The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Scholars are the heirs of the prophets” [Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi]. The bequest of knowledge from the prophets to the scholars signifies the importance of studying with teachers who have in turn studied with teachers, on back to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Our teachers all have the distinction of studying with teachers trained in the Muslim heartlands. Most have also been raised in the West, so they are sensitive to the needs of Western Muslims and understand the nuances of issues particular to those living in or coming from the West. Our faculty includes:
Dr. Ashraf Muneeb, Dean of the Academy
As the Dean of SunniPath Academy, Dr. Ashraf manages SunniPath faculty; implements the curriculum; sets academic policies; and establishes academic partnerships; all with the goal of fostering excellence in teaching and service. He has a background in both the Shari'ah sciences and management. Learn more about Dr. Ashraf.
Current Courses:
Habib ‘Umar bin Hafiz
A descendant of the Prophet, peace be upon him, Habib Umar memorized the Qur'an at a very early age, along with the core texts in fiqh, hadith, Arabic Language, and other religious sciences. Wherever Habib Umar has gone, no stone has been left unturned in his attempt to revive the love of Allah and His Messenger, peace and blessing be upon him, in the hearts of people. Habib Umar currently lives in Yemen, where he oversees the development of Dar al-Mustafa and the many schools that have been set up under his management. Learn more about Habib Umar.
Current Courses:
Habib Ali al-Jifri
Born into a family with lineage back to the Prophet, peace be upon him, Habib Ali received a classical Islamic education from the illustrious scholars of Hadramawt, Yemen, embodying a methodology which crystallizes the middle way of Islam, a respect for the differences between jurists, and a spiritual education drawn from the Qur'an and the Sunnah. He is the founder of the Tabah Foundations for Islamic Studies and Research based in the United Arab Emirates and a lecturer at Dar al-Mustafa. Learn more about Habib Ali.
Shaykh Nuh Keller
Shaykh Nuh is an American-Muslim master of Islamic spirituality and specialist in Islamic Law. Educated in philosophy and Arabic at the University of Chicago and UCLA, he became Muslim in 1977 at al-Azhar in Cairo and later studied the traditional Islamic Sciences of spirituality, hadith, Shafi'i and Hanafi jurisprudence, legal methodology, and tenets of faith in Syria and Jordan, where he has lived since 1980. His English translation of The Reliance of the Traveler is the first Islamic legal work in a European language to receive the certification of al-Azhar. Learn more about Shaykh Nuh.
Current Courses:
AbdulKarim Yahya
Born and raised in California where he also embraced Islam, Shaykh AbdulKarim traveled with his family to Damascus where he spent two years acquiring knowledge of the Arabic language and Quranic recitation. Since 1998, he has been in Yemen where he has been studying with Habib Umar and Habib Mashhour, as well as the other teachers of Dar al-Mustafa. He has also worked extensively as a translator for Habib Umar and Habib Ali. Learn more about AbdulKarim Yahya.
Current Courses:
Abu Faruq Jasmin Mulac
Born in in Srebrenica in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Ustadh Abu Faruq's desire to learn Arabic led him to SunniPath, where he has completed all the Arabic courses as a top student. After working as a teaching assistant, and also teaching Arabic locally in Bosnia, he now teaches online in both the Arabic and Tajweed departments. He curently lives in Bosnia. Learn more about Abu Faruq Jasmin Mulac.
Current Courses:
Abu Omar Abdurrahman Borrás
A convert to Islam who has himself travelled the demanding path of mastering Arabic and tajweed as an adult, Ustadh Abu Omar brings a gentle and encouraging demeanor in helping students master the reading of the Arabic script and learning the beginnings of proper Quran recitation. Born in Barcelona, Spain, Ustadh Abu Omar accepted Islam at the age of 18 while in the army and at 21, became cofounder of Mexico's first Islamic Center. A medical graduate from the Faculty of Medicine at Mexico's National University, Ustadh Abu Omar traded his work in emergency pediatrics at America's top hospital to become a student of traditional Islam. He participated in several summer intensives and traveled to Medina with the Rihla program, which changed his life. He now lives with his wife and children in Amman, where he obtained ijazas for teaching tajweed of the Quran and studied a number of classical texts. He currently studies at a local university and privately with the local scholars, and teaches Arabic and Tajweed on SunniPath. Learn more about Abu Omar Abdurrahman Borrás.
Current Courses:
- Basic Arabic Reading
- Introductory Arabic 1
- Introductory Tajweed
- The Supplications of the Daily Prayer
Farid Dingle
Ustadh Farid's study of Arabic at the hands of traditional scholars, his background in learning multiple languages, and his years of teaching experience have made him into one of the most knowledgeable and skilled teachers of Arabic today. Born into a convert family in the green fields of Herefordshire, England, he moved to Amman to join the SunniPath team as a tutor for the Miftah courses in introductory Arabic grammar. Following years of more intensive Arabic study, Ustadh Farid is now a full-time instructor teaching courses in both the Miftah and Sibawayh curriculums. Concurrently, he also regularly attends classes in Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Hadith, Tafsir, and Tajweed, while continuing his advanced studies in Arabic grammar. Learn more about Farid Dingle.
Current Courses:
- Intermediate Arabic - Part 2
- Intermediate Arabic - Part 3
- Introduction to Islamic Worship (Shafi'i) - Part 1
- Introduction to Islamic Worship (Shafi'i) - Part 2
- Tuhfa al-Ikhwan Explained
- The Reliance Explained (Shafi'i) - Part 1
Hamza Karamali
With a passion for creating "real scholarship," Shaykh Hamza Karamali himself is a reflection of this type of scholarship with his comprehensive knowledge of all the Islamic disciplines sensitivity to the modern context, and eloquence. Shaykh Hamza has been studying the Islamic sciences with leading scholars for over ten years. He has received personal instruction in the disciplines of theology, Islamic law, legal maxims, Sufism, hadith, tafsir, legal methodology, hadith methodology, logic, Arabic grammar, Arabic morphology, Arabic rhetoric, Arabic lexicology, tajwid, and the canonical recitations of the Quran. He has memorized the Quran, as well as versified technical manuals of several religious disciplines. Learn more about Hamza Karamali.
Current Courses:
Hedaya Hartford
Known for her Sharia expertise on women's issues regarding the fiqh of menstruation, lochia, marriage, divorce, and modern social issues, Ustadha Hedaya holds a B.A. in Arabic and Islamic History & Culture from the University of California, Berkeley. She converted to Islam in 1981, and soon after traveled to Egypt, where she studied for many years with Azhari scholars. She continued her studies in Syria, completing several books with top scholars, and now lives, teaches, and studies in Amman. Ustadha Hedaya has published two popular books on marriage and one book on women’s fiqh issues. Learn more about Hedaya Hartford.
Current Courses:
- Detailed Fiqh of Lochia
- Introduction to Menstruation and Related Issues
- The Successful Islamic Marriage
Noura Shamma
Bringing a very deep and real love for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to her courses, Ustadha Noura Shamma has a unique story-telling style of teaching that brings the past alive and connects it with the present. Raised mainly in the American Midwest, Ustadha Noura has a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Cincinnati and a M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies from Indiana University. She has also completed coursework for a Ph.D. in Islamic Thought through the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization. Ustadha Noura spent two years studying at Zaytuna Institute and two years at the Qasid Institute in Amman, where she completed the highest level in Arabic. She is currently continuing her studies privately with numerous teachers in Amman. At SunniPath, she teaches history and the Prophetic biography. Learn more about Noura Shamma.
Current Courses:
Qays Arthur
A native of Guyana with a mixed ancestral heritage, Ustadh Qays Arthur's commitment to education began in his country where after preliminary studies there and in the Middle East, he taught in mosques across the country, directed education programs, and worked with various interfaith and non-governmental organizations. Leaving to pursue more intensive study overseas, Ustadh Qays now brings his knowledge, passion, and sincerity to the courses he teaches for SunniPath and Dar Al Tawfiq. Concurrently, he regularly attends classes of Fiqh, Aqidah, and Arabic in Amman, where he lives with his family. Learn more about Qays Arthur.
Current Courses:
- Introduction to Islamic Belief
- Essentials of Islam (Hanafi)
- Introduction to Islamic Worship - Part 1 (Hanafi)
- Introduction to Islamic Worship - Part 2 (Hanafi)
Rehan Rashid
Biography coming soon. Learn more about Rehan Rashid.
Current Courses:
Sawsan Mostafa Nashaat
Ustadha Sawsan Mostafa Nashaat was born and raised in Egypt where she acquired a BS in Political Science from Cairo University. She started her Shari'a studies in 2003 at the famous Dar-al Hosary Institue in Cairo. She later studied Shafi'i fiqh with Shaykh Musa Furber in Egypt, and upon arriving to Jordan, the Maqasid with Ustadh Farid Dingle of SunniPath. Ustadha Sawsan has been living and studying in Amman, Jordan since early 2008, focusing mainly on Tajweed and Arabic. She received her Ijaza in Tajweed in the narration of Hafs 'an 'Asim with Shaykh Sulayman Van Ael. She's also currently studying al-Tuhfa al-Sanya, the commentary of the Ajurrumiyya, with Ustadha Besa Mazhar Krasniqi (Umm Sahl). Learn more about Sawsan Mostafa Nashaat.
Current Courses:
Sohail Hanif
A graduate of Imperial College in London, Shaykh Sohail has spent most of his life in England and the Middle East. Particularly passionate about Arabic, tafsir, and fiqh, he has been studying with numerous scholars in Amman. He previously served as a full-time instructor in Arabic grammar at the Qasid Institute of Arabic Language. Learn more about Sohail Hanif.
Current Courses:
- Hadith or Fiqh?
- The Historical Development of Islamic Law
- Muslim Scholarly Tradition
- Quduri's Manual Explained - Part 1
- The Sources of Islamic Law
- Tafsir of the Short Surahs
Sulayman Shahnewaz
Ustadh Sulayman Muhammad Shahnawaz is known to infuse warmth, humor, and a high level of excellence in his teaching. Born in the UK and a graduate with Honors in Middle Eastern Studies (Arabic and Persian Language) from the University of Manchester in 1996, Ustadh Sulayman furthered his studies of Arabic by living in Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. He completed both the Dawrah in Classical Arabic at the University of Alexandria and two years of Arabic study at the famous Abi Noor Institute in Damascus. Ustadh Sulayman has many years of Arabic teaching experience in MSA and Rihla 1996/97 and experience teaching ESL at Amideast in Amman. He has been living in Amman since 2003 with his wife and children, continuing his studies of Arabic and the religious sciences with local shuyukh. He teaches introductory Arabic at SunniPath. Learn more about Sulayman Shahnewaz.
Current Courses:
Sulayman Van Ael
A Belgian convert, Shaykh Sulayman memorized the entire Qur'an and studied Arabic, Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Mustalah Hadith, and Aqida in Belgium, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan. Shaykh Sulayman then travelled to Jordan where he studied Usul al-Deen and Hadith at Zarqa University. He also received authorization to teach Arabic from the director of the Arabic language department at Jordan University. Shaykh Sulayman is authorized in all 7 recitations of the Qur'an. He is an official imam and Friday prayer speaker of the Jordanian government and has taught at 'Anwar 'Ulema Institute and lectured at Balqa' University and several local mosques. Learn more about Sulayman Van Ael.
Current Courses:
- 40 Hadith of Imam Nawawi
- Essentials of Islam (Maliki)
- Ijaza Level Tajweed (Hafs) - Part 1
- Ijaza Level Tajweed (Hafs) - Part 2
- Ijaza Level Tajweed (Hafs) - Part 3
- Ijaza Level Tajweed (Warsh) - Part 1
- Ijaza Level Tajweed (Warsh) - Part 2
- Ijaza Level Tajweed (Warsh) - Part 3
- Introduction to Islamic Worship (Maliki) - Part 1
- Life of the Last Prophet (Guided Arabic Reading)
Sumayya Van den Branden
Ustadha Sumayya Van den Branden is of Belgian origin and converted to Islam in 2001. Since then, she has studied Arabic and Tajweed,with her husband Shaykh Sulayman Van Ael and has received a teaching authorization (ijaza) in the Narration of Hafs 'an 'Asim. Learn more about Sumayya Van den Branden.
Current Courses:
- Ijaza Level Tajweed (Hafs) - Part 1
- Ijaza Level Tajweed (Hafs) - Part 2
- Ijaza Level Tajweed (Hafs) - Part 3
- Ijaza Level Tajweed (Warsh) - Part 1
- Ijaza Level Tajweed (Warsh) - Part 2
- Ijaza Level Tajweed (Warsh) - Part 3
There are many other selfless souls and well-wishers
who have volunteered their time in various capacities. These people include the Teaching Assistant, Course Assistant, Course Development Assistant, and others. SunniPath would not be able to function without their help and appreciates all of their efforts. May Allah shower His mercy upon them and reward them generously, ameen.
These people include: Abdul Latif, Annisa Rochadiat, Asim Yusuf, Asma Arif, Danya Shakfeh, Faiza Hashim, Fatima Wallace, Hammad Din, Hassan Aoude, Imron Husain, Marie Hernandez, Mohamad Matar, Moustafa Elqabanny, Muhammad ‘Abdur-Rahman Westberg, Naielah Ackbarali, Nausheen Shervani, Nosheen Mian, Orzala Arsala, Pam Fisher, Rima Dabdoub, Ruheena Razvi, Sadaf Ahmad, Sadaf Shaukat, Salman Younas, Sara Atiyat, Sarah Ashraf, Sherif Abd el-Latif Alkhodairy, Suemyya Gangat, Susana Liu, Taj Shaikh Taiyeb, Waseem Hussain, Yasmeen Khalid, Zainub Latif, Zulekha Reza, Zyad Hosen and many others whose names we may not have mentioned but to whom SunniPath is equally indebted.
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| Feb 5 | Spring Late Registration Ends |
| March 16 | Summer Registration Begins |
| April 23 | Summer Financial Aid Deadline |
| April 25 | Spring Semester Ends |
| May 11 | Summer Semester Begins |
| May 28 | Late Registration Ends |
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