The Essentials

In Level One: The Essentials, the Islamic Studies Curriculum focuses on religious knowledge that every Muslim must learn, that which is "personally obligatory," or fard ayn.

This course is designed to introduce students to the principles and practices of Shafi‘i fiqh, using the widely recognized text Safinat al-Naja by Shaykh Samir Salim ibn al-Hadrami. The course suits beginners interested in learning about Islamic law and the Shafi‘i school of thought.

Over several weeks, students will explore the fundamental principles of Shafi‘i fiqh, focusing primarily on the five pillars of Islam: the testimony of faith (shahada), prayer, zakat, fasting, and hajj. Through close readings of Safinat al-Naja, students will gain an understanding of the key concepts, terminology, and legal rulings related to each of these pillars 

The course will be delivered through pre-recorded lectures, online discussion forums, and interactive quizzes and assignments. Students can also engage in live online discussions with the course instructor and other students.

By the end of the course, students will have gained a solid understanding of the basic principles of Shafi‘i fiqh. This course will be an excellent foundation for further study in Islamic law and related fields.

While no prior knowledge of Islamic law is required to enroll in this course, students should have a basic understanding of Islam and its core beliefs and practices. Additionally, students should be comfortable with reading and engaging with scholarly texts, as the course will involve close readings of Safinat al-Naja and other primary sources.

Display on Both categories: No
Category Featured: Yes
Show in catalog: Yes
Weightage: 0
Skill Level: Beginner
Monday: Yes
Tuesday: No
Wednesday: No
Thursday: No
Friday: No
Saturday: No
Sunday: No
Class Time: 9:00 AM ET
About the text:

The title Safinat al-Naja translates to "The Ship of Salvation," authored by the Hadrami scholar Shaykh Salim ibn Abdullah. The book is divided into several sections covering various topics related to Islamic law, including purification, prayer, fasting, zakat, and a basic overview of hajj. The text is written in Arabic and has been translated into several languages. 

This concise treatise aims to act as a tool for laymen and beginners to gain clarity in their worship.


About the Author:

The author’s name is Salim ibn Abdillah ibn Sa’d ibn Abdillah ibn Sumayr Al Hadrami Al Shafi‘i (1270AH).  He was born in Yemen and died in Indonesia.

He was an erudite Jurist, teacher, judge, politician, and an expert in military matters. He was born in the village of Dhi Asbah, one of the villages of the Hadramout Valley. He was raised and taught by his father, the scholar, and teacher Shaykh ‘Abdullah ibn Sa‘d ibn Sumayr.

He read the Noble Quran, mastered the arts of its recitation, and then occupied himself with teaching its reading. He was therefore called “Mu‘allim,” a technical honorific used in Hadramout to honor the master teachers of the Quran. This honorific title was likely derived from the Prophetic narration, “The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.” [Bukhari]

He learned and mastered the various disciplines and sciences in Islam and taught them to others. He was renowned for his piety and always being in the state of remembrance of God and the recitation of the Noble Quran. He is reported to have completed the recitation of the Quran during Tawaf. He passed away to the Mercy of His Lord in Indonesia.

Who is this course for:

This course is primarily designed for beginners who are interested in learning about Shafi‘i fiqh and the principles of Islamic law. It is suitable for anyone who is interested in deepening their knowledge and understanding of the five pillars of Islam and other important topics related to Islamic law and tradition.

The course is especially beneficial for individuals who are new to the study of Islamic law and are looking for an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the subject. It is also appropriate for individuals who are interested in pursuing further studies in Islamic law and related fields, such as Islamic studies, Arabic language, or Middle Eastern studies.


Learning outcomes:

  • Understand the fundamental principles of Shafi‘i fiqh, including the five pillars of Islam and other important topics.
  • Develop critical reading and analytical skills necessary for interpreting Islamic legal texts, including Safinat al-Naja and other primary sources.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural context of Islamic law and its evolution over time.
  • Learn how to apply the principles of Shafi‘i fiqh to real-world situations and scenarios and understand the relevance of Islamic law in contemporary contexts.
  • Develop the ability to engage in thoughtful and respectful discussions on topics related to Islamic law, tradition, and culture.
  • Acquire a strong foundation for further study and exploration of Islamic law and related fields, including Islamic studies and the Arabic language.

This course is designed to introduce students to the principles and practices of Shafi‘i fiqh, using the widely recognized text Safinat al-Naja by Shaykh Samir Salim ibn al-Hadrami. The course suits beginners interested in learning about Islamic law and the Shafi‘i school of thought.


Over several weeks, students will explore the fundamental principles of Shafi‘i fiqh, focusing primarily on the five pillars of Islam: the testimony of faith (shahada), prayer, zakat, fasting, and hajj. Through close readings of Safinat al-Naja, students will gain an understanding of the key concepts, terminology, and legal rulings related to each of these pillars, as well as other vital topics such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance.

The course will be delivered through pre-recorded lectures, online discussion forums, and interactive quizzes and assignments. Students can also engage in live online discussions with the course instructor and other students.

By the end of the course, students will have gained a solid understanding of the basic principles of Shafi‘i fiqh. This course will be an excellent foundation for further study in Islamic law and related fields.

While no prior knowledge of Islamic law is required to enroll in this course, students should have a basic understanding of Islam and its core beliefs and practices. Additionally, students should be comfortable with reading and engaging with scholarly texts, as the course will involve close readings of Safinat al-Naja and other primary sources.

Display on Both categories: No
Category Featured: Yes
Show in catalog: Yes
Weightage: 0
Skill Level: Beginner
Monday: No
Tuesday: No
Wednesday: No
Thursday: No
Friday: No
Saturday: No
Sunday: No
About the text:

The title Safinat al-Naja translates to "The Ship of Salvation," authored by the Hadrami scholar Shaykh Salim ibn Abdullah. The book is divided into several sections covering various topics related to Islamic law, including purification, prayer, fasting, zakat, and a basic overview of hajj. The text is written in Arabic and has been translated into several languages.

This concise treatise aims to act as a tool for laymen and beginners to gain clarity in their worship.

About the Author:

The author’s name is Salim ibn Abdillah ibn Sa’d ibn Abdillah ibn Sumayr Al Hadrami Al Shafi‘i (1270AH). He was born in Yemen and died in Indonesia.


He was an erudite Jurist, teacher, judge, politician, and an expert in military matters. He was born in the village of Dhi Asbah, one of the villages of the Hadramout Valley. He was raised and taught by his father, the scholar, and teacher Shaykh ‘Abdullah ibn Sa‘d ibn Sumayr.

He read the Noble Quran, mastered the arts of its recitation, and then occupied himself with teaching its reading. He was therefore called “Mu‘allim,” a technical honorific used in Hadramout to honour the master teachers of the Quran. This honorific title was likely derived from the Prophetic narration “the best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.” [Bukhari]

He learned and mastered the various disciplines and sciences in Islam, and taught them to others. He was renowned for his piety and always being in the state of the remembrance of God and the recitation of the Noble Quran. He is reported to have completed the recitation of the Quran during Tawaf. He passed away to the Mercy of His Lord in Indonesia.

Who is this course for:

  • This course is primarily designed for beginners who are interested in learning about Shafi‘i fiqh and the principles of Islamic law. It is suitable for anyone who is interested in deepening their knowledge and understanding of the five pillars of Islam and other important topics related to Islamic law and tradition.
  • The course is especially beneficial for individuals who are new to the study of Islamic law and are looking for an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the subject. It is also appropriate for individuals who are interested in pursuing further studies in Islamic law and related fields, such as Islamic studies, Arabic language, or Middle Eastern studies.
Learning outcomes:

  • Understand the fundamental principles of Shafi‘i fiqh, including the five pillars of Islam and other important topics.
  • Develop critical reading and analytical skills necessary for interpreting Islamic legal texts, including Safinat al-Naja and other primary sources.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural context of Islamic law and its evolution over time.
  • Learn how to apply the principles of Shafi‘i fiqh to real-world situations and scenarios and understand the relevance of Islamic law in contemporary contexts.
  • Develop the ability to engage in thoughtful and respectful discussions on topics related to Islamic law, tradition, and culture.
  • Acquire a strong foundation for further study and exploration of Islamic law and related fields, including Islamic studies and the Arabic language.

“Whoever travels a path to seek knowledge, Allah thereby facilitates for him a path to Paradise.” (Muslim) This course is the first step in your pursuit of religious knowledge by Ahmad bin Zayn al Habashi, one of the great Shafi'i scholars of Yemen. It explains what your religion is, what you must know about it, and how you should learn it. This course is taught according to the Shafi‘i school.

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Short Intro: This course is the first step in your pursuit of religious knowledge. It explains what your religion is, what you must know about it, and how you should learn it. This course is taught according to the Shafi‘i school.
Category Featured: No
Show in catalog: No
Total Lesson: 12
Number of hours: 10
Weightage: 0
Skill Level: Beginner
Monday: No
Tuesday: No
Wednesday: No
Thursday: No
Friday: No
Saturday: No
Sunday: No
About the text:

The Encompassing Epistle (al-Risala al-Jami'a) is one of the most celebrated introductory textbooks in the Shafi'i school.


About the Author:

Ahmad ibn Zayn ibn ‘Alawi ibn Ahmad al-Habashi was from Hadramaut region of South Arabia at the beginning of the year 1069H (1659ce). He was a great Shafi'i scholar and a student of Imam Abdullah bin ‘Alawi al-Haddad who taught him more than seventy books including Islamic books on spirituality.


Who is this course for:
  • This is the first course of law in Level One course in worship for anyone seeking to know the most basic details of the five pillars of Islam according to the Shafi'i school.
  • 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.
Learning outcomes:
  • Understand how to seek religious knowledge
  • Learn the basics of Islamic belief
  • Learn the basic rules of wudu, ghusl, prayer, fasting, and zakat
  • Learn how to worship Allah Most High with sincerity

Do you want to worship Allah confidently? Take this course to get comprehensive and knowledge-based answers to all the questions that you are likely to face in your worship of Allah Most High.


This is a Level One course in Shafi`i school of jurisprudence in the Islamic Studies Curriculum. This course is beneficial for anyone seeking to rectify their ritual acts of devotion to Allah.

This course empowers you to fulfill your ritual acts of worship confidently and provides a basic, yet comprehensive breakdown of worship. It focuses on the detailed rules of purification, prayer, funeral rites, zakat, fasting, spiritual retreat (i`tikaf), pilgrimage (Hajj), trade, and marriage. An outcome of the course is to memorize the text. Its bite size allows for easy memorization.

This indispensable primer text also serves as the ideal platform for further studies. The Short Abridgement was authored by the great Yemeni Shaykh Abdullah Ba Fadl (d. 918 A.H. / 1512 C.E.), whose works have been taught for centuries in traditional institutions all over the world.

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Short Intro: This course empowers you to fulfill your ritual acts of worship confidently. It focuses on the detailed rules of purification, prayer, funeral rites, zakat, fasting, spiritual retreat, pilgrimage (Hajj), trade, and marriage according to the Shafi‘i school.
Category Featured: No
Show in catalog: No
Total Lesson: 24
Number of hours: 13
Weightage: 0
Skill Level: Beginner
Monday: No
Tuesday: No
Wednesday: No
Thursday: No
Friday: No
Saturday: No
Sunday: No
About the text:

The Mukhtasar al-Saghir (Short Abridgment) is an indispensable text taught the world over. It is regarded as foundational for every Shafi`i student. The short abridgment regarding that which is absolutely essential to know for every Muslim in the ritual acts of devotion.


The text covers the rules of purification, prayer, fasting, zakat, and hajj, according to the Shafi`i school, along with a brief introduction to the rules of trade, marriage, and divorce.

The main investigation (area of study) is to expose students to a basic yet comprehensive fiqh text that covers all the ritual acts of worship and the very basics of Islamic Contract Law.


About the Author:

The book was authored by the great Yemeni Shaykh Abdullah Ba Fadl (d. 918 A.H. / 1512 C.E.). An erudite scholar, Ba Fadl is significant to the course being taught because Tafaqquh (understanding) is developed through reading and understanding the works of the likes of Ba Fadl that possess understanding.


Ba Fadl is mainly known for his works on fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). Ba Fadl authored many works of which 12 are listed in the introduction of the Bayan. The most well-known is the Muqaddima al-Hadramiyya. He has also authored: Mansak al-Hajj (Rites of Pilgrimage), Risala al-Falak ( A treatise in astronomy), and Majmu al-Fatawa (Collection of Fatawa) amongst others.

Other than being an erudite scholar, he was always benefitting students and striving to fulfill the needs of the Muslims. As a result, he was much loved and sanctified by the leaders and populace alike. Ba Fadl truly epitomized Islamic scholarship by worshipping Allah and serving His creation.

Who is this course for:
  • This is the second course in Level One.
  • Before taking this course, take The Absolute Essentials of Islam (Shafi‘i).
  • Take this course before taking any course in Level Two.
Learning outcomes:
  • Understand slave-hood to Allah Most High and why it is important.
  • Learn the rules of purification and prayer that you are likely to encounter in your daily life.
  • Memorize the most important rules of wudu and ghusl, prayer, zakat, fasting, hajj, and contracts.
  • Appreciate the rigor of the science of Sacred Law (fiqh).

Having godfearingness (taqwa) is a prerequisite for being able to benefit from the great guidance of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).


Take this course to learn how to have godfearingness in most of the everyday situations that you are likely to encounter in your life, such as eating halal food, proper dress, interacting with the opposite gender, guarding your gaze, investing and saving your money, and guarding your tongue.

Display on Both categories: No
Short Intro: This course provides guidance on how to have God-consciousness in daily life. It covers the Shafi‘i rules of eating halal food, proper dress, interacting with the opposite gender, guarding your gaze, investing and saving your money, and guarding your tongue.
Category Featured: No
Show in catalog: No
Weightage: 0
Skill Level: Beginner
Monday: No
Tuesday: No
Wednesday: No
Thursday: No
Friday: Yes
Saturday: No
Sunday: No
Who is this course for:
  • Students who finished The Absolute Essentials of Islam (Hanafi) or The Absolute Essentials of Islam (Shafi‘i)
Learning outcomes:
  • Appreciate the importance of the quality of godfearingness
  • Know how to have godfearingness in dozens of everyday situations
  • Improve your religious practice by keeping good company and making frequent repentance