Seminary Overview

TABLE OF CONTENTS

04 Introduction

06 Mission & Methodology

07 Al-Maqasid Seminary

08 Year 1 — Classical Arabic Program

11 Year 2 — Foundational Islamic Sciences

13 Teachers

16 Al-Maqasid Campus

19 Registration

20 Testimonials

21 Supporting Al-Maqasid INTRODUCTION

e at Al-Maqasid believe the highest priority of Wour community is to build sound educational institutions that effectively root the realities of Islam in our lives. Only then will we be able to make unique and beneficial contributions while successfully navigating the turbulent waters of the times. This principled engagement we are striving for cannot take place without immersing ourselves in the Prophetic Inheritance. The Prophetic Inheritance encompasses all aspects of Islam but the Prophet Muhammad particularly mentioned knowledge in relation to it: “Indeed the scholars are inheritors of the Prophets. The Prophets bequeathed neither dirham nor dinar, rather they bequeathed knowledge; thus, whoever receives [this knowledge] has indeed received a great portion.” In a famous story of Abu Hurayra, he passed by the marketplace of Medina and called out, “Why are you all here when the inheritance of the Messenger of Allah is being distributed? Shall you all not go and receive your portion of it?” They asked, “Where is this taking place?” He responded, “In the mosque.” They hastened to the mosque, yet upon arrival, they only found people praying, reciting the Quran, and learning the halal and haram. The unexpected sight made them question what they had been told. Abu Hurayra then emphasized, “That is theinheritance of Muhammad .” The Prophetic Inheritance is the key that unlocks the doors of all good. Indeed, it is the secret to true success in this world and the next. In order to root ourselves in it, we must embark upon a path of learning and connect to the blessed scholarly chains of transmission. The importance of this sacred pursuit relates to the purpose of life itself: to know our Lord.

4 RENDERING OF AL-MAQASID’S FUTURE CAMPUS PLAN

5 MISSION & METHODOLOGY

t Al-Maqasid, our mission is to cultivate holistic Alearning environments rooted in knowledge, devotion, and service by providing full-time, part- time, online, and community programs. We aim to weave together a diverse set of programs that allow for various levels of formal learning as well as regular opportunities to sustain and increase one’s religious knowledge and practice. The realization ofIslam, Iman, and Ihsan is a lifelong process and thus we emphasize relationships. We hope to be a lifelong partner in this journey by weaving together a diverse set of programs that allow for various levels of formal learning as well as regular opportunities to sustain and increase one’s religious knowledge and practice.

Al-Maqasid seeks to cultivate well-rounded believers who are rooted in the teachings of Islam and are equipped to serve creation based on the highest principles.

6 AL-MAQASID SEMINARY

Currently, the full-time program at our Seminary consists of two years of study. Year 1 focuses on achieving a level of fluency in the Arabic language such that a student is prepared to study texts in Arabic. In Year 2, students will continue their study of Arabic to attain greater fluency in the language, and also study the foundational Islamic sciences based on a curriculum taught at Dar al-Mustafa, the acclaimed school of Habib ‘Umar Bin Hafiz in Tarim. We look forward to learning together with serious students who are willing to dedicate themselves to full-time study, take the spiritual path seriously, and serve humanity in the future.

7 YEAR 1

Year 1 - Classical Arabic Program

}إِ َّنــا أَ ْن َز ْلنَ ُاه ُق ْر ًآنا َع َربِ ًّيا لَ َع َّل ُك ْم تَ ْع ِق ُل َون{ يوســف: ٢ “We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran, so that you might understand.” [Quran 12:2]

قــال عمــر بــن اخلطاب : »تَ َع َّل ُموا ْال َع َربِ َّي َــة َفإِ َّن َها ُتثَ ِّب ُت ْال َع ْق َل َوتَ ِز ُيد ِيف ُْال ُر َوء ِ« ةرواه البيهقي يف شــعب اإلميان “Learn Arabic for indeed it strengthens your intellect and increases you in virtue.” – Sayyiduna ‘Umar b. al-Khattab

قــال ُأبَ ِّــي ْب ِــن َك ْعب : »تَ َع َّل ُمــوا ْال َع َربِ َّي َة َك َمــا تَ َع َّل ُم َون ِح ْف َظ ْال ُق ْر ِآن« رواه ابن أبي شــيبة “Dedicate yourself to learning Arabic just as you dedicate yourself to the memorization of the Quran.” – Sayyiduna Ubayy b. Ka‘b

Arabic is a sacred language, the study of which is fundamental to in-depth knowledge of Islam. It is a key that unlocks the meanings of the Quran, the Prophetic teachings, and the Islamic scholarly tradition. The goal of our program is for students to attain proficiency in understanding, reading, writing, and speaking the Arabic language such that they are prepared for an elementary study of sacred knowledge.

8 YEAR 1

n Year 1, students will study Arabic from the ‘Imam ISeries’, which is a unique and comprehensive curriculum that immerses the student in the Arabic language from the onset. In addition, students will memorize a portion of the Quran and study the basics of the foundational Islamic sciences that are part of our Firm Foundations curriculum.

ARABIC CURRICULUM • The ‘Imam Series’ is a four-level Arabic curriculum that has been meticulously designed for teaching non- native Arabic speakers. Each level consists of four main textbooks: Reading, Writing, Expression, and Quranic Tafsir. In Level 2, Hadith, Grammar, and Morphology are introduced, and in Levels 3 and 4 the students progress to studying Literature, History, and Rhetoric. • By the end of Year 1, students will have completed Levels 1, 2, and roughly half of 3. They should possess a sizable vocabulary, read with intermediate level proficiency, and be able to express basic ideas and concepts in Arabic. The second half of Level 3 and Level 4 are completed in Year 2.

9 YEAR 1

FIRM FOUNDATIONS CURRICULUM • Fiqh (Jurisprudence) • ‘Aqida (Creed) • Tasawwuf (Spirituality) • Sira (Prophetic Biography) • Fiqh al-Da‘wa (Principles of Calling to Allah)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES • Attain the equivalent of the intermediate (mid/high) level of proficiency in understanding, reading, writing, and speaking the Arabic language according to the standards of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) such that a student is prepared to begin studying sacred knowledge in Arabic • Learn basic Islamic knowledge, including the Fard ‘Ay n (individual obligations) • Enrich one’s religious understanding and perspective • Develop a good religious routine such as prayer in congregation and regular devotions

DAILY SCHEDULE Sunday 6:30 - 8:30 pm Firm Foundations

Monday - Friday 8:30 - 9:30 am Lesson 1 9:45 - 10:45 am Lesson 2 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Lesson 3 12:00 - 1:15 pm Dhuhr & Lunch 1:15 - 2:15 pm Lesson 4 2:30 - 3:30 pm Lesson 5

10 YEAR 2

Year 2 - Foundational Islamic Sciences

n Year 2, students will spend the first two months Ifinishing Level 3 of the ‘Imam Series’. Subsequently, their study will be split between Level 4 of the Arabic curriculum and foundational Islamic sciences (taught primarily in Arabic).

ADVANCED ARABIC • The ‘Imam Series’ - The second half of Level 3 and Level 4 • Durus al-Asas fi al-Nahwby Habib ‘Umar Bin Hafiz • Al-Durus al-Asasiyya fi al-Qawa’id al-Imla’iyyaby Shaykh ‘Abd-Allah Ba Khuraysa

FOUNDATIONAL ISLAMIC SCIENCES • Quran • Memorizing the 30th Juz’ of Quran • Taysir Ahkam al-Tajwid by Shaykh Yahya al-Ghawthani

• Hadith • Mukhtar al-Hadith by Habib ‘Umar Bin Hafiz

• Fiqh • al-Dhakhira al-Musharrafa by Habib ‘Umar Bin Hafiz • al-Risala al-Jami‘a by Habib Ahmad bin Zayn al-Habshi • Safina al-Naja’ by Shaykh Salim bin Sumayr al- Hadrami

• ‘Aqida • ‘Aqida al-Mujmala by Imam ‘Abd-Allah al-Haddad • ‘Aqida al-Islam by Imam ‘Abd-Allah al-Haddad • ‘Aqida al-Awamm by Shaykh Ahmad al-Marzuqi

11 YEAR 2

• Sira • Durus al-Sira by the Dar al-Mustafa Educational Committee • Durus al-Sira al-Nabawiyya by Habib Hadi bin Ahmad al-Haddar

LEARNING OBJECTIVES • Attain the equivalent of the advanced (low) level of proficiency in understanding, reading, writing, and speaking the Arabic language according to the standards of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) such that a student is able to begin a study of sacred knowledge in Arabic. • Acquire a substantial Arabic vocabulary, and learn basic grammar, morphology, and rhetoric. • Read, understand, and internalize foundational texts of the Islamic tradition. • Enrich one’s religious understanding and perspective. • Develop a good religious routine such as prayer in congregation and regular devotions.

12 TEACHERS

SH. YAHYA RHODUS

Shaykh Yahya Rhodus is the Founding Director of Al-Maqasid, an Islamic seminary whose vision is to facilitate the realization of Islam, Iman and Ihsan through immersion in the Prophetic Inheritance. The concept of Al-Maqasid emerged from his own journey which began at the traditional school of Murabit al-Hajj in the desert of Mauritania shortly after his conversion. His path of learning then led him to the acclaimed school Dar al-Mustafa in Tarim, where he received instruction from the renowned scholar and spiritual guide Habib Umar Bin Hafiz. After graduating from Dar al- Mustafa and returning to the United States, he studied in a number of academic institutions, culminating in a PhD in Theology and Religious Studies from the University of Cambridge, England. Shaykh Yahya believes in the necessity of building sound educational institutions that effectively nurture the realities of Islam in the lives of believers so that they can reach their full potential as human beings. He has dedicated his life to teaching and helping others put their knowledge into practice in order to benefit themselves and humanity. In the spirit of what he has learned from his teachers, Shaykh Yahya is committed to a holistic approach to religious life that considers the various dimensions of health and is embedded in love, mercy, knowledge, purity of heart, remembrance of God, good companionship, and concern for all of creation. He hopes his work through Al-Maqasid will help transfer the beautiful religious heritage of Islam to the upcoming generations.

SAYYID ABDAL FATTAH BA ALAWI

Sayyid Abdal Fattah Ba Alawi was born in Moga- dishu, Somalia. His ancestors hail from Tarim, in the Hadramawt Valley of Yemen. He began memorizing the Quran with his mother at the age of five, committing two-thirds to memory before completing his memorization with Shaykh Abd al-Qadir at the Madrasa

13 TEACHERS of Shaykh Ali Sufi. He subsequently relocated to the land of his ancestors in Tarim, where, for a number of years, he continued his studies at Dar al-Mustafa. As part of his specialization in Quranic Studies, Sayyid Abdal Fattah has numerous formal authorizations (Ijaza) in different modes of Quranic recitation. He has taught the Quran in many places during his stay in Yemen and the United States. He serves as the Resident Imam at Al-Maqasid.

USTADH AMJAD TARSIN

Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ustadh Amjad obtained his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Michigan in English Literature and Islamic Studies. He then spent an intensive year studying at Dar al-Mustafa for Islamic Sciences in Tarim, Yemen. There he studied under such luminaries as Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Habib Ali Abu Bakr, Habib Muhammad al-‘Aydarus, Sayyid Salim Bin Hafiz, Sh. Munir Ba-Zhayr, and others. Following his studies in Tarim, he enrolled at Hartford Seminary’s Islamic Chaplaincy program where he completed his Master of Arts in June of 2012. He then served as Muslim Chaplain at the University of Toronto for seven years before joining the faculty at Al-Maqasid in June 2019. He is the host of SoulFood FM, a podcast about practical ways of achieving spiritual refinement. Additionally, he has translatedSufism: Its Essence & the Traits of Its People, Sacred Knowledge: Aims & Objectives, and The Islamic Discourse: Its Current State & Future Development, all of which were authored by Habib ‘Umar Bin Hafiz.

USTADH HASAN PETRUS

Ustadh Hasan was born and raised north of the border in Montreal, Canada. His pursuit of sacred Islamic knowledge has taken him to two continents to sit at the feet of those who still carry unbroken

14 TEACHERS chains of sacred learning. During his stay in South Africa, Ustadh Hasan focused primarily on Quranic Studies. He subsequently moved to Tarim, Yemen, to study at Dar al-Mustafa. During his time there, he was able to study various Islamic sciences, benefiting directly from Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Habib Muhammad bin Abdullah al-Aydarus, Habib Hashim bin Aqil, Shaykh Umar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others. He returned from Tarim in 2015 to become a faculty member at Al- Maqasid, where he leads the Classical Arabic Program.

USTADH OMAR POPAL

Ustadh Omar Popal was born and raised in northern Virginia. He began studying the Islamic sciences at the age of 16, devoting himself to memo- rization of the Quran at Madrasah In‘aamiyyah in Durban, South Africa. His pursuit of knowledge led him to study at Madinatul Uloom in Virginia and Dar al-Qasim in Chicago. In a commitment to lifelong learning, he has continued his studies sitting at the feet of various scholars, most recently spending time in Istanbul for intensive studies. Ustadh Omar’s formative studies took place at Dar al-Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen. Ustadh Omar has taught Arabic and Islamic studies at several mosques and institutes in northern Virginia. In 2018, he founded Tanwir Institute, with the mission of serving the educational and spiritual needs of the large Muslim population in the DC metropolitan area. He teaches Arabic and Islamic studies at Al-Maqasid.

15 THE AL-MAQASID CAMPUS

he right environment is needed for growth. Just as Tcertain conditions must be present in the physical environment for growth, likewise there are conditions that must exist for religious and spiritual growth.

We are located in Macungie, Pennsylvania, about an hour and fifteen minutes north of Philadelphia and two hours west of New York City. In the scenic hills of the Lehigh Valley, our site provides a serene atmosphere for study, one that facilitates concentration and devotion, yet is still accessible to major airports and cities.

16 THE AL-MAQASID CAMPUS

In addition to our full-time classes, Al-Maqasid offers a range of other programs, some of which are livestreamed: • Congregational prayers and litanies • Rawha: A class on Islamic Spirituality • Jalsa al-Awwabin: A monthly reading of the books of Imam al-Haddad • Loving the Beloved: a weekly gathering of remembrance and sending blessings upon the Prophet • The Burda: A recitation of Imam al-Busiri’s renowned poem praising the Prophet • Heart to Heart: A weekly community discussion focused on developing beautiful character • Weekend Retreats: An intensive weekend dedicated to studying one of the books of Imam al-Ghazali’s Ihyā ‘Ulūm al-Dīn (Revival of the Religious Sciences) • Summer Family Retreat: An intensive week of learning, devotion, and activities for the entire family • Ramadan program: Tarawih Prayers, a Quran Khatm, and special classes during the most blessed month • Yearly Commemorations: Devotional gatherings on the specials days of the Islamic year (such as the Mawlid of the Prophet and the Isra’ and Mi‘raj)

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18 REGISTRATION

PROGRAM DATES • Classes begin: August 30, 2021 • Classes end: June 30, 2022 • Thanksgiving Break: November 24-28 • Winter Break: December 24-January 2 • Ramadan & Eid al-Fitr Break: April 19-May 8 • End of the Year Ceremony: July 2, 2022

PREREQUISITES

• Students must be able to read and write in Arabic at a basic level • For those who have no prior knowledge of Arabic, they must enroll in our Introductory Arabic Reading & Writing Course, which will be offered online from June 2-August 13

COURSE FEES

• Tuition is $6100/year (which includes textbooks)

LODGING • Limited lodging is available on the Al-Maqasid Campus • For those who require lodging off campus, assistance will be provided by the Seminary administration

REGISTRATION • To register, visit the following link: www.almaqasid.org/seminary

19 TESTIMONIALS

I’ve tried learning Arabic on and off for years and nothing ever really stuck until this program, alhumdulilah. The “ instructors, structure of the program, and course materials work great and are in unison. While reviewing programs I thought I needed an overseas program that was immersive, but I’ve learned so much more in the first six months than I imagined. I feel I get the best of both worlds: everyday Arabic language acquisition and stellar Islamic instruction. This is a star program and I’m so grateful.

SALMA J., 2020-2021

The Classical Arabic program provides students with an environment that allows them to not just learn Arabic, but “ also the methods to incorporate the traits associated with the language of Allah’s Word and His Prophet into their lives. AYSE BAYAT, 2019-2020

The Classical Arabic Program at Al-Maqasid is nourishing to both mind and soul. Alhamdulillah, the teachers have created “ a learning atmosphere that keeps us motivated and focused, yet comfortable. Their selfless devotion has allowed us to make great progress towards fluency in our first year.

OMAR WALEY, 2018-2019

20 SUPPORTING AL-MAQASID

oundation building requires immense sacrifice and Feffort. We encourage you to take part in this ongoing charity (sadaqa jariya) by making a one-time donation as well as by becoming a monthly donor. The Prophet Muhammad said, “Charity will be the believer’s shade on the Day of Judgment.” May Allah grant us all tawfiq.

Donation information Online: www.almaqasid.org/support PayPal: [email protected] Checks: please mail to: Al-Maqasid PO Box 99 Macungie, PA 18062

If you have any questions, please email us at: [email protected] We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (ID # 46-2025727)

21 خيــر ِاللغاتما اختاره اهلل للقرآن وخامت األنبياء ســيد األكوان صلى اهلل عليه وآله وصحبه وســلم. وبقية اللغــات كلهــا جمال من اجلمال الذي حلى اهلل به هذا اإلنسان – العالمــة احلبيب عمر بن حفيظ

“The best language is what Allah selected for the Quran and for the Seal of Prophets and leader of all creation (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his Family, and his Companions). The other languages are sources of beauty by which Allah has adorned the human being.” – Habib ‘Umar Bin Hafiz www.almaqasid.org