
Guardians of the Heart
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The heart is the seat of faith, sincerity, and true connection with Allah. To preserve it is to preserve one’s entire being. Tazkiyah teaches us how to guard the heart, from its relationship with Allah, to the self, and to others.
Join us for our upcoming Miftaah Circle, Guardians of the Heart, a transformative evening of reminders and reflection with esteemed scholars including Mufti Abdul Rahman Waheed, Shaykh Abdullah Misra, and more, as we explore the path of spiritual purification and how to nurture the heart in today’s world.




The World of the Unseen
Miftaah Institute aims to be an educational platform where people have the opportunity to develop themselves as keys for the spreading of divine knowledge. 
The World of the Unseen
- Collection and Reevaluation
- Miftaah Institute aims to be an educational platform where people have the
- Miftaah Institute aims to be an educational platform where people have the
The World of the Unseen
- Collection and Reevaluation
- Miftaah Institute aims to be an educational platform where people have the
- Miftaah Institute aims to be an educational platform where people have the




Speakers
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Mufti Abdul Wahab Waheed

Mufti Abdul Wahab Waheed was born and raised in Ann Arbor, MI. He began Islamic studies at Jaamiah al-Uloom al-Islamiyyah in Canada where he became a Hafiz at the age of 11. He started his 7-year Shariah program in Toronto, Canada, and went even further to pursue higher education of Hadith in Karachi, Pakistan. Throughout his travels, Mufti Abdul Wahab addresses communities across the United States on a wide range of Islamic topics and Inshallah, continues to do so with the Tawfiq of Allah SWT. Mufti Abdul Wahab is a Co-founder at Miftaah Institute and also is a Co-Founder and Director at Michigan Islamic Institute.
Shaykh Yaser Birjas
Sh. Yaser Birjas is originally from Palestine. He received his Bachelors degree from Islamic University of Madinah in 1996 in Fiqh & Usool, graduating as the class valedictorian. After graduating, he went on to work as a youth counselor and relief program aide in war-torn Bosnia. Thereafter, he immigrated to the U.S. and currently resides in Dallas, Texas. He is also an instructor at AlMaghrib Institute, where he teaches popular seminars such as Fiqh of Love, The Code Evolved, and Heavenly Hues. He is currently serving as an Imam at Valley Ranch Islamic Center, Irving, Texas. Sh. Yaser continues to enhance his knowledge in various arenas and most recently obtained a Masters of Adult Education and Training from the University of Phoenix, Class of 2013
Shaykh Suleiman Hani
Shaykh Suleiman Hani is the Director of Academic Affairs at AlMaghrib Institute, a research scholar for Yaqeen Institute, and a resident scholar in Michigan. At the age of 14, Suleiman completed a 10-month Qur’an memorization program and began his intensive studies under numerous scholars, earning dozens of traditional religious certifications in the process. He later earned a master’s degree from the University of Jordan’s College of Shari’ah, ranking first in his class, and a master’s degree from Harvard University, where he studied religions, philosophy, political science, and psychology. Over the past decade, he has served as an Imam and community leader in Michigan, lectured in dozens of countries, published a number of books and articles, and was featured on the largest Islamic TV stations worldwide.
Mufti Aasim Rashid
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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.
Shaykh Asif Pochi
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Shaykh Asif Pochi is an esteemed Islamic scholar and motivational speaker from Dallas, Texas. He studied Islamic Sciences in Bury, a town in the United Kingdom, and furthered his studies in Toronto, Canada, where he received Ijaza for Fatwa and Islamic theology. Shaykh Asif has made considerable contributions to his islamic community with a reputation for delivering insightful lectures and showcasing an extensive knowledge and understanding within Islam. Now serving as the South East Regional Director at the Miftaah Institute in Detroit, Michigan, he is also involved in delivering lectures nationwide with the institute, allowing him to expand his impact and reach.
Shaykh Idris Nawaz
Shaykh Idris Nawaz started studying the Quran at the age of 7 and a half, and by the grace of Allah, he completed his Hifz in a year and a half at the age of 9. Qari Idris spent the next few years studying Tajweed and Qira’aat, and fully and completely by the will and decree of Allah SWT. Qari Idris participated in the International Quran Competition in Doha, Qatar, and out of 2000 participants from over 45 countries, he won 1st place, Alhamdulillah. He is a Michigan Islamic Institute Aalim student graduate.
Mufti Nafisur Rahman
After graduating from highschool in 2008, Shaykh Nafis engaged in ḥifẓ in Masjid Taqwā and completed it in Georgia Islamic Institute in 2009. In the same year he went to Johannesburg, South Africa to pursue a 7 year ‘ālimiyyah course in Dārul ‘Ulūm Zakariyyā. In 2015 he received ijāzah in the seven qirā`āt in the ṭarīq of Imām al-Shāṭibī. In 2016, he received ijāzāt in ḥadīth from the senior shuyūkh of the madrasah. After graduating in 2016, he pursued a 2 year course in ‘ulūm al-ḥadīth which he completed in 2018. Thereafter, he pursued a 2 year course in iftā` in Dārul ‘Ulūm Zakariyyā which He completed in 2020. Currently, he serves as the resident scholar in Masjid Uthman in Dunwoody.
Imam Zakir Ullah
Imam at Islamic Circle of North Amercia
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Mufti Abdul Wahab Waheed was born and raised in Ann Arbor, MI. He began Islamic studies at Jaamiah al-Uloom al-Islamiyyah in Canada where he became a Hafiz at the age of 11. He started his 7-year Shariah program in Toronto, Canada, and went even further to pursue higher education of Hadith in Karachi, Pakistan. Throughout his travels, Mufti Abdul Wahab addresses communities across the United States on a wide range of Islamic topics and Inshallah, continues to do so with the Tawfiq of Allah SWT. Mufti Abdul Wahab is a Co-founder at Miftaah Institute and also is a Co-Founder and Director at Michigan Islamic Institute.
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Sh. Yaser Birjas is originally from Palestine. He received his Bachelors degree from Islamic University of Madinah in 1996 in Fiqh & Usool, graduating as the class valedictorian. After graduating, he went on to work as a youth counselor and relief program aide in war-torn Bosnia. Thereafter, he immigrated to the U.S. and currently resides in Dallas, Texas. He is also an instructor at AlMaghrib Institute, where he teaches popular seminars such as Fiqh of Love, The Code Evolved, and Heavenly Hues. He is currently serving as an Imam at Valley Ranch Islamic Center, Irving, Texas. Sh. Yaser continues to enhance his knowledge in various arenas and most recently obtained a Masters of Adult Education and Training from the University of Phoenix, Class of 2013
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Shaykh Suleiman Hani is the Director of Academic Affairs at AlMaghrib Institute, a research scholar for Yaqeen Institute, and a resident scholar in Michigan. At the age of 14, Suleiman completed a 10-month Qur’an memorization program and began his intensive studies under numerous scholars, earning dozens of traditional religious certifications in the process. He later earned a master’s degree from the University of Jordan’s College of Shari’ah, ranking first in his class, and a master’s degree from Harvard University, where he studied religions, philosophy, political science, and psychology. Over the past decade, he has served as an Imam and community leader in Michigan, lectured in dozens of countries, published a number of books and articles, and was featured on the largest Islamic TV stations worldwide.
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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.
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Shaykh Asif Pochi is an esteemed Islamic scholar and motivational speaker from Dallas, Texas. He studied Islamic Sciences in Bury, a town in the United Kingdom, and furthered his studies in Toronto, Canada, where he received Ijaza for Fatwa and Islamic theology. Shaykh Asif has made considerable contributions to his islamic community with a reputation for delivering insightful lectures and showcasing an extensive knowledge and understanding within Islam. Now serving as the South East Regional Director at the Miftaah Institute in Detroit, Michigan, he is also involved in delivering lectures nationwide with the institute, allowing him to expand his impact and reach.
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Shaykh Idris Nawaz started studying the Quran at the age of 7 and a half, and by the grace of Allah, he completed his Hifz in a year and a half at the age of 9. Qari Idris spent the next few years studying Tajweed and Qira’aat, and fully and completely by the will and decree of Allah SWT. Qari Idris participated in the International Quran Competition in Doha, Qatar, and out of 2000 participants from over 45 countries, he won 1st place, Alhamdulillah. He is a Michigan Islamic Institute Aalim student graduate.
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After graduating from highschool in 2008, Shaykh Nafis engaged in ḥifẓ in Masjid Taqwā and completed it in Georgia Islamic Institute in 2009. In the same year he went to Johannesburg, South Africa to pursue a 7 year ‘ālimiyyah course in Dārul ‘Ulūm Zakariyyā. In 2015 he received ijāzah in the seven qirā`āt in the ṭarīq of Imām al-Shāṭibī. In 2016, he received ijāzāt in ḥadīth from the senior shuyūkh of the madrasah. After graduating in 2016, he pursued a 2 year course in ‘ulūm al-ḥadīth which he completed in 2018. Thereafter, he pursued a 2 year course in iftā` in Dārul ‘Ulūm Zakariyyā which He completed in 2020. Currently, he serves as the resident scholar in Masjid Uthman in Dunwoody.
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Imam at Islamic Circle of North Amercia
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Mufti Abdul Wahab Waheed was born and raised in Ann Arbor, MI. He began Islamic studies at Jaamiah al-Uloom al-Islamiyyah in Canada where he became a Hafiz at the age of 11. He started his 7-year Shariah program in Toronto, Canada, and went even further to pursue higher education of Hadith in Karachi, Pakistan. Throughout his travels, Mufti Abdul Wahab addresses communities across the United States on a wide range of Islamic topics and Inshallah, continues to do so with the Tawfiq of Allah SWT. Mufti Abdul Wahab is a Co-founder at Miftaah Institute and also is a Co-Founder and Director at Michigan Islamic Institute.
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Mufti Hussain Kamani was born and raised in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. His journey to pursue sacred Islamic knowledge began at age 6. By the age of 9, he completed the memorization of the Holy Quran. To further advance his studies in the Islamic Sciences, he traveled to the United Kingdom and pursued formal Islamic authorizations (ijazahs). For 7 years, Mufti Kamani studied a rigorous curriculum covering the Arabic language and literature, Islamic jurisprudence, Tafseer of the Holy Qur’an, Hadith, Islamic Philosophy, and Aqeedah. Afterwards, he was selected for a post-graduate level course in Islamic Law and Legal Verdicts, which he completed within two years. He later earned his graduate degree in Business Management from the University of Coventry in the UK.
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Shaykh Suleiman Hani is the Director of Academic Affairs at AlMaghrib Institute, a research scholar for Yaqeen Institute, and a resident scholar in Michigan. At the age of 14, Suleiman completed a 10-month Qur’an memorization program and began his intensive studies under numerous scholars, earning dozens of traditional religious certifications in the process. He later earned a master’s degree from the University of Jordan’s College of Shari’ah, ranking first in his class, and a master’s degree from Harvard University, where he studied religions, philosophy, political science, and psychology. Over the past decade, he has served as an Imam and community leader in Michigan, lectured in dozens of countries, published a number of books and articles, and was featured on the largest Islamic TV stations worldwide.
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Imam Mikaeel Ahmed Smith is an instructor at Qalam Seminary in Dallas, Texas and has a Degree in Islamic Studies from Dar ul-Uloom Canada in Chatham, Ontario. He is passionate about meeting the needs of Muslim converts, building Islamic literacy among youth, and striving for social justice. He recently published his first book, a translation of a classical Arabic text on Islamic pedagogy. He currently lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife and three young children.
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Shaykh Abdulrahan Wood is an American Muslim from Columbus, Ohio, who embraced Islam in 1998 after exploring various religions. His journey began at 14, inspired by Malcolm X's story in Spike Lee's film X. Shortly after, he traveled to Makkah to study Arabic and Islamic sciences, completing an American Imam certificate with Shaikh Khalid al-Halawani. He shared his story on the Sultans and Sneakers podcast with Mahin Islam.
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Sheikh Hassan Noor is an accomplished scholar specializing in Islamic law. He graduated with First Class honors from the College of Islamic Law at Imam University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in legal theory at Al-Madinah International University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Sheikh Hassan currently serves as instructor at Siraaj Institute.
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Shaykh Tariq Musleh is a graduate from the prestigious Madinah University where he attained his Associate degree in Arabic and Bachelors Degree from the College of Sharia. He completed his memorization of Quran at the age of 13 and went on to receive ijaza from Palestine. He studied Classical Arabic at the Fajr Center in Egypt. Shaykh Tariq has worked as a part time instructor for Islamic Learning Foundation Chicago, where he taught Quran and Arabic studies. He has served in Young Muslims (YM) for many years as a coordinator and murrabi. Shaykh Tariq has also served as the Youth Director for the Islamic Center of Naperville in Chicago and became the Youth Director and Assistant Imam of Mecca Center in Willowbrook, Illinois in July 2017.

Tom Facchine is from Southern New Jersey. He obtained his Bachelors in Political Science/International Relations from Vassar College (2011), where he embraced Islam in his senior year. After studying Arabic independently, he was admitted to the Islamic University of Madinah in Saudi Arabia where he obtained an Associates in Classical Arabic (2016) and a Bachelors in Comparative Islamic Law (2020). He also completed the chaplaincy program conducted under the supervision of The Prophet’s Mosque (2019). Out of all his extracurricular studies, his study of tafseer under Shaykh Abdallah Shinqeeti in the Prophet’s Masjid was probably the most impactful.Tom has always been a passionate advocate and instructor for Muslim Youth, founding multiple youth groups and conducting various afterschool programs. He is currently the Imam of the Muslim Community Association of Mohawk Valley in Utica, NY as well as nearby Hamilton College. In his ‘spare’ time, Tom enjoys birdwatching, hiking, camping, poetry, and learning languages. He lives in Utica with his wife and three children.
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Mufti Abdul Rahman Waheed was born and raised in Lansing, MI. As a youth, he displayed zeal and enthusiasm to involve himself in the religious sciences. At just 9 years of age, Mufti Abdul Rahman went to Toronto, Canada to pursue his dreams of becoming a Hafidh of the Holy Qur'an. Thereafter, Mufti Abdul Rahman traveled to Pakistan to continue his passion to seek knowledge where he completed his 2 year Iftaa program which specializes in Islamic Jurisprudence and Law. Mufti Abdul Rahman is serving as a principal and is a full-time instructor at Michigan Islamic Institute, the brother organization of Miftaah Institute. He travels across North America as a khateeb and lecturer. He is well-known for his calm and down-to-Earth demeanor.
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Shaykh Suleiman Hani is the Director of Academic Affairs at AlMaghrib Institute, a research scholar for Yaqeen Institute, and a resident scholar in Michigan. At the age of 14, Suleiman completed a 10-month Qur’an memorization program and began his intensive studies under numerous scholars, earning dozens of traditional religious certifications in the process. He later earned a master’s degree from the University of Jordan’s College of Shari’ah, ranking first in his class, and a master’s degree from Harvard University, where he studied religions, philosophy, political science, and psychology. Over the past decade, he has served as an Imam and community leader in Michigan, lectured in dozens of countries, published a number of books and articles, and was featured on the largest Islamic TV stations worldwide.
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Shaykh Abdullah Waheed was born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, MI. He commenced his studies at the age of ten in Toronto, Canada, where he went to memorize the Quran. He completed the memorization of the Holy Quran by the tender age of thirteen and then went on to study in the seven-year extensive Shariah program in Toronto, Canada. Shaykh Abdullah specialized in the Tafseer of the Quran. Shaykh Abdullah spent years studying the details and beauty of our Holy book since understanding and mastering the language of the Holy Quran was always the primary goal. Shaykh Abdullah is a co-founder and instructor at Miftaah Institute and is also the Director of Islamic Affairs at Flint Islamic Center.
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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.
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Dr. Furhan serves as Dean of the Institute of Knowledge Seminary in Southern California, Seminary Instructor at the same institute, and University Chaplain at the University of California Irvine. He has authored a number of books, on topics such as tafsir, hadith commentary, and introductions to foundational Islamic disciplines, as part of the IOK Curriculum Series.
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Shaykh Musa Sugapong is the co-founder and president of Knowman Learning in Greater Cleveland, where he provides education rooted in Islamic knowledge. He also serves as a Religious Consultant at the Khalil Center, integrating psychology with Islamic theology, and formerly taught at Darul Qasim Institute for over a decade. Embracing Islam at nineteen, he studied Arabic locally while completing a BA in Sociology and Religious Studies at San Diego State University, later deepening his studies in Damascus and South Africa. Residing in Cleveland with his family, Shaykh Musa enjoys traveling, family time, and playing basketball and football.
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Imam Mikaeel Ahmed Smith is an instructor at Qalam Seminary in Dallas, Texas and has a Degree in Islamic Studies from Dar ul-Uloom Canada in Chatham, Ontario. He is passionate about meeting the needs of Muslim converts, building Islamic literacy among youth, and striving for social justice. He recently published his first book, a translation of a classical Arabic text on Islamic pedagogy. He currently lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife and three young children.
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Graduate of Michigan Islamic Institute
Join us for a day of
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Develop practical strategies for nurturing the heart – Apply prophetic guidance and scholarly wisdom to cultivate sincerity, mindfulness, and spiritual growth in daily life.
Learn principles of tazkiyah (spiritual purification) – Gain insights into how to guard, purify, and strengthen the heart in its relationship with Allah, oneself, and others.
Understand the central role of the heart in faith – Explore how the heart functions as the seat of sincerity, spiritual connection, and overall well-being in Islam.
Recognize challenges facing the heart today – Identify contemporary distractions and diseases of the heart, and discover ways to remain spiritually grounded in modern life.
Dates
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Highlights
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Tickets
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Sponsors
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your community can host the next
Guardians of the Heart
At every event and gathering that our students attend with Miftaah, life-altering moments take place. Through a special collection of services and platforms to foster your intellectual and spiritual development, we are offering you these once-in-a-lifetime experiences. By inviting Miftaah to your community you can start your journey now.
request a Circle in your cityyour community can host the next
Guardians of the Heart
At every event and gathering that our students attend with Miftaah, life-altering moments take place. Through a special collection of services and platforms to foster your intellectual and spiritual development, we are offering you these once-in-a-lifetime experiences. By inviting Miftaah to your community you can start your journey now.
request a Circle in your city

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