In the first part of the course, students will engage with the renowned classical text al-Aqida al-Ṭahawiyya by Imam Abu Ja’far al-Ṭahawi. This concise yet profound treatise presents the foundational beliefs of Sunni Islam as articulated by the scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’a. Through detailed commentary and guided discussion, students will explore key theological concepts such as the attributes of God, the nature of prophecy, divine decree, the afterlife, and the role of faith and reason in Islam. The course will emphasize both intellectual clarity and spiritual depth, aiming to cultivate sound understanding and firm conviction.

The second part of the course focuses on practical worship and devotional acts, studied through the lens of Ascent to Felicity, a respected manual in the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. Students will cover the essential rulings and spiritual significanceof tahara (purification), salah (prayer), zakat (almsgiving), sawm (fasting), and hajj (pilgrimage). Attention will be given to the essential legal rulings making your worship sound.

In the final part of the course, selections from Imam al-Ghazali’s Letter to a Disciple -Ayyuha’l-Walad will allow the student appreciate core principles for spiritual practice and discipline transforming their knowledge into righteous actions and apply it to their spiritual journey for the Hereafter.