Course overview

At As-Suffa we provide a full-time Alimiyyah course for both brothers and sisters. At our institute we make good use of modern technology alongside traditional pedagogical methods. Students should expect to find the learning of the core principles of the Arabic language within the earlier years of their learning. Grammar, morphology, and spoken Arabic are prioritised before progressing into more advanced levels of the language, as students are required to demonstrate their competency before exposure to sacred Arabic texts, i.e. The Holy Qur’an and Hadith.

Additionally, in order to cater for a holistic understanding of the religion, the study of jurisprudence (fiqh) and laws (usool) are combined with the essential exegesis (tafaasir) of the Holy Qur’an to form the core components of the course. Read more about the course and syllabus below.

Before the conclusion of the Alimiyyah course, in the final year, students are expected to complete the reading of all the major books of Hadith, which include Sahih Al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sahih Al-Tirmidhi and Sunan Abi Dawud. See course breakdown here.

Thereafter, upon completion of the course, successful students should look forward to gaining a certificate of authorisation (ijaazah). With this certificate, students are encouraged to benefit others with their acquired knowledge. Furthermore, as we continue to make this course accessible to as many as possible, students who find it difficult to travel to the course location, for whatever reason, we offer the full course online for both brothers and sisters in order to ensure ease of access.

Also, it is now with great pleasure, that at As-Suffa we are now able to offer a unique opportunity for students who enroll on to our Alimiyyah course the option to complete a BA in Islamic Studies alongside their Alimiyyah qualification. This is due to our partnership with the Markfield Institute. We strongly believe we are the only place of learning in the entire country that offers such a choice. Please click here for further details. The inclusion of the BA (combined with the Alimiyyah) allows students to gain an accredited and recognised qualification that not only develops their critical thinking and academic skills, but also enhances their job prospects and provides further options for each student following their graduation.

At As-Suffa Institute we aim to deliver a comprehensive enrichment programme for our students in order to impart an insight into the broader context of Islam throughout history. This in turn fortifies our students with the necessary skills and knowhow to become key ambassadors for the local and wider Muslim community. Currently, with 24 brothers and 33 sisters already having graduated, As-Suffa Institute continues to produce those with the requisite knowledge (by the permission of Allah subhanahu wa t’ala) to benefit those around them- as “The best of people are those who benefit mankind.”

Course details

Syllabus

Sisters

Teachers

Shaykh Zahir Mahmood

The founder and principal of As-Suffa Institute & Outreach, Shaykh Zahir Mahmood was born and raised in the United Kingdom. After formal school studies, Shaykh Zahir Mahmood enrolled onto the Alimiyyah course at Darul Uloom, Bury. Shaykh Zahir Mahmood’s journey of studying the sacred sciences took them from the UK to Pakistan’s Jamiah Uloom Al-Islamiyyah, Banori Town and concluded with an ijaazah to teach from Darul Uloom, Newcastle, South Africa where Shaykh Zahir Mahmood benefitted from the teaching and guidance of erudite scholars like Molana Qasim Sema (may Allah preserve them).

With an enthusing spirit and vision for the progress of the Deen in the UK, Shaykh Zahir Mahmood returned and took on the role of the Khateeb for Jami Masjid– one of the largest in Birmingham, whilst studying for a BA in Islamic Theology from Birmingham University.

Read full bio

Mufti Liaquat Zaman

Born and raised in Birmingham, Mufti Liaquat Zaman completed his school and college education before moving to Pakistan at the age of 18 with an intention to seek sacred knowledge. A short hifdh programme preceded official entrance onto the Alimiyyah Course at Jamiah Uloom Al-Islamiyyah, Banori Town where Mufti Liaquat Zaman dedicated the next 8 years of his life. Under the guidance of leading teachers Mufti Liaquat Zaman committed himself to the study of the various Islamic sciences with diligence and zeal. He developed close ties with his teachers, benefitting immensely from their company inside and outside of the classroom.

Upon graduation in 2008, Mufti Liaquat Zaman decided to further develop his passion and ability in Fiqh and enrolled onto the Iftah Course at Jamiah Tayyibah, Karachi. Here an intense year of specialisation terminated with Ijaazah in Iftah, whereby Mufti Liaquat Zaman returned to the UK with a view of imparting knowledge to his local community.

Read full bio

Mufti Muhammad Imran

Mufti Muhammad Imran’s journey of seeking sacred knowledge began at Jamiah Islamiyyah, Nottingham at the age of 14 under the guidance of erudite scholars such as Molana Muhammad Kamal, Molana Fazal Raheem and Molana Abdul Haqq (may Allah have mercy on their souls).

Mufti Muhammad Imran then travelled to Darul Uloom, Karachi to benefit from a reprise of Hadith Studies with prominent scholars including Molana Shamsul Haqq (may Allah have mercy on his soul), Mufti Rafi Uthmaani and Mufti Taqi Uthmaani (may Allah preserve them both).

Read full bio

Mufti Muhammad Islam

Today a respected teacher on the Alimiyyah Course at As-Suffa Institute and Arabic grammar aficionado, Mufti Muhammad Islam began formal study of the Islamic Sciences in Nottingham at Jamiah Islamiyyah, the madrassa of the distinguished late scholar Molana Muhammad Kamal (may Allah have mercy on his soul). This was concluded in Pakistan where Mufti Muhammad Islam graduated with Ijaazah from Molana Abdussalaam Hazrawi of Ghari Afghanan, Taxila and Molana Muhammad Sabir Hazrawi (may Allah have mercy on their souls).

Mufti Muhammad Islam then focussed his efforts on the two-year Iftah specialisation course in Fiqh at Jamiah Uloom Al-Islamiyyah, Banori Town under the guidance of Mufti Nizamudeen Shaamzai and Mufti Abdulmajeed Deenpuri (may Allah have mercy on their souls).

Read full bio