Enrolment options

Introduction to Beliefs: Sanusi’s Umm al-Barahin

The primer ‘Umm al-Barahin’, also known as the Sanusiyya, is a highly praised work that was penned by a scholar recognised for his mastery of this field and for his sainthood. The text has received much attention by scholars in the six hundred years since it was written, having been taught along with its many commentaries in institutions and private classes throughout the Muslim world.

The text is a primer in the science of Creed, and this course is an explanation of the original Arabic text. Its concepts serve as the foundation for understanding the more nuanced works of the field, especially those that are based on this book.

This text has scores of commentaries and super-commentaries, making it an ideal text for progression in the field of Theology. Students are required to be able to read and understand Arabic texts beforehand as the text introduces terminology and concepts in Arabic.


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: Yes
Class Time: 9:00 AM ET
About the text:

The Sanusiyya is an excellent first text in Theology. It explains how to conceptualise things rationally before applying that reasoning to the first two elements of the science: the Divinities (Ilahiyyat) and Prophetology (Nubuwwat). This is the foundation of all studies in the field.

The sheer number of commentaries and curricula that used this text speaks to the widespread approval the text received from scholars and students alike. The author’s own commentary is widely taught after this text and is considered an essential text in any student’s development in this field.

It is also very accessible, being devoid of terse language and insufficient detail. The principles and definitions the author used are clear and concise, aiding the students in understanding the complexities of the science. 
About the Author:

The author, known for his erudition and sainthood, was Imam Muhammad b. Yusuf al-Sanusi al-Hasani, a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) from his mothers side. Born 833 AH, died 895 AH. Coming from a scholarly and saintly family, he studied in Tlemcen, Algeria, and went on to author works in Theology, Hadith, Arabic, Inheritance, Quranic Recital, Astronomy, and Logic. 

His expertise was in Spirituality and Theology. His text, Umm al-Barahin, and the commentaries he wrote on it, and the summaries of others well renowned books he did speak volumes about his mastery. His peers and those who came after him had nothing but praise for him. Imam Ibn ‘Asakir said he was the reviver (Mujaddid) of the religion in the ninth hijri century.

The author saw studying Creed properly as a means to draw closer to Allah, based on the advice of his father. The author’s contribution to the science through this text, its commentaries, and his other works is known and recognised all over the world.
Who is this course for:

This course is for adults who have a strong grasp of Arabic and a keen interest in studying ‘Aqida at a higher level. Previous study of Theology is useful not but not necessary. This text covers all the foundational elements of the Divinities thoroughly, thereby giving students a deep grasp of all other texts of a similar level.
Learning outcomes:

  • Understand the main schools of Sunni Orthodoxy (Ahl al-Sunna wa’l-Jama’a).
  • Understand the basic definitions of what is rationally necessary, possible, and impossible.
  • Know the classification of the attributes of Allah and the proofs for them. 
  • Know what is necessary, possible, and inconceivable for the Prophets, and the proofs for these rulings.
  • Understand the key terminology of the field and its definitions.
Self enrolment AUTO (Student)
Enrolment is disabled or inactive