Course overview
The Alimiyyah Course is a full-time course for brothers and sisters who wish to understand the Quran and Hadith in their original forms. This course, therefore puts the study of the Arabic language at its core by laying firm foundations of Arabic grammar, morphology and spoken Arabic in the early years of the course, with progressive development into higher levels of the language until students are competent at reading Arabic texts themselves.
The study of fiqh (jurisprudence) and usools (laws), along with the essential tafaasir (exegesis) of the Quran also form core components of the course, providing a wholesome understanding of the religion.
The Alimiyyah Course culminates in a final year reading of the major books of Hadith, including Sahih Al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Al-Tirmidhi and Sunan Abi Dawud.
Upon completon of the course students gain an ijaazah (certificate of authorisation) to teach and further benefit the community.
The incorporation of a rich enrichment programme further provides an insight into the broader context of Islam in history, in order to equip students with the skills required to become ambassadors for the Muslim community.
Course details
Dates/Time
Brothers: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Sisters: Monday-Friday, 9.15am-4pm
Course length
Brothers: 6 years full-time
Sisters: 5 years full-time
Venue
As-Suffa Institute, 156 High Street, Aston, B6 4UX
Course fee
£1,000/year
Syllabus
Brothers
Year 1
Year 1 focuses primarily on the Arabic language, subjects include:
- Nahw (Arabic grammar)
- Sarf (Arabic morphology)
- Qasas-un-Nabiyeen (parts 1-4)
- Spoken Arabic
- Lives of the Prophets alayhim-us-salaam
- Seerah
- Islamic history
Year 2
Year 2 aims to develop the Arabic language, along with application with the introduction of Quran, Hadiths and fiqh. Subjects include:
- Hidayat-un-nahw
- Ilm-us-seegha
- Qasas-un-Nabiyeen (part 5)
- Zaad-ut-taalibeen
- Quran (juz 1-10)
- Fiqh-ul-muyassir
- Prominent figures in Islam
Year 3
Year 3 continues the development of the Arabic language, Quran, fiqh and introduces students to usool-ul-fiqh and aqeedah. Subjects include:
- Sharh ibn Aqeel
- Nafhat-ul-Arab
- Mirqaat
- Quran (juz 11-20)
- Mukhtasar Al-Qudoori
- Usool-ush-shaashi
- Aqeedah Tahawiyya
- Fiqh-ul-Akbar
- Essay writing
Year 4
Year 4 introduces the student to usool-ul-hadith along with advanced Arabic language, Quran, fiqh and aqeedah. Subjects include:
- Balaghat-ul-wadhiha
- Safeenat-ul-balagha
- Athaar-us-sunan
- Quran (juz 21-30)
- Hidaayah Sharh Bidayat-ul-mubtadi
- As-Siraaji fil-meerath
- Matan-ul-Manaar
- Muqaddima Abdul Haq
- Tadreeb-ur-rawi
- Nukhbat-ul-fikr
- Sharh Aqeedaht-un-Nasafiyyah
- Advanced essay writing
Year 5
Year 5 introduces the student to higher level Quran and Hadith texts, whilst developing a deeper understanding of fiqh and aqeedah. Subjects include:
- Mishkaat-ul-masaabeeh
- Tafseer Al-Jalaalayn
- Hidaayah Sharh Bidayat-ul-mubtadi
- Aqeedah of firaq islamiyyah
- Advanced and contemporary fiqh questions
Year 6
Year 6 is an intensive year focusing on the 6 authentic Hadith texts. Subjects include:
- Sihah sittah
- Advanced and contemporary fiqh questions
Sisters
Year 1
Year 1 focuses primarily on the Arabic language, subjects include:
- Nahw (Arabic grammar)
- Sarf (Arabic morphology)
- Qasas-un-Nabiyeen
- Spoken Arabic
- Seerah
- Shamaail
- Arbaoona Hadith
- Introduction to fiqh
Enrichment modules include:
- Learning & memory
- History of Palestine
- Female scholarship in Islam
- ICT skills
- Mental health
- Islamic calligraphy
Year 2
Year 2 aims to develop the Arabic language, along with application with the introduction of Quran, Hadiths and fiqh. Subjects include:
- Hidayat-un-nahw
- Ilm-us-seegha
- Spoken Arabic
- Zaad-ut-taalibeen
- Quran (juz 1-10)
- Mukhtasar Al-Qudoori
Enrichment modules include:
- Sciences of the Quran
- Evolution of fiqh
- Media psychology
- Managing my money
- Mental health
- Islamic history – seerah
Year 3
Year 3 continues the development of the Arabic language, Quran, fiqh and introduces students to usool-ul-fiqh and usool-ul-Hadith. Subjects include:
- Minhaaj
- Balaagha
- Spoken Arabic
- Athaar-us-sunan
- Quran (juz 11-20)
- Mukhtasar Al-Qudoori
- Usool-ush-fiqh
- Usool-ul-Hadith
Enrichment modules include:
- Life of Imam Abu Hanifa
- Inheritance laws
- Astronomy & prayer timings
- Teaching & learning
- Types of law
- Islamic history – 4 caliphs
Year 4
Year 4 introduces the student to higher level Quran and Hadith texts, whilst developing a deeper understanding of fiqh and aqeedah. Subjects include:
- Spoken Arabic
- Mishkaat-ul-masaabeeh
- Tafseer Al-Jalaalayn
- Hidaayah Sharh Bidayat-ul-mubtadi
- Aqeedah Tahawiyya
Enrichment modules include:
- Relationships & counselling
- Fertility advancements in the 21st century
- Food sources & their reliability
- Islamic scholarship of Deoband
- Logical & critical thinking
- Islamic history – Ummayds
Year 5
Year 5 is an intensive year focusing on the 6 authentic Hadith texts. Subjects include:
- Sihah sittah
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.

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.
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).
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).