Course Curriculum
Islamic Studies Courses
Deepen your understanding of Islam
The Mutoon Talib al-Ilm series by Shaykh Abdul Muhsin al-Qasim is one of the most respected academic frameworks for Islamic studies. It is designed for progressive memorization and comprehension, moving from essential creed to technical sciences. This curriculum is structured into levels, each building a stronger foundation than the last, based on 4 hours per week.
Prerequisites & pacing
We recommend completing at least intermediate Quranic studies before Islamic studies. Curriculum pacing is based on 4 hours per week.
Progressive study through the Mutoon Talib al-Ilm series — from essential creed to legal theory and advanced scholarship.
Enroll in Islamic StudiesWhat you will learn by level
Full module breakdown — nothing omitted
Level 1
The Essentials (Al-Mustawa al-Awwal)
Focus: Establishing Core Beliefs & Prophetic Guidance
16 Weeks (64 Hours)
Outcome: Basic Religious Literacy
Module 1: The Foundations of Monotheism
The Four Universal Principles (Al-Qawa'id al-Arba')
Understanding the difference between Islamic monotheism and polytheism.
The Three Fundamental Principles (Al-Usool ath-Thalatha)
Mastering the three questions of the grave: Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your Prophet?
The Nullifiers of Islam (Nawaqid al-Islam)
A critical study of actions and beliefs that invalidate one's faith.
Module 2: The Prophetic Heart
The Forty Hadith of Imam al-Nawawi
A comprehensive study of the 42 core narrations that encompass the entirety of the Islamic religion.
Actionable Ethics
Extracting daily manners and spiritual lessons from the sayings of the Prophet ﷺ.
Continues into Level 2: Fiqh & Refined Creed (Al-Mustawa ath-Thani)
Level 2
Fiqh & Refined Creed (Al-Mustawa ath-Thani)
Focus: The Mechanics of Worship and Deeper Theology
20 Weeks (80 Hours)
Outcome: Practical Fiqh & Detailed Creed
Module 3: The Jurisprudence of Prayer
Conditions & Pillars of Prayer (Shuroot as-Salah)
A detailed manual on the requirements, essential pillars, and obligatory acts of the daily prayer.
The Etiquettes of Walking to Prayer
Understanding the spiritual and physical preparations for communal worship.
Module 4: The Great Book of Monotheism
Kitab at-Tawheed
A systematic study of the rights of Allah over His servants and the various forms of major and minor Shirk to avoid.
The "Youth's Gift" (Tuhfatul Atfal)
Introduction to the rules of Quranic recitation (Tajweed) to ensure worship is performed correctly.
Continues into Level 3: Intermediate Sciences (Al-Mustawa ath-Thalith)
Level 3
Intermediate Sciences (Al-Mustawa ath-Thalith)
Focus: Introduction to Technical Disciplines
24 Weeks (96 Hours)
Outcome: Entry into Technical Sciences
Module 5: Methodology & Terminology
Hadith Science (Al-Manhumah al-Bayquniyyah)
Learning the classification of Hadith (Authentic, Fair, Weak) in a poetic, easy-to-memorize format.
The Creed of Wasit (Al-Aqeedah al-Wasitiyyah)
Ibn Taymiyyah’s famous text on the orthodox beliefs regarding the Names and Attributes of Allah.
Module 6: Language & Literature
Arabic Grammar (Al-Ajrumiyyah)
Re-visiting the skeleton of Arabic grammar to facilitate independent reading of classical texts.
The Poem of Al-Ilbiri
A touching poetic advice on the virtue of seeking knowledge and disciplining the soul.
Continues into Level 4: Advanced Specialization (Al-Mustawa ar-Rabi')
Level 4
Advanced Specialization (Al-Mustawa ar-Rabi')
Focus: Legal Theory and Comprehensive Creed
28 Weeks (112 Hours)
Outcome: Academic Proficiency
Module 7: Legal Theory & Logic
The Paperwork (Al-Waraqat)
An introduction to Usool al-Fiqh — the principles used by scholars to derive rulings from the Quran and Sunnah.
The Science of Inheritance (Al-Rahabiyyah)
A specialized study into the Islamic laws of succession and estate division.
Module 8: Total Creedal Consolidation
The Tahawi Creed (Al-Aqeedah al-Tahawiyyah)
One of the most widely accepted summaries of the Islamic faith across the Muslim world.
Title of Wisdom (Unwan al-Hikam)
A deep dive into Islamic ethics, aphorisms, and the philosophy of character.
Implementation schedule
| Level | Weekly commitment | Duration | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 4 Hours | 4 Months | Basic Religious Literacy |
| Level 2 | 4 Hours | 5 Months | Practical Fiqh & Detailed Creed |
| Level 3 | 4 Hours | 6 Months | Entry into Technical Sciences |
| Level 4 | 4 Hours | 7 Months | Academic Proficiency |
How study works
This curriculum is designed to be studied through a mix of memorization of the text (Matn) and explanation by the teacher (Sharh). Students follow the same progressive path used by students in the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.