Year 2
Alimiyyah Intermediate
Building on the foundation, this stage delves deeper into Islamic sciences. Core modules include:
1. Tafseer
Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim by Imam Ibn Kathīr
Year 2: Prophethood, Law, and Ethics
2. Aqeedah
3. Quran and Tajweed
Year 2: Completing the First Five Juz & Strengthening Recitation
Goal: Transition into reading longer Surahs and increase reading speed.
4. Hanfi Fiqh:
Year 2: Advanced Worship & Financial Transactions
About the course:
This year focuses on deepening students' understanding of advanced Islamic worship practices and their application, particularly in the rituals of Ḥajj, ‘Umrah, and the complexities of Islamic financial transactions. Students will explore the essential components of financial ethics and transactions within Islam, along with an in-depth study of marriage and family law, offering practical knowledge for everyday application in Muslim communities.
5. Hadith
Year 2: Methodology & Principles of Hadith
About the course:
This year provides students with an advanced understanding of Hadith sciences, focusing on the methodology of Hadith classification, the authenticity of reports, and the principles of transmission. Students will study the most famous works in Hadith literature, such as Sahih Al-Bukhari, and explore the foundational concepts of Hadith terminology and critique. This comprehensive approach will equip students with the tools to critically analyze and understand Hadith, along with their relevance in Islamic law and practice.
6. Seerah
Year 2: Madinah & The Expansion of Islam
About the course:
This year explores the critical developments in Madinah and the subsequent expansion of Islam, focusing on key events, battles, and strategic leadership under the Prophet ﷺ. Students will examine the formation of the Islamic state in Madinah, pivotal treaties, and conquests, as well as the broader implications of the Prophet's ﷺ leadership on the Muslim community and beyond.
7. Usul al-Fiqh
Year 2: Legal Rulings & Language in Usul
About the course:
This year will focus on expanding students' understanding of the core legal principles of Usul al-Fiqh, exploring the structure and language used in Islamic legal rulings. The program will develop students' ability to derive legal rulings from primary sources and resolve conflicts between evidences, with an emphasis on linguistic analysis.
Pedagogical Tools & Teaching Style
Core Text:
o al-Wajīz fī Uṣūl al-Fiqh by Abdul Karim Zaydan (in Arabic)
o Supplement with diagrams, summaries, and comparison charts
Teaching Style:
o Weekly lectures with group discussions
o Case-based learning (Fiqh scenarios)
o Quizzes, written assignments, and a final exam each semester
o Memorization of core definitions and classifications
Optional Supplementary Texts:
o al-Mustasfa by al-Ghazali (intro readings)
o Risālah by Imam al-Shafi‘i (for historical context)
Outcomes by End of the Program
• Mastery of key usūlī terminology and methods
• Ability to engage with scholarly texts and legal discourse
• Equipped to proceed to advanced fiqh application and derivation
• Prepared to teach Usul al-Fiqh at an introductory level
8. Arabic
Year 2: Classical Arabic & Syntax Development
About the course:
This year focuses on the deepening of Classical Arabic knowledge, with an emphasis on grammar, syntax, morphology, rhetoric, and practical application. Students will gain mastery over sentence parsing, word construction, and rhetorical analysis, developing fluency in both reading and speaking Classical Arabic.
Duration: 12 months
شرح الآجرومية
Advanced Grammar & Syntax
شرح الآجرومية – In-depth study of Ajrumiyyah, sentence parsing, and applied rules
Focus on i'rab (إعراب), grammatical cases, and syntax refinement
Practical Arabic Skills
Developing fluency in Classical Arabic reading and comprehension
Writing short essays and applying grammatical rules correctly
Course Breakdown
Unit 1: Arabic Grammar (النحو)
• Introduction to Ajrumiyyah: Basic Arabic syntax & sentence structure
• Noun types (المرفوعات والمنصوبات والمجرورات)
• Verb conjugation & tenses (الماضي، المضارع، الأمر)
• Sentence construction and analysis (الإعراب والتحليل النحوي)
Unit 2: Arabic Morphology (الصرف)
• Introduction to word formation & verb patterns (الأوزان الصرفية)
• Root derivation and its applications (المشتقات: اسم الفاعل، اسم المفعول)
• Application of Dr. Ramadan Abdul Tawab’s approach
Unit 3: Arabic Rhetoric (البلاغة)
• Introduction to Ilm al-Balaghah (علم البيان، علم المعاني، علم البديع)
• Explanation of metaphors, similes, and rhetorical devices in Arabic literature
• Practical application using "البلاغة الواضحة"
Unit 4: Memorization & Recitation (الحفظ والتسميع)
• Selected Arabic prose and poetry for memorization
• Recitation exercises to develop fluency and retention
Assessment
Short essays analyzing Arabic sentences
Oral recitations of memorized texts
Midterm Exam: Grammar & morphology applications
Final Exam: Rhetoric & literary analysis
9. Tazkiyah
Year 2: Overcoming Temptations & The Path to Righteousness
Main Texts:
1. الجواب الكافي لمن سأل عن الدواء الشافي (Al-Jawab Al-Kafi by Ibn Al-Qayyim)
2. الكبائر (Kitab Al-Kaba'ir by Imam Al-Dhahabi)
3. حلية طالب العلم (Hilyat Talib Al-Ilm by Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd)