A flexible online curriculum offering deep engagement with Islamic thought and a pathway to an MA in Islamic Studies with the University of Birmingham.
A Hawza is a traditional Islamic seminary, a centuries-old institution dedicated to the advanced study of Islamic sciences. Originating in the early centuries of Islam, Hawzas serve as centers for the rigorous training of scholars in fields such as jurisprudence (fiqh), theology (kalām), philosophy (falsafa), and Arabic language. These seminaries historically evolved in regions like Iraq, Iran, and the Levant, fostering a scholarly tradition that emphasises textual analysis, debate, and the preservation of Islamic intellectual heritage.
Typically structured in levels of study, Hawzas offer a curriculum that includes classical texts and oral transmission of knowledge, often spanning years of intensive learning. The Hawza Programme at Al-Mahdi Institute adapts this model for the modern era, providing an online platform to explore these disciplines academically, accessible to students worldwide seeking a deep understanding of Islamic thought.
Study at your own pace and in your own time, with access to all lessons and learning material for 365 days.
Gain personal support through weekly tutorials with our faculty to guide you through your learning journey.
Advance your studies and qualify with an MA in Islamic Studies from tthe University of Birmingham.
Enjoy world-class learning at a reduced cost with a 65% fee waivers. Additional waivers are available on request.
Rooted in the Hawza tradition, our four-level curriculum takes you from foundational studies to advanced mastery, with rigorous training in classical Arabic throughout. Download our prospectus to learn more.
Introduces historical and theoretical foundations of Islamic studies, with initial Arabic training.
| Course Name | Code | Credits |
| Arabic Level One | ARB1ONE | 20 |
| Qur’anic Studies | QUR1INT | 10 |
| Ḥadīth and Rijāl Studies | HAD1INT | 10 |
| Introduction to Muslim Theology and Philosophy | THE1PHI | 10 |
| Introduction to Sufism and Islamic Mystical Traditions | IRF1INT | 10 |
| Introduction to Islamic Ethics | ETH1INT | 10 |
| Introduction to Islamic Law and Legal Theory | USL1INT | 10 |
| Islamic History: From Pre-Islamic Arabia to the Prophetic Period | HIS1ONE | 10 |
| Islamic History: From the Four Caliphs to the Umayyad Period | HIST1WO | 10 |
| Total credits | 100 |
Intensifies Arabic study, covering al-ʿAllāma Muḥammad Riḍā al-Muẓaffar’s al-Manṭiq (logic), al-Shaykh Muḥammad Bāqir al-Īrawānī’s al-Fiqh al-istidlālī (jurisprudence), and Ibn Sīnā’s al-Ishārāt wa-l-tanbīhāt (Sufism section).
| Course Name | Code | Credits |
| Arabic Level Two | ARB2TWO | 20 |
| Logic 1: Conceptual Discussions | LOG2MM1 | 10 |
| Logic 2: Syllogisms | LOG2MM2 | 10 |
| Logic 3: Five Arts | LOG2MM3 | 10 |
| Muḥammad Bāqir al-Ṣadr’s Legal Theory | USL2HAL | 10 |
| Jurisprudence: Ritual Purity | FIQ2F01 | 10 |
| Jurisprudence: Prayer | FIQ2F02 | 10 |
| Jurisprudence: Fasting, Prescribed Alms and Taxes | FIQ2F03 | 10 |
| Jurisprudence: Pilgrimage, Religious Warfare and Enjoining Good | FIQ2F04 | 10 |
| Philosophy of Mysticism: Ibn Sīnā’s al-Ishārāt wa-l-tanbīhāt | IRF2ISH | 10 |
| Total credits | 110 |
Delves into al-ʿAllāma al-Ḥillī’s Kashf al-murād (theology), al-ʿAllāma al-Muẓaffar’s Uṣūl al-fiqh (legal theory), and legal maxims (al-qawāʿid al-fiqhiyya).
| Course Name | Code | Credits |
| Arabic Level Three | ARB3THR | 20 |
| Theology 1: The Existence and Attributes of God | THE3KM1 | 10 |
| Theology 2: Prophethood and Imāmate | THE3KM2 | 10 |
| Theology 3: Eschatology | THE3KM3 | 10 |
| Legal Theory 1: Linguistic Discussions | USL3UF1 | 20 |
| Legal Theory 2: Rational Discussions | USL3UF2 | 20 |
| Legal Theory 3: The Authority of Evidence | USL3UF3 | 20 |
| Legal Maxims (al-qawāʿid al-fiqhiyya) | FIQ3QAW | 10 |
| Jurisprudence: Marriage and Divorce | FIQ3F05 | 10 |
| Jurisprudence: Financial Transactions and Leasing | FIQ3F06 | 10 |
| Jurisprudence: Equity Partnerships and Trustee Financed Partnerships | FIQ3F07 | 10 |
| Total credits | 150 |
Features al-ʿAllāma al-Ṭabāṭabāʾī’s Bidāyat al-ḥikma (philosophy), Dāwūd al-Qayṣarī’s Muqaddima (theoretical mysticism), and advanced texts like al-Shaykh al-Anṣārī’s Makāsib and al-Shahīd al-Thānī’s al-Lumʿat al-Dimashqiyya.
| Course Name | Code | Credits |
| Legal Theory 4: Conflict of Evidence | USL4UF4 | 20 |
| Legal Theory 5: Procedural Principles | USL4UF5 | 20 |
| Jurisprudence: Legal Derivation and Emulation | FIQ4F08 | 10 |
| Jurisprudence: Consumables and Inheritance | FIQ4F09 | 10 |
| Jurisprudence: Criminal Law and Punishment | FIQ4F10 | 10 |
| Jurisprudence: Advanced Readings | FIQ4MAK | 10 |
| Philosophy 1: The Concept and Reality of Existence | PHI4BD1 | 10 |
| Philosophy 2: Quiddity and its Properties | PHI4BD2 | 10 |
| Philosophy 3: The Categories of Being and Causation | PHI4BD3 | 10 |
| Philosophy 4: The One and the Many, the Metaphysics of Knowledge, and the Necessary Being | PHI4BD4 | 20 |
| Mysticism 1: The Unity of Existence and the Sufi Path of Knowledge | IRF4MQ1 | 10 |
| Mysticism 2: The Five Divine Presences and the Perfect Human | IRF4MQ2 | 10 |
| Total credits | 150 |
AMI’s historic partnership with the University of Birmingham makes it the first UK Islamic seminary to integrate a Hawza programme with an academic MA. After three years of online study, students progress to a fourth year on campus, engaging with cutting-edge modules while bridging traditional Islamic sciences with contemporary research, supported by flexible study options and fully-funded scholarships.
Begin your journey with ease: explore our full range of courses, choose the modules that inspire you, complete your enrolment securely, and unlock immediate access to your learning platform. For any additional support, please contact us at education@almahdi.edu.
Click Apply Now to explore our full course catalogue, ranging from Level 1 beginner to Level 4 advanced courses.
Select your modules; new students are encourgaed to start with Level One courses.
Enrol securely online and benefit from 65% fee waivers on all courses. Additional fee waivers are available on request.
Get instant access to class recordings, study materials, and tutorials for 365 days via our online learning platform.
The Advanced Entry Pathway is designed for students who already have prior training in Islamic studies at a seminary or university. It recognises previous learning and provides a tailored route into AMI’s Hawza Programme, equipping students with academic writing and research skills while filling any gaps in study. This pathway prepares students for progression to the MA in Islamic Studies at the University of Birmingham, with opportunities for scholarships that may cover tuition, accommodation, and a monthly stipend.
Discover our team of expert faculty, here to support and inspire your learning.
