INTRODUCING
AXIS
Academic Exploration & Inherited Scholarship (AXIS) Program
Muslims in the West are constantly navigating the tension between the vastness of the Islamic Tradition with the critical approach of the Western Academy. For this reason, the AXIS program seeks to equip students with the critical-focus and research-oriented perspectives found in the academy while grounding them in classical textual Hanafism. In doing so, successful students are expected to be present in the world while being able to offer solutions derived from the most established of traditions. Each stream, described in more detail under their respective sections, will function as distinct separate curricula, enabling students to obtain the necessary skills to succeed in either field, should they choose to specialize in either field following the completion of the program.
We recognize that some may be concerned with regards to synthesizing knowledge having two such distinct streams within the program, given their complexities. However, regardless of whether Taqwa Academy continues to hold such offerings, Muslims, and especially those on the path of knowledge, will have to contend with this dichotomy. Given that most, if not all people are already contending with a plethora of ideas for any given topic, we feel that a focused study of two distinct perspectives, with dedicated teachers, will allow students to better work through the confusion found today. It is no doubt that the successful completion of such an endeavor is a tall ask, but it pales in comparison to the endless heights of the mountain path that sincere scholars and caretakers of the community must climb. The teachers at Taqwa Academy are personally committed to facilitating and aiding students to whatever degree that they need so long as a student is sincere in their efforts towards knowledge. Ultimately, success is only through divine enablement.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS
USTADH
SYED HASSAN
FOUNDER & LEAD INSTRUCTOR
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Ustadh Syed Hassan was raised in Toronto and studied Theoretical Mathematics at the University of Waterloo and Psychology at York University before pursuing Graduate Certification as a Life Coach. He initially received his traditional ijaza to transmit the Islamic sciences from Shaykh Nūr al-Dīn al-Ṣādiq of Syria through private studies. Afterwards, he completed several programs and courses through various institutes and scholars:
- Ijāzāt in tajwīd and Qirāʾāt (Shaykh Gelal al-Behwashy al-Azhari and Shaykh Nūr al-Dīn al-Ṣādiq)
- Cambridge Islamic College under the tutelage of Shaykh Muhammad Akram Nadwi:
- Diploma in Arabic and Islamic Studies
- Diploma in Classical Islamic Texts;
- Diploma in Islamic Spiritual Texts;
- History of Female Scholarship in Islam; and
- Various modules in exegesis.
- Bayyinah Access Program under the instruction of Ustadh Aarij Anwar.
- Mathabah Learning Centre under the tutelage of Shaykh Omar Subedar:
- Community Leader Program.
- Scholar of Islamic Sciences Certification Program – Exegesis Specialization (Ongoing).
- Irshad Centre for Hanafi Studies:
- The Hanafi Legal Code Program (Ongoing) under the tutelage of Shaykh Tabraze Azam
- Exegesis training under Shaykh Sohail Hanif
Since 2012, Ustadh Syed Hassan has continuously served the community by conducting Friday, Eid prayers and academic seminars all over the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. He is currently the Curriculum Lead and Vice-Principle at AlHuda Secondary School and has previously served as the Head of Curriculum Design and Vice Principal of Al-Manarat Heights Islamic School.
USTADH
DANYAL KHAN
HANAFI CREED & LAW
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Raised in the Greater Toronto Area, Ustadh Danyal spent most of his childhood in Mississauga before moving to Brampton in the early 2000s. At the age of 16, he completed his ḥifz under the guidance of Hafiz Asim Ali at Brampton Islamic Center, where he led Taraweeh and other prayers. In 2020, Ustadh Danyal received Ijāzat al-Tadrīs in the Islamic Sciences after completing the Academic Bare Essentials Program (ABC). He has authorizations in Ḥafṣ and ʿAshara Ṣughra as well as in many poems of tajwīd: Tuḥfat al-Atfāl, Khaqāniyya, Sakhāwiyya, and Jazariyya.
Currently, he is completing the Scholar of Islamic Sciences Program at Mathabah Learning Centre with a specialization in exegesis under the tutelage of Shaykh Omar Subedar. He is also under the mentorship of Shaykh Tabraze Azam, enrolled in the Hanafi Legal Code Program.
In his formal education, Ustadh Danyal has completed an Honors Bachelor of Information Sciences (Cyber Security) with honors, an undergraduate certificate in Creativity and Creative Problem Solving with high honors, and obtained his CISSP certification. He is currently pursuing an additional bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto majoring in Philosophy and Psychology. Ustadh Danyal works as a Cybersecurity Consultant and serves as the Imam at Huttonville Jame Masjid. He previously served as the Imam at Taseen Musalla (Masjid Ibrahim) for a number of years. He is an instructor at Taqwa Academy, Mathabah Learning Centre, and Roots Academy. He resides in Brampton with his family. In his free time, he enjoys working on personal projects and appreciates a good warm beverage.
USTADH
MOHAMMAD AHMED
QUR'ANIC FLUENCY
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Born in Montreal, Ustadh Mohammad has been immersed in Islamic learning and community service from an early age. He completed his ḥifẓ under the guidance of Ḥāfiẓ Asim Ali at Brampton Islamic Center, where he also led Taraweeh and other congregational prayers.
Ustadh Mohammad studied the foundational Islamic sciences through the Academic Bare Essentials (ABC) Program under Ustadh Hassan Syed, where he is currently completing his credentials. He previously studied under Qārī Armaan, from whom he received ijāza in the recitation of Ḥafṣ ʿan ʿĀṣim, along with instruction and certification in the classical tajwīd texts al-Jazarīyya and Tuḥfat al-Aṭfāl.
He is presently enrolled in and actively studying Dawrat al-Ḥadīth under the tutelage of Shaykh Omar Subedar at Mathabah Institute, and is also pursuing formal studies in the Ḥanafī legal tradition under Shaykh Tabraze Azam.
In his formal education, Ustadh Mohammad pursued undergraduate studies in Ecotoxicology at the University of Ottawa, completing an Honours degree. He later obtained an Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing from York University. Professionally, he works as a Registered Nurse at Georgetown Hospital. In addition to his clinical work, he serves as the Lead Instructor for Ḥafṣ and as a Teaching Assistant at Taqwa Academy.
Ustadh Mohammad resides in the Greater Toronto Area and remains actively engaged in teaching and mentorship, balancing his professional career with his commitment to Islamic scholarship and service.
OUR CURRICULUM.
The AXIS program includes the following studies:
- Qur'an Quest (prerequisites)
- Academic Bare Essentials Certificate Program (ABC)
- Hanafi Creed & Law Program (HCL)
- Qur'anic Fluency Program
| Prerequisite | Standalone Offering | |
|---|---|---|
| Qurʾan Quest | None | Yes |
| Academic Bare Essentials Program | Qurʾan Quest | No* |
| Hanafi Creed & Law Program | None** | Yes |
| Qurʾanic Fluency Program | Basic Qurʾanic reading fluency | Yes |
* The ABC Program must be taken alongside the HCL program to ensure a balanced and holistic approach to the entire tradition.
** It is recommended that students have some Arabic proficiency to be able to follow along with the text. All readings, however, will be translated into English.
PROGRAM PAIRING & ENROLLMENT POLICY
The ABC program is not currently available as a standalone offering as the program focuses on intermediate to advance development of skills and tools requiring concurrent grounding in the traditional sciences. However, students may supplement the ABC program with an alternative to the HCL program with a program which covers core jurisprudence and theology given that they wish to pursue an alternative tradition to the Hanafi Maturidi tradition. Students intending to take this approach must receive approval from instructors.
Students are required to complete the Qurʾan Quest program as a prerequisite before enrolling for the AXIS certification. Equivalent studies and exceptions may be made on an individual basis.
1. Studies in Essential Erudition and Rituals (SEER)
Beginner-focused modules on faith, knowledge, ritual prayer, fasting, almsgiving, Hajj, Seerah, and common misconceptions. more details
2. Arabic Recognition and Keys (ARK)
Grasping foundational grammar and morphology; intermediate proficiency of grammatical exegetical breakdown; and intermediate fluency of Arabic reading without diacritics. more details
3. The Pursuit of Learning the Arrangements, Themes and Hermeneutics of the 114 chapters of the Qurʾan (PATH114)
A guided book club where students are trained in the tools to conduct personal contemplative reflection of the entire Qurʾan; deep dives into key exegetical discussions; and understanding of the arrangement and dwellings of the main stories and lessons in the Qurʾan. more details
4. Qurʾanic ʿUlūm & Introduction to Lustrous Lights (QUILL)
A significant introductory study to the science pertaining to all matters related to the Qurʾan and the exegetical tradition with an investigative analysis into key scholarly debates found in the historical exegetical discourse. more details
The ABC program is designed to orient students in the vast tradition of Islam across all of the various sciences, appreciating the extent of the tradition and its complexities. Students are expected to attain functional mastery of each area:
- Theology (mainstream theologies, Eschatology, and Heresiology)
- Fiqh (history, development, advanced comparative discussions, and modern issues)
- Hadith (Uṣūl al-Ḥadīth, Dawrah, ʿIlal, and Historical Critical Method)
- Qurʾanic sciences (classical exegesis, ʿUlūm al-Qurʾan, ʿUṣūl al-Tafsīr)
- Arabic (grammar, morphology, and rhetoric)
- Spirituality (transmitted litanies, Zarrūqī Asceticism, Kitāb al-Zuhd and Raqāʾiq, Ḥikam, and other works)
- History (Seerah, Caliphs, and a comprehensive history of Islam)
- Tools (logic, Liberal Arts, Western Philosophy, academic writing and publications, and oration)
Successful students will have the necessary tools to continue further studies in the Academy or seek specialization in any of the various sciences. more details
The ABC program will be conducted on Saturday and Sunday mornings throughout the year. Detailed scheduling will be released at the onset of each calendar year. The ABC program must be taken in conjunction with the HCL Program.
The HCL program is where students embark down the road of tradition, attaining proficiency in introductory and intermediary texts of the Hanafi madhhab in theology (Maturidism), fiqh, and uṣūl. Alongside the core texts, various works in adab and practical spirituality will be read and reflected upon. Upon completion, students are expected to have the ability to masterfully traverse and reference the primary texts and will have the opportunity to continue their studies with masters in the field. more details
The HCL program will initially be conducted weekly on Monday evenings in the beginning levels, increasing to several nights per week in the upper levels. Detailed scheduling will be released at the onset of each calendar year. Students are permitted to take the HCL program independent from other offerings.
As a part of the overall AXIS program, successful graduates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Mastery of tajwīd through the Hafs Accuracy and Fluency Studies (HAFS) program, both theoretically and functionally;
- Functional proficiency of the Qirāʾāt through the Qur'an 'Ashara Recitation (QARI) program; and
- Memorization of three sections (juz) of the Qurʾan.
Throughout the AXIS program, a number of electives will be available for students to attend and enhance their studies:
- Desiderium (more details);
- Summer Boost Courses on various topics; and
- Knowledge conferences and retreats.
The AXIS program comprises of four distinct levels. The minimum duration of each level is 18 months, but may be altered slightly on an as per need basis, considering remaining content, Ramadan, and the school year.
- Level One: Foundation
- Level Two: Elevation
- Level Three: Expansion
- Level Four: Fruition
1. SCHEDULING FOR ABC AND HCL
Timings for all programs are subject to change. Any changes will be discussed and communicated well in advance to all students. All effort to accommodate students’ schedules will be made when deciding new schedules.
| Foundations | Elevations | Expansions | Fruitions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC |
Saturday: 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM |
|||
| HCL |
Mondays 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Mondays 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM |
Two days a week 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM (days to be decided with students) |
|
| Qur'anic Fluency | Individually scheduled - see below | |||
2. SCHEDULING FOR QUR'ANIC FLUENCY
HAFS
Students will be paired with teachers on an individual basis with timeslots suiting their individual needs to gain theoretical and technical proficiency in Ḥafṣ ʿan ʿĀṣim.
QARI
The science of Qirāʾāt will be investigated through the ABC program as well as through specific offerings at a later time, once students have successfully completed their training in Ḥafs ʿan ʿĀṣim.
Memorization
At any time throughout the program, students must memorize any three sections of the Qurʾan. Students will be thoroughly tested on their memorization. It is recommended that sequential sections totaling 60 out of 600 pages of the Qurʾan be memorized, but complete nonsequential sections are also acceptable, e.g., Sūrat Yāsin and others coupled with the 30th section of the Qurʾan.
As a part of holistic training, students are required to volunteer their time for the community in the dissemination of knowledge under the guidance of their instructors during their senior years of the program, given that the student meets the expected progression at that time. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Conducting Friday and Eid sermons;
- Conducting lectures at local Mosques and universities;
- Conducting beginner-friendly classes and workshops;
- Writing relevant texts, articles, and posts;
- Serving as teacher assistants (TAs) in classes of knowledge; and
- Organizing events hosting senior scholars.
Students will be directed to activities found suitable by the teachers. Without authorization, students are not allowed to engage in the dissemination of knowledge nor partake in community engagement which takes away time from their studies. Due to variability between students, each individual will be guided and encouraged based on their individual capabilities.
To receive the various licenses to transmit the religion and its sciences (ijāzāt), students must demonstrate:
- Strict attendance and punctuality;
- Complete collection of personal notes of the AXIS program;
- Completion and passing of all written and oral assessments;
- Submission of papers; and
- Approval of instructors.
Even if a student completes all requirements, they are required to obtain the approval of the instructors before they may receive their ijāza. Without it, students will not be granted any licenses. It should be noted that any student failing to achieve the standard required to obtain licenses will be expressly informed of the areas requiring improvement. All students can request to speak with an instructor to discuss their progress towards the ijāza at any time. Instructors are committed to providing feedback, direction, and facilitating the growth of students towards their goals.
