Alimah Program English
The Alimah Program is principally designed for students who wish to study the Islamic sciences in-depth, attain reading fluency in classical Arabic, and are motivated to commit about 9 – 10 hours per week.
The program is based on the traditional curriculum of the ‘Alimah course’, and provides a firm and broad basis in all of the main disciplines of classical Islamic scholarship:
Arabic language and its various sciences, Commentary of the entire Qur’an, Hadith, Islamic Law (Fiqh), Principles of Legal Methodology (Usul al-Fiqh), Beliefs (Aqeedah), Seerah, Shamail, Contemporary Issues, and Islamic Spirituality.
Though the program itself is for English-speaking students, students will be moved slowly to Arabic reading fluency so that they can study the different disciplines in the language of the scholars. This will typically involve covering various classical Arabic manuals in each Islamic discipline, thereby giving students a taste of the rich academic tradition.
SCHEDULE
- Starting: July 2025
- Days: Monday – Thursday
- Class Duration: 9 hours per week (Time: 10 AM NY, 3:00 PM UK, 7:00 PM UAE, 8:00 PM PK)
- Annual Exams: Second week of June, 2026
- Summer Break: July 1, 2025 – July 30, 2026 (tentative)
- Time Commitment: 10 hours per week
- Cost: Free
- Dates & timings are tentative and may be subject to change
Course Outline
1-Qur’an Module:
The total duration of the complete online Alimah Program is 5 years.
During the Alimah Program, students will cover the following curriculum:
Course
Description
Translation and Commentary of the Entire Qur'an
A detailed and inspiring commentary of the entire Qur’an with an emphasis on highlighting lessons that are relevant to our daily life.
The Sources & Methodology of Interpretation
Introduction to the field of Qur'anic Sciences; The Sources & Methodology for Interpretation of the Qur'an; Compilation of the Qur'an; Types & Causes of Revelation
2-Hadith Module
Course
Description
Introduction to the Science of Hadith
Introduction to the Science of Hadith Studies; Classifications of Hadith; Methodology & Terminologies used in Hadith
Explanation of the sayings of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in Zad al-Talibin (Provisions for the Seekers).
This classic collection of 327 hadith contains many short sayings that express a multitude of meanings, and is ultimately meant to provide today’s Muslims a glimpse at the charisma of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and a roadmap with which to achieve closeness with Allah.
Riyadh al-Saliheen (Meadows of the Righteous)
An explanation and commentary of hadith in Imam Nawawi’s classic compilation, Riyadh al-Saliheen with an emphasis on appreciating the beauty of the Sunnah as well as discover ways to implement the Sunnah in our lives
The Sublime Characteristics of the Prophet (Peace & Blessings be Upon him)
An explanation of the beautiful characteristics of the Prophet (Peace & Blessings be upon him) through selections from Imam al-Tirmidhi’s Al-Shamail al-Muhammadiya
Mishkat al-Masabih (A Niche for Lamps)
Mishkat al-Masabih is an expanded version of Al-Baghawi’s Masabih al-Sunnah by Muḥammad ibn ʻAbd Allāh Khatib Al-Tabrizi
Athar al-Tahawi
This book of the great Imam Abu Ja’far at-Tahawi is a collection of hadith related to legal judgments and divergent issues, classified by chapter of Fiqh
Sahih al-Bukhari
Compiled by Imam Muhammad al-Bukhari, the Sahih Bukhari is considered to be the most authentic collection of the teachings and sayings of the Prophet (saw). Students will cover both volumes
Sahih al-Muslim
Collection of hadith compiled by Imam Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj al-Naysaburi (rah). Students will cover both volumes
Sunan Abu Dawud
Sunan Abi Dawud is a collection of hadith compiled by Imam Abu Dawud Sulayman ibn al-Ash’ath as-Sijistani (rah). Students will cover both volumes
Jami’ al-Tirmidhi
Jami` at-Tirmidhi is a collection of hadith compiled by Imam Abu `Isa Muhammad at-Tirmidhi (rah). Students will cover both volumes inclusive of the Shamail Nabawiyya
3-Islamic Law:
Course
Description
Historical Development of Islamic Law
This course will examine the sources of Islamic law, its basic methodologies and the foundation of the legal schools through a historical analysis of the classical era.
Islamic Law I
Islamic Legal Rulings pertaining to Ritual Purification, Menstruation, Salah, Zakah, Fasting and Udhiya (Sacrifice) through Nur al-Idah (a classical text on sacred law).
Islamic Law II
Islamic legal rulings pertaining to Ritual Purification, Menstruation, Salah, Zakah, Fasting, Hajj, Commerce, Marriage & Divorce; through Mukhtasar al-Quduri (complete)
Laws of Inheritance
Laws of Inheritance from Al-Siraji Fi ‘l-Mirath Lil Shaykh Siraj al-Din al-Sajawandi al
Comparative Fiqh
Al-Hidayah: A Classical Manual of Hanafi Law – Volume 1 and Volume 2
4-Beliefs & Creed
Course
Description
Believer's Creed
Understand the basic tenets of our faith through Imam Tahawi’s widely acclaimed reference work on Muslim beliefs, Aqidah al-Tahawiyah.
5-Arabic Grammar and Language
Course
Description
Arabic Morphology
Arabic Morphology through “Fundamentals of Classical Arabic” & “From the Treasures of Arabic Morphology”
Arabic Grammar
Arabic Grammar through “Ilm al-Nahw” & “Awamil al-Nahw”
Advanced Arabic Grammar
Advanced Arabic Grammar through “Al-Hidayah fi ‘l Nahw”
Arabic Rhetoric
Arabic Rhetoric through Durus-ul-Balaghah Ma’A Shams Al-Bara’a by By Hanafi Nasif, Muhammad Diyab, Sultan Muhammad and Mustafa Tamum
Arabic Vocabulary
Arabic Vocabulary through Arabic Tutor- An English translation of Tas-heel al-Adab Fi Lisan al-‘Arab popularly known as ‘Arbi Ka Mu’allim, a well-known Arabic Grammar textbook by Maulana Abdul Sattar Khan
6-Islamic Jurisprudence
Course
Description
Usul al-Shashi
Fundamentals of Islamic Jurisprudence through the classical manual “Usul al-Shashi”
7-Islamic History
Course
Description
Seerah
Detailed Seerah of the Blessed Messenger (Peace & Blessings be upon him)- Meccan and Medinan Periods
Lives of the Companions
Biographies of the Khulafa Rashideen (The Four Caliphs)
Mothers of the Believers
This course presents the biographies of the beloved wives of the Prophet (saw). Join us as we discover their courage, commemorate their sacrifices, marvel at their knowledge and learn how they imparted the Message.
8-Contemporary Issues
Course
Description
Being Productive: Management & Self-Discipline in Islam
This course will offer a unique blend of tradition and technology in order to address key topics in effective self-management – health, stress, sleep, time, conflict, inter-personal relationships, work ethics, dawah and personal productivity.
Islam, Women & Gender
This course will cover issues pertaining to women in Islam like Hijab, Inter-Gender Interaction, Hudood Laws and The Contribution of Women to Knowledge & Scholarship
Marriage in Islam
This course is a comprehensive guide on the journey for attaining marital bliss in Islam as a means of drawing closer to Allah SWT, encompassing different stages from understanding love and marriage, correctly thinking and preparing for it, choosing the right one, getting married Islamically, to building a strong, loving and lifelong marriage.
9-Islamic Spirituality & Personal Development
Course
Description
Islamic Spirituality Essentials
Introduction to the Science of Islamic Spirituality based on the Qur’an and Sunnah
Diseases of the Heart
Symptoms & Cures of Diseases of the Heart: Anger, Jealousy, Hatred, Greed, Malice, Unlawful Love, Arrogance
Stations of Certainty
Repentance, Patience, Gratitude, Hope, Fear, Trust in Allah swt, Contentment
Islamic Etiquette & Conduct
Selections from Imam Bukhari (rah)’s Al-Adab Al-Mufrad
FAQ's
All students wishing to enroll in the Alimah Program must be able to recognize Arabic script and read Arabic words. It is expected that students should already be able to read (not understand) Arabic script and how letters are blended to form words. Students are not expected to understand the meanings of Arabic words. For example, a students should be able to read the following word but is not expected to know the meaning: ????
Is there an Attendance Policy? Yes, Attendance is regularly marked for the Alimah Program. In order to qualify for the Degree at the end of the program, students need to maintain at least 80% attendance (either by attending live classes or recorded lessons). Students are not penalized for ONLY listening to recordings.
Yes. Those students who wish to receive a degree at the end of the program need to appear for Annual Exams.
Will I have access to recordings? Recordings are available for all classes and students are not penalized for ONLY listening to recordings.
No. We only allow listeners in the Fundamentals and Quran Programs at Maryam Institute.
There is no fee. All courses offered by Maryam Institute are free of charge.