Ifta’ Specialisation Program

My experience at Whitethread Institute as an Ifta’ student was exhilarating (and exhausting!). I’ve always believed in real learning instead of just getting a certificate and this course was exactly as I expected, comprehensive and intensive. I have also taken another online Ifta program and have had a brief experience with yet a third program and I’m convinced that everything from the comprehensiveness and depth of this course to teachers’ competency to their teaching style, there is currently no better alternative for women who want to study the ‘authentic’ ifta methodology online. If I were to pick THE most distinguishing feature of this course, I’d pick the fatwa writing training. Students are required to research and write 3-5 fatwas daily which are then individually checked and corrected live in class through screen share. Around 500+ fatwas are written in the first year alone. Another distinguishing feature is the methodology of ifta itself and the characteristics and strengths of Hanafi fiqh. Just 6 months into the course and I was not only able to decipher the language and trace the trajectory of the evolutionary development of any fiqhi issue, but also assess the quality and credibility of any fatwa (and muftis). I never dreamed that I’d ever be able to discuss a fiqhi issue with any … mufti but the course gave me the confidence and ability to communicate professionally in terms of both theoretical foundations as well as the nuts and bolts of it. I no longer hesitate and have since then engaged in quite a few fiqhi discussions with experienced muftis and professionals … alike.

Habiba Afridi, Pakistan

The Whitethread Institute Ifta’ Program

The advanced Specialisation in Fiqh and Ifta’ Program is a rigorous two-year course for which only a dozen or so places are available each year. The course is now available online too for the 2021-22+ Academic year to students who can show a high level of competence in the field of fiqh and can rigorously maintain a long-distant online studying schedule full time.

If you are interested please apply today!

This is a post-graduate course focussed on developing the ability of ‘alimiyya graduates to proficiently research and formulate legal responses (fatwa) to both complex and everyday issues (nawazil).

The course comprises the study of important texts on usul al-fiqh (legal theory), qawa’id al-fiqh (legal maxims), usul al-ifta’ (principles of fatwa giving) and juz’iat and furu’ al-fiqh (derivative rulings).

Students study research methodology and the ifta’ process in depth to attain proficiency in research and answering questions according to classical and traditional methods, but while taking into consideration contemporary demands and sensitivities. Over the full-time course period of two years, students practice answering over a thousand questions on a variety of essential topics required to guide people towards an honest and rightous Islamic life in the fast changing world we find ourselves in.

The second year of the course includes a specialisation in at least one of a number of important areas:

• Islamic Bioethics (Medical Ethics and Medicine)
• Islamic Family and Marital Law
• Islamic Food and Dietary Law
• Islamic Inheritance Law
• Citizenship, Integration, and Political Issues
• Islamic Trade, Commerce and Finance
• Fiqh of Women
• Menstruation, Post-Natal Bleeding, Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding
• Astronomy and Prayer Times

Regular Teachers include Mufti Abdur-Rahman Mangera and Mufti Zubair Patel

Guest teachers: Dr Shaykh Zeeshan Chaudri (Whitethread Institute), Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari (Darul Iftaa, Leicester), Mufti Zubair Butt (Al-Qalam), and Mufti Sarfraz Ahmad (Birmingham Fiqh Council Birmingham), who have promised short seminars as and when possible.

Please note that this is an intense post-graduate course open to graduates of the dars nizami or equivalent system, who are juridically inclined, can demonstrate an adequate grasp of fiqh (Marghinani’s Hidaya), and possess an advanced level of Arabic text analysing skills.

Due to the interactive nature of the course and the intense individual one-to-one mentoring required, only limited spaces are available.

Open to ‘alims and ‘alimas

Part-Time

If you cannot do the Ifta’ Program full time, then we have a part-time option

Due to numerous requests, we will be offering the Ifta’ Program on a part-time basis to those who are unable to commit to the full-time program. Students can complete all the modules of the full-time program over a longer period and must show determination and competency throughout.

The part-time program will run for four years but can also be completed in three years. During the first two years, students will cover the modules on usul al-ifta’ (principles of fatwa giving) and furu’ al-fiqh (derivative rulings). In the other two years, students will cover the modules on usul al-fiqh (legal theory), qawa’id al-fiqh (legal maxims) and fatwa writing. Fatwa writing is the most intense module and requires additional hours beyond the taught classes for personal research since students are expected to complete over a thousand fatwas. However, this module can also be divided over three to four years to spread the burden. Flexibility will be provided to accommodate committed and diligent students, but all sessions must be attended live as the interaction is necessary for proper training to take place.

Timings

Full-Time Course

Year 1 & 2:
Monday to Thursday 8:30am-1pm
Fridays 8.30am-11.30am

Part-Time Course

Year 1 & 2:
Monday to Friday 8:30am-10:30am

Year 3 & 4:
Monday to Thursday 10:30am-12:30pm
Fridays 10.30am-11.30am

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this course is correct at the time of publication. Courses are subject to on-going development which could necessitate cancellation of, or alteration to, the advertised courses and timings.