Foundations, Flounderings & Faith

Course Description:

Belief and practice are the essential building blocks for Muslims and, as such, to build a fortress of faith, we need solid building materials. This course will cover basic ʿaqīda (tenets of belief), discuss issues of practice, and attempt to answer controversial questions. We will quell our flounderings, build the foundation for a community of faithful friends, and reinforce the fortresses of our hearts.

What will be covered:

• The role, rights and responsibilities of women in Islam
• Hot topics: divorce, polygamy, inheritance, hijab, and niqab
• Five myths about women in Islamic law debunked
• Getting to know your nafs
• Advice for the journey
• Get your personal questions answered confidentially
• Islamic stance on gender identity
• Tips from a female scholar on getting through tough times

Get ANSWERS to questions like:

• How do I navigate non-Muslim holidays?
• Does Islam talk about gender roles?
• Do two women really equal one man?
• Is that haram?
• Why do we have to wear hijab?
• Do we believe in evolution?

Course Breakdown:

• Foundations: Islamic Outlook, The spiritual world, The Five Pillars
• Flounderings: The Family, Sources and Purpose of Law and Questions around Fiqh, Practice
• Faith: The Quran, Regulating Life within the laws of Islam

Course Logistics:

• Designed in an easy to follow format.
• Interactive Q&A
• Recordings available until end of term
• Based on the aqida of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’a.

Course Prerequisites:

Students should be women above the age of 17.

Course Requirements:

Live attendance is recommended whenever possible for the best learning experience. Recordings of the sessions will be made available for registered students who cannot attend live. Students will have access to course forums, recordings, and files until May 31st, 2025.

To be successful in this course, students need to attend the live class or watch the recordings, and complete the coursework as defined in the course syllabus. This may include: weekly assignments or reflections, a term paper, project, or midterm, one or more quizzes, and/or a final exam.

Please note that daylight savings time will begin in the United States on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Depending on where you live, this may or may not affect your class timing. In countries where DST is not applied at all, class will be one hour earlier starting March 9.

This is an online course so students will need:

• Access to internet with an internet speed of at least 2 Mbps recommended for best performance.
• Headphones, camera and microphone may be required for in-class participation.
• To access the live class and recordings, students will need a computer, smartphone, or tablet/iPad with the Zoom app.

Required Text:

1. Being Muslim: A Practical Guide, by Asad Tarsin.
2. Islam Religion of Life, by Abdul Wadod Shalabi.

Students are responsible for ordering their textbooks before the start of class. Ribaat textbooks are available to enrolled students at a discounted rate through Rabata Bookshop. Once enrolled, students will have access to the discount code through the course forum.

Registration:

Registration Fee: Non-refundable, non-transferable

• $125.00 (not including the cost of the course materials)
• $20.00 late registration fee on January 10th (if seats are available)
• Registration closes February 3rd.
• Additional $5.00 auditing fee.

Before enrolling, please read the Registration Fees & Policies.

For inquiries, contact registration@rabata.org