Understanding Islam: Foundational Course for Adult Female Learners

Sample Worksheet Images 1

Each lesson comes with about 10 pages of bespoke copyright study notes, all prepared by Abu Khadeejah, may Allah bless the work and effort. That’s thousands of pages over the period of the course. Here are a few samples of the first pages:

1. The Course

The online Understanding Islam: Foundational Studies course is designed to deepen students’ knowledge of Islam by exploring its teachings in both historical and contemporary contexts. Through a range of carefully selected topics and the study of authentic Qur’anic and Hadith texts, students will develop skills in analysis, reflection, and interpretation, particularly in relation to real-life issues affecting Muslims today.

This course is suited to adult female learners seeking a solid introduction to Islamic studies. (Younger students are encouraged to consider the Living as a Muslim in the World Today course.) It also serves as a strong foundation for those who may wish to progress to IGCSE or A-Level Islamic Studies in the future.

The course content is based on bespoke study materials developed by Shaykh Abu Khadeejah ʿAbdul-Wāḥid, comprising hundreds of pages of detailed notes, with new material added regularly, alḥamdulillāh. May Allāh bless and preserve these efforts.

2. Laying the Foundations: The Importance of Weekly Islamic Study

The Understanding Islam Foundation Course has been carefully designed to help women of all ages develop their knowledge and understanding of Islam in both historical and contemporary contexts. The course explores a range of essential topics through the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah, supporting students in building a clear and confident grasp of what it means to live as a Muslim in today’s world.

These weekly lessons, taught by Dr Naheed Anwar, also encourage reflection, analysis, and interpretation—skills that help women navigate the social, moral, and spiritual challenges facing Muslims today. Each class includes time for students to ask questions. Any questions Dr Anwar is unable to answer will be referred to Shaykh Abu Khadeejah for a clear and reliable response, inshā’-Allāh. Weekly homework is set to reinforce learning, and if submitted, it will be marked, inshā’-Allāh—though completing homework is optional.

This course also serves as an excellent foundation for those who wish to go on to study the International GCSE (Edexcel Pearson Certificate) or Advanced Level Islamic Studies (Cambridge Assessment) with Shaykh Abu Khadeejah in the future, inshā’-Allāh. The content is based on the material compiled and taught by Shaykh Abu Khadeejah ʿAbdul-Wāḥid, including thousands of pages of structured study notes, with new material added regularly—all praise is for Allāh, and may Allāh bless and preserve it.

Each lesson is prepared as a “stand-alone” session, so women can enrol and join at any time and still understand and benefit from the topics being taught, inshā’-Allāh.

3. Course Dates and Times

When can I register? Ideally, each year, between 1st June and 1st September. Places are limited; therefore, the earlier you apply, the more likely you are to get a place (inshā’-Allāh).
Course start date: September / October of each year.
Payment: Every 3 months in advance until course completion, or for the whole course in advance.

The course will be delivered as a 60-minute lesson every Saturday, with holidays as arranged by Dr Umm Abdillāh Naheed.

There will be 36 lessons per annum with three terms, broadly following British and US school term times – that means breaks through the year (including ʿEids). The course duration is three years, but you 

4. Day and Time Each Week

This 60-minute class takes place every Saturday, normally between 11 am and 12 pm (UK time). The time of the lesson has been set to suit as many time zones as possible.

There will be 36 of these lessons per annum over three terms, broadly following British and US school term times. That means there will be vacations throughout the year (including ʿEids). The course duration is three years, beginning in September every year. The exact start date will be decided by Dr Umm Abdillāh Naheed, inshā’-Allāh.

So, the course is for three academic years, and the live teaching time is one hour per week, loosely following the UK schools’ term timetable. A month of teaching is four hours of learning. The teacher reserves the right to poll the students and alter these times if he sees that to be suitable.

5. Topics to be Studied: Islamic Belief, Shariah and Ethics

Many of you may be wondering what topics will be covered during the course. Below is a small glimpse of some of the 200+ topics that will be covered, inshā’-Allāh:

• Personal aspects of the Prophet’s (salallāhu ʿalaihi wasallam) life
• The Revelation of the Qur’an
• The Prophethood of Muhammad (salallāhu ʿalaihi wasallam)
• Opposition and Hijrah
• The Sunnah of the Prophet (salallāhu ʿalaihi wasallam)
• Teachings and fine examples of the Prophet (salallāhu ʿalaihi wasallam) on specific issues of justice and equality
• The Prophet (salallāhu ʿalaihi wasallam) as a leader
• Battles fought by the Prophet (salallāhu ʿalaihi wasallam)
• The Prophet’s (salallāhu ʿalaihi wasallam) final acts and his achievements
• Introduction to Islamic teachings
• Allah, the One worthy of worship (Tawheed)
• The Risālah (Message) that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent with.
• Belief in the Messengers
• Belief in the Revealed Books
• Belief in the Pre-Decree: Life is a Test
• Belief in the Angels
• Belief in the Last Day & Hereafter
• Names and Attributes of Allah
• The Shariah
• Sunni and Shiʿah Islam
• Purpose of Life and Justice
• The Rights of the Parents
• The Correct Hijab
• Following fashion and hairstyles
• Stories of the Companions
• Halāl and Harām
• The Dangers of Social Media
• Patient and forbearance
• Poverty and Islam’s answer
• The Islamic world and governance
• The Rightly Guided Caliphs
• Wudoo and Prayer
• Rites of Hajj
• Fasting in Ramadan
• Zakat in Islam
• Poverty in poor countries: pre-decree and climate
• Seerah of the Prophet (salallāhu ʿalaihi wasallam)
• The Ansar and the Muhājiroon
• The wives of the Prophet (salallāhu ʿalaihi wasallam)
• Leadership in Islam
• Muslim youth in Islam
• What is sin, and how to avoid it
• Repentance and seeking forgiveness
• The conditions of the Shahadah
• Paradise and Hell

2. When Can I Begin?

When can I register? Any time through the year (with 3 months payment).
Course start date: September to December of each year.
Payment: Every 3 months in advance until course completion (3 academic years) or for the whole year in advance.

6. About Your Teacher – Dr Naheed Anwar

Dr Naheed Anwar is an experienced educator with a strong academic background in Sociology and a research focus in Islamic Studies. She holds a PhD and has taught a range of subjects, including Islamic Studies and Sociology, to female students at secondary and advanced levels. Her teaching combines academic rigour with a commitment to nurturing understanding through the lens of authentic Islamic principles.

Dr Anwar specialises in delivering well-structured, engaging lessons tailored for girls and young women. Her approach is rooted in the methodology of the Salaf, providing students with clarity, context, and confidence in their religious and academic development.

She works closely with Shaykh Abu Khadeejah to ensure that the course content remains authentic and beneficial. Any questions that require further scholarly input are referred to him for guidance, inshā’-Allāh.

7. Previous Knowledge

Previous knowledge of Islam is not a requirement to join this course. However, Dr Umm Abdillāh Naheed advises that this course requires investing time each week: one hour in the live lesson, and 30 to 60 minutes of personal study and revision.

8. Teaching Format 

These are interactive online audio classes conducted via the Google Classroom platform, a user-friendly platform that allows easy access to lessons, assignments, and resources. The lesson style is personal and friendly, and there is plenty of opportunity to ask and answer questions.

The lessons are live, interactive online audio classes led by female tutor Dr Naheed Anwar in a classroom format conducted via Google Classrooms. The lesson style is personal, informal and friendly, and there is plenty of opportunity to ask and answer questions.

Classroom Participation Guidelines: To ensure a respectful, safe, and focused learning environment for all female students and the instructor, it is mandatory for all participants to wear headphones or earphones during lessons and to keep their cameras switched on at all times. These measures help to safeguard privacy and minimise distractions. Any student who does not adhere to these guidelines may be removed from the session. Your cooperation is essential and greatly appreciated in maintaining these standards.

For a simple introduction on how to use Google Classroom, please watch this video:

How to Use Google Classroom for Students

9. How the Lessons are Taught

1. You will need a Gmail (Google email) account. Once you’ve set it up, please email us from the Gmail account with your full name.
2. Please choose a simple username, such as an actual name or a kunyah, e.g., abdullah.jones, or abu.zainab, or umm.talibah, etc. This makes it easy for us to recognise individual students.
3. Your assignments will be submitted via Google Docs, which you’ll have access to through your Gmail account.
4. Lesson Format: We intend to use Google Classroom to conduct the classes. Please take time to familiarise yourselves with both. Don’t worry too much if you cannot grasp it immediately, we will help you along.
5. You will need to have regular access to a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer for use in lessons and for submitting assignments. Smartphones will not be sufficient!
6. Please attend on time, pay attention to the class, and it is better that you take notes or make mind-maps. This will form the backbone of your work.
7. We will compile some great class study articles (PDF format) that will aid you in learning the relevant topics.

10. Stay in Touch with Your Teacher

You can stay in touch with Dr Umm Abdillāh Naheed via WhatsApp, and we will set up a dedicated Telegram group for all those registered so you can communicate with us, ask questions, and seek clarification.

11. Dr Umm Abdillāh Naheed’s Unique Methodology in this Course

We intend to teach this course from the perspective of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamāʿah, i.e., those who follow the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and cling to the path of his noble Companions (Allah be pleased with them), the methodology and traditions of the early Ḥadīth scholars. The People of Ḥadīth adhere to the narrations authentically reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions.

12. Dr Umm Abdillāh Naheed’s Teaching Approach

Dr Umm Abdillāh Naheed’s teaching approach is friendly and informal because that is more engaging (especially for younger people), nevertheless, the body of knowledge that she’ll be covering over these three years will build a solid foundation of Islām for the rest of their lives, inshā’-Allāh!

13. Course Fees

The fee will be £15 per week (GBP) per student based on one hour of direct learning each week, to be paid three months in advance. You can pay by Debit Card from anywhere in the world. You will need to send the fee seven days before the first lesson every three months. You will be notified when the payment is due. Any delay in payment will result in the denial of access to the classes. Then, you will not be reinstated into the class until the full monthly payment is received, even if this results in you missing some lessons. Once you have been removed, all your work is erased from Google Classroom.

Remember that the course lasts for two years.

Payments are taken every three months or once a year (as you prefer):

* Term One: 12 lessons: £180 (GB Pounds) or $250 (US Dollars)
* Term Two: 12 lessons: £180 (GB Pounds) or $250 (US Dollars)
* Term Three: 12 lessons: £180 (GB Pounds) or $250 (US Dollars)

Or for the complete year:

* Academic year covering 36 lessons: £540 (GB Pounds) or $750 (US Dollars)

14. Leaving the Course and Missing Lessons

You can leave the course at any time without penalty (or hard feelings), but let us know at least two weeks before the next payment is due. Please note: Refund will not be given once the fee is paid, so completing the lessons for that period would be advisable. Additionally, if you are unwell, busy at work or on holiday, fees will not be refunded, nor carried over into the next month or months.

We expect students to catch up on any missed work. All the classes are recorded, so you can listen again and revise at any time, inshā’-Allāh. You will not be charged during term holidays, half-term holidays or during teacher absences. So, you only pay for the actual lessons, and not more than that. Please remember that this is a Tarbiyah (Cultivation) course with plenty of bespoke material produced by Shaikh Abu Khadeejah (may Allah preserve him). Therefore, students must take their studies seriously, and it requires commitment, but that does not mean they will not enjoy the lessons. Our students love the classes and join us each week as friends and family!

Sample Worksheet Images #2

Each lesson comes with about 10 pages of bespoke copyright study notes, all prepared by Abu Khadeejah, may Allah bless the work and effort. That’s thousands of pages over the period of the course:

15. Application Form

If you are happy and want to join our classes, please read the above information carefully once more. Now, if you are pleased with what you have read, please fill in the application and agreement form.

Please do not fill in this form if you do not intend to proceed to payment.

16. Payment

Once your application has been approved, we will be in touch with you via email (inshā’-Allāh) – make sure you check your spam folder! Thereafter, you will have 48 hours to make the first payment. Please note that refunds are not offered once you have enrolled and paid. May Allah bless you.

17. Contact us if you require further information:

If you have any questions that are not covered above, feel free to contact our team.

May Allah bless you, and all praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds.