Dar al-Rayyan

Program Overview

This program intends to provide an intellectual foundation and the paradigmatic tools and frameworks to reading Islamic classical texts for students of sacred knowledge. It focuses on the three core sciences as mentioned in the seminal hadith of Jibril, namely iman, islam and ihsan. These dimensions correspond to the Islamic traditional disciplines of Usul al-Din, Fiqh and Tasawwuf. Additionally, the ancillary disciplines of Usul al-Fiqh, Mustalah al-Hadith, and the disciplines of the Arabic language, Nahw (grammar), Sarf (morphology), and Balagha (rhetoric), will be studied in support of the core disciplines.

Our pedagogy is decidedly traditional. This consists of close readings of texts in Arabic with teacher exposition and commentary. Students will be taught how to read and understand classical texts and contextualize them for our time. The expectation at the end of the program is that students will have a firm grounding in each of these disciplines to the degree that they may pursue more advanced studies and benefit others inshallah.

The program will span across two years with approximately 30 weeks of instruction per year. Classes will be held three times a week on a live virtual platform. The program will also include a one-week in-person intensive held during the summer session, with exact date and location to be determined at the outset of the program.

Duration

The program will span across two years with approximately 30 weeks of instruction per year. Classes will be held three times a week on a live virtual platform. Delivery is primarily online, with a one-week in-person summer intensive. In previous years, this intensive has been hosted in Cairo, Egypt. Exact date and location will be determined at the outset of the program.

Prerequisites

At a minimum, applicants must demonstrate a basic reading level and understanding of Arabic to be considered eligible for the program. This will be evaluated as part of the written application. Additional requirements include a basic foundation in the Islamic Sciences and a commitment to a traditional approach of learning these subjects with a teacher/chain of transmission.

Fees

• Annual tuition of $3000, split into three installments to be paid each term.
• Additional, nonrefundable deposit of $500 due prior to program start to confirm attendance.
• Financial aid is available upon request and review of application.

How to Apply

• Completion of online application by Thursday July 31st, 2025.
• Passing candidates will be contacted to schedule an online video interview.
• Decision of acceptance by Sunday, August 24th, 2025.
• Start of Term 1 Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025.

Curriculum

Year 1

Year 2