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Certification in Islamic Sciences and Leadership

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Overview & courses

The Certification in Islamic Sciences and Leadership program is designed to provide aspiring community leaders with the tools they need to become effective and competent leaders. In this time of confusion, hate and violence, we look to foster an environment of knowledge and growth to tackle those challenges and to transform our students intellectually and spiritually. Above all, we look to foster an environment to build the leaders of today, tomorrow by equipping them with the skills they need. 

This program will give students a foundation education in Islamic Studies. Our unique teaching methodology entails teaching our students the various viewpoints within the bounds of Ahl’ al-Sunnah provided within a contemporary context. The program also entails electives in leadership. These electives will provide them with essential skills such as public speaking, family counseling, youth counseling, and interfaith dialogue. Skills in these areas are necessary when looking to develop competent community leadership.

Quranic Sciences (Ulum Al-Quran)

    • Quranic Recitation (Tajwid) I
      • This course is an introduction to proper recitation of the Quran. Students learn the correct pronunciation of the Arabic letters, as well as the rules of correct recitation of the Qur’an.
    • Quranic Sciences I
      • Basic introduction to Sciences of the Quran. This includes a brief survey of topics related to the Quran, including defining what the Quran is, its content, names, miracles, causes and types of revelation, kinds of verses, abrogation, transmission and preservation, division, language and style, recitation, modes of recitation, exegesis, and interpretations.
    • Quranic Virtues and Ethics I
      • This unique course is an insight into the subject of Quranic Virtues & Ethics. This course will focus on delving through the verses of the Quran to explore how the Quran defines virtues and ethics. Also enable students to reflect on and recognize the structure of ethics in the Quran at a deeper level.

Hadith Sciences (Ulum Al-Hadith)

  • Hadith Terminology I
    • This course is an introduction to the sciences of Hadith. Students will be introduced to the methodology of the scholars of hadith in authenticating and categorizing reports. They will also learn the various terminologies used by them. The text covered in this course will be Nukhbah al-Fikar. 
  • Hadith Literature I 
    • As an introduction to Hadith literature, students will examine the Arbain al-Nawawi (Nawawi’s 40 Hadith). With the help of the instructor students will memorize and learn to interpret the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him and his family).
  • Hadith Sciences I 
    • This course is an introduction to the sciences of Hadith. In this course students learn the foundations that ground the paradigm of hadith sciences. Students will also learn the method of takhrij, and of the essential resources that are required for it. They will also explore the various disagreements among scholars regarding the principles of hadith learned in Hadith Terminology I, while analyzing their proofs and arguments.

Theology (Aqidah)

  • Credal Theology (Aqidah) I 
    • This course is an introduction to Islamic credal theology. Students learn about the historic context behind the development of the Sunni school of thought and the three Sunni schools, namely: the Ash’ari, Maturidi, and Athari schools. They are also exposed

Prophetic Biography (Seerah)

  • Prophetic Biography (Seerah) I
    • This course is a study of the Prophetic biography as recorded by one of the earliest scholars in the field, Ibn Hisham. Students will learn about the environment of Arabia prior to his birth, his early life, the announcement of the message, life in Mecca, migration, and life in Madina (peace and blessings upon him and his family).

Islamic Law (Fiqh)

  • Islamic Law – Hanafi I
    • This course is an introduction to the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. The students will study the history behind the formation of the school, it’s main contributors, and it’s major works. The students will also study the rulings regarding matters of worship, namely:  tahara (purification), salah (prayer), zakah (alms), sawm (fasting), and hajj (pilgrimage). The text used for this course will be Mukhtasar al-Quduri.
  • Islamic Law – Shafi I
    • This course is an introduction to the Shafi school of jurisprudence. The students will study the history behind the formation of the school, it’s main contributors, and it’s major works. The students will also study the rulings regarding matters of worship, namely:  tahara (purification), salah (prayer), zakah (alms), sawm (fasting), and hajj (pilgrimage). The text used for this course will be al-Ghayah wal-Taqrib.

Legal Theory (Usul al-Fiqh)

  • Legal Theory – Shafi I 
    • This course is an introduction to the field of legal theory. Students will be introduced to the methodology and principles used by scholars to extract legal rulings from the Quran, Sunnah, and other sources. Students will also learn the structure of Islamic legal theory as well as the major chapters within the subject. The text covered in this course will be the primer of al-Juwayni, al-Waraqaat.
  • Legal Theory – Hanafi I 
    • In this course students will advance their understanding of legal theory by studying the main text in Hanafi legal theory, Usul al-Shashi (or an equivalent text). Students will learn the methodology of Hanafi Jurists in applying their principles to the Islamic sources to derive rulings.

Islamic Spirituality (Tazkiya)

  • Islamic Spirituality (Tazkiya) I
    • This course is a study of Imam al-Zarnuji’s text titled Instruction of the student (Talim al-Mut’allim). This is an indispensable text for students who are beginning their journey in the pursuit of sacred knowledge. Students will learn the importance of having correct intention, the effective methods of study, and the responsibilities of a student of knowledge. 
  • Islamic Spirituality (Tazkiya) II
    • This course is a study of Bidayat al-Hidayah of Imam al-Ghazali. The path to self-purification and realization is a life-long journey. This journey must have a starting point on solid foundations, explained beautifully by Imam Al-Ghazzali in his book Bidayat al-Hidayah. This book lays out the foundations of the science of tazkiya, by alerting one to the spiritual diseases of the heart and to their cures.

Contemporary Islamic Thinking

  • Contemporary Issues in Theology I
    • This course covers Islamic theology with a focus on the rational proofs for Islamic tenets of faith. The course will include a study of contemporary challenges to faith, including questions about the existence of God and the truthfulness of prophets, and how to address them philosophically. 
  • Contemporary Issues in Theology II
    • This course includes a deeper study of Islamic theology. The course will also address additional contemporary scientific and philosophical arguments leveled against belief in God, such as the problem of evil, evolution, naturalism etc.
  • Understanding Modern Philosophy
    • This course is a study of the history and development of modern philosophy. Students will cover the section on the history of modern philosophers found in Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr’s book, A Young Muslim’s Guide to the modern world.
  • Non-violence and Peace Studies I
    • This course aims to provide a substantive understanding of nonviolence and peace studies’ foundations and applications from reliable academic sources. The course starts by understanding the sources of power in the hands of rulers in dictatorships and democracies alike and how the way we think of power defines how we react to violence. It later discusses the limits of violent and destructive strategies in achieving their stated ends, and how nonviolent strategies (will cover tens of different nonviolent strategies) present themselves as better alternatives on both practical and moral measures. Finally, it will compare, with the support of history and statistical studies, the short-term and long-term effectiveness of violence and nonviolence in solving conflicts and will provide a broad explanation of how and why nonviolence indeed works better than violence.

Islamic Leadership

  • Public Speaking I 
    • This course is designed to assist students in developing the skills needed to become effective public speakers. It is also designed to help students gain an understanding of speaking about religion within the First Amendment guidelines. This course also explores ISB (Islamic Speaker Bureau) techniques in speaking about Islam and Muslims in public and how to handle difficult questions.
  • Interfaith Dialogue I 
    • This course is designed to train students in performing quality interfaith work in their communities. It is also designed to enhance communication and empower American Muslims with advanced-knowledge drawn from traditional Islamic sources, as well as from recent academic research.  The course encourages Muslims to practice Ihsan with love and respect for all, while maintaining compliance with the Holy Quran and the model practiced by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him and his family)
  • Intrafaith Dialogue I
    • This course is designed to train students in performing quality interfaith work in their communities. It is also designed to enhance communication and empower American Muslims with advanced-knowledge drawn from traditional Islamic sources, as well as from recent academic research.  The course encourages Muslims to practice Ihsan with love and respect for all, while maintaining compliance with the Holy Quran and the model practiced by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him and his family)

In addition the students can enroll to any number of elective courses which includes courses in Islamic Chaplaincy, courses in Arabic Language, additional courses in Islamic Sciences etc.

Curriculum page

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Program Overview

Program Length

10 months

Format

Online

Effort

Full-time or Part-time

Apply As

Student (seeking certification) or Seeker (auditing courses)

What you’ll Learn

  • You will have a strong foundational understanding of the various Islamic sciences. This entails a study in the field of theology, Quranic sciences, Hadith sciences, Legal theory, Islamic Law and more
  • You will have clarity and ability to think critically
  • You will gain an understanding and implementation of Islamic Ethics
  • You will be able to continue on the leadership path
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Who should enroll

Our program is designed for anyone who:

  • Can dedicate themselves to studying the foundations of the religion online
  • Yearns for intellectual & spiritual growth
  • Aims to become a Community leader or Youth leader

Admissions Overview

Admissions
Deadlines

  • Early Admissions Deadline – March 31st, 2022
  • Regular Admissions Deadline – July 1st, 2022

Class of 2022-23 Start Date

  • September 19th, 2022

Who can Apply

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements for consideration of admission:

  • 16+ years of age
  • Have a high school diploma (or equivalent)

Steps to Apply

If you are not ready to apply yet, but have questions or would like to stay in touch, please contact us at admissions@madinainstitute.com

  1. Ensure you have all your required documents
    1. High school diploma or equivalent
    2. Proof of Identification and Documentation for your Residency
  2. Complete Online Application
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  • Please upload unofficial transcripts with your application. We will request official documents once you are admitted into the program.
  • Once you submit your online application, a Madina Institute admissions counselor will be in touch with you to assist with any questions and to provide updates or further instructions.

Program Overview

What our students say

As someone who struggled with public speaking, the opportunities presented in Madina Institute’s program enabled me to develop the confidence needed to deliver and teach the knowledge I learned. I am now part of the faculty and of the khatibs for the masjid.
Asad Khan
Faculty & Community Leader
Studying at Madina Institute not only helped me become a teacher in Islamic studies but also helped me become an Imam and Community leader.
Muaaz Kalla
Faculty, Imam & Community Leader
One of the questions we should ask is: what are we inspired by God to do? Is it to seek endless inspiration as an end? The answer is reflected in the very word which describes knowledge: ‘ilm. When the last two letters are flipped, it gives you ‘amal: action. And what is the first step and foundation of any action? Knowledge.
Ahmed Deeb
Imam & Resident Scholar

Contact Our Admissions Office For More Information About Our Programs

Thank you for your interest in Madina Institute. You may contact our Admissions Counselors via email or you may call our Admissions office directly.

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