Delve into Advanced Islamic Studies with Waraqa. Choose from classical books in Hadith, Fiqh, Tafsir, and ‘Aqidah, guided by an Azhari scholar. Study with expert linguists and gain
Authentic instruction guided by Al-Azhar-trained teachers.
Structured for families and adults across multiple time zones.
Measured learning plans with practical pacing and support.
Waraqa
In this level, you may select a book or set of books in one or more of the following fields for in-depth study:Hadith, Fiqh, Tafsir and 'Aqidah. Your instructor can also help you to select a classical book or series of books you'd like to study with an Azhari scholar. Reading a classic book with a linguist is different from reading it on your own. We will make sure that the old books' knowledge is introduced to you in an easy-to understand way.
The advanced Islamic studies course is for students who have already read the foundational classical books and are ready for deeper texts. It moves from the short mutun to their middle-length commentaries (shuruh), from one madhab to comparative fiqh, and from hadith terminology to actually reading the major collections with a critical eye. The goal is the same goal classical scholars set for every advanced student: to understand the religion not just from a summary, but from its evidence. Allah says, "So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know" (an-Nahl 16:43); this course is how that knowledge is transmitted today.
Two to three 60-minute lessons per week, one-to-one with an Al-Azhar trained teacher. Each lesson reads the text aloud, unpacks it in English, and discusses one practical or theoretical question raised by the day's reading. Students submit one short written reflection per week (300–500 words). Most students complete the advanced track in two to three years.
This is not a degree programme, and we do not issue an ijazah in the texts (a separate, longer process). It is a structured, traditional reading of the advanced curriculum with a qualified teacher — the same model used in the post-foundational halaqahs of al-Azhar and other classical institutions.
Reading Arabic is a major advantage but not required. Many students study Arabic in parallel through our classical Arabic course; the teacher adjusts the lesson so the Arabic-only sections are read together.
All four. The student picks one as their "home" madhab and uses it as the reference point when comparing.
About 3 hours of lessons plus 4–6 hours of reading and writing. Less than that and the texts move too quickly to absorb.
Yes — one 60-minute lesson per week extends the course to 4–5 years and still finishes the same reading list. Book a free advanced consultation to plan it.