This course is designed to introduce students to the importance of the spiritual heart in the development of their relationship with Allah swt. In term 1, Purification of the Heart explores how to purify the negative forces in ourselves, focusing on major spiritual diseases like arrogance, envy, materialism, malice, and more. Each session will first define a particular spiritual ailment, then discuss how to recognize its signs andsymptoms, and finally analyze how to treat it in light of Quran, Hadith, and teachings of classical scholars. In this way, the course aims to build a stronger bond with Allah swt and at the same time find practical Islamic ways of addressing the personal problems faced by Muslim women today.

Fulfilling the rights of our fellow brothers and sisters in Islam is a fundamental principle of living our lives as Muslims. Imam Ghazali in his encyclopedic masterpiece, the Ihya Uloom al-Deen, has dedicated an essay to the Islamic concept of brotherhood. In this course we will study a translation of this text in English ‘The Duties of Brotherhood in Islam’ by Mohtar Holland. This course will help students improve their interpersonal skills and develop a proper understanding of the rights and responsibilities associated with forming bonds for the sake of Allah swt. With this aim in mind we will study chapters on holding one’s tongue, forgiveness, loyalty, sincerity, material assistance, personal aid and informality.

This term in UQ 112, we will conclude our series on the translation and commentary of the 27th to 29th ajzaa’. These final chapters of the 29th juz cover a rich variety of themes including Islamic `aqeedah (belief), Shariah law and its sources, Islamic history and Spirituality. Some of the highlights of this term include detailed study of Surah al-Jinn and the beautiful incident of Allaah (swt) addressing the Prophet (saw) after fatrat al-waHi (temporary break in revelation).

Sayyidina Anas (ra) said, "I served the Prophet of Allah, may Peace and the Blessings of Allah Descend Upon him, for ten years. During that time, he never once said to me as much as 'Uf' if I did something wrong. He never asked me, if I had failed to do something, 'Why did you not do it?,' and he never said to me, if I had done something wrong, 'Why did you do it?' " (Bukhari)

Caught in the mundane rat race of our daily lives, many a times we forget how distant we are from the sunnah way of life. Join us this semester in an effort to remind ourselves that we are the spiritual daughters of our blessed Prophet (saw) by studying Imam Nawawi’s (rah) renowned classical manual, Gardens of the Righteous. Discover the rights that our loved ones have on us in the Chapter on "Taking Care of the Needs of Muslims", learn the teachings of the Blessed Prophet about women in the Chapter on "Treating Women Well", and discover the beauty of marriage in the chapter on "The Rights of a Husband from his Wife". We hope to continue the study of this entire book in future terms till its completion insha’Allah.

This course is designed to introduce students to the laws of salaah, based on rulings derived from the Hanafi school of legal thought. To this end, our main text will be Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi’s classical manual Beheshti Zewar. The course will cover various aspects pertaining to the rulings of salaah. The goal of this course will be to enable Muslim women to prepare for and perform their salaah properly.

Are men and women equal in Islam? Why is hijab compulsory? What are the barriers of inter-gender interaction? Ever heard that women get half as much as men in inheritance?

It can be difficult being a Muslim woman in today's consumer capitalist world. Hijab is labeled as a symbol of oppression. Haya is viewed as un-liberating. The commonly held view of Muslim women is that they are utterly subjugated by men and deprived of their fundamental rights. With this course, get ready for an alternative narrative- a narrative of how Islam empowers women. Of how hijab can be a tool of liberation from the tyranny of 'the beauty myth'. Of how women in this ummah have excelled in so many fields of scholarship. Join us as we challenge modern stereotypes and discover the true strength of a Muslim woman.