Welcome To The Garden of Knowledge
For those looking to study the sacred Islamic texts of knowledge and experience a deep connection with their creator, we offer a variety of courses, programs & events for those seeking knowledge. No matter what your background is we offer a safe space that welcomes you to join us on the journey of seeking the pleasure of God.
Whether you are a Muslim revert trying to initially learn your religion, or you're someone who loves being in gatherings of knowledge, or you have a thirst for knowledge and want to consume every class we offer, we have something for you!
If you are tired of scattered information and wish to learn Islam in a formal, relevant, and structured format, then enroll today.
Fall 2024 Class Descriptions
The Garden: Life of the Beloved (ﷺ) – Seerah of the Prophet (ﷺ)
Imam Nisar Chaudhry
Sunday 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the Seerah, the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Through a chronological study, students will gain insights into the historical, social, and spiritual aspects of his life, from his early years in Mecca to the establishment of the Islamic state in Medina. The class will also examine the Prophet's character, leadership, and the profound impact of his message on the world.
The Garden: Tafsir Circle
The Heart of the Qur’an - Surah Ya Sin
Imam Safwan Eid
Sunday 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
Join us for an enlightening journey through the Tafseer of Surah Ya Sin, the heart of the Qur'an. This class delves deep into the meanings, themes, and lessons of this profound chapter, exploring its spiritual significance and practical guidance for our lives. Through detailed explanations and reflections, participants will gain a deeper understanding of Allah’s (swt) message and how it can be applied in everyday life. Whether you're new to Tafseer or looking to deepen your knowledge, this class offers valuable insights for all levels.
Islamic Essentials:
Essentials of Islamic Law (Fiqh)
Shaykh Yusuf Hussain
Imam Nisar Chaudhry
Ustadh Seber Kadak
Sunday 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (Hanafi)
Thursday 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Hanafi)
Thursday 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Maliki)
This course offers an in-depth exploration of the principles and practices of Islamic worship, focusing on the foundational aspects of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) as they relate to acts of worship. Students will engage with the rulings, wisdom, and spiritual significance of the core pillars of Islam, including Taharah (purification), Salah (prayer), Sawm (fasting), Zakat (charity), and Hajj (pilgrimage). Through classical texts and contemporary applications, this class aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these rituals are performed, their legal rulings, and their importance in the life of a Muslim. Students have the option to choose the Hanafi and Maliki madhab.
Islamic Essentials:
Essentials of Islamic Belief (ʿAqīdah)
Imam Lavon Brown
Thursday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This course provides an in-depth exploration of Islamic theology (ʿAqīdah), focusing on the core beliefs that shape the Islamic faith. Students will engage with the essential doctrines concerning the nature of God (tawhid), prophecy, the afterlife, and the role of divine guidance in human life. Through the study of classical texts and contemporary issues, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the theological foundations of Islam, including the differences between various Islamic schools of thought. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to critically analyze theological concepts and their relevance in the modern world.
Islamic Essentials:
Essentials of Purifying The Heart (Ihsan)
Imam Safwan Eid
Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This course delves into the Islamic teachings on spiritual purification, focusing on the heart as the central organ of spiritual and moral well-being. Students will explore key concepts such as sincerity (ikhlas), repentance (tawbah), and the struggle against inner vices (mujahadah). Through guided discussions, reflective exercises, and practical applications, participants will learn how to undertake the journey towards tazkiyyatun-nafs, or purifying the soul and learn how to strive to embody ‘Ihsan’ or spiritual excellence.
New Muslim Track:
Being Muslim
Imam Lavon Brown
Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This class is designed specifically for those new to the faith. This course offers a warm and supportive environment where you'll explore the foundational beliefs and practices of Islam. We will cover the core tenets of faith, including the Five Pillars, the life of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and the basics of Islamic worship and ethics. Whether you’re seeking to deepen your understanding or navigate your new journey, this class provides essential knowledge and a community of support to help you grow in your spiritual path.
New Muslim Track:
Arabic Reading Level 1
Ustadh Seber Kadak
Wednesday 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
This course offers an introduction to reading Qur'anic Arabic. Designed for beginners, it focuses on foundational skills, including Arabic alphabet recognition, pronunciation, and joining letters. Students will learn to read and recite selected words from the Qur'an. Through interactive exercises and guided practice, participants will build confidence in their ability to read and comprehend the sacred text in its original language. No prior knowledge of Arabic is required.
Qur'anic Arabic Track:
Beginning Qur’anic Arabic
Sentence Structure and Grammar
Shaykh Yusuf Hussain
Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This introductory course is designed for students new to Qur'anic Arabic. It provides a foundational understanding of Arabic grammar and sentence structure, focusing on the essential elements of Qur'anic texts. Students will explore the basics of Arabic morphology (word formation) and syntax (sentence structure), including verb conjugations, noun cases, and common grammatical rules found in the Qur'an. The course aims to build confidence in reading and interpreting Qur'anic verses, fostering a deeper appreciation of the language's nuances and beauty. No prior Arabic knowledge is required.
Qur'anic Arabic Track:
Advanced Qur’anic Arabic Part 1
Applied Qur’anic Translation
Shaykh Yusuf Hussain
Tuesday 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Dive into the intricate world of Qur'anic Arabic with our Applied Qur'anic Arabic Translation class. This course is designed for students who wish to deepen their understanding of the Qur'an through applied translation of Qur’anic verses. Students will explore advanced linguistic concepts, contextual meanings, and translation strategies while building up the required vocabulary. Students will learn approximately 600 vocabulary words (roughly 20 per week) in Part 1, with another 900 (30 per week) to be learned in the Part 2 class.
Our Team
The Garden of Knowledge teachers come from various backgrounds and have studied directly from scholars from around the world earning Ijazah and academic qualifications. Please click below to read a short bio for each of our teachers.
Imam Safwan Eid
Lead Scholar & Teacher
Shaykh Adeyinka Mendes
Guest Scholar & Advisor
Br. Sheeraz Hyder
Admin & Operations
Shaykh Yusuf Hussain
Director & Teacher
Imam Lavon Brown
Scholar & Teacher
Br. Murad Lodhi
MCGP Education Lead
Shaykh Nisar Chaudhry
Scholar & Teacher
Ustadh Seber Kadak
Curriculum Lead & Teacher
Learning Tracks & Roadmap
The Garden
The Garden was launched in the spring of 2024 and takes a suhbah/halaqa-style approach to learning. It emphasizes building community bonds through education. Imagine it as an interactive Jum’uah prayer, where you can learn and socialize in a more relaxed setting. Refreshments will be provided. The current classes offered under The Garden program are:
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Seerah Circle
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Qur’an Tafsir Circle
Islamic Essentials Track
The Islamic Essentials Track provides the basic, required knowledge that every adult Muslim should strive to learn. If you're a busy professional with limited time for classes, we recommend taking one class per year over three years. The track is designed around the three core areas that every Muslim should understand, as demonstrated by the angel Jibreel (as) when he asked about Islam (law), Iman (beliefs) and Ihsan (purification of the soul). Course list:
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Essentials of Islamic Law (Fiqh)
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Essentials of Islamic Beliefs (Aqidah)
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Essentials of Purifying the Heart (Ihsan)
Individuals who pass all 3 classes will be awarded a Certificate in Islamic Essentials!
Qur'anic Arabic Track
The Qur'anic Arabic Track is crafted for those seeking a deeper understanding of the Qur'anic language. The initial two years focus on the essential elements of Qur'anic Arabic. During years 3 and 4, students will use their acquired knowledge to study specific verses from the Qur'an, aiming to grasp 95% of its vocabulary. In the final year, Year 5, the focus shifts to the linguistic Tafseer of the Qur'an, offering insights into the specific choices of words and idioms used. Course list:
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Beginning Qur’anic Arabic – Sentence Structure and Grammar
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Intermediate Qur’anic Arabic – Morphology
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Advanced Qur’anic Arabic Part 1 - Applied Qur’anic Translation
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Advanced Qur’anic Arabic Part 2 – Applied Qur’anic Translation
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Linguistic Tafsir
Individuals who pass the Intermediate Qur’anic Arabic class will be awarded the Certificate of Qur’anic Arabic Fundamentals! Individuals who complete the whole track will be awarded the Certificate in Applied Qur’anic Arabic!
New Muslim Track
The New Muslims track caters to Muslims who have little to no exposure to the fundamentals of Islam and will benefit from a gentler pace which can accommodate the specific knowledge-level of the students. Also included in this track are Arabic reading courses for individuals looking to have access to reading the Qur’an. Course List:
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Being Muslim
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Arabic Reading Level 1
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Arabic Reading Level 2
Short Courses & Visiting Scholars
Short courses will be delivered by guest scholars and will feature seminars, intensive sessions, workshops, or monthly series. Local experts may also teach these courses. Possible courses could include:
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Seerah/Shama’il
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Islamic Finance
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Islamic Poetry
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Islamic Art
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Various History Courses
Advanced Islamic Sciences Track - Fall 2025 Launch
This track is tailored for those aspiring to become Islamic educators or who wish to deeply understand the Islamic learning tradition. It is also suitable for individuals exploring Islamic scholarship without the commitment to a multi-year program. The
curriculum includes advanced courses on legal, philosophical, and spiritual subjects, along with teachings on the preservation of our faith. Additionally, there will be at least one course focused on contemporary challenges and the ways Muslims should
approach them. The courses included in this track are:
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Fiqh Level II: Transactions/Marriage/InheritanceA
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Advanced Aqidah
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Sciences of the Qur’an
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Principles of Hadith Classification
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Islamic Legal Theory
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History of the Islamic Spiritual Tradition
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Navigating Contemporary Issues
Individuals who pass the courses in this track will be awarded the Certificate of Proficiency in Islamic Science!
Islamic Scholarship Track - Fall 2026 Launch
This track is intended for those beginning their journey in Islamic scholarship. Initially, students will focus on reading classical Arabic texts to develop fluency and comfort with the language. Subsequently, they will study under licensed teachers across key disciplines, ultimately reaching a level where they may choose to specialize further at another institution if they wish.
Individuals who pass the courses in this track will be awarded individual Ijaazat and potentially an Alimiyyah degree!