Advanced Program

September 10 -
May 13th, 2025

Sundays from
6:00 - 8:00 PM EST

Tuesdays from
7:00 - 9:00 PM EST

Miftaah
Campus

Onsite classes

2 Days per week

build life-long friendships

live instruction

What is the Advanced Islamic
Studies Program?

The Advanced Islamic Studies Program is a comprehensive and rigorous educational journey tailored for students who have successfully completed the Miftaah Associate Program, Miftaah Online, or an equivalent program. This program is designed to offer a deeper and more profound exploration of the sacred knowledge within the Islamic tradition, enabling students to attain expertise in Islamic Studies and enhance their understanding of the Islamic Sciences.

Program Objectives:

1. Comprehensive Islamic Texts: Students will delve into an array of advanced Islamic texts, including the Qur'an, Hadith, Fiqh, Tafsir, and other foundational works of Islamic scholarship. Through extensive reading and critical analysis, participants will gain a profound understanding of the core principles and wisdom embedded within these sacred sources.
2. Advanced Islamic Courses: The program offers specialized courses that cover all aspects of the Islamic Sciences, including Aqeedah (Theology), Usul al-Fiqh (Principles of Jurisprudence), Arabic language, History of Islam, Sufism, and Comparative Religion. These courses will provide students with a comprehensive and holistic perspective on the rich tapestry of Islamic knowledge.
3. Critical Thinking and Research Skills: The program emphasizes critical thinking and research abilities. Students will engage in scholarly discussions, debates, and research projects, enabling them to approach complex issues with analytical depth and academic integrity.

The Advanced Islamic Studies Program is a transformative educational experience that equips students with the tools, insights, and expertise to engage deeply with Islamic knowledge and scholarship. Through this program, participants will not only enrich their own lives but also contribute positively to the global Muslim community and society at large. Join us on this enlightening journey of learning and spiritual growth as we strive to advance the understanding of Islamic Sciences and strengthen our connection to the divine legacy of Islam.

Courses

Full-Year Track

Arabic Conversation

Building upon what is learnt in Introduction to Arabic Grammar, this class aims to reinforce many of the concepts learned in Introduction to Arabic Grammar, increase students’ vocabulary, and introduce them to new grammatical forms. The class focuses on providing students with a firm grasp of phraseology that is common to both spoken and written speech, including, but not limited to, a thorough review of Arabic possessive, descriptive, vocative, and indicative phrases. The class also covers how gender is used in Arabic, the full range of Arabic subjective, objective, and possessive pronouns, and the Arabic broken plural. As with Introduction to Arabic grammar, preparation for class and homework are essential so that students may devote in-class time to communicating in the language rather than talking “about” the language. Upon completion, students will be able to formulate basic sentences and speak Arabic on a beginner’s level.
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Text Used: First Steps to understanding Arabic

Arabic Morphology

This course provides students with a necessary base understanding of how Arabic root letters are conjugated to create different words. By the end of the course, students will know how to conjugate verbs in various tenses, determine base letters from non-base letters, and identify verbal patterns that convey information about the number, gender, and voice of the subject of a sentence. Students will also be able to identify the usage of verbs in the Qur'an.
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Text Used:

Arabic Grammar

This course consists of a systematic study of Arabic syntax and parallels the material learnt in Beginner Arabic Morphology I. The comprehensive text used in this course covers the various classifications of different types of sentences and the different components of a sentence’s anatomy, provides a basic but detailed understanding of the Arabic case system, and discusses how Arabic nouns respond to prepositions and verbs in accordance with the role the noun plays in the sentence.
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Text Used: Hidayat ul Nahw, Duroos ul Lughat (Shaykh Hashim al Qalam), Arabic Tutor 2

Arabic Literature

This course aims at giving students a chance to put their Arabic comprehension skills used in their first-year grammar and conversation class to use. It also develops those skills. The class uses Sheikh Abu Hassan Ali Nadwi’s classic didactic text Qasas al-Nabiyin (Stories of the Prophets) to provide students with a manageably challenging reading experience. The fun and engaging text of Qasas al-Nabiyin gradually introduces more complicated and varied grammar and vocabulary as the text goes on. Therefore, each qissah (story) becomes like a baby step towards higher level Arabic comprehension for the student. This class gives students the skill and confidence to begin digesting some of the Islamic intellectual traditions’ most difficult and important works.
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Text Used: Tafsir al Jalalyn

Quran Comprehension

Students will study a compilation of verses from both the Quran. Various ayahs will be analyzed covering areas such as grammar, syntax, definitions, and moral conduct, encouraging the student to improve their knowledge of the Arabic language.
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Text Used: Tafsir al Jalalyn, Safwtul al Tafseer

Hadith Comprehension

This class is an introduction to the comprehension of primary religious sources in their original language and forms the basis of one’s ability to interpret, analyze, and apply Islam’s holy texts. Using the concise and to the point sayings of God’s Messenger (pbuh) collected in the classical text, students will begin to utilize concepts learned in their morphology and syntax classes to understand the Prophet’s (pbuh) words. A discussion of the grammar and vocabulary included in each hadeeth will be accompanied by a lesson on the hadeeth’s meaning and a discussion of its application in our place and time.
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Text Used: 40 Nawawi, Riyadus Saliheen HC

Tazkiah: Purification of the Heart

This Tazkiyah course will read and reflect over texts by Imam Ghazali, Imam Zarnuji, and other select texts. The objective of these readings is to train the student of knowledge by helping them learn practical tools to purify their hearts and build a stronger relationship with Allah SWT.
Course Length: 2 Semesters
Text Used: Purification of the Heart, Selection’s from Ihyaa, Ayuhal Wald Ghazali

Fall Semester

Diwaan Imam al-Shafi’i- Select Poems of Imam al-Shafi’i

‍Course Length: 1 Year
Text Used: Qasas an-Nabiyyeen

Course Description: As we find ourselves traversing the path of attaining fluency in reading Arabic texts in the form of prose, one oft cast-aside style of writing -albeit of utmost importance- is that of poetry, a medium used by great intellectuals of the past to showcase their mastery and prowess in the Arabic language. In this class, students will become familiar with another side of the renowned Imam Al-Shafi’i, known primarily for his great works in the field of jurisprudence, in the form of his expression of feelings and thoughts manifested through beautiful, concise pieces of poetry.

‍Course Objectives: Course Objectives: Technical: Understand and comprehend the meaning through correct application of rules. Reflection: Extract lessons from the text and provide insight and feedback Comfortability: Challenge oneself by employing methods of poetry and creating a poem(s).

Attaining Wisdom: Aphorisms of Ibn Ata-illah al-Iskandari

Course Length: 1 Year
Text Used: Aphorisms of Ibn Ata-illah al-Iskandari
‍
Course Description:Understanding that the path to self purification is a necessary path, especially for a student of knowledge, a collection of short sayings with profound meanings rooted in Quran and Sunnah can serve an instrumental role in shaping one’s relationship with Allah ﷻ through a self implemented process of repenting to Allah ﷻ, relying upon Allah ﷻ , and never losing hope in Him. This collection of over 250 aphorisms will illuminate for the sincere seeker thepathway to self purification with the goal of attaining the love of Allah.

The Fiqh of Halal and Haram (كتاب الحظر و الاباحة)

‍Course Length: 1 Year
Text Used: TBA

Course Description: The understanding of that which is halal from what is haram is of paramount importance for each Muslim. This is that amount of ‘Ilm which is obligatory upon every Muslim to attain, to ensure the manifestation of a lifestyle exhibiting complete submission to Allah. Dive into the realm of learning about the boundaries set by Allah, along with acquiring an understanding of the wisdoms behind the rulings.

Tafseer of Surah Zumar

‍Course Length: 1 Year
Text Used: Tafseer Jalalain

Course Description: A common struggle that affects humans is the want to be able to visualize concepts, ideas, or realities. Allah SWT in this Surah beautifully depicts the practices of the obedient servant as opposed to the one who disbelieved in Allah, the reality of the unimaginable mercy of Allah and the concept of Tawba, and ends with a description of the Day of Judgement. A surah which will have a profound effect in enhancing one’s relationship with Allah, it is one which one cannot move on without.

‍Course Objectives: Reflection: Understand where one stands based on the criteria set by Allah for what constitutes as success and what is deemed as failure Reprioritize: Learn to look at the world through the lens that Allah wants one to use, not lens crafted by society and manufactured by one’s own desires.

Alhamdulillah my experience so far is amazing, the vibe and the personalities of the teachers really bring the class together. They all know when to be funny and when to be serious. The topics for this year were absolutely amazing, my favorite class would have to be Mufti Abdul Rahman’s class “Etiquettes of a Seeker”. I feel like in whatever you’re learning, the teacher makes or breaks the class for you. Alhamdulillah these teachers are always positive and always put their students first.

Mujaba Ahsan
Year 2 Associate Student

I love coming to Miftaah; the classes give me tools to deal with hardships in life and help me be a better person overall. The instructors are sincere and real. We learn from not just what they are teaching about the subjects but their demeanor, their values and views and their stories and tangents.

Sumreena Hussain
Advanced Associate Student

Miftaah Institute has been an answer to my du'aas. The classes are very well taught and the instructors are exceptional. The best part about it is that if I cannot attend live, I can go back and watch the recordings. There are a lot of resources to help us understand and pass the class like the PowerPoints and the notes. The administration is also very receptive to any questions or concerns I have.

Fazia Abrahim from Sunrise, Florida
Miftaah Online Winter 2022 Student

Provide broad-based knowledge and critical skills in the areas of Islamic theology, jurisprudence, Qur’anic exegesis, Prophetic traditions, history, contemporary and spiritual aspects of Islamic Studies

Prepare individuals for leadership in serving the Muslim community

Provide access to tertiary level study in Islamic Studies by means of distance education and in class learning

Provide pathways for further learning at postgraduate and research higher degree levels.

Course Instructors

Learn from traditionally trained scholars

Mufti Aasim Rashid

Instructor

Mufti Aasim Rashid is a distinguished Muslim scholar, speaker and educator (the title ‘Mufti’ indicates his expertise and authority in Islamic law). He is devoted to the study and explanation of Islamic sacred texts and their relation to the modern context. His lectures, delivered at conferences and institutions around the world, are known to be inspiring and pertinent to the issues and pressing questions of the day. Mufti Aasim is the founder of the Al-Ihsan Educational Foundation, which has initiated the ‘Islam Unravelled’ project.

Mufti Abdul Wahab Waheed

Instructor

Mufti Abdul Wahab completed his Hadith Intensive in the renowned Islamic University founded by Sheikh Yusuf Binori RA known as Jamia Binoritown, where he had the fortune of studying under teachers who had received their Ijaazat from Al- Azhar, Madina Univsirty, and Ummul Qura. Upon graduation, Mufti Abdul Wahab wanted to pursue his passion in understanding and education in the field of Islamic Jurisprudence and Law.

Shaykh Hunzla Zaidi

Instructor

Shaykh Hunzla Zaidi was raised in Canton, Michigan. He started the memorization of the Quran at Masjid Bilal Ypsilanti under Qari Shahid Mahmood, and finished when he was ten years old. After middle school, high school, and a couple years of university level studies in the field of Biochemistry, Hunzla left the field and devoted himself full time to learning Deen. He studied at AlHussnain Seminary, a branch of senior scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel’s schools based in Pakistan. Shaykh Hunzla then finished his studies under the guidance of world renowned scholars in Jamia Uloom-ul-Islamia in Binori Town, Pakistan, receiving his certification of Hadith from there. He is currently a Miftaah Institute instructor.