Alhamdulillah, I am currently in 4th semester (on full scholarship) with Knowledge International University, a online learning platform, that offer BA in Islamic Studies program in English.
It is such an enlightened program, with great scholars, comprehensive syllabus and 'workable' schedule. I have learned so many over the two years, and hope to be able to complete the whole course and to share & apply my knowledge for the benefit of ummah, Allahumma Ameen.
Should anyone interested to know more about the program (which I found it from the internet, and also from what I knew / experienced), I hope the info below could help you in some ways:
It is such an enlightened program, with great scholars, comprehensive syllabus and 'workable' schedule. I have learned so many over the two years, and hope to be able to complete the whole course and to share & apply my knowledge for the benefit of ummah, Allahumma Ameen.
Should anyone interested to know more about the program (which I found it from the internet, and also from what I knew / experienced), I hope the info below could help you in some ways:
What is KIU?
Knowledge International University (KIU) is an online University offering BA degree in Islamic Studies (BAIS) for Non-Arab English Speakers. It was started in 2007 as a platform for providing accurate and balanced knowledge to the widest possible audience via the internet.
The founder of the University is the esteemed Sheikh Dr. Sa’d ibn Naasir ash-Shithry, who is a former Islamic council member of the Council of Senior Ulamaa in Saudi Arabia.
The Scholarships
KIU do grant scholarships (mostly, the scholarship openings will be announce in the FB page, https://www.facebook.com/KIUnews)
The listed sponsors includes:
Sheikh Muhammed bin Abdul Azeez arRaajhi EndowmentThe listed sponsors includes:
His Royal Highness, Prince Abdul Azeez bin Fahad aalSaud
Sheikh Fawzaan alMarzooq Scholarship Program
Sheikh Khalid ashShethry Scholarship Program
Sheikh Yahya ashShihry Scholarship Program
Knowledge International Foundation Scholarship Program
Conditions for Student Scholarship Grants, Admissions & Registration are as follows:
- Scholarships are also offered to deserving students. Also participants of online courses get a chance to have a full scholarship by scoring high marks
- Requirements:
- Completion of Secondary School Education or its equivalent
- Successful completion of the scholarship course by the applicant
- The applicant must own a computer and have an effective internet connection available
- The applicant must possess sufficient knowledge related to the usage of computers and the internet
- The applicant must be motivated to study and dedicated to his/her studies
Courses Taught in BAIS with KIU:
The completion of BAIS will be within 4-years online courses. It consists of 8 semesters. Each semester has 5-6 courses.
The subjects, as of 2024, are listed below:
Sem 1
AqeedahTajweed
Arabic
Fiqh
Adaab
Sem 2
AqeedahTajweed
Arabic
Fiqh
Authority of Sunnah
Seerah
Sem 3
AqeedahTajweed / Quran
Arabic
Fiqh
Hadeeth
Seerah
Sem 4
TafseerTajweed / Quran
Arabic
Fiqh
Hadeeth
Dakwah & Du’at
Sem 5
TafseerTajweed / Quran
Arabic
Fiqh
Purification of Nafs
History of the Khulafa
Sem 6
Tajweed / QuranArabic
Fiqh
Religious Extremism
Comparative Religion
History of the Khulafa
Sem 7
Tajweed / QuranArabic
Fiqh
Islamic Thought
Islamic Management
Research Methodology
Sem 8
Tajweed / QuranArabic
Maqasid
Family Counselling
Teaching Methodology
The Online Learning Structures:
In each semester,
- Prior to the start of each courses, the overall guidelines (courses outlines), the textbooks or related notes / links with reference to the courses will be given / attached.
- There will be around 20 - 24 Sessions in each courses / subjects i.e. recorded (video & audio) classes with a mid-term & final term exams.
- The recorded session will usually be around 40 - 60mins.
- Upon completion of each session, there will be a 5-questions quiz based on the videos and the related text / subject discussed and it will be marked and recorded.
- The markings for the overall courses is an integral marks from the session quizzes (~ 20%), assignments (10%), mid-term exams (~30%), live attendance classes (10%) and the final exams (~30%).
- There will be series of live class over the weekend i.e. Friday, Saturday, Sunday according to Saudi's timing. During the live class, students are encouraged to ask the instructors on any things that need further clarifications from the recorded sessions.
- As for Quran & Tajweed, there'll be separate sessions for the sisters & brothers, Insyaallah.
KIU Faculty:
KIU provides a rare opportunity to study with scholars & instructors from different parts of the world. Some are purely contributors for the recorded sessions, and some would also allocated live sessions for the students. Don't be surprised if your instructor for the recorded session is not the same instructor who lead the live sessions. The one responsible to mark the assignment would be the live session instructors.
Some worth mentioning instructors are:
Sh Sa’d ibn Naasir ash-Shithry
Sh Jamaal al-Din Zarabozo
Sh Assim al Hakeem
Sh Yassir Fazaga
Sh Sajid Omar
Sh Mamdouh Mohammed
Sh Bilal Philips
Sh Riaz Ansary
Shk Samar Al Mawy
Shk Manar
Shk Dheemah
Sh Ihsaan Hannan
Sh Kamal Elmekki
Sh Abu Salman
Sh Usama Syed
Sh Sa’d ibn Naasir ash-Shithry
Sh Jamaal al-Din Zarabozo
Sh Assim al Hakeem
Sh Yassir Fazaga
Sh Sajid Omar
Sh Mamdouh Mohammed
Sh Bilal Philips
Sh Riaz Ansary
Shk Samar Al Mawy
Shk Manar
Shk Dheemah
Sh Ihsaan Hannan
Sh Kamal Elmekki
Sh Abu Salman
Sh Usama Syed
I am grateful, Alhamdulillah, for the opportunity that I'm currently enjoying with so much 'unexpected' (new) knowledge about the Deen itself that I've learned from this course. Alhamdulillah.
Like all other learning process & education system, one should have the right intention & know the purpose of pursuing the studies. Make du'a that Allah makes it easy for us.
As a mom who have to juggle between day-to-day chores and studying, it wasn't as easy as it sound. However, learning the right fiqh rulings, understand the meaning of the Quranic words, getting the opportunity to listen to the reputable Sheikhs and be one of their students, and all the knowledge that I thought I knew but actually I didn't really knew is just beyond words. Alhamdulillah. I am so grateful and I really hope that everyone is given the opportunity of time and space to learn more about Islam.
I hope the sharing above could at least give you a hint on what you are looking for, and should you have any queries, just write the comments and I'll try to assist as a capacity of being a student, as much as possible, Insyaallah.
As a mom who have to juggle between day-to-day chores and studying, it wasn't as easy as it sound. However, learning the right fiqh rulings, understand the meaning of the Quranic words, getting the opportunity to listen to the reputable Sheikhs and be one of their students, and all the knowledge that I thought I knew but actually I didn't really knew is just beyond words. Alhamdulillah. I am so grateful and I really hope that everyone is given the opportunity of time and space to learn more about Islam.
I hope the sharing above could at least give you a hint on what you are looking for, and should you have any queries, just write the comments and I'll try to assist as a capacity of being a student, as much as possible, Insyaallah.