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Certification in Islamic Chaplaincy & Leadership

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Overview & courses

This Certification in Islamic Leadership & Chaplaincy provides students with the opportunity to develop leadership skills and learn the basics of Islamic Chaplaincy. The module will cover the core principles and practices of Islamic Chaplaincy as well as explore the challenges and opportunities of Islamic Chaplaincy. Students who embark on this course will gain a basic understanding of a Islamic Chaplaincy in a range of settings such as: hospitals, prisons, and universities. 

This program will give students a foundation education in Islamic Studies. Our unique teaching methodology entails teaching our students the various viewpoints within the bounds of Ahl’ al-Sunnah provided within a contemporary context. The program also entails electives in leadership. These electives will provide them with essential skills such as public speaking, family counseling, youth counseling, and interfaith dialogue. Skills in these areas are necessary when looking to develop competent community leadership. 

Students seeking further knowledge and experience in the field of Pastoral care will be directed to an accredited CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) program. Here students will gain invaluable hands-on practical experience developing one’s capacity for pastoral and spiritual care for individuals and families. Students who complete their CPE training will gain one unit in CPE Training. One unit of CPE is required by many institutions employing chaplains as well schools training chaplains at higher levels.

Quranic Sciences (Ulum Al-Quran)

    • Quranic Recitation (Tajwid) I
      • This course is an introduction to proper recitation of the Quran. Students learn the correct pronunciation of the Arabic letters, as well as the rules of correct recitation of the Qur’an.
    • Quranic Sciences I
      • Basic introduction to Sciences of the Quran. This includes a brief survey of topics related to the Quran, including defining what the Quran is, its content, names, miracles, causes and types of revelation, kinds of verses, abrogation, transmission and preservation, division, language and style, recitation, modes of recitation, exegesis, and interpretations.
    • Quranic Virtues and Ethics I
      • This unique course is an insight into the subject of Quranic Virtues & Ethics. This course will focus on delving through the verses of the Quran to explore how the Quran defines virtues and ethics. Also enable students to reflect on and recognize the structure of ethics in the Quran at a deeper level.

Hadith Sciences (Ulum Al-Hadith)

  • Hadith Terminology I
    • This course is an introduction to the sciences of Hadith. Students will be introduced to the methodology of the scholars of hadith in authenticating and categorizing reports. They will also learn the various terminologies used by them. The text covered in this course will be Nukhbah al-Fikar. 
  • Hadith Literature I 
    • As an introduction to Hadith literature, students will examine the Arbain al-Nawawi (Nawawi’s 40 Hadith). With the help of the instructor students will memorize and learn to interpret the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him and his family).
  • Hadith Sciences I 
    • This course is an introduction to the sciences of Hadith. In this course students learn the foundations that ground the paradigm of hadith sciences. Students will also learn the method of takhrij, and of the essential resources that are required for it. They will also explore the various disagreements among scholars regarding the principles of hadith learned in Hadith Terminology I, while analyzing their proofs and arguments.

Theology (Aqidah)

  • Credal Theology (Aqidah) I 
    • This course is an introduction to Islamic credal theology. Students learn about the historic context behind the development of the Sunni school of thought and the three Sunni schools, namely: the Ash’ari, Maturidi, and Athari schools. They are also exposed to the foundational matters in creed, with a special focus on the understanding of Tawheed, as well as the differences between the sunni tradition and other Islamic groups. The text covered for this class is al-Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah.

Prophetic Biography (Seerah)

  • Prophetic Biography (Seerah) I
    • This course is a study of the Prophetic biography as recorded by one of the earliest scholars in the field, Ibn Hisham. Students will learn about the environment of Arabia prior to his birth, his early life, the announcement of the message, life in Mecca, migration, and life in Madina (peace and blessings upon him and his family).

Islamic Law (Fiqh)

  • Islamic Law – Hanafi I
    • This course is an introduction to the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. The students will study the history behind the formation of the school, it’s main contributors, and it’s major works. The students will also study the rulings regarding matters of worship, namely:  tahara (purification), salah (prayer), zakah (alms), sawm (fasting), and hajj (pilgrimage). The text used for this course will be Mukhtasar al-Quduri.
  • Islamic Law – Shafi I
    • This course is an introduction to the Shafi school of jurisprudence. The students will study the history behind the formation of the school, it’s main contributors, and it’s major works. The students will also study the rulings regarding matters of worship, namely:  tahara (purification), salah (prayer), zakah (alms), sawm (fasting), and hajj (pilgrimage). The text used for this course will be al-Ghayah wal-Taqrib.

Legal Theory (Usul al-Fiqh)

  • Legal Theory – Shafi I 
    • This course is an introduction to the field of legal theory. Students will be introduced to the methodology and principles used by scholars to extract legal rulings from the Quran, Sunnah, and other sources. Students will also learn the structure of Islamic legal theory as well as the major chapters within the subject. The text covered in this course will be the primer of al-Juwayni, al-Waraqaat.
  • Legal Theory – Hanafi I 
    • In this course students will advance their understanding of legal theory by studying the main text in Hanafi legal theory, Usul al-Shashi (or an equivalent text). Students will learn the methodology of Hanafi Jurists in applying their principles to the Islamic sources to derive rulings.

Islamic Spirituality (Tazkiya)

  • Islamic Spirituality (Tazkiya) I
    • This course is a study of Imam al-Zarnuji’s text titled Instruction of the student (Talim al-Mut’allim). This is an indispensable text for students who are beginning their journey in the pursuit of sacred knowledge. Students will learn the importance of having correct intention, the effective methods of study, and the responsibilities of a student of knowledge. 
  • Islamic Spirituality (Tazkiya) II
    • This course is a study of Bidayat al-Hidayah of Imam al-Ghazali. The path to self-purification and realization is a life-long journey. This journey must have a starting point on solid foundations, explained beautifully by Imam Al-Ghazzali in his book Bidayat al-Hidayah. This book lays out the foundations of the science of tazkiya, by alerting one to the spiritual diseases of the heart and to their cures.

Contemporary Islamic Thinking

  • Contemporary Issues in Theology I
    • This course covers Islamic theology with a focus on the rational proofs for Islamic tenets of faith. The course will include a study of contemporary challenges to faith, including questions about the existence of God and the truthfulness of prophets, and how to address them philosophically. 
  • Contemporary Issues in Theology II
    • This course includes a deeper study of Islamic theology. The course will also address additional contemporary scientific and philosophical arguments leveled against belief in God, such as the problem of evil, evolution, naturalism etc.
  • Understanding Modern Philosophy
    • This course is a study of the history and development of modern philosophy. Students will cover the section on the history of modern philosophers found in Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr’s book, A Young Muslim’s Guide to the modern world.
  • Non-violence and Peace Studies I
    • This course aims to provide a substantive understanding of nonviolence and peace studies’ foundations and applications from reliable academic sources. The course starts by understanding the sources of power in the hands of rulers in dictatorships and democracies alike and how the way we think of power defines how we react to violence. It later discusses the limits of violent and destructive strategies in achieving their stated ends, and how nonviolent strategies (will cover tens of different nonviolent strategies) present themselves as better alternatives on both practical and moral measures. Finally, it will compare, with the support of history and statistical studies, the short-term and long-term effectiveness of violence and nonviolence in solving conflicts and will provide a broad explanation of how and why nonviolence indeed works better than violence.

Islamic Leadership

  • Public Speaking I 
    • This course is designed to assist students in developing the skills needed to become effective public speakers. It is also designed to help students gain an understanding of speaking about religion within the First Amendment guidelines. This course also explores ISB (Islamic Speaker Bureau) techniques in speaking about Islam and Muslims in public and how to handle difficult questions.
  • Interfaith Dialogue I 
    • This course is designed to train students in performing quality interfaith work in their communities. It is also designed to enhance communication and empower American Muslims with advanced-knowledge drawn from traditional Islamic sources, as well as from recent academic research.  The course encourages Muslims to practice Ihsan with love and respect for all, while maintaining compliance with the Holy Quran and the model practiced by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him and his family)
  • Intrafaith Dialogue I
    • This course is designed to train students in performing quality interfaith work in their communities. It is also designed to enhance communication and empower American Muslims with advanced-knowledge drawn from traditional Islamic sources, as well as from recent academic research.  The course encourages Muslims to practice Ihsan with love and respect for all, while maintaining compliance with the Holy Quran and the model practiced by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him and his family)

Islamic Chaplaincy & Counseling

  • Islamic Chaplaincy I
    • Students will examine a range of Prophetic Traditions as well as verses of the Quran exploring the practice of chaplaincy that is rooted in the Islamic tradition. The course will draw on the experience of individuals who have worked in the field as well as well as researchers, studying what the role of a Muslim entails. 
  • Emotional Intelligence I
    • This course aims to equip students with knowledge in the foundational principles of Emotional Intelligence such as: Self Awareness, Focus, Emotional balance, Empathy, Positive outlook, and Adaptability. This course will look at each of these skills, learning what they are and how to apply them in our daily lives. Through the duration of this course we aim to provide students with skills that will benefit them in all aspects of their lives, ranging from how we feel to how to become a more effective leader. Madina Institute’s Emotional Intelligence course offers unique insight from the life of some of the greatest figures in Islamic history such as Imam al-Ghazali. 
  • Youth Counseling I 
    • The Youth Counseling course is designed to teach our students how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
  • Family Counseling I 
    • This course is an overview of the important elements of providing family counseling as a community leader. The course is intended to enhance the skills and effectiveness of community leaders, while helping them to develop clarity around their role in using counseling to help families in their communities. The course will introduce topics impacting Muslim families and will provide students with the opportunity to practice basic skills through experiential exercises and case studies.

In addition the students can enroll to any number of elective courses which includes additional courses in Islamic Sciences, courses in Arabic Language etc.

Curriculum page

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Program Overview

Program Length

11 months

Format

In-person

Effort

Full-time

Certification

Available upon graduation

What you’ll Learn

  • You will have a strong foundational understanding of the various Islamic sciences. This entails a study in the field of Theology, Quranic sciences, Hadith sciences, Legal theory, Islamic Law and more
  • You will have clarity and ability to think critically
  • You will gain an understanding and implementation of Islamic Ethics
  • You will learn the basics of Islamic Chaplaincy
  • You will be able to continue on the leadership path
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Who should enroll

Our program is designed for anyone who:

  • Can dedicate themselves to studying the foundations of the religion for a year
  • Yearns for intellectual & spiritual growth
  • Aims to become a Community leader, Youth leader or Chaplain

Admissions Overview

Admissions
Deadlines

  • Rolling Admissions – March 31st, 2023
  • Rolling Admissions – June 30th, 2023

Class of 2023-24 Start Date

  • September 12th, 2023

Who can Apply

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements for consideration of admission:

  • 16+ years of age
  • Have a high school diploma (or equivalent)

Steps to Apply

If you are not ready to apply yet, but have questions or would like to stay in touch, please contact us at admissions@madinainstitute.com

  1. Ensure you have all your required documents
    1. High school diploma or equivalent
    2. Proof of Identification and Documentation for your Residency
  2. Complete Online Application
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  • Please upload unofficial transcripts with your application. We will request official documents once you are admitted into the program.
  • Once you submit your online application, a Madina Institute admissions counselor will be in touch with you to assist with any questions and to provide updates or further instructions.

Program Overview

What our students say

One of the questions we should ask is: what are we inspired by God to do? Is it to seek endless inspiration as an end? The answer is reflected in the very word which describes knowledge: ‘ilm. When the last two letters are flipped, it gives you ‘amal: action. And what is the first step and foundation of any action? Knowledge.
Ahmed Deeb
Imam & Resident Scholar
Studying at Madina Institute not only helped me become a teacher in Islamic studies but also helped me become an Imam and Community leader.
Muaaz Kalla
Faculty, Imam & Community Leader
Madina Institute's One Year program instilled in me hope to become a community leader and I returned home with more than I could ever imagine to offer my community.
Maleeha Darab
Entrepreneur, Activist & Calligraphy Instructor
As someone who struggled with public speaking, the opportunities presented in Madina Institute’s program enabled me to develop the confidence needed to deliver and teach the knowledge I learned. I am now part of the faculty and of the khatibs for the masjid.
Asad Khan
Faculty & Community Leader

Contact Our Admissions Office For More Information About Our Programs

Thank you for your interest in Madina Institute. You may contact our Admissions Counselors via email or you may call our Admissions office directly.

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