The Essentials Program is a 2-year course geared toward those who would like to gain the knowledge necessary to live their lives in accordance with the Shariah and Sunnah, as well as begin to learn about the different Islamic sciences, but without learning Arabic (Arabic is offered in the PLUS Program). All course material will be presented in English, with minimal reference to the original Arabic texts.
Registration for the 2012-2013 year has closed. Insha’Allah registration will open again after Ramadan for Fall 2013 classes. Please join our email list (to the right) and we will let you know when registration opens.
Course Timings
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Timings:
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Saturdays, 9:00 – 11:00 AM EST | |
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Start Date:
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September 14, 2013 | |
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End Date:
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December 28, 2013 | |
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Cost:
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$165 ($55/month) | |
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Teacher:
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Khalid Abdul Sattar | |
Course Overview
Year One
The focus during the first year is on establishing a foundation in the three core areas of the din: islam, iman and ihsan. Starting with the Manners of Studying and Benefits of Sacred Knowledge, students concurrently study Aqidah (Islamic beliefs) and then begin a detailed, practical study of Hanafi Fiqh, starting with Taharah (purification), and then moving into Salah (prayer) and finally Sawn (fasting). A number of weeks are spent on understanding and learning about the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), with a focus on practical implementation and learning the various Sunnah duas which we should recite throughout the day.
Year Two
Year two will continue the study of fiqh, moving on to Zakah and select other topics, including the fiqh of marriage, divorce, business transactions and food and drink. Students will study aspects of Islamic Scholarship, such as the Place of Scholars in Islam, an introduction to Usul ‘l-Fiqh (Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence) and a detailed discussion on Following Qualified Scholarship. A good portion of the year is spent on an Introduction to the Sciences of the Quran and Hadith. Finally, students will start a study of Islamic Spirituality, focusing on purification of the heart and including a mini-course on the Diseases of the Heart.
Course Structure
2013 – 2014 Academic Year
The academic year, starting in September, is broken into 3 trimesters (Fall, Winter and Spring), each running for approximately 3 months. Students will be expected to learn and review the past week’s lesson with their fellow students before moving on to the next lesson. This helps the student to keep up with the work, build a solid foundation and allows constant feedback between the student and teacher.
Fall Trimester – Sep. 14 – Dec. 28, 2013
Winter Trimester – Jan. 4 – Mar. 29, 2014
Spring Trimester – Apr. 5 – Jun. 21, 2014
Online Teaching
All classes will be taught using the online learning tool WizIQ.com. Students can view the class materials through the online whiteboard and listen to the class lecture through their computer speakers or headphones. The chat feature is used for questions. Students will need a computer and high-speed internet access (1.5 Mbps+). Recordings will be available in case students miss a session.
Course Fees
Fees for each 3-month trimester are $165 ($55/month), or $495 per year.
Course Requirements
In addition to the time commitment of 4 hours per week, there are some other requirements to bear in mind. All students must:
- Review the lesson for that week and look ahead at the upcoming lesson.
- Have a quiet area where they can attend the class sessions.
- Have a computer/mobile device and high-speed internet access (1.5+ Mbps).
