The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said "Ramadan is a month whose beginning is mercy, middle is forgiveness, and end is salvation from the Fire." This 3-week course during Ramadan will guide you through each of these stages as you’re experiencing them, giving you a key to the secrets of fasting.

Ramadan is a time of renewal in the Muslim’s life. This renewal comes about through integrating the outward and inward dimensions of fasting. Through taking this course, you will gain knowledge that will assist you in being prepared spiritually for future Ramadans. You will also understand how intention and action, inner and outer, and one’s personal interests as well as those of our communities cannot be separated.

Throughout this course, you will be motivated to seek the immense spiritual openings of Ramadan. You will gain a deeper understanding of the Prophetic hadith about Ramadan as well as some practical advice for its application.

Please note that this is not a course on the fiqh of fasting, but rather an exploration into the themes of mercy, forgiveness, and salvation in the context of the Prophetic hadith.

Lesson 1:

• Overview: Ramadan, a time of spiritual reward
• An examination of the Prophetic hadith
• Mercy: One of the most important attributes of the Divine
• Mercy in the Qur'an, Sunna, and Seerah
• How to be recipients of Allah's mercy

Lesson 2:

• Why is the middle of Ramadan forgiveness?
• The relationship between repentance and forgiveness
• Repentance in Islam: its conditions, methods, and fruits
• Seeking forgiveness through remembering Allah and supplicating Him

Lesson 3:

• The fruits of fasting: liberation from the Fire
• Understanding the purpose of fasting
• Understanding the relationship of the parts of Ramadan to the whole
• Intention vs. action: how do we get to Paradise?

• Weekly live lessons will be conducted by Shaykh Qays Arthur.
• All live lessons will be recorded, so that you can hear lessons that you may miss or review key concepts.
• Printable course slides will add structure to lessons.
• Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship by Imam Ghazali (tr: Mukhtar Holland), Prayers for Forgiveness, and Agenda to Change Our Condition are recommended complementary texts.
• You can post questions and engage in discussion in the course forum.
• Shaykh Qays Arthur will hold weekly office hours.