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 2025 Class Descriptions
Healing Through the Love of Muhammad (ﷺ) – Qadi ‘Iyad’s al-Shifa
Imam Ali Ben Saad
Sunday 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
This multi-year course offers a deep and transformative study of Qāḍī ʿIyāḍ’s masterpiece al-Shifāʾ bi-Taʿrīf Ḥuqūq al-Muṣṭafā, a timeless work dedicated to understanding the life, virtues, miracles, and exalted status of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Through exploring his rights over the Ummah, the theological foundations of his honour, and the etiquettes due to him, students will not only gain scholarly insight but also nurture a heartfelt connection and profound love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. During the course, guided readings, classical commentary, and reflective exercises will help participants translate knowledge into devotion, allowing the lessons of al-Shifāʾ to strengthen their reverence and deepen their relationship with the Beloved of Allah ﷺ in both heart and practice.
The Life of the Beloved (ﷺ) - Madani Phase
Imam Ali Ben Saad
Sunday 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
This course offers an in-depth exploration of the Madani phase of the Seerah, focusing on how the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ built one of the most remarkable and enduring communities in history. Over the span of this period, students will study how the Prophet ﷺ established bonds of brotherhood, structured a just and compassionate society, nurtured faith and morality, resolved conflicts, and guided a diverse population toward unity under the banner of Islam. Through detailed analysis of key events, prophetic leadership strategies, and Qur’ānic revelations of the time, participants will gain insight into how the Prophet ﷺ transformed Medina into a model community—rooted in faith, mutual care, and collective responsibility—that continues to inspire Muslims to this day.
Tafsir of the Whole Qur’an: Surah Fatiha and Surah Al-Baqarah
Imam Ali Ben Saad
Wednesday 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
This course marks the beginning of a multi-year journey through the entire Qur’an, starting with the tafsīr of Sūrah al-Fātiḥah and Sūrah al-Baqarah. We will study how Sūrah al-Fātiḥah serves as the believer’s constant prayer and foundation for their relationship with Allah, and how Sūrah al-Baqarah lays out the principles for building a faithful, God-conscious, and morally upright community. Drawing on classical and contemporary tafsīr, the course will combine explanation with reflection, aiming to deepen both understanding and personal connection with the Qur’an. The goal is not only to learn the meanings of these chapters, but to allow their guidance to shape our faith, worship, and daily life as we continue the journey through Allah’s Book.
Beginning Arabic Level Reading
Level 2
Ustadh Seber Kadak
Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This second-year Arabic reading course is designed for students who already know the alphabet and letter forms, and are now focused on becoming comfortable and confident readers of connected Arabic text. The course centers on developing smooth reading flow, accurate pronunciation, and familiarity with common letter combinations and word patterns. Through regular guided practice with graded passages, students will strengthen their ability to read aloud fluidly and naturally, building the ease and consistency needed to tackle longer and more varied texts. Ability to identify and pronounce the Arabic letters is required.
Fiqh: Sacred Law
Hanafi - Level 1 - Ustadh Muin Ali Saiyed
Hanafi - Level 2 - Shaykh Yusuf Hussain
Maliki - Level 1 - Ustadh Seber Kadak
Maliki - Level 2 - Imam Lavon Brown
Hanafi Level 1 - Thursday 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Hanafi Level 2 - Thursday 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Maliki Level 1- Tuesday 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Maliki Level 2 - Tuesday 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Level 1 will cover topics related to worship such as water, wudu, ghusl, prayer & fasting.
Level 2 - Hanafi Fiqh
This Level Two Ḥanafī fiqh course builds on foundational studies by guiding students through both acts of worship and key areas of personal and financial law. The year will begin with a detailed study of zakāt and ḥajj, exploring their rulings, conditions, and practical application. From there, the focus will pivot to muʿāmalāt—starting with the principles of Islamic financial law, then moving into the laws of marriage and divorce, and concluding with the complex rulings of inheritance. By combining devotional acts with social and transactional rulings, this course will equip students with a well-rounded understanding of how Ḥanafī fiqh shapes both the spiritual and day-to-day dimensions of a Muslim’s life.
Level 2- Maliki Fiqh
A in-depth study of the classical text Murshi-Al Muin by Ibn Ashir.
Niche of Lights: A Study of the Mishkat ul-Masabih Hadith Collection
Shaykh Meurad Osman
Saturday 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
This multi-year course will take students through a detailed study of the famous hadith collection Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ, a work that has served for centuries as a gateway to the sayings and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Organized thematically, the collection covers matters of belief, worship, character, and social conduct, making it a practical guide for both personal and communal life. Over the course of our study, we will explore the meanings, context, and wisdom of these narrations, drawing lessons that can be applied to the challenges and opportunities of our time. The aim is not only to understand the hadith, but to let their light illuminate our daily lives, strengthen our faith, and deepen our love for the Prophet ﷺ whose words they preserve
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.
Islamic Spirituality: Imam Ghazali’s Beginning of Guidance
Shaykh Kamaluddin Ahmed - Brothers Only
Ustadha Sobia Ahmed - Sisters Only
Monday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This one-year course will cover Imām al-Ghazālī’s timeless work Bidāyat al-Hidāyah (The Beginning of Guidance), a concise yet powerful guide on living a life rooted in obedience to Allah from the very start of one’s spiritual journey. Written by one of the most influential scholars in Islamic history, this text combines practical advice on daily worship, moral conduct, and avoiding sin with deep insight into the state of the heart. Imām al-Ghazālī’s writings have shaped Muslim thought and practice for centuries, offering clarity, balance, and a roadmap for drawing closer to Allah. Through a careful reading of Bidāyat al-Hidāyah, students will learn how to transform their everyday actions into acts of devotion, grounding their lives in the prophetic way and paving the path for lasting spiritual growth.
Qur'anic Arabic Track:
Beginning Qur’anic Arabic
Sentence Structure and Grammar
Ustadh Abdul Rasheed Malbari
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:
Intermediate Qur’anic Arabic: Sarf (Morphology)
Shaykh Yusuf Hussain
Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This one-year Level Two Arabic ṣarf (morphology) course will prepare students to recognize and identify the common word patterns used in the Qur’an. Building on basic reading skills, the course will guide students through mastering the 10 Forms Table, a key tool for understanding how Arabic verbs are derived and related. Students will also learn how to effectively use the Hans Wehr dictionary to look up roots and identify patterns, as well as gain a solid introduction to the rules for weak verbs and how they appear in the Qur’an. Through consistent practice with Qur’anic vocabulary and examples, participants will develop the ability to spot patterns that reveal a word’s root, form, and shades of meaning—laying a strong foundation for further study in grammar, exegesis, and Qur’anic linguistics.
Qur'anic Arabic Track:
Advanced Qur’anic Arabic Part 2
Applied Qur’anic Translation
Shaykh Yusuf Hussain
Tuesday 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
This Level Four Advanced Qur’anic Translation course is the second year of a two-year advanced program designed to bring students to a high level of engagement with the Qur’an’s language. Over the course of this year, students will learn 1,000 carefully selected vocabulary words that occur most frequently in the Qur’an, enabling them to translate 90–95% of its text with accuracy and confidence. Building on the grammar, skills, and translation techniques developed in the first year, this final stage will focus on refining precision, appreciating context, and capturing nuance in meaning. By the end, students will be able to open the Qur’an and understand the vast majority of its words directly—allowing them to connect with Allah’s Book on a deeper and more personal level than ever before, enriching both their reflection and their relationship with the Qur’an.
Classical Arabic Reading
Ustadh Muin Ali Saiyed
Tuesday 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
This one-year course is an essential first step for anyone who wishes to begin accessing the vast original Arabic corpus of Islamic scholarship. Designed as the foundation for further study, it focuses on building core vocabulary and introducing the basic rules of grammar needed to start approaching classical texts. Through guided readings from carefully selected excerpts in tafsīr, hadith, fiqh, and other traditional sciences, students will become familiar with common word patterns, sentence structures, and the style of scholarly writing. By the end of the course, participants will have taken the first steps toward engaging with Islamic literature in its original language, preparing them for more advanced levels of study.
Origins of the 4 Madhhabs
Ustadh Giovanni Herran
Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This one-year course is an essential first step for anyone who wishes to begin accessing the vast original Arabic corpus of Islamic scholarship. Designed as the foundation for further study, it focuses on building core vocabulary and introducing the basic rules of grammar needed to start approaching classical texts. Through guided readings from carefully selected excerpts in tafsīr, hadith, fiqh, and other traditional sciences, students will become familiar with common word patterns, sentence structures, and the style of scholarly writing. By the end of the course, participants will have taken the first steps toward engaging with Islamic literature in its original language, preparing them for more advanced levels of study.
Aqeedah Level 1
Ustadh Nazmul Hassan
Sunday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
This one-year course is an essential first step for anyone who wishes to understand the foundations of belief. The class will cover the classical Aqeeda text Al-Aqida al-Tahawiyya.
Aqeedah Level 2
Shaykh Meurad Osman
Saturday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
This intermediate ʿaqīdah course serves as both a deepening of theological knowledge and an introduction to the discipline of kalām. In the first part, students will study Umm al-Barāhīn, learning the rational approach to theology and how scholars employed reason to establish and defend the core tenets of faith. In the second part, the course will cover al-ʿAqīdah al-Nasafiyyah, exploring its concise yet influential Māturīdī presentation of creed. Throughout, students will examine the distinctions and shared principles of the Ashʿarī, Māturīdī, and Atharī schools, gaining not only historical insight but also the ability to navigate modern discussions and differences within these theological traditions.
Sciences of the Qur’an (‘Ulum ul Qur’an)
Shaykh Yusuf Hussain
Thursday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to ʿUlūm al-Qur’ān, the sciences of the Qur’an that explore its revelation, preservation, interpretation, and application. Students will study key topics such as the history of revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), compilation and preservation of the Qur’an, the nature of Makki and Madani surahs, abrogation (naskh), modes of recitation (qirāʾāt), and principles of tafsīr. The course aims to equip learners with a deep understanding of how Muslim scholars have approached the Qur’an throughout history, strengthening both their intellectual engagement with the sacred text and their appreciation of its divine guidance.
Signs of the Creator
Br. Iftikhar Hyder
Monday 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to ʿUlūm al-Qur’ān, the sciences of the Qur’an that explore its revelation, preservation, interpretation, and application. Students will study key topics such as the history of revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), compilation and preservation of the Qur’an, the nature of Makki and Madani surahs, abrogation (naskh), modes of recitation (qirāʾāt), and principles of tafsīr. The course aims to equip learners with a deep understanding of how Muslim scholars have approached the Qur’an throughout history, strengthening both their intellectual engagement with the sacred text and their appreciation of its divine guidance.
Sisters Book Club: The Muslim Women's Manifesto
Ustadha Sobia Ahmed
Wednesday 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking book club designed for sisters who want to deepen their love of the deen while connecting with others. Each session will be a guided discussion, thematic analysis, and open conversation. Together, you will uncover key ideas and share diverse perspectives in a welcoming environment.
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.
Shaykh Yusuf Hussain
Director & Teacher
Ustadh Seber Kadak
Curriculum Lead & Teacher
Ustadh Muin Ali Saiyed
Teacher
Shaykh Kamaluddin Ahmed
Teacher
Br. Sheeraz Hyder
Admin & Operations
Shaykh Adeyinka Mendes
Guest Scholar & Advisor
Imam Ali Ben Saad
Teacher
Ustadh Giovanni Herran
Teacher
Ustadh Nazmul Hassan
Teacher
Br. Murad Lodhi
MCGP Education Lead
Imam Lavon Brown
Teacher
Shaykh Meurad Osman
Teacher
Ustadh Abdul Rasheed Malibari
Teacher
Ustadha Sobia Ahmed
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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The Life of the Beloved ﷺ : Madani Phase
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Tafsir of the Whole Qur’an: Surah Fatiha and Surah Al-Baqarah
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!