"I feel that having review questions was very helpful as it allowed you to see which areas you may need to study or require further clarification on. The questions forum is very important so that students can ask and raise important issues with the teacher. I also like the way Sheikh Faraz uses examples of different types of situations to explain the point."
(Fall 2009 Student)

"Tajwid I (QRN101) was a wonderful class. I loved every minute of it. I came into the class not feeling very confident about my recitation and Alhumdulillah I feel like I improved immensely. Mufti Mohamed-Umer Esmail is a passionate and gifted teacher and sincerely loves to teach people Tajwid. He's always patient and encouraging. His lessons are extremely clear and well presented and he makes a point to highlight those areas where people commonly mispronounce letters or words. I feel incredibly fortunate to have benefited from this class and to have had the honor to learn under Mufti Esmail. I look forward to taking Tajwid II next semester." (Junaid Mansuri, Chicago)

"I feel the fact the lessons are available to be listened at our own time is of great help for those of us with very unpredictable schedules. It gives one the freedom to choose our own times as well as the added bonus of keeping the lessons and re-visit them over and over again!"
(Fall 2009 Student)

"Tajwid I (QRN101) was a wonderful class. I loved every minute of it. I came into the class not feeling very confident about my recitation and Alhumdulillah I feel like I improved immensely. Mufti Mohamed-Umer Esmail is a passionate and gifted teacher and sincerely loves to teach people Tajwid. He's always patient and encouraging. His lessons are extremely clear and well presented and he makes a point to highlight those areas where people commonly mispronounce letters or words. I feel incredibly fortunate to have benefited from this class and to have had the honor to learn under Mufti Esmail. I look forward to taking Tajwid II next semester." (Junaid Mansuri, Chicago)

"I feel the fact the lessons are available to be listened at our own time is of great help for those of us with very unpredictable schedules. It gives one the freedom to choose our own times as well as the added bonus of keeping the lessons and re-visit them over and over again!"
(Fall 2009 Student)

• Successful completion of Part 1 and 2
• Must have a headset. No "stand alone" mikes.
• Wired internet connection highly recommended. Wireless discouraged unless necessary.
• 2-3 hours commitment a week

We have so far covered Mukhtasar al-Akhdari, and I must admit that my knowledge of the basics of purity and worship have increased ten-fold. Ustadh abd al Shakur's style is superb and commendable, as it combines strict adherence to the Maliki madhhab, small lessons on grammar, and cross-referencing from other core texts, as well as an acute ability to relate the fiqh (and therefore its application) to our modern day lives. These classes are for the average Muslim who simply wants to fulfill his obligation to know the basics, or for the full fledged seeker of knowledge;

Alexander Kaps; Student; Montreal, Quebec.

Taking this course was an excellent opportunity to learn traditional knowledge by contemporary means. The setting made it perfectly possible for sisters to study with a more in-depth approach. The clear and enjoyable way the text was explained worked very motivating and was easy to understand for everyone with sincere intention, with or without knowledge of the Arabic language. In short a very beneficial course in an inspiring atmosphere by a trustworthy teacher Al-hamdullilah

Khadijah, Belgium

"Alhamdulillah, the course was excellent in every regard. Shaykh Yahya is a wonderful teacher and always made an effort to explain how the words of Imam Ghazali (rah) could be practically applied in our lives. Through their combined efforts, the realities of Tawhid and Tawakkul are thankfully far less abstract than before." (Ozair Ismail, United Kingdom)

"The recorded lectures were great. The material covered was great. Time during live sessions was used well."
(Fall 2009 Student)

The work is a fascinating work, and Shaykh Faraz certainly knows his stuff and communicates it well.
(David Kearns, Fall 2010)

As-salaamu Alaykum wa rahmatullah,

I, too, found this first lesson very profound. I have read other books and articles and listened to other lectures on Islamic marriage, however the commentary provided on the hadith and verses mentioned offered new depth and insight. Ma sha Allah. I agree very much with Khidr's response--I feel I have a deeper understanding of what it means for marriage to be half of one's deen. May Allah reward Sh. Faraz and the SG staff for their efforts.

Wa Salaam, Sakina Grome

Assalamalaikum wa rahmatullah,

I'd also like to thank Shaykh Faraz and Ustadha Umm Umar for making this wonderful course possible. I took so many valuable lessons away from it, and Inshallah I will work hard to implement what I learned, in choosing a spouse as well as after marriage Inshallah.

The main point that really stuck with me is that we need to find a spouse who brings us closer to Allah. I've always heard that we should choose a spouse based on his religion, but I realized that I didn't really know what that means. Like Shaykh Faraz mentioned in the earlier lectures, we can't just look at things on the surface and decide if someone is religious or not. His words "someone who will bring you closer to Allah" really hit home, and changed my perspective. Also, it made me take a hard look at myself and recognize my shortcomings...because if I expect for my husband to bring me closer to Allah, I should likewise bring him closer to Allah.

I think another really important point Shaykh Faraz made that stuck with me was when he said "no one will test your patience like your spouse." Which initially made me laugh, but when I thought about I realized how true it is. We grow up in the Cinderella/Bollywood generation and expect marriage to be a fairy tale, so many of us are unprepared for the challenges that are inevitably faced in a marriage. Acting and reacting in a manner most pleasing to Allah is such great advice--of course it will take hard work, which starts from now Inshallah. - Faiza Patrawala

"I would recommend the courses to others. Chances to learn Hanafi fiqh in English are rare in the US and the presentation and structure of the class was fantastic."
(Fall 2009 Student)

"The course content is phenomenal and i can't wait for the book to come out!"
(Kori Majeed - Hyattsville, MD)

"I just want to deeply thank you for making this essential service so accessible, available and affordable! I think if more of us as parents took to heart the treasures you share in this class we could reach a tipping point in the Ummah."  (Fall 2010 Student)

"I love the method of instruction and the live sessions Q&A opportunity and especially the forums. I was also able to use all of the material given as references including all the reading and viewing material (articles, video and audio, etc.) even after the course ended. Also the ability to download, and low cost."
(Fall 2009 Student)

"I love the amount of info that was delivered over the length of the course and the diversity of the topics presented. Alhamdullilah, the recordings were clear and I was able to download the lessons and listen to them at my leisure which allows a refresh of the material in the coming months. I was unable to make the live sessions due to illness, alhamdullilah, but I felt that I received so much valuable information in the recorded lessons that I didn't miss out at all."
(Fall 2009 Student)

Shaykh Misra is awesome, relevant, humble and practical. Quite excited about his rise as a scholar masha Allah. (Hammad Din, Winter 2011)

"Enjoyed the course, was very relevant, now have the knowledge of knowing what is the sunnah way of doing things." (Fall 2010 Student)

"The course materials and structure along with Shaykh's explanation were excellent.
(Fall 2009 Student)

“Though the translation of Imam al-Muhasibi’s Treatise for the Seekers of Guidance is clear and easy to comprehend, this course is enriched even further through Imam Afroz’s use of additional material from other scholars, and the use of examples in the context of today’s world e.g. how to deal with conflict. Live sessions are used well to discuss course material, as well as to provide students with additional information related to this Treatise, mainly through Hadith. Lecture notes are great for those who may not have purchased Imam Zaid’s translation.”


“I was first introduced to Imam Afroz Ali by taking this class and highly recommend studying with him. He is able to clearly explain subtle tendencies of human nature, especially issues that seekers of Allah are hoping to understand and fix in themselves. It always amazed me when he would provide on-the-spot yet brilliant answers to students’ questions in the live sessions. But some of the greatest lessons to learn from him are in his character (which is why you must be sure to go to the live sessions!): He embodies the noble character of our Prophet, salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, with his very friendly and informal nature all while maintaining the proper etiquette befitting of a true scholar. The recorded lessons are relatively short and easy to listen to (meaning they are not dense or intellectually complicated), however it behooves one to reflect on their meanings and be honest about where one falls short in one’s own behavior and attitudes.” 

"Shaykh Yahya Rhodus distills and clarifies Imam al-Ghazali's often-complex explanations so that anyone--regardless of their level of Islamic education--can understand and, insha'Allah, implement the lessons therein." (Andrew from Austin, Texas)

"I really enjoyed this class and feel that I have gained a mountain load of beneficial knowledge alhamdulillah. This is truly the best class that I have ever taken. May Allah bless Imam Ghazali for writing this book and Sh. Yahya for teaching this class." (Anonymous Student, Winter 2010 session)