed on understanding tajwīd as both a technical discipline and a devotional practice, accessible to learners at all levels. Students will practice correct recitation.

An introduction to the concept of tazkiya (purification of the self/heart in Islam), this course will provide an introductory look at diseases of the heart and sins of the tongue, as well as the relationship between the two. Students will learn some general cures and understand some of the skills necessary to begin the path of tazkiya.

This course introduces foundational teaching methods for children ages 5–10, emphasizing lesson planning, classroom management, and age-appropriate instruction. Rooted in both educational theory and Islamic pedagogical values, students explore child development, the Prophetic model, and the role of the educator in nurturing holistic growth. Emphasis is placed on practical skills, reflection, and compassionate, purposeful teaching.

This course focuses on effective teaching strategies for young adult and adult learners in secondary, higher education, and community contexts. Students explore lesson planning, engagement techniques, and adult learning theory, while integrating Islamic values and the Prophetic model. Emphasis is placed on culturally responsive pedagogy, critical thinking, and building respectful, transformative learning environments.

Each semester, the course may center on a distinct subject area or theme—such as literature, social change, spirituality, or leadership—allowing students to practice teaching content through adaptable, topic-based design. This flexible approach cultivates pedagogical creativity and prepares educators to teach diverse subjects with confidence and depth.

This course explores the lives and legacies of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs—Abu Bakr, ʿUmar, ʿUthmān, and ʿAlī, raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhum,—as models of leadership, faith, and resilience in the face of historical and moral challenges. Through a study of key events, decisions, and societal transformations during their eras, students examine how each khalifa embodied prophetic guidance while navigating times of political transition, social unrest, and emerging diversity within the Muslim community. Emphasis is placed on extracting lessons in governance, justice, and spiritual steadfastness that remain relevant to contemporary leadership and community life.

This course provides a survey of the crises and trials that have challenged Islamic civilization over the centuries, along with an account of the Muslim “renewers” of the faith (mujaddidīn). As the Prophet ﷺ said, “Allah ﷻ will raise for this community at the end of every hundred years one who will renew its religion for it.” Throughout this course, students will study the lives of those whom Allah ﷻ sent as a cure for the crises and trials faced by the ummah, and how they were able to overturn the current situation, renew the religion, and restore peace and faith to the Muslim ummah. Students will learn about the factors that contributed to each trial, how each mujaddid was able to overcome the trials of the time, and gain an understanding of the characteristics that enabled each to succeed.

Students are assessed for Arabic language proficiency to ensure they are at least at Novice High level. Placement or exemption is determined through testing, with additional coursework recommended as needed to support advanced theological study.