Many people assume that the first commandment in Islam was our five times daily prayer. Certainly, it’s one of the most important requirements; even constituting one of the pillars of our faith. However, the first commandment wasn’t salah—rather, it was “Iqra.” Read.

More profoundly, this task to read was given to an unlettered man, the Prophet ﷺ. Naturally, his first reply was, “I am not a reader.” (Mishkat al-Masabih 5841) 

The angel Jibreel Alayhi Salam told him again: “Read!” Then he squeezed the Messenger ﷺ. Muhammad ﷺ said once more, “I am not a reader.” Jibreel (AS) squeezed him ﷺ and instructed him to read. 

The Prophet ﷺ was distressed. He emphasised again that he did not have the capability to read. So Jibreel (AS) recited the rest of what we now know as Surah al-Alaq (The Clot), verses 1-5:

“Read, ˹O Prophet,˺ in the Name of your Lord Who created, created humans from a clinging clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who taught by the pen, taught humanity what they knew not.”

Jibreel (AS) wasn’t just telling the Messenger ﷺ to read, he was asking him to learn. In that way, he ﷺ could become the teacher and guide for the rest of mankind. That’s the biggest lesson for all of us: No matter our capacity, we shouldn’t dismiss our ability to learn more about our religion.

We don’t have to learn Arabic right off the bat. We don’t have to memorise the entire Qur’an in a year. But we do have an obligation to learn, as the Prophet ﷺ stated,

“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.”(Sunan Ibn Mājah)

Figuring out how or where to start from can be a daunting task. It was for me, too. At 18, despite being an Arab, I had no idea how to read Arabic letters. Once I climbed through the mountain of its alphabet, I had to find a way to read Surah al-Kahf.

Alhamdulillah, ten years later, I’m humbled to say that with Allah ﷻ’s grace, I obtained an ijazah in tajwīd, have two certificates from an Islamic Seminary, and have even learned how to play the daff (frame drum). Some of these opportunities were via a remote course, and others were in person. A few were even on my phone. What stood out to me was that all of them were full of working professionals, busy mothers, and full-time students—we all made the sacrifice and knew it was worth it.

The key is in making an intention, asking Allah’s help in finding good teachers/resources that are beneficial for you and staying consistent. Narrated `Aisha RA:

‘The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked, What deeds are loved most by Allah? He said, “The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few.”’(Sahih al-Bukhari)

What topics should I start with?

As with any science, we begin with the basics. No mathematician starts by learning calculus; they ensure a solid foundation in arithmetic before moving forward. 

While not every subject may be available to you immediately, we recommend starting with this general timeline so you’re not overwhelmed, or overburdened. 

1. Aqidah (Creed)

Aqidah encompasses the core beliefs and principles that define a Muslim’s faith. Many courses in aqidah are often referred to as “faith essentials.” These include discussing the rank the Prophet ﷺ holds, the virtue of the Qur’an, the five pillars, and giving an overview of general principles within our faith. Aqidah classes also cover who Allah is.

• Faith Essentials is a comprehensive collection of videos developed by scholars, in one convenient place. You can explore topics like worship, interactions, beliefs, and identity.
• Yaqeen Institute is a treasure trove of knowledge about the deen (religion). Through books, videos, podcasts, articles, and more, their mission is to provide clarity to Muslims who have questions about their creed.
• Reflecting on the Names of Allah by Dr. Jinan Yousef is a book that covers Allah’s attributes. In getting to know His names, you get to know your Lord.
• Ayyuhal Walad by Imam Al-Ghazali (RA) is a letter from this renowned teacher to one of his students. Today, this text is studied by students of knowledge as a landmark study in tazkiyyah (purification of the heart).
• Remembrance of the Most Merciful by Ibn al Qayyim (RA) reminds the reader about good deeds and how they soften our hearts.

2. Tajwid (Recitation)

Here, you’ll learn how to read the Qurʾan. You’ll begin with recognising the Arabic letters, connecting the sounds, and eventually progress to reading entire verses. For this science, it’s best to have a teacher who can ensure you learn with accountability and accuracy.

• Critical Loyalty College is based in Canada, however, all its courses are online. One can even receive an ijazah (certification) in tajwid.
• Iqra Network has offices in the UK, US, and Australia. Their tajwid offerings are expansive, starting from the simple and ending with the more in-depth.
• Safar Publications’ Learn to Read series offers a book curriculum and a YouTube series, allowing students to learn the letters and then move on to reading verses.
• Quranly is an app where you can listen to different reciters as they pronounce the words and set daily recitation goals.
• Download Qariah if you want to hear women reciting the book of Allah.

3. Fiqh (Jurisprudence)

While this is a more in-depth science, every Muslim should have knowledge of basic fiqh. For example, knowing when to pray, how to pray, and the purification of the self after your period.

• Amaliah has covered mindfulness in salah, the Witr prayer, istikhara, and how to perform ghusl along with other fiqh topics.
• Qalam Online offers a reserve of free fiqh courses to fit into your own schedule.
• Suhbah Institute (Houston, TX) has a weekend and full-time Seminary specialising in fiqh in multiple realms of life (like marriage and divorce).

4. Tafsir (Meaning of the Qurʾan)

This is one of the most beautiful sciences and is often offered in masajid, focusing on common surahs like Surah al-Hujurat. Many organisations also explore its lessons during Ramadan, discussing reflections juz by juz, such as Yaqeen’s 30 for 30 series.

• Faith Space offers Qur’an Study Sessions and other beneficial courses worldwide—not just in London, but in New York, Austin, San Diego, Ottawa and Oslo.
• Niyyah is an app built around the Qur’an. In just five minutes a day, you can learn the basics of an individual chapter or even an entire juz.
• Tafsir Jalalayn is a playlist uploaded by the Institute of Knowledge with Shaykh Farhan Zubairi. Tafsir Jalalayn is known for its ease of understanding and makes for a wonderful introduction to this noble science.
• Quran.com offers a variety of tafsirs, including Ibn Kathir and Ma’arif Al-Qur’an. It also features translations such as Dr. Mustafa Khattab’s The Clear Quran (the default), William Marmaduke Pickthall, and Dr. Muhammad A. S. Abdel Haleem, providing options for easy and accessible reading.

5. Hadith (narrations of the Prophet ﷺ) & Seerah (life of the Prophet ﷺ)

How often do we quote our favourite movies? Imagine having access to the most meaningful quotes from our favourite person, the Prophet ﷺ himself. Many masajid offer courses on the 40 Hadith of Imam al-Nawawi, a well-known collection, or Riyad al-Saliheen. Before investigating the two sources below, we recommend looking locally.

• The Qalam Podcast has a years-long archive of the seerah and multiple collections of hadith and makes for a convenient listen on your own time. They also offer Intensives for both.
• Miftaah Institute based in Warren, Michigan, is well-known for its conferences, seminary, and seminars. There’s something for everyone, be it onsite or online. Their Seerah and Hadith Intensives are a popular avenue for studying the life of the Prophet ﷺ.
• The Sealed Nectar and When the Moon Split by Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri are two biographies of the Prophet ﷺ. The focus on the former is a straightforward biography, while the second focuses on takeaway lessons. 
• Misquoting Muhammad by Dr. Jonathan A. C. Brown dispels some of the disparities around certain hadith and also introduces its reputability as a science.

6. Arabic

A popular phrase goes: “Arabic is the key to knowledge.” The beauty of this language, along with its specificity and nuance, has no bounds. It’s a wonderful way to begin your Islamic studies.

• Fawakih’s mission is to help everyone access the language of the Qur’an. Classes are local to the US, but also available online for all.
• Quranic is a delightfully fun app that focuses on Classical Arabic vocabulary. Its other app, Alif, is like a pocket Qaidah Nooraniah—a booklet where you can learn how to pronounce the letters and sounds.

What if I want to learn in person?

It’s easy to overlook the valuable resources available to us in our local communities. Many mosques offer evening courses or morning programs that we can benefit from. In addition to looking at the places below, be sure to ask your local imam for resources. There may be a women’s group that you can be a part of, an organisation like Young Muslims or a grassroots collective like CONSCIOUS.

We recommend starting small to keep your workload manageable and achievable. Commit to a weekly in-person course with a subject you’re interested in. Perhaps you want to learn more about hadith (narrations from the Prophet ﷺ), or the seerah (the Messenger ﷺ’s life and legacy). Explore other topics as you gain interest in them—tafsir (exegesis of the Qur’an) and maybe a circle of spiritual gems. Get to know the community who attends that third space or mosque so you can compare notes and learn more.

Advanced Courses

Should you consider higher and more rigorous study, you might pursue the following seminaries, graduate schools, colleges, and organisations. Many of them offer online, in-person, part-time, and full-time options.

• Al-Maqasid Seminary (Macungie, PA) has lots to offer, like a summer Arabic reading and writing course. They also have their own academy for part-time learners.
• Bayan Islamic Graduate School (Chicago, IL) is an accredited institution that offers master’s and doctorate-level courses. One can also browse through 300 hours of courses through their portal.
• Boston Islamic Seminary (Boston, MA) has a unique approach to knowledge. They offer a master’s program, 12-week certificate courses, and the Iqra Fellowship for College and Young Professionals.
• Cambridge Muslim College (Cambridge, UK) has much to offer: one can begin with a Diploma in Islamic Psychology or advance to a Bachelor in Islamic Studies. Their YouTube channel offers many lectures for you to get acquainted with their teaching style.
• Institute of Knowledge (Diamond Bar, CA) has an onsite and online Seminary, specialising in Qur’anic grammar and Arabic morphology. However, one can pursue their Islamic studies as well.
• Jannah Institute (Irvine, CA) exists to educate Muslim women about their deen. Their Qur’an program is broken up into three sections (how to read the letters, how to read fluently, and memorisation).
• Mishkah Islamic University (Houston, TX) has multiple scholars on staff and multiple subjects to boot.
• Ribaat Academic Institute (Arden Hills, MN) is an endeavour of Rabata Cultural Center. Classes can be online or in-person but are always women-only. They have a specialised Convert Care program and courses geared towards new Muslims or Muslims coming back to their religion. They also offer Classical Arabic language courses.
• Seekers Guidance (Toronto, CA) promises Islamic knowledge for free. Through its academy, one can find personalised curriculums for Arabic, Ramadan, and much, much more.
• Tayseer Seminary (Knoxville, TN) has intensives and programs ranging from a week to a year. The Seminary also offers an online Arabic course.
• Ta Collective is a noble collection of sisters who want to enhance the faith experience of Muslim women in the UK. They organise Qur’an circles, prayer classes, and more.
• The Islamic Seminary of America (Richardson, TX) has a variety of degree programs for aspiring graduate students, many taught by scholars around the US.
• Qalam Seminary (Carrollton, TX) offers a one-year, full-time Classical Arabic program. You can study part-time through the Qalam Academy.

How do I know which place is for me?

Choosing where to place your trust to gain knowledge requires careful consideration. It’s not just the environment or the cost, but the quality of companionship you’ll have with your classmates, and the rapport you’ll have with teachers.

You might want to consider whether you’d like to learn alongside women only or in a mixed environment. Follow the social media accounts for the institutions that pique your interest, and see if the instructors align with your own values.

If you’ve begun to learn your religion, know that you are in great company—not just with other students of knowledge, but with the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) as well as their students. May Allah make your search easy, and in doing so, your path to Jannah easy.

Abu Huraira said that The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.”(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2699). It may not be easy, but it’s absolutely worth it.

The Prophet ﷺ made a special du’a for Ibn Abbas (RA) that we can also say for ourselves: “O Allah, give him understanding in religion and teach him the interpretation of the Qur’an.” (Musnad Aḥmad 2879)

Many scholars, when beginning their circles, have conjugated the Arabic into a plural for us to say as well, for ourselves:

اللَّهُمَّ فَقِّهْنَا فِي الدِّينِ وَعَلِّمْنَا التَّأْوِيلَ

Allahumma faqiḥna fid-dīn, wa alimna ta’wīl. 

“O Allah, grant us understanding of the religion and teach us the interpretation of the Qur’an.” Ameen!

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Footnotes:

Ta Collective. “The Faith Experiences of Muslim Women in the UK are Bleak — Here’s Why.” Amaliah.