Alim Program
The knowledge and skills acquired from the course will assist pupils in understanding and practicing their Deen . It will also create much needed English speaking Ulama (scholars) to cater for the vast Muslim Population in the United Kingdom and Europe in the 21 st Century and serve the various facets of Muslim communities and the wider British society.
The coursework prepares students to become upright citizens with the aptitude to become Imams, school teachers, administrators of Islamic Institutions, academic researchers and writers. Upon graduation, students may also choose to pursue specialized studies in fiqh (Mufti), Hadith (Muhadith), Tafseer (Mufassir), and/or other sciences. We encourage our students to obtain secular degrees upon completion of their courses.
The course is designed to give pupils an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of Higher Islamic Sciences; Aqeedah (theology and articles of faith), Fiqh (Jurisprudence), Tafseer ul Qur'an (Exegesis of the Holy Quarn) and Hadith (Prophetic Traditions), Tareekh ( History ) leading to Alim (Qualified Scholar) status.
An integral component of the programme is the study of Classical Arabic, the language of the Qur'an, Hadith and other classical texts.
Pupils will also have an option to sit GCSE and AS/A2 level exams for Islamic Studies, Arabic and Urdu during the course (during the fourth and fifth years).
Duration
Six years (full time)
Attendance
September - July; five days a week.
Entry Requirements
Currently, prospective pupils must be aged 16+, have above average GCSE grades and are required to attend an interview. The basics of the Islamic studies programme will be covered within GCSE curriculum and students wanting to pursue the higher Islamic Sciences may continue.
Content
Throughout the course you will cover seven broad disciplines:
* Languages and linguistics
* Tareekh (History)
* Fiqh
* Qira'ah
* Aqa'id
* Tafseer
* Hadith
The outline of the programme of study for each discipline is given below:
Languages and Linguistic comprise Classical Arabic and Urdu. Classical Arabic involves the study of syntax ( nahw ), morphology ( sarf ), literature ( adab ).
History covers the early history of Islam.
Fiqh is studied during each year at differing levels. The programme includes classical text on fiqh and also comparative fiqh. Pupils will also cover usool al fiqh as part of their fiqh studies.
Qir'ah teaches pupils the rules of recitation and correct pronunciation of the Holy Qur'an.
Aqa'id looks at the Islamic beliefs as recorded in classical text such as Al aqidah al Tahawiyyah of Imam Abu Ja'far al Warraq al Tahawi rahimahullah.
Tafseer is studied towards the latter stages of the programme as it requires expertise in various related disciplines. You will cover classical texts on the commentary of the Holy Qur'an.
Hadith covers the sayings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alihi wasallam and the pious predecessors. You will learn the implication of Ahadith on legal verdict and the stance of prominent Mujtahideen in terms of extrapolating verdicts from divine sources