Ascending With Islam

Join the Journey to Jannah Together

In collaboration with the Princeton University MSA

taught by Dr AbdurRahman Isbieh & Shaykha Ayesha Sultana Isbieh

“
وَمَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقًا يَلْتَمِسُ فِيهِ عِلْمًا سَهَّلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِهِ طَرِيقًا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَمَا اجْتَمَعَ قَوْمٌ فِي بَيْتٍ مِنْ بُيُوتِ اللَّهِ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَيَتَدَارَسُونَهُ بَيْنَهُمْ إِلاَّ نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّكِينَةُ وَغَشِيَتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَحَفَّتْهُمُ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. People do not gather in the houses of Allah, reciting the book of Allah and studying it together, but that tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will cover them, angels will surround them, and Allah will mention them to those near him.

In another narration, the Prophet said:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّمَا الْعِلْمُ بِالتَّعَلُّمِ وَالْفِقْهُ بِالتَّفَقُّهِ وَمَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ وَإِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ

O people, knowledge only comes by learning, and understanding only comes by seeking understanding. For whomever Allah intends good, he gives him understanding of the religion. Verily, only those with knowledge fear (are conscious of) Allah among his servants (Quran 35:28)”
— Sahih Muslim & Others

Course Objective & Outline

An Islamic educational program brought to you by the Princeton University MSA. The focus of this class is to provide a weekly spiritual outlet for students where they can learn to understand the heart & seek to nurture it through the beauty of Islamic spirituality while growing in their connection with Allah and Islam. Simultaneously, the class will also help build and strengthen the relationship with the Qur’an with personalized weekly lesson plans for students wishing to perfect their recitation or with aspirations to memorize the entire Qur’an. The core Islamic subjects offered include Purification of the Heart, Fiqh, Seerah, etc.; Each subject (except Qur’an) will run for a scheduled duration of the semester, providing an exciting and refreshing learning experience and Islamic educational journey throughout the academic year.

Open to brothers and sisters of all levels.

Duration

2025 - 2026 academic year.

Begins September 13th.

Time

Saturdays.

12:30 PM - 2:30 PM ET.

Location

In-person: Room 104, Murray-Dodge Hall, Princeton University.

Class Texts

Register

Learning Outcomes

Sacred Tradition

Learn & grow in a positive, uplifting environment and judgment-free learning space with Islamic scholars who have dedicated their lives to the preservation of the rich Islamic knowledge and traditions. They also hold the chain of transmission connecting them and their students to the teacher of all teachers, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.

Spirituality (Tazkiyah) & Seerah

Be informed about the spiritual diseases of the heart, their causes, and cures.

Learn and understand the Seerah through an in-depth study of the lives of the most influential male and female companions of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, while learning how their unique lives and lessons are far more applicable to our lives than imagined.

Fiqh, Aqeedah, Essential Topics

Gain required and essential knowledge of Islam, starting with Fiqh (jurisprudence) and Aqeedah (Creed/beliefs).

Learn the major and minor sins as well as crucial contemporary subjects in Islam, from gender relationship etiquette to the signs of the Day of Judgement, etc.

Qur'an, Tajwid, Hifdh

Learn & grow in your relationship with the book of Allah, our guide in all affairs. Whether you are at the beginning of your journey or have aspirations to master Tajwid and memorize the Holy Qur’an, our scholars will guide and help you accomplish your goal at your own pace in this loving space.

The First Subject of the Semester: Purification of the Heart

Introduction

قَالَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏ . . .‏أَلاَ وَإِنَّ لِكُلِّ مَلِكٍ حِمًى، أَلاَ إِنَّ حِمَى اللَّهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ مَحَارِمُهُ، أَلاَ وَإِنَّ فِي الْجَسَدِ مُضْغَةً إِذَا صَلَحَتْ صَلَحَ الْجَسَدُ كُلُّهُ، وَإِذَا فَسَدَتْ فَسَدَ الْجَسَدُ كُلُّهُ‏.‏ أَلاَ وَهِيَ الْقَلْبُ

The Messenger of God, Muhammad ﷺ said: “Beware! There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart.” -Sahih Al-Bukhari

How much of your thoughts and time do negative emotions and actions consume? Is your emotional well-being affected? Do you struggle to refrain from sins, and have little motivation to live a positive lifestyle? Is your heart free and pure from spiritual illnesses? Do you constantly feel distracted or deprived of the pleasure of connecting with the Creator? There are several reasons why this may be. Our success and well-being in this world and hereafter fundamentally revolve around the state of our spiritual heart and soul. 

God states in the Holy Quran:

“Indeed the successful one is one who purifies his/her soul, and doomed is the one who corrupts it.”

Quran 91:9-10

A heart that is consumed with the rays of knowledge of God and shines with wholesome attributes of righteousness can have a transformative effect on other hearts.

 A clean and pure heart is one that is free from spiritual illnesses. 

Good character and good deeds are manifestations of a purified heart and believers are called by God to achieve both. Therefore, it is important to attain this state by gaining beneficial knowledge of God and one’s self and by being guided by those who have spent time striving to learn and implement such knowledge.

This is a unique opportunity to join our multi-faceted approach to develop you spiritually with mentor-specific guidance. Our first approach will be to instill spiritual awareness and develop a God-conscious mindset through lectures, reading materials, and interaction and engagement with the instructor. The purpose of the course is to connect you with the Creator by re-connecting you to your heart. The first step to undergoing a process of revival and purification is gaining a better understanding of yourself and what God asks from you. If you can actualize this, you tread the path to success, serenity, and salvation in this world and the hereafter.

*This class does not evaluate, assess, treat nor give medical advice on mental health and mental disorders nor other aspects of health. It strictly addresses the spiritual diseases of the heart from an Islamic spiritual standpoint. No medical aspects of mental health will be discussed in class. If you’re suffering mentally and are in a serious situation, please contact a psychologist or psychiatrist and seek professional help.