The Goal of Foundations
The goal of the Foundations curriculum is to teach the most essential religious knowledge that every Muslim must know. Upon completing Foundations, you will understand the islam-iman-ihsan categorization of our religion. You will learn the most important personally obligatory religious knowledge that a Muslim living in the modern world needs to know, meaning that the material is taught in a manner that is applicable and understandable to our generation. This will allow you to both deal with and teach the most commonly encountered situations. You will also appreciate what it means to learn knowledge using a classical manual and be prepared for future higher-level studies.

Upon Completion
After successfully completing the Foundations courses, you are eligible to receive the Foundations Diploma. To receive full certification, first request a special code to take the course Muslim Scholarly Tradition for free. Afterwards, you will be ready to take the comprehensive Foundations exam (a $50 examination fee applies).Receiving full certification in the Foundations Diploma means that you have been certified in your understanding of the material. It also means that you can now teach what you have learned to others: you may, for example, teach new Muslims, children at Sunday schools and Islamic schools, students in study groups, and your own children.
Auditing and course credit also available for anyone who wishes to complete the courses in the program without gaining full certification.
Successfully completing the Foundations Diploma also makes you eligible to enter the Seekers or Associate’s Degree programs.

The 5 Required Courses

Here are details on the course requirements for the Foundations Curriculum.

Essentials of Islam (LAH101)
Learn the absolute essentials of belief, worship, and spirituality so that you can gain a high-level understanding of the religion, as well as learn what you need to know immediately to make your purification and prayer valid.

Also available in Shafi’i and Maliki School.

Introduction to Islamic Belief (BLF101) – Learn the fundamentals of what a Muslim believes about Allah, His messengers, and the Day of Judgment. Deepen and strengthen your understanding of the core Islamic beliefs through studying the most celebrated and well-known classical manual on Islamic beliefs, the manual of Imam Tahawi.

Introduction to Islamic Worship – Part 1 (LAH111) – Attain a solid grounding in the rulings of purification and prayer by studying an intermediate-level text on the fundamentals of worship. The Hanafi course will be based on Imam Shurunbulali’s Ascent to Felicity, the Shafi’i course will be based on Imam Nawawi’s al-Maqasid, and the Maliki on Al-Izziyya.

Also available in Shafi’i and Maliki School.

Introduction to Islamic Worship – Part 2 (LAH112) – Continue your study of an intermediate-level fiqh text to understand the rulings related to Zakat, fasting, and Hajj. The Hanafi course will be based on Imam Shurunbulali’s Ascent to Felicity , the Shafi’i course will be based on Imam Nawawi’s al-Maqasid, and the Maliki on Al-Izziyya.

Also available in Shafi’i and Maliki School.

The Book of Assistance (SPR101) – This course provides an introduction to the discipline of Islamic spirituality. The focus is on the blameworthy traits of the heart and how to remove them, the praiseworthy traits of the heart and how to nurture them, and the fundamentals of developing good Muslim character.

1 Elective Course

Choose one elective from the following 4 courses:

Tafsir of the Short Surahs (QRN101) – Designed to help you relate with the chapters that you recite most frequently, this tafsir course offers detailed and inspiring commentary of the short chapters at the end of the Quran. The meanings in these chapters will help you both gain insights about your own life and draw closer to Allah and His revelation.

The 40 Hadith of Imam Nawawi (HDT101) – Examine a selection from Imam Nawawi’s cherished and timeless collection of hadiths, focusing on the language of the hadiths, their implications in Sacred Law, and their relevance to our lives as Muslims in the 21st century. By reflecting upon and implementing these hadiths, you will understand the beauty of Islamic beliefs, ethics, and morals.

The Dawn of Prophethood (HST101) – The first of a pair of courses focused on providing a detailed, historical look at the Prophet’s life. Part 1 begins with a broader discussion of the 6th century world and Arab society, and then focuses on the Prophet’s childhood, his household, the beginning of Prophethood, Islam in Makkah, and the migration to Madinah.

The Rise of the Ummah (HST102) – The second of a pair of courses focused on providing a detailed, historical look at the Prophet’s life. Part 2 focuses on the creation of community in Madinah, battles and conquests, the reentering into Makkah, the farewell pilgrimage, and the last days of the life of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.

1. What are the steps for entering a degree program?

1. Fill out and submit the Degree Program Application form at Will be made available soon. You will receive a response from our admissions department within one week from the date you submit your application.
2. While awaiting your response, you may register for the next semester.

2. Can I pass out of certain courses?

Yes. If you feel you have previously covered the course material, you may request to take an assessment exam after applying into the degree program. By passing the exam, you will not need to take the course, and it will count towards your degree.

3. Can I skip the Foundations Diploma and go directly into the Seeker’s Degree Program or the Ijaza Program?

No. To enter the Seeker’s Degree Program, you are required to successfully pass the comprehensive exam for the Foundations Program. To enter the Ijaza Degree Program, you are required to successfully pass the comprehensive exam for the Seeker’s Degree.

4. I’ve studied the subject matter covered in the Foundations Diploma at a different institute. Can I just take the comprehensive exam and receive the certification to teach?

No. By taking courses at another insititute, you can test into the Seekers program. But in order to receive certification from Qibla to teach Foundations level content, all Foundations courswork must be completed at Qibla.

5. Can I skip the Miftah Diploma and apply directly to the Sibawayh Degree Program?

No. To enter the Sibawayh Degree Program, you are required to successfully pass the Miftah Diploma Program.

6. I have already taken courses with Qibla in prior semesters. Do these count towards my degree?

Yes. If you have successfully passed courses required for a degree program, these will count towards your degree.

7. Can I take courses in any order?

Other than courses with prerequisites, courses can be taken in any order.

8. Is there a final exit exam?

Yes. To complete the degree program, you will need to first take a comprehensive examination.