Radiance of Faith
Year 2:
Certificate in Foundational Islamic Studies
A Sacred Foundation that Transforms Hearts
- Online
- Ust. Safiyya Dhorat & Ust. Isma
- Starts 8th September 2026
- 90 Hours
Note: If you would like sign-up and pay in monthly instalments, please email admin@almuhsinat.org
This one-year program is designed to provide a strong grounding in Islamic essentials (fard al-‘ayn), whether you continue to the second year or not.
What You’ll Gain:
- Qur’anic Engagement: Move beyond recitation to meaningful engagement with the Divine Word.
- Practical Fiqh & Spirituality: Worship and daily life grounded in sound spirituality.
- The Prophetic Way: Seerah and Shama’il as your guide for modern challenges.
- Personalised Support: At the heart of this journey are two private 1-2-1 mentoring sessions (Term 1 & Term 3), ensuring your learning is tailored to your pace, questions, and spiritual growth
- Why Study with Us? Learn from classical texts with modern relevance, in a structured yet flexible programme designed for busy lives, while enjoying the sisterhood and support of like-minded seekers.
Course Instructors
Ustadha Safiyya Dhorat & Ustadha Isma Kauser
Instructor Biographies:
Ustadha Safiyya Dhorat, founder of Al Muhsinat, is an Islamic scholar with extensive training under traditional scholars since 2001. She holds a Diploma in Contextual Islamic Studies and Leadership from Cambridge Muslim College (2015) and an MA in Islamic Studies from SOAS. She has studied advanced Tafsir, Arabic grammar, rhetoric, and inheritance laws under Shaykh ‘Ali Hani in Jordan. Currently, Ustadha Safiyya teaches in London and successfully runs ‘Spiritual Birth,’ a birth preparation course for Muslim couples.
Ustadha Isma Kouser completed the Alimiyyah programme in 2019 before pursuing Arabic studies in Morocco the following year. She went on to graduate from the Cambridge Muslim College in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Studies. With over seven years of teaching experience across diverse settings, including classrooms and private sessions, she has delivered lessons in Tajweed and Islamic Studies to both children and adults. At Al-Muhsinat, she has taught two courses: Tafsir of Surah Yasin and Lugha on the Classical Arabic Foundations Year 1 programme. She continues to advance her studies in the traditional Islamic sciences, aspiring to deepen her knowledge and understanding.
Days & Timings
Tuesdays, 7pm – 10pm
7pm Tafsir
8pm Shama’il
9pm Fiqh
Term Dates
Term 1
Week commencing: 7th September – 10th November 2026 (10 weeks)
Term 2
Week commencing: 16th November 2026 – 14th December 2026 (5 weeks)
14th – 18th December: Ramadan Revival Summit
-break-
Week commencing: 4th January 2027 – 5th February 2027 (5 weeks)
1st – 5th Feb: Exams & Dala’il al-Khayrat Readings
-break-
Term 3
Week commencing: 12th April – 27th June 2027 (9 weeks)
21st & 22nd June: End of Year Exams
10 Best Days Dhul Hijja Series (exact dates tbc)
27th June 2027: End of Year Day Retreat
Course Fees
£799
(Early bird offer £699, ends 20/08/2026)
Module 1: Fiqh, Spirituality & Ethics
is comprehensive study of Ascent to Felicity (Maraqi al-Sa’adat) offers a deep and practical understanding of Hanafi fiqh, grounded in classical scholarship and enriched with spiritual insights. The course is designed to help you not only learn the rulings, but to connect with the wisdom, beauty, and transformative power behind them.We will cover:
- Creed (Aqidah): Understanding the foundations of belief that anchor the heart.
- Salah: The remaining chapters: The obligations, sunnahs, and etiquettes of prayer, as well as the inner presence that makes it the “coolness of the eyes.”
- Udhiya: The rulings of sacrifice and the meanings of devotion and submission it symbolises.
- Zabiha: The rulings on lawful slaughter and their connection to gratitude and respect for Allah’s creation.
- Hunting: The regulations and ethical considerations, linking skill, sustenance, and consciousness of Allah.
- Islamic Finance: A lite introduction to Islamic Finance — covering the principles behind Islamic banking, takaful, and investment
Throughout the course, we will explore the spirituality of every topic—how each act of worship shapes the heart, disciplines the self, and draws the believer closer to Allah.
Module 2: Tafsir and Tadabbur Reflecting between the lines
Foundations of Reflection
- Surah Yasin: This course will explore the themes and structure of the surah, the connections between its verses, and the beautiful features of Qur’anic expression through guided tadabbur. Through group reflection, journalling and independent exercises, students will actively engage with the verses, taking their learning beyond the classroom by fostering a deeper, more personal connection with the Surah.
Reflective Journaling: Personal applications from the verses
Group Discussions: How these lessons apply to modern challenges
Module 3: Shama'il
Special Focus: Shama’il
The Prophet’s ﷺ Character (Shamail):
Physical appearance, daily habits, and spiritual presence.
Miracles and their deeper meanings.
Universal Lessons:
Prophetic diplomacy, interfaith relations, and social justice.
Applying the Sirah in modern contexts.
Living Connection:
The Ummah’s bond with the Prophet ﷺ through salawat
In-Person Day Retreat
Exclusive entry to our annual Women’s Day Retreat in East London on the 27th June 2027.
Course Completion Certification
- Complete Year 1 to earn your Certificate in Foundational Islamic Studies, demonstrating a grounding in essential knowledge.
- For those who wish to continue, Year 2 leads to a Diploma in Foundational Islamic Studies through advanced study and an option element of teacher training (students will need to enrol for this in August 2027)
What Our Students Say
Hear from those who have studied Radiance of Faith and gained a foundational grounding in Islamic Studies.
