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FOUNDATIONS DIPLOMA COURSE

Islamic Studies

2025-2026

  • Part-time
  • 40 Weeks
  • 9 Subjects
  • 7 Applied Workshops
  • 3 Hours Twice a Week
  • 10 Visiting Expert Scholars
  • Certificate Program
Register Now
  • Part-time
  • 40 Weeks
  • 9 Subjects
  • 7 Applied Workshops
  • 3 Hours Twice a Week
  • 10 Visiting Expert Scholars
  • Certificate Program
Register Here

September 13, 2025 - JUNE 14, 2026

11 am - 2 PM est

every saturday and sunday morning

Double the knowledge

Based on survey feedback, we are separating Arabic and Islamic Studies into two distinct programs starting this year. 

This means all of the Islamic Studies modules will be completed in one academic year, with a Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer semester for our workshops.

This also means double the content. In addition to Seerah, Theology, Advanced Eschatology, Devotional Law, and Islamic Spirituality, the curriculum will include early Muslim history, Interpersonal Law, Hadith Studies, Qur’an Studies, and Legal Philosophy and Theory.

Every subject is studied in a context relevant to our time, needs, and realities.

All of this is accomplished in less than 10 months, part-time, with only 5 hours of commitment a week on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Curriculum

Islamic Studies

  • Sirah and Early Muslim History
  • Theology and Eschatology
  • Family and Business Law
  • Devotional Law
  • Psychology and Spirituality
  • Islamic Legal Philosophy
  • Quran Studies
  • Hadith Studies
  • Culture and Context Studies
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Applied Workshops

Our Foundations Curriculum also includes workshops and seminars on essential topics such as “Usul al-Bid’ah: Innovation and Creativity in Islam” and “Islam and the West: History and Challenges.” There will also be a “Being in Community: Service, Leadership, and Paths to God” seminar for those interested in professions in Muslim community work.

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SEMINARS

Comparative Psychology: Islamic vs Secular Approaches to Healing
Islamic Political Theory and Activism: Modalities of Justice
Systemic Solutions: Introduction to Community Psychology
Usul al Bid'ah: Innovation and Creativity in Islam
Islam and the West: History and Challenges
Being in Community: Service, Leadership, and Paths to God
Art of Oratory and Khateeb Training

What is Fard 'Ayn?

Fard ‘Ayn literally means “individual obligation.” It was a concept developed by scholars over the centuries to organize all of the topics within Islam required for every individual Muslim to know and practice. 

It was based on the famous Hadith Jibril, which organizes Islam into 3 primary dimensions: Islam, Iman, and Ihsan. 

The purpose of this system was to ensure structured and formal education for the general public, relevant to the needs of their time, to foster confidence in engaging all aspects of life through the Muslim worldview. 

The Pillars Curriculum was built with this vision.

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Who is Pillars for?

We have catered Pillars for busy Muslims tired of scattered information bytes, and seeking to learn Islam in a more structured manner without having to go abroad or join a full-time program.

Our course is suitable for new Muslims, college students, working professionals, parents, and anyone seeking a deeper engagement with their faith.

We have designed this curriculum to include everything a Muslim needs for their day-to-day life, no matter what context they are in. 

 

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Interactive lectures

Engaging, beautifully designed slides

Quiz reviews in each lesson to test your knowledge

Subject exams to ensure you are prepared for finals

Resource documents for continued self-study

Online student portal for recordings

Assigned academic and traditional readings for every subject

Chat support with teachers and admin

Teacher Assistants

Your
Learning Experience

At Pillars we want to ensure everything is seamless and easy for you, so you can focus on absorbing the knowledge. Every subject will include:

Money Should
Never be a Barrier

We aim to make Fard al-Ayn education not only beautiful, relevant and enjoyable, but also affordable. That is why at Pillars, for students who cannot afford our tuition, they pay what they can. 

Apply for Scholarship

Our Teachers

Ustadh

Ahmad Deeb, PhD.

Formally trained as an Imam by his father and in seminary programs abroad, Imam Ahmad Deeb holds an M.A. in Islamic Studies and Leadership, and a PhD in Psychology from National Louis University.

Ustadh

Mohamed Ali, PhD.

Specializing in Maliki law and legal theory, Ustadh Mohamed has been studying Islam for close to 2 decades and is in the final year of completing his PhD at Georgetown in Arabic and Islamic Studies.

What is
a Foundation Diploma?

Pillars Seminary is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the most essential issues of the Muslim worldview and tradition, accessible to a mass audience.

Our aim for the diploma program is to cultivate confidence in faith, a filter for qualified sources and information on Islam, and provide all the essential knowledge and tools for living Islam and inviting to Allah—no matter what profession or context one is in.

The Foundations Diploma begins with an in-depth study of Islamic Studies and Arabic and culminates in a comprehensive Tafsīr of the entire Qur’an.

Lifelong Learning at the Highest Level

For those interested in scholarly training, we offer a full part-time Alimiyyah seminary program upon completion of the Foundations Diploma (coming soon).

Our Visiting Expert Scholars

Shaykh Muhammad al-Ninowy

Shaykh Hamzah Abdul-Malik

Dr. Mariam Sheibani

Dr. Jonathan Brown

Dr. Heba el-Haddad

Shaykh Ubaydullah Evans

Shaykh Ismail Bowers

Dr. Mona Amer

Shaykh Jamal Diwan

"Since joining Pillars, I'm more serious about my responsibilities as a Muslim. I will always be on a path to grow closer to Allah. I am more mindful of the duties I need to fulfill in order to continue becoming closer to Allah. I feel this sense of "Now, that I know, Allah will hold me to a higher level of accountability and I don't want to let Allah down."

Abdullah

"While there are many out there who try to enforce one opinion as the standard Islamic position on a matter, it was so refreshing to learn that's not how most scholars engaged with matters in Islam. My perception of others now takes a softer approach; I'm giving benefit of the doubt to people quite often now. I am acknowledging my shortcomings. I have become more conscious while performing my religious commitments that I would otherwise do on pilot mode."

Madiha

"What surprised me most about Pillars was how cool it is. It's so relatable because the teachers are open and share their experiences with us. Usually with Islamic programs, I feel like it's pretty "strict/formal" and you can't really show your true personality within it. Whereas in Pillars, they accept you for who you are."

Leyla Hussein

"I joined pillars because i wanted to unlearn and relearn Islam the correct way. The organization surpised me the most. The classes are very well put and organized and there is real structure to the institute. I LOVE PILLARS!! May Allah put his barakah in this institute and allow it to grow and flourish as it helped me grow and flourish and brought me closer to Him each given day Ameen!"

Somer Mustafa

"My perception of others now takes a softer approach; I'm giving benefit of the doubt to people quite often now. I am acknowledging my shortcomings. I have become more conscious while performing my religious commitments that I would otherwise do on pilot mode."

Malik

"I feel like my relationship with Allah and Islam is more meaningful. I also feel more love towards it. I feel like prior Pillars, a lot of my worship was only done out of obligation and to not do haram. However, pillars taught me more about love and mercy for Allah and his messenger PBUH."

Leyla M.

"My love and appreciation for learning Islamic studies, history, and so on has only continued to increase(no surprise on my end). I know learning my fard ayn is important to me particularly the maliki fiqh. So this just opened my eyes even more to the beauty in the diversity of schools of thought and Allah’s love and mercy towards us as his creation alhamdulillah! I’m very grateful Allah opened this opportunity for me and that Allah blessed me to know him Malik al Mulk and be muslim just endless gratitude to be honest, Allah is so kind and generous."

Aqeelah Lingard

What Our Students Say

What Our Students Say

"Since joining Pillars, I'm more serious about my responsibilities as a Muslim. I will always be on a path to grow closer to Allah. I am more mindful of the duties I need to fulfill in order to continue becoming closer to Allah. I feel this sense of "Now, that I know, Allah will hold me to a higher level of accountability and I don't want to let Allah down."

Abdullah

"While there are many out there who try to enforce one opinion as the standard Islamic position on a matter, it was so refreshing to learn that's not how most scholars engaged with matters in Islam. My perception of others now takes a softer approach; I'm giving benefit of the doubt to people quite often now. I am acknowledging my shortcomings. I have become more conscious while performing my religious commitments that I would otherwise do on pilot mode."

Madiha

"What surprised me most about Pillars was how cool it is. It's so relatable because the teachers are open and share their experiences with us. Usually with Islamic programs, I feel like it's pretty "strict/formal" and you can't really show your true personality within it. Whereas in Pillars, they accept you for who you are."

Leyla Hussein

"I joined pillars because i wanted to unlearn and relearn Islam the correct way. The organization surpised me the most. The classes are very well put and organized and there is real structure to the institute. I LOVE PILLARS!! May Allah put his barakah in this institute and allow it to grow and flourish as it helped me grow and flourish and brought me closer to Him each given day Ameen!"

Somer Mustafa

"My perception of others now takes a softer approach; I'm giving benefit of the doubt to people quite often now. I am acknowledging my shortcomings. I have become more conscious while performing my religious commitments that I would otherwise do on pilot mode."

Malik

"I feel like my relationship with Allah and Islam is more meaningful. I also feel more love towards it. I feel like prior Pillars, a lot of my worship was only done out of obligation and to not do haram. However, pillars taught me more about love and mercy for Allah and his messenger PBUH."

Leyla M.

"My love and appreciation for learning Islamic studies, history, and so on has only continued to increase(no surprise on my end). I know learning my fard ayn is important to me particularly the maliki fiqh. So this just opened my eyes even more to the beauty in the diversity of schools of thought and Allah’s love and mercy towards us as his creation alhamdulillah! I’m very grateful Allah opened this opportunity for me and that Allah blessed me to know him Malik al Mulk and be muslim just endless gratitude to be honest, Allah is so kind and generous."

Aqeelah Lingard

Choose your plan

One-time Payment

$2,449

12 MONTHS

 

  • Part-time
  • 35 Weeks
  • 9 Subjects
  • 5 Applied Workshops
  • 2.5 Hours Twice a Week
  • 10 Visiting Expert Scholars
  • Certificate Program
Enrollment Closed

Monthly Payment Plan

$185

/ MONTH

with $360 payment upfront (non-refundable)​

  • Part-time
  • 35 Weeks
  • 9 Subjects
  • 5 Applied Workshops
  • 2.5 Hours Twice a Week
  • 10 Visiting Expert Scholars
  • Certificate Program
Enrollment Closed

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