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One Year Intensive in Islamic and Arabic Studies

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Overview & courses

This One Year Intensive in Islamic and Arabic Studies program is designed to give students a firm foundation in the core Islamic sciences. Our unique teaching methodology entails teaching our students the various viewpoints within the bounds of Ahl’ al-Sunnah. This approach provides students with an unbiased understanding of many schools of thought. At Madina, we believe in providing knowledge and information, not indoctrinating a particular point of view. This results in a well-rounded seeker of knowledge. 

This program will also provide students with a strong foundation in the Arabic language with an emphasis on the skills of reading and comprehension. We look to provide our students with the tools needed to access the Quran and the traditional Islamic texts.  

Students are also free to choose from other electives offered depending on their goals and interests, such as courses in further Islamic Leadership, Chaplaincy etc.

Arabic Language

  • Arabic Sciences
    • The Arabic sciences component of the Arabic program is designed to teach the students the fundamental rules needed to understand the inner workings of the Arabic Language. Students will go through various texts in Arabic grammar and morphology. 
  • Arabic Skills
    • The Arabic Skills component of the Arabic program is designed to assist the students in developing the essential skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The main focus of this program will be on the reading comprehension skill, to train students to access the Quran without a translation and Islamic Arabic Literature.

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 to the foundational matters in creed, with a special focus on the understanding of Tawheed, as well as the differences between the sunni tradition and other Islamic groups. The text covered for this class is al-Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah.
  • Scholastic Theology (Kalam) I 
    • This course is a foundational study of Ashari theology as covered in the text al-Bajuri’s al-Risala. The course will analyse the methodology of the Ashari school in understanding Ilahiyyat, Nabawiyyat, and Sami’yyat. This includes an examination of numerous matters that are discussed under these categories such as Attributes of Allah, rational proofs for His existence,  natural philosophy, attributes of His messengers, and free will. This course will also introduce the science of Ilm ul Kalam, its development, objectives, and discuss its possibility of reformation.
  • Scholastic Theology (Kalam) II 
    • This course is an introduction to the credal methodology of the Maturidi school. Students will study the opinions of the Maturidi school as well as the structure of Maturidi texts by covering the text  Al-‘Aqaid al-Nasafiyyah. They will also further their understanding of the science of Kalam through the supplemental reading of al-Taftazani’s commentary.
  • Comparative Theology I 
    • This course is a comparative study of the Ash’ari and Maturidi schools. Students will analyze the source of the major differences between the schools as well as their implications. They will solidify their understanding of the structure of both schools through a study of Masail al-Ikhtilaf Bayn al-Asha’irah wal-Maturidiyyah.

Logic (Mantiq)

  • Traditional Logic I 
    • This course is the study of a primer in Mantiq, The Matn of Isaghuji. In this course students will learn of the different types of knowledge, the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning, the different forms of syllogism, the language of Mantiq and more.

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.

Islamic History (Tarikh)

  • Islamic History I – The Rightly Guided Rulers
    • This course introduces us to four of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family): Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (RA), Umar al-Faruq (RA), Uthman bin Affan (RA) and Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA. Using the book written by Imam as-Suyuti, “The Hisory of the Khalifas Who Took The Right Way” (Al-Khulafa Ar-Rashidun) as a reference, the students of knowledge will gain an in-depth view of their remarkable lives through stories about their individual contributions to Islam, their accomplishements and their struggles as the successors after the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him and his family).

Contemporary Islamic Thinking

  • 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.

Islamic Research

  • Research Methodologies I 
    • This course consists of lessons and presentations on research methods and academic writing.
  • Research Paper I (for one year Intensive program students) 
    • This course is required for students hoping to graduate from the One year Intensive in Islamic and Arabic studies program. For the research paper, students will formulate their research question, conduct their research, and present their findings in the form of a research paper.
  • Research Paper II (For Associates degree students) 
    • This course is required for students hoping to graduate with an Associates degree. This course is similar to Research Paper I but the research conducted will be more in-depth and involves additional steps in the research process.

In addition the students can enroll to any number of elective courses which includes courses in Islamic Leadership, courses in Non-Violence and Peace Studies, advanced courses in Arabic, additional courses in Islamic Sciences etc.

Curriculum page

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Program Overview

Program Length

11 months

Format

In-person

Effort

Full-time or Part-time

Certification

Available upon graduation

What you’ll Learn

  • Foundational knowledge of the principles of Islam.
  • The tools needed to navigate the basic tenets of faith.
  • Practical insight into living the theoretical principles of faith.
  • Ability to seek out and understand Islamic Studies resources (scholars and texts).
  • Continue in the leadership, scholarship or career 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 for a year
  • Yearns for intellectual & spiritual growth
  • Aims to become a Community leader or Youth leader
  • Aspires to be an Islamic Scholar
  • Seeks a Career in Religious Studies

Admissions Overview

Admissions
Deadlines

  • Early Admissions – March 31st, 2023
  • Rolling Admissions – June 30th, 2023

Class of 2023-24 Start Date

  • September 12th, 2023

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

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
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
Madina Institute's One Year program instilled in me hope to become a community leader and I returned home with more than I could ever imagine to offer my community.
Maleeha Darab
Entrepreneur, Activist & Calligraphy Instructor

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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