Classes Begin Fall 2026 · Masjid Al-Qur’an, Milwaukee

Unlock your true potential through sacred knowledge.

Weekend Foundational Islamic Studies Program

A light seminary program in the core sciences of the deen. Built for busy lives, taught in-person by certified scholars one weekend a month.

Apply Now Explore the Curriculum

Friends & family discounts and need-based financial aid available.

Shaykh Muhammad al-Ninowy Shaykh Tarek Elgawhary Shaykh Didmar Faja Shaykh Rami Bleibel Shaykh Suheil Laher Shaykh Saifuddin Muhammad Ustadh Asad Khan
1 Weekend
Per Month
Sat & Sun
10am – 6pm
10 Months
Sep – Aug
In Person
Recordings Provided
Ages 16+
Every Background
The Program

Equip yourself to navigate this world with clear guidance and a sound heart.

Weekend Foundational Islamic Studies Program is a light seminary study for mature teens and adults in Milwaukee, Chicago, and surrounding areas who want deeper knowledge and guidance, yet need something that fits a busy lifestyle. The curriculum is carefully crafted in the scholarly tradition of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamā’ah by Shaykh Muhammad al-Ninowy.

  • {CK} Find clarity and guidance for modern life
  • {CK} Gain authentic, reliable knowledge from certified scholars
  • {CK} Get a deeper and broader understanding of the deen
  • {CK} Answer the deeper questions of why Muslims believe and practice as we do
  • {CK} Earn a Certificate of Completion from Madina Institute
“

Madina provided the perfect program I was looking for. It not only filled the gaps from not having a formal Islamic education, but most importantly gave me the tools and methodology to research answers on my own.

Janan Najeeb President & CEO, Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition
What You’ll Study

Six core Islamic sciences

Ten weekend modules across the year. Each weekend explores an introductory classical text, taught by a specialist, giving you a complete framework for living the deen.

I

‘Aqidah

The meaning of “La ilaha illa Allah” and the proofs for Tawhid, the inward and outward of belief.

Creed of Imam al-Tahawi · Attributes of Allah, Ibn al-Jawzi
II

Quranic Sciences

The miraculous depths of the Qur’an, how it was revealed, preserved, and understood.

Al-Itqan fi Ulum al-Qur’an, Imam al-Suyuti
III

Hadith Sciences

How scholars compile, authenticate, and classify hadith, plus a study of the Forty Hadith.

Nukhbat al-Fikar, Ibn Hajar · 40 Hadith of Imam al-Nawawi
IV

Fiqh & Legal Theory

Guidelines for worship and an overview of scholarly reasoning in the Hanafi and Shafi’i schools.

Al-Waraqat · Mukhtasar al-Quduri · Matn Abi Shuja
V

Seerah

The life of the Best of Creation ﷺ, his mission, character, and his enduring example for every age.

The Seerah of Ibn Hisham
VI

Tazkiyah

The path of purifying the heart and drawing near to Allah, the Most High.

The Hikam of Ibn Ata’illah

Plus a bonus Islamic History course, tracing the story of the early Muslim community and the legacy of those who carried the message forward.

Meet Your Instructors

Learn from reliable, certified scholars

Taste the sweetness of authentic knowledge directly from teachers grounded in the traditional Islamic sciences.

Shaykh Muhammad al-Ninowy

Shaykh Muhammad al-Ninowy

Founder, Madina Institute

World-renowned scholar and specialist in Hadith Sciences; lead instructor and architect of the curriculum.

Shaykh Suheil Laher

Shaykh Suheil Laher

Instructor, Madina Institute

Scholar and academic; PhD in Islamic Studies from Harvard University; specialist in Quranic studies and Arabic language.

Shaykh Tarek Elgawhary

Shaykh Tarek Elgawhary

Usul & Shafi’i Fiqh

Scholar trained at Princeton and Al-Azhar; specialist in Islamic law and founder of Making Sense of Islam.

Shaykh Didmar Faja

Shaykh Didmar Faja

Instructor, Madina Institute

Imam of the United Islamic Center of Arizona and director of the Greenway Academy.

Shaykh Rami Bleibel

Shaykh Rami Bleibel

Shafi’i Fiqh

Resident scholar and imam; trained at the Imam Shafie Fiqh Academy with ijazat in the Islamic sciences.

Shaykh Saifuddin Muhammad

Shaykh Saifuddin Muhammad

Resident Scholar

Imam and chaplain; graduate of Bayan Islamic Graduate School and Madina’s 1-Year Intensive.

Ustadh Asad Khan

Ustadh Asad Khan

Instructor, Madina Institute

Executive Director of Madina Institute Mosque Atlanta and alum of the 1-Year Intensive program.

Why Madina

Knowledge that brings life to the heart

We live in the information age, bombarded with snippets and sound bites. Real knowledge is deeper. It takes time, it lives in the hearts of scholars, and it is transformative when sought sincerely.

Authentic & Reliable

We follow Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamā’ah, prioritizing the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah, then Ijmā’ and Qiyās.

Open-Minded Approach

We present the viewpoints within Ahl al-Sunnah so you become a well-rounded seeker, not an indoctrinated one.

Crafted by Scholars

An illuminating curriculum shaped by Shaykh Muhammad al-Ninowy and taught by expert teachers.

Students Love It

What graduates say

“One of the greatest blessings Allah placed in my life was finding Madina. Before, my religion often felt like scattered rules to be memorized. After a few weeks, Alhamdulilah, I saw Islam as the illuminated, rooted, intellectual, spiritual, and profoundly alive religion that it is. It taught through clarity, depth, mercy, and genuine reverence. It changed my life.”

Dea Ajdini · Alumna

“I believe this is the best program available in Milwaukee which is academically organized and covered topics I always wanted to learn. I felt I was able to clear a lot of misconceptions. After I attended, my son, daughter, and son-in-law also attended and found it very beneficial. I recommend this program to anyone.”

Dr. Abdul Hafeez · Milwaukee

“Enrolling was a deeply transformative experience. Committing one weekend a month to systematically study the foundational sciences of the deen was an immeasurable investment. The rigorous academic framework is beautifully paired with Tazkiyah (purification of the soul), and having direct access to grounded scholars is an immense blessing.”

Muhammad Junaid · Alumnus
Who Should Apply

This course is designed for you if…

Admissions & Tuition

An accessible path to sacred knowledge

Applying is free. Tuition covers all ten weekend intensives and learning materials, and may be paid in full or in installments.

Regular TuitionPer candidate, full program
$2,000
Save $200
Early Bird TuitionEnroll by July 31, 2026
$1,800
Family RateEach added immediate family member
$1,000
Previous StudentsImmediate relatives of previous graduates
$1,000

Key Dates

Jul 31Early Bird ends · scholarship registration deadline
Aug 31Final deadline to apply for the program
Sep 19Classes begin at Masjid Al-Qur’an

Financial aid: Limited seats and limited number of scholarships. Register by July 31; a brief interview follows.

1

Apply Online

Complete the free online application form.

2

Secure Your Rate

Apply by July 31 for Early Bird tuition or a scholarship.

3

Begin Your Journey

Confirm your seat. Classes begin September 19, 2026.

Questions

Frequently asked

What is the class schedule? +
Just one weekend a month: Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm, with breaks for lunch and prayer. The program runs about ten months.
When does the program start? +
Classes begin in Fall 2026, with the first weekend on September 19 to 20.
Is it online or in person? +
The program is fully in person at Masjid Al-Qur’an in Milwaukee. Attendance is required to receive the Certificate of Completion.
What if I miss a class? +
All classes are recorded, so registered students can make up any excused absences.
Who can apply? +
The program is open to men and women age 16 and above, of every background. No prior formal study is required.
How much does it cost? +
Regular tuition is $2,000 per candidate, or $1,800 with the Early Bird rate. Added family members and relatives of previous students are $1,000 each, and need-based scholarships are available.
Are the meals covered? +
Meals and snacks will be provided to all the candidates and included in the cost of the program.

Begin your journey this Fall.

Applications are free. Take the first step toward a deeper, more confident understanding of your deen.

Apply Now