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Introduction to the Islamic Sciences

Completed program — April 11 to August 15, 2026. This seven-session series has concluded. The syllabus, instructors, dates and pricing below are retained as a historical record.

For information about future Islamic Sciences programs, contact info@bostonislamicseminary.org.

The Ten Foundational Principles (al-Mabādiʾ al-ʿAsharah) of Islamic Sciences

Boston Islamic Seminary (BIS) is pleased to offer the Introduction to the Islamic Sciences Certificate, a structured program providing a broad introduction to the major disciplines of Islamic studies. This certificate is designed to orient students to the scope, aims, and methods of core Islamic sciences within a coherent academic framework.

The certificate covers seven key areas of Islamic knowledge, with each session organized around the Ten Foundational Principles (المبادئ العشرة / al-Mabādiʾ al-ʿAsharah). This approach introduces students to each discipline’s definition, subject matter, sources, scholarly development, and relationship to other fields, offering a clear foundation for further study.
# Date Area Sub-Disciplines / Areas Instructor
1 Saturday, April 11, 2026 Theology & Spirituality Beliefs, Kalam, self-purification Dr. Ikram ul-Haq
2 Sunday, May 3, 2026 Hadith Sciences Hadith methodology, terminology, major collections Dr. Suheil Laher
3 Saturday, June 20, 2026 Islamic Law (Fiqh) Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Maqasid al-Shari’ah Dr. Mariam Sheibani
4 Saturday, June 27, 2026 Islamic Thought Philosophy, political thought Dr. Adnan H. Rehman
5 Saturday, July 11, 2026 Arabic Nahw, Sarf, Balaghah, Adab Dr. Carl Sharif El-Tobgui
6 Saturday, July 25, 2026 History Sirah, Khulafa’ al-Rashidun, later Islamic history Dr. Mohammed Bushra
7 Saturday, August 15, 2026 Quranic Sciences Tafsir, Tajwid, ‘Ulum al-Qur’an Dr. Basyouny Nehela

Each session provides a broad introduction to a different domain of Islamic Studies, structured around the Ten Foundational Principles (المبادئ العشرة / al-Mabādiʾ al-ʿAsharah):

  • Name
  • Definition
  • Subject matter (including sub-disciplines)
  • Sources
  • Religious status
  • Virtues
  • Practical outcomes / benefits (fruit)
  • Situational relationships and overlap with other disciplines
  • Founder of the discipline, including an overview of its development and important works
  • Overview of topics covered

This structured approach ensures that students gain a comprehensive understanding of each domain, while preparing them for further study in the Islamic Foundations Certificate and Islamic Intellectual History Certificate programs.

 

Who is it For?

  • The Islamic Studies Preliminaries Certificate is designed for anyone seeking a comprehensive introduction to the major domains of Islamic sciences. It is ideal for:

    • Students beginning their journey in Islamic studies

    • Learners who want a structured overview of foundational Islamic knowledge

    • Individuals preparing for the Islamic Foundations Certificate, which covers these subjects in greater depth

    • Those intending to continue with the Islamic Intellectual History Certificate for advanced study

    The recommended sequence of study is:

    1. Islamic Studies Preliminaries Certificate

    2. Islamic Foundations Certificate

    3. Islamic Intellectual History Certificate

    By completing this certificate, students gain the essential knowledge and context needed to confidently progress through Boston Islamic Seminary’s advanced Islamic studies programs.

SCHEDULE AND DATES

The Islamic Studies Preliminaries Certificate runs from April 11 through August 15, 2026.

The program consists of seven monthly sessions, each covering a different domain of Islamic sciences. Each session is approximately 5–6 hours and can be attended in-person or remotely via Zoom.

Students are encouraged to follow the sequence of study for optimal learning:

  1. Introduction to the Islamic Sciences (Preliminaries Certificate)

  2. Islamic Foundations Certificate

  3. Islamic Intellectual History Certificate

PRICING

  • Individual sessions: $99 per session ($59 for students with a .edu email address or MIRL students)

  • Financial aid is available for eligible students. Apply via the financial aid form during registration.

  • Payment is completed at the time of registration through our secure online system.