'Aqida (Belief)

​The creedal foundations of Islam: An understanding of the essential Islamic beliefs (‘aqida) which ground a believer; knowing [1] the attributes of Allah and [2] His Prophets, as well as [3] matters of the unseen, and how they transform a believer’s character and shape his or her worldview, giving them direction and purpose in their life.

Authority and Transmission of Islam

What grounds our practice? Who has the right to legislate? What are the categories of Islamic legal rulings? From where do we derive our morals and understanding of what is right and wrong?

​How Islam has been transmitted to us today? Who is a scholar and what defines Islamic orthodoxy? How does one determine qualified scholarship? What are the various ranks of qualified scholarship and how do we seek sound answers to our questions that arise concerning Islamic practice?

Ihsan (Internal Virtue)

  • The sins of the heart (definitions, causes and cures)
  • Actions that illuminate the heart 
  • Understanding the ego and how to take account of one's self
  • Importance of repentance (tawba) and issues concerning it

Fiqh (Law)

  • Ritual Worship ('Ibadat)
    • ​Purification
    • Prayer
    • Fasting
    • Zakat
    • Hajj
  • Transactions (Mu'amalat)
    • ​Buying and Selling
    • Common errors in business transactions
    • Lawful and unlawful forms of trade
    • Marriage (conditions, rights and responsibilities)
    • Divorce
    • Child rearing
    • Parents and Relativees
    • Rights toward other human beings​
  • ​Halal and Haram
    • Food
    • Clothing
    • Major Sins
    • Minor Sins
    • Prohibitions of the tongue, eyes, ears and hands

Contemporary Issues

  • Time and place specific obligations (based on the principle: "Whatever is required to fulfill an obligation is an obligation itself"
  • LGBT+ Issues
  • Gender Issues
  • Responding to doubts
  • Navigating modernity
  • Securing one's faith in times of Fitna

Class Recordings, Notes and Study Material

1. Course Introduction
​ 2. 'Aqida 101 - Introduction
3. 'Aqida 101 - Epistemology