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.
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:
Abdul-Kareem Yahyaa
Born and raised in California where he also embraced Islam, Shaykh Abdul-Kareem 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 Abdul-Kareem Yahyaa.
Current Courses:
- The Seal of Prophecy
- The Book of Assistance
- Essentials of Islam (Shafi'i) (Associate Teacher)
- Introduction to Islamic Worship (Shafi'i) - Part 1 (Associate Teacher)
Hamza Karamali
Over the course of eight years while also completing his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Toronto, Shaykh Hamza studied a number of subjects closely with Shaykh Talal Ahdab and memorized the Qur'an. He also spent several summers of intensive study in Damascus and Amman with teachers including Shaykh Amjad Rasheed, Shaykh Abd al-Rahman Kharsa, and Shaykh Akram Abd al-Wahhab. He now lives and studies privately with scholars in Amman and frequently travels to study with scholars in the United Arab Emirites and Kuwait. Learn more about Hamza Karamali.
Current Courses:
- A Taste of Tasawwuf - Part 3 (Associate Teacher)
- Basic Arabic Reading
- Introductory Arabic 1
- Introductory Arabic 2
- Introduction to Islamic Belief
- The Pearl of Divine Oneness
- The Muslim Scholarly Tradition
- The Grand Finale
- Finding the Straight Path
- Hadith and Its Disciplines
- Essentials of Islam (Shafi'i)
- Introduction to Islamic Worship (Shafi'i) - Part 1
- The Peak of Eloquence
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 Menstruation and Related Issues - Part 1
- 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:
Rehan Zaidi
Dr. Rehan Zaidi is a licensed naturopathic physician specializing in the integration of conventional and alternative medicine. His training gives him the unique ability to effectively merge Eastern medical paradigms with Western science. A graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology from McMaster University, he received his Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Committed to continuing education, he has further pursued training in constitutional homeopathy, Chinese medicine, complementary care for cancer patients, and psychoneuroendocrinology. Dr. Rehan is clinic director of Shifa Integrative Medicine in Amman, Jordan and is one of the founders of MysticMedicine.com. He also currently studies various Islamic topics part-time and lives with his family in Amman. Learn more about Rehan Zaidi.
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:
- Muslim Scholarly Tradition
- Hadith or Fiqh?
- Essentials of Islam (Hanafi)
- Introduction to Islamic Worship (Hanafi) - Part 1
- Quduri's Manual Explained (Hanafi) - Part 1
- The Historical Development of Islamic Law
- The Sources of Islamic Law
- Tafsir of the Short Surahs
- Patience, Prophecy, and a Promise
- The Quran and Its Disciplines
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:
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 6 of the 7 recitations of the Qur'an and will shortly receive authorization in the 7th. 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:
- Essentials of Islam (Hanafi) (Associate Teacher)
- Ijaza Level Tajweed (Hafs) - Part 1
- Ijaza Level Tajweed (Hafs) - Part 2
- Ijaza Level Tajweed (Hafs) - Part 3
- Ijaza Level Tajweed (Warsh) - Part 1
- Introduction to Modern Standard Arabic 1
- Introduction to Modern Standard Arabic 2
- The Light of Eyes
Zaynab Ansari
Coming from a mixed Lebanese-American and African-American background, Ustadha Zaynab spent four years in Syria where she obtained a Thanawiyya Shar’iyyah with distinction from Abu Nour Islamic Foundation and studied advanced Arabic at the University of Damascus. Upon returning to the United States, she continued her Islamic studies and also earned a B.A. in History and a B.I.S. in Middle Eastern Studies at Georgia State University, graduating summa cum laude. Learn more about Zaynab Ansari.
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 1
- Intermediate Arabic - Part 2
- Intermediate Arabic - Part 3
- Al-Ajurrumiyya Explained
- Al-Izzi Explained
- Tuhfa al-Ikhwan Explained
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:
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:
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:
- Introduction to Modern Standard Arabic 1 (associate teacher)
- Introduction to Modern Standard Arabic 2 (associate teacher)
- Introductory Tajweed
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.
Learn More About:
I'm convinced! Send me to the registration page to register now!
| May 12 | Summer Semester Begins |
| May 27 | Late Registration Ends |
| June 10 | Last Date for Withdrawal |
| August 4 | Fall Registration Begins |
| August 17 | Summer Semester Ends |
| Sep 29 | Fall Semester Begins |
| View entire academic calendar |
