Growing up as young Muslims, we are constantly bombarded by often contradictory messages on what it means to practice our religion. Knowledge offers clarity on what sound Muslim practice looks like, giving you the confidence to uphold your convictions no matter what anyone says.
This course represents the first step on that journey. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or are looking to ground your worship with sound religious knowledge, this is the course for you. In eight interactive sessions, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani—a seasoned scholar and educator—will cover the obligatory basics every Muslim needs to know. These give you a roadmap to answer your most common questions about Islam in its three dimensions: (1) beliefs—what we know about Allah, His Prophets, and the Hereafter; (2) worship—how to make your purification and prayer valid, sound, and proper; and (3) practice—by looking at key virtuous actions and traits to uphold and vices to avoid.
- Teacher: Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
This course is based on The Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and The Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School, by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani (White Thread Press).
This book covers what every Muslim must know about the basic guidance of Islam in its three dimensions: (1) beliefs (iman)—and how to have sound belief in Allah, His Prophets, and in transmitted beliefs; (2) submission (Islam)—by looking at the daily devotional obligation of ritual prayer; and (3) spiritual excellence (Ihsan)—by looking at key sins and vices to avoid, and key virtuous actions and traits to uphold in seeking closeness to Allah.
“I know of no other manual of Islam that presents the essentials of the Hanafi school and basic Islamic belief so reliably, concisely, and elegantly as The Absolute Essentials of Islam. Faraz Rabbani is to be commended for producing a work from which the new Muslim can learn, the practicing Muslim check his fiqh, or the student merely curious about the practice of Islam see how it all fits together. It is likely to serve the Ummah, Allah willing, as long as there are English-speaking Muslims in it who want to know their din. This book works.”
– Shaykh Nuh Keller, Jordan.
This is the first course in Level One.
This course has no prerequisites.
Any student who wants to learn about the basics of belief and worship and wants to start their journey of gaining sacred knowledge should start with this course
- Understand how to seek religious knowledge
- Learn the basics of Islamic beliefs: so you know what we believe about Allah, His Messengers, and the Hereafter—and why
- Learn how to make your daily worship—purification and prayer—valid, sound, and proper
- Learn how to worship Allah Most High with sincerity
- Learn essential guidelines for living a faithful, upright life.
This course covers the main doctrine taught by scholars for over a thousand years covering a rich and vast understanding of the faith of the Muslims.
It is offered for the youth in a way that will allow them to develop an understanding of the religion that extends beyond the basics.
This class is taught with the youth in mind, subject matters are condensed to make it appealing and dynamic, also easy-to-understand manner.
This course is indispensable for our Muslim youth who are yearning to learn their religion and attain an appreciation of this vast faith and yet protect themselves from the pitfalls of doubt, innovation, confusion, and misguidance. This class covers a wide range of necessary key elements of true faith and Iman. The commentary will be supported with key ayahs and Hadiths that show the sources of our youth how we derive our guidance from the Quran and the sunnah.
- Teacher: Imam Yama Niazi
Imam Tahawi's Creed (Aqida), though small in size, has long been the most widely acclaimed, and indeed indispensable, reference work on Muslim beliefs. It lists what a Muslim must know and believe and inwardly comprehend. The doctrines enumerated in this work are entirely derived from the undisputed primary sources of religion, the Quran and the confirmed Hadith. Being a text on Islamic doctrine, this work sums up the arguments set forth in those two sources to define sound belief, and likewise, the arguments advanced in refuting the views of sects that have deviated from the Sunna.
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Explain the pillars of faith (Iman).
- Describe the attributes of Allah Most High
- Describe the attributes of the prophets and Messengers.
- Summarize the beliefs of Muslims regarding angels, Divine books, Divine decree, Day of Judgement, and Afterlife.
- Distinguish between innovation and faith.
This course is an introduction to understanding fasting and zakat, which are the third and fourth pillars of Islam. Young Muslims will be instructed on all the necessary matters pertaining to these incredibly important obligations which are of the greatest means in gaining closeness to Allah (The Exalted). This course will teach young Muslims the virtues, merits, conditions, and integrals of these pillars.
It will cover the essentials to perform the fast and pay zakat. The course will be presented in such a way that it will include the virtues of the actions and penetrate the deep spiritual dimensions of the acts. It will include, the types of fasts and what is a sound fast that is accepted and what is not.
The Zakat sections will cover the minimum amount of wealth before zakat is required (nisab) and who must pay zakat. A clear explanation will be given on how to calculate one’s zakat, whom to pay it to, who is exempt, and who may receive it. As young Muslims may be first-time learners of this subject, careful consideration has been given on how to present the material in an effective manner that engages the younger generation.
Recommended reading: Ascent to Felicity by shaykh Faraz Khan
- Teacher: Imam Yama Niazi
- Understand how to fast - the rules and prophetic practices.
- Understand and apply the principles of zakat
- Learn the common mistakes in fasting and zakat
- Learn key verses and narrations on the subject
- An introduction to understanding primary texts
- Learn and memorize key terms related to the subjects in jurisprudence (fiqh)
The Book of Assistance by the great master Imam Haddad is vital for gaining spiritual and practical guidance, ultimately forming a balanced understanding of life. It connects the outward with the inward; carefully guiding us through pitfalls and mishaps, so that we may be of those who are protected and guided on the straight path.
An individual’s relationship with Allah in the early years of adolescence is one of the most important phases of a person’s journey on the path. At the heart of the human-Divine relationship is Divine love. Divine love and nearness are the pinnacles of all success and happiness. The purpose of all human beings, in reality, is to attain this nearness to the Divine and to gain gnosis [ma`rifa]. At times this requires an action of the heart, and at other times it requires a physical act, like prayer.
Sometimes what is required is more subtle, like reflection. The pleasure that is derived from the materialistic world is limited and also short-lived. However, the spiritual pleasure that one gains through learning and realization, and acting upon one’s knowledge is something that will be eternally savored.
This course is essential for Muslim youth in order to learn and acquire a foundation for their spiritual growth. Attaining a pure heart is the single most important asset that one gains from this abode.
- Teacher: Imam Yama Niazi
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand how to transform everyday acts into worship.
- Learn the key terms of the science of Islamic spirituality.
- Explain what it means to have good character with people.
- Learn how to turn away from this world and focus on Allah Most High.
- Appreciate the depth of the Muslim spiritual tradition.
- Cultivate sincerity in their actions.
This is a Level Two course in the SeekersGuidance Youth Curriculum.
Understanding the Quran opens doors to a deeper knowledge of the Religion and a crucial increase in one’s ability to reflect and focus in the prayer. This course hopes to aid the student in understanding some of the oft-recited chapters of the Book of Allah.
This course is suitable and ideal for an intermediary student who has completed part one of this course. The course aims to open the student's horizons and expose them to not only understand the literary guidance of the Quran but the spirit of the Divine Guidance held within.
This course examines the chapters of the final portion (30th Juz) of the Quran. The final portion contains profound descriptions of the Hereafter and an explanation of the core beliefs of Islam.
- Teacher: Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
The course is loosely based on the Exegesis of Imam Sabuni, Safwa al-Tafasir (The Cream of Exegesis). Safwa al-Tafasir takes from various different Quranic commentaries and gives the reader a distilled and comprehensive summary. It focuses greatly on the linguistic meanings of Quranic words and terms as well as narrations from the Early Generation commenting on the verses.
Its concise yet profoundly eloquent style distinguishes Safwa al-Tafasir from other summarized commentaries; for this reason, it has an established place in many Islamic seminaries. In the Youth Curriculum, this course serves as a catalyst for the student to broaden their understanding and connection to the Book of Allah Most High and Safwa al-Tafasir is a great place to start.
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Gain a greater appreciation of Quranic Arabic.
- Learn the stories behind the revelation.
- Understand the context of the revelation.
- Appreciate how each chapter ties into the next.
- Understand how practical guidance is derived from the Quran.
This is a Level Two course in the Youth Curriculum.
It is a beautiful, short, but concise description of the meanings of the ninety-nine names of Allah based on Imam Sanusi’s text. Imam Sanusi was one of the greatest scholars in Islamic history. He is accepted as a rightly guided scholar and his works have been taught worldwide for centuries.
This course will help the student learn more about God and His Divine attributes. By learning about Allah and His names, you will come to love Him and yearn to worship Him. The Divine names allow us to become aware of the greatness of Allah and His matchless beauty.
The course will assist the student in connecting to God in a manner that allows them to reflect upon their character and see if it aligns with the Divine mandate. Learning about the ninety-nine names will allow a person to realize the meanings of perfection and how they can work towards the human qualities of perfection embodied in Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
This class is a good supplement to the Level One theology courses. This course will further clarify the belief of the Muslims concerning God and His Divine attributes. It provides a further explanation to a beginner regarding the reality of Allah. It will expand a person’s understanding of the essence of God as well as His attributes.
- Teacher: Imam Yama Niazi
This text of Imam Sanusi will give the students an introduction and clear explanation of the Divine names of Allah, Most High. It is a succinct and brief work and is perfect for a simple yet sufficient text in guiding the student to understanding the Divine attributes of Allah. It is written by a master of this science and a brilliant scholar of Islamic theology. It helps the student to gain a deep understanding of the Divine Names and their implications.
This text is important for beginners and young Muslims because the ultimate achievement of existence is to truly know Allah. This text will help guide new and young Muslims who know the basics of Islamic beliefs but now want to expand their understanding of God and yearn to attain His love. This is a traditional text and very authoritative and most suitable for a beginner.
- This course is for youth ages 12 and up.
- It is also suitable for new Muslims and beginners to Islam.
- Understand the meanings of every name of the ninety-nine names of Allah
- Strengthen one’s faith through learning more about God
- Develop certainty in the reality and greatness of Allah
- Improve one’s supplication by using the appropriate Divine name
- Improve your character by learning the effects of the names in your own life
- Gain a deep understanding of what true belief in Allah entails
This course discusses common aspects of our daily life in the light of the Sacred law. Guidelines are given shedding light on what is permissible, what is prohibited, as well as the Prophetic guidance that brings meaning to our lives facilitating for
us to draw nearer to Allah Most High and attain success in this world and the next.
As Muslims, our purpose in life is to seek the pleasure of Allah Most High. This purpose is oft-understood as being restricted to acts of worship and abstaining from the prohibited. However, the pleasure of Allah Most High can be sought and obtained in every aspect of our lives. That is if we know the limits of Allah Most High in it. Therefore, with clarity of the limits of Allah Most High in each matter, we have a road map to attaining Allah’s pleasure.
- Teacher: Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
- A basic understanding of the rulings of each topic discussed
- Practical guidance on how to prevent or deal with testing situations
- Prophetic instruction on how to draw near to Allah Most High in our daily activities.
- Attaining the pleasure of Allah in everything we do.
This is a Level Two course in the Youth Curriculum.
The author Imam Abdallah Ibn-Alawi Al-Haddad (d. 1720), lived at Tarim in the Hadramaut valley between Yemen and Oman and is widely held to have been the ‘renewer’ of the twelfth Islamic century. A direct descendant of the Prophet, his sanctity and direct experience of God are clearly reflected in his writings.
This text is an excellent precise summary of key Islamic spiritual insights. The goals of this course would be to (1) Understand how to transform everyday acts into worship (2) Learn the key terms of the science of Islamic spirituality (3) Attain the knowledge of good character traits (4) Cultivate sincerity in good deeds.
This course completes part one of this course. It helps resolve many questions youth have about attaining piety and being more connected to their faith. It is a course designed to inspire youth to connect to Allah and His messenger and adopt a strong spiritual practice that ultimately cultivates their faith. terms of the science of Islamic spirituality (3) Attain the knowledge of good character traits (4) Cultivate sincerity in good deeds.
- Teacher: Imam Yama Niazi
The Book of Assistance covers a wide area of spiritual practices that are essential in the lives of Muslims every day.
The main topics in this course that will be addressed are things related to cleanliness and prayer, following the sunna, the five pillars, charity, counsel, social duties, and more
The text is significant because it is very brief and concise yet rich and thorough, leaving the reader a wealth of knowledge to benefit from. This text is recommended for spiritual growth. It is ideal for our youth curriculum as it completes a full reading of the entire book.
- This course is for anyone from ages 12-18 ideally
- It is particularly beneficial for youth and beginners
- It is a Level Two course. In order to successfully complete this course, students should take Haddad’s Book of Assistance part one
- This course can also be taken by anyone who is interested in learning the basics of spirituality and prophetic practice in one’s daily life.
- Understand how to transform everyday acts into worship
- Learn the key terms of the science of Islamic spirituality
- Explain what it means to embody a good character
- Learn to draw spiritually away from the worldly life and its pursuits and focus on Allah and the Hereafter
- Appreciate the contribution of wonderful and profound spiritual teachings of Islam
- Cultivate sincerity in performing good deeds
- Apply practical steps in your daily life