At a time when the teachings of Islam are constantly under attack, when we find a myriad of opinions about every religious matter, and people quoting the Quran and Sunna to promote their own interpretations of Islam, it has become more important than ever to take a serious, structured, and well-grounded approach to learning the sacred sciences. The Marifa Program provides a comprehensive 2-year curriculum of part time classes in Islamic studies for college students, young professionals, and adults.
- To realize how little we know
- To appreciate the richness of the Islamic scholarly tradition
- To distinguish normative Islam from its aberrant interpretations
- To develop the ability to answer questions about Islam with clarity and accuracy
- To become inspired to practice Islam with conviction, sincerity, and excellence
- To realize how little we know
- To appreciate the richness of the Islamic scholarly tradition
- To distinguish normative Islam from its aberrant interpretations
- To develop the ability to answer questions about Islam with clarity and accuracy
- To become inspired to practice Islam with conviction, sincerity, and excellence
Textbooks:
- Hussain, Amjad, The Muslim Creed: A Contemporary Theological Study.
In this course students will learn the essential beliefs of Ahl al-Sunnah about Allah, the divine attributes, the divine decree, Prophets, Scriptures, Angels and life after death. Students will also explore some of the major differences between the various Islamic sects.
In this course students will learn the essential beliefs of Ahl al-Sunnah about Allah, the
divine attributes, the divine decree, Prophets, Scriptures, Angels and life after death. Students will also
explore some of the major differences between the various Islamic sects.
Textbooks:
-
Hussain, Amjad, The Muslim Creed: A Contemporary Theological Study.
Textbooks:
- al-Maqdisi, Ibn Qudamah, Purification of the Soul.
In this course students will learn about the spiritual stations that the seeker must aspire to reach in the quest to achieve spiritual excellence [iḥsān].
In this course students will learn about the spiritual stations that the seeker must aspire to reach in the quest to achieve spiritual excellence [iḥsān].
Textbooks:
-
al-Maqdisi, Ibn Qudamah, Purification of the Soul.
This is the introductory course for the Marifa Program. In this course students will learn about the virtues, etiquette, and pitfalls of learning the sacred sciences. They will also receive an overview of the major Islamic sciences and what they entail.
Textbooks:
- Ibn Rajab, Heirs of the Prophets; Ibn Jamāʿa, Etiquette of the Learner.
In this course students will learn about etiquette with the Quran, the history of the Quran, the multiple readings of the Quran, abrogation in the Quran, and approaches in Quranic exegesis.
Textbooks:
- Zubairi, Furhan, An Introduction to the Sciences of the Qurʾaan.
- al-Nawawī, Yaḥya b. Sharaf, Etiquette with the Quran.
This course is an introduction to the science of hadith criticism. Students will also learn about the unique features of each of the Six Books of hadith.
Textbooks:
- al-Azami, Muhammad Mustafa, Studies in Hadith Methodology and Literature.
In this course students will learn some basic terminology used by Muslim jurists, explore the
evolution of the various schools of jurisprudence, develop an appreciation for the causes of disagreement among Muslim jurists, and learn about ijtihād and taqlīd in Islamic Law.
Textbooks:
- al-Sayis, Muhammad Ali, A History of Islamic Jurisprudence;
- Abu Zahra, Muhammad, The Four Imams
Textbooks:
- Ibn Rajab, Heirs of the Prophets; Ibn Jamāʿa, Etiquette of the Learner.
This is the introductory course for the Marifa Program. In this course students will learn about the virtues, etiquette, and pitfalls of learning the sacred sciences. They will also receive an overview of the major Islamic sciences and what they entail.
Textbooks:
- Zubairi, Furhan, An Introduction to the Sciences of the Qurʾaan.
- al-Nawawī, Yaḥya b. Sharaf, Etiquette with the Quran.
In this course students will learn about etiquette with the Quran, the history of the Quran, the multiple readings of the Quran, abrogation in the Quran, and approaches in Quranic exegesis.
Textbooks:
- al-Azami, Muhammad Mustafa, Studies in Hadith Methodology and Literature.
This course is an introduction to the science of hadith criticism. Students will also learn about the unique features of each of the Six Books of hadith.
Textbooks:
- al-Sayis, Muhammad Ali, A History of Islamic Jurisprudence;
- Abu Zahra, Muhammad, The Four Imams
In this course students will learn some basic terminology used by Muslim jurists, explore the evolution of the various schools of jurisprudence, develop an appreciation for the causes of disagreement among Muslim jurists, and learn about ijtihād and taqlīd in Islamic Law.
A: At a time when the teachings of Islam are constantly under attack with a myriad of opinions about every religious matter, and people quoting the Quran and Sunnah to promote their own interpretations of Islam, it has become more important than ever to take a serious, structured, and well-grounded approach to learning the sacred sciences.
The Marifa program goals are:
- To realize how little we know
- To appreciate the richness of the Islamic scholarly tradition
- To distinguish normative Islam from its aberrant interpretations
- To develop the ability to answer questions about Islam with clarity and accuracy
- To become inspired to practice Islam with conviction, sincerity, and excellence
A: There are five courses in the Marifa program that require a minimum of 70% attendance either in-person or online (with camera on) for receiving credit. Those classes are:
- AQD 101 – The Creed of Ahl al-Sunnah
- FQH 101 – The Fiqh & Heart of Worship
- FQH 203 – Criminal Law
- FQH 301 – Contemporary Legal Issues & Fiqh of Minorities
- TZK 201 – Stations of the Seeker
