Alimiyyah Course - As-Suffa

Course overview

At As-Suffa Institute, we are pleased to be able to 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. (See course details 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. For course breakdown details click 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 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 enrol 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 a credited 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.

We, at As-Suffa, aim to deliver a comprehensive enrichment programme for our students to impart an insight into the broader context of Islam throughout history. This in turn shall fortify our students with the necessary skills and know-how 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, because: “The best of people are those who benefit mankind.”

For further information on course details and the syllabus, please see below.

Course information

What is it?

A day in the life of an Alimiyyah student

Testimonial 1

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Course details

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Dates/Time

Brothers: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Sisters: Monday-Friday, 9.15am-4pm

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Course length

Brothers: 6 years full-time

Sisters: 6 years full-time

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Venue

As-Suffa Institute, 156 High Street, Aston, B6 4UX

Course fee

£1,250/year

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Syllabus

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
Fiqh
Seerah

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
Sarf
Qasas-un-Nabiyeen (part 5)
Zaad-ut-taalibeen
Quran (juz 1-10)
Fiqh

Year 3

Year 3 continues the development of the Arabic language, Quran and introduces students to Usool Fiqh and Usool Hadith. Subjects include:

Nafhat-ul-Arab
Quran (juz 11-20)
Mukhtasar Al-Qudoori
Usool Fiqh
Usool Hadith
Nahw

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
Quran (juz 21-30)
Hidaayah Sharh Bidayat-ul-mubtadi
As-Siraaji fil-meerath
Hadith

Year 5

Year 5 introduces the student to Hadith texts. Subjects include:

Mishkaat-ul-masaabeeh
Tafseer Al-Jalaalayn
Hidaayah Sharh Bidayat-ul-mubtadi
Muatta Imam Muhammad

Year 6

Year 6 is an intensive year focusing on the 6 authentic Hadith texts. Subjects include:

Sihah sittah (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’iy & Ibn Maajah)

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.

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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.

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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).

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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).

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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.

Through the lens of concern for the community and with an understanding of their culture and needs, Shaykh Zahir Mahmood opened As-Suffa Institute that comprised of the evening maktab for children and the part time Alimiyyah course providing comprehensive teaching of the sacred sciences for those who could not commit to full time study. Today, by the grace of Allah and then the determination of Shaykh Zahir Mahmood, As-Suffa Institute caters the full time and part time Alimiyyah course, Islamic Studies Diplomas, post-graduate courses, modular sciences, youth facilities and regular weekend courses. As-Suffa Outreach which began in 2015 was borne from the aspiration to act upon the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon Him) in its totality- by serving each member of the community, in particular those who are the most vulnerable. Today the outreach branch has a Homeless Project, Foodbank, Mental Health Clinics, Domestic Violence Counselling, Legal Advice Help and local and national zakat distribution.

Shaykh Zahir Mahmood is an internationally renowned speaker and has travelled extensively, from Barbados to Malaysia, with the objective of reviving the hearts with Islamic knowledge. The unique delivery style of Shaykh Zahir Mahmood, radiating zeal and candour saw the success of the Islamic History series, which looked at the late and recent Muslim narrative in a revolutionary depth in the English language, and led to annual retreats studying the history and lessons of Muslim Spain.

May Allah Azzawajjal accept his efforts, grant him the ability to continue serving the community and bestow His Grace upon the teachers and students of Shaykh Zahir Mahmood.

Mufti Liaquat Zaman has since taught children and adults alike; from maktab teaching to private tutoring to online courses, many have benefitted from the unique and simple teaching style of Mufti Liaquat Zaman. Currently Mufti Liaquat Zaman is a teacher on the Alimiyyah Course and Heirs of the Scholars at As-Suffa Institute, teaching various books including Sahih Bukhari and Sunan Tirmidhi which he has been teaching for the last 4 years.

His insights and aptitude for Fiqh led him to develop the pioneering Evolution of Fiqh series- detailed weekend courses on the progression of legal jurisprudence over the ages. He also teaches an exclusive Advanced Fiqh module to select graduates of the Alimiyyah Course.

Mufti Liaquat Zaman has been delivering lectures, khutbahs and courses for a number of years and has become a well-known figure in the community. His desire to reconnect all Muslims, especially the youth, with the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah led him to begin his YouTube Channel and Anchor podcasts as a means of bridging the disconnect between the public and the scholars.

May Allah Azzawajjal accept his efforts, grant him the ability to continue serving the community and bestow His Grace upon the teachers and students of Mufti Liaquat Zaman.

A two-year specialisation Ifta course (Takhassus fi al-Fiqh) ensued in the notable Jamiah Uloom Al-Islamiyyah, Banori Town where Mufti Muhammad Imran undertook concentrated study on the principles, methodology and intense application of issuing verdicts (Fatwa) under teachers such as Mufti Nizamudeen Shaamzai and Mufti Abdulmajeed Deenpuri (may Allah have mercy on their souls).

Upon graduation Mufti Muhammad Imran returned home to the UK joining As-Suffa Institute when it was just in its foundation stages, as a teacher on the Alimiyyah Course and subsequently, the Heirs of the Scholars Course. Over the years many students of knowledge have reaped benefit from the teaching, guidance and affable support of Mufti Muhammad Imran. Mufti Muhammad Imran has taught a range of subjects, and since 2008 has been teaching some of the major collections of Hadith such as Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim and Sunan Abu Dawud.

Mufti Muhammad Imran has also delivered public weekend courses at As-Suffa Institute teaching the community about Hadith and the Laws of Inheritance. Mufti Muhammad Imran’s unique teaching style, unparalleled sense of humour and intense love and respect for the words of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ have been a great asset to his students and the Muslim community.

May Allah Azzawajjal accept his efforts, grant him the ability to continue serving the community and bestow His Grace upon the teachers and students of Mufti Muhammad Imran.

Since returning to the UK, Mufti Muhammad Islam has remained active in the Muslim community with an intention to serve the Deen of Allah and further Islamic Scholarship in the UK. Mufti Muhammad Islam has been the head of As-Suffa Maktab for the past few years and teaches on the Alimiyyah Course at As-Suffa Institute as well as the part-time Heirs of the Scholars Programme. Mufti Muhammad Islam has taught a range of subjects like Qur’an, Nahw, Fiqh and Hadith, including having taught from the Sihah Sittah collection to final year Alimiyyah students since 2014.

Mufti Muhammad Islam has a YouTube lesson series online from leading Arabic grammar book, the Alfiyyah of Ibn Malik, as a provision for students of advanced grammar. Countless students have benefitted greatly from the expertise, meticulous teaching and enthusiasm of Mufti Muhammad Islam, onsite and online. His zeal and pronounced effort in imparting the sciences of Islam have been a great source of inspiration to all those who have studied with him.

May Allah Azzawajjal accept his efforts, grant him the ability to continue serving the community and bestow His Grace upon the teachers and students of Mufti Muhammad Islam.