This three-year programme offers students a structured and in-depth study of the core Islamic sciences through a carefully selected range of classical and traditional texts. It is designed for students who wish to progress beyond the essential knowledge of Islam and develop a deeper and more systematic understanding of the Islamic scholarly tradition.
Over the three years, students will study Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Aqida, Hadith, Usul al-Hadith, Islamic ethics and spirituality. Alongside studying the content of the selected texts, students will be introduced to the principles, terminology and methods used by Muslim scholars to understand and interpret the Islamic sciences.
Fiqh
Students will develop their understanding of Hanafi Fiqh through the study of The Sublime Gift, covering important areas of worship and everyday religious practice. They will then progress to selected chapters on Muamalat from Mukhtasar al-Quduri, introducing students to classical Islamic commercial and transactional law and its underlying principles.
Usul al-Fiqh
Through a simplified study of Mabadi al-Usul students will be introduced to the principles of Islamic jurisprudence and the methodology used by jurists in understanding and deriving rulings from the Qur’an and Sunna. Topics will include legal evidences, commands and prohibitions, general and specific texts, linguistic indications and other foundational principles of legal interpretation.
Aqida
The programme includes the study of al-Kharidah al-Bahiyyah, providing students with a systematic introduction to classical Sunni theology. Students will explore the essential beliefs concerning Allah Most High, prophethood, revelation and matters of the unseen, while developing an appreciation of the intellectual tradition through which Muslim scholars articulated and defended Islamic belief.
Hadith
Students will study selections from al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib, engaging directly with Prophetic hadith relating to worship, character, spiritual development and everyday Muslim life. The study of Hadith will encourage students not only to understand Prophetic teachings but also to consider how they shape personal conduct and spiritual development.
Usul al-Hadith
Through al-Bayquniyya, students will receive an introduction to the sciences and terminology of Hadith. They will learn how scholars classified narrations and become familiar with important categories and technical terms used in the assessment and transmission of Hadith.
Islamic Ethics and Character
The programme will also explore Islamic ethics through Imam al-Ghazali’s Bidayat al-Hidaya. Students will examine the cultivation of good character, purification of the heart, and the practical discipline of living a life centred on obedience to Allah. Particular attention will be given to daily worship, avoiding sinful conduct, and developing good manners in one’s relationship with Allah and with others. This will ensure that the study of the Islamic sciences remains firmly connected to personal development, spiritual growth, and everyday practice.
Fiqh al-Sirah
Selected aspects of the Prophetic biography will be studied with a particular focus on the lessons, principles and practical guidance that can be drawn from the life of the Prophet ﷺ. Using a range of classical and contemporary resources, including Shaykh Muhammad Sa‘id Ramadan al-Buti’s renowned Fiqh al-Sirah, students will explore how the events of the Sirah provide guidance for faith, worship, character and the challenges of Muslim life.
Programme Outcomes
By the end of the three years, students should have developed a broad and interconnected understanding of the major Islamic sciences, familiarity with a number of important texts from the Islamic scholarly tradition, and a sound foundation in the terminology and methods employed by classical Muslim scholars.
The programme aims to develop confident and informed students who can engage seriously with Islamic knowledge, appreciate the depth and richness of the scholarly tradition, and continue into more advanced study if they wish.
