Starts September 15, 2026
The Foundations of Islamic Creed
A 16-Session Study of al-Sanūsī's Umm al-Barāhīn and the Science of ʿAqīdah
Taught by Shaykh Zakaria AbdilAziz
What does a Muslim believe about Allah ﷻ, His Divine Attributes, His Messengers, and the realities of the unseen? How did the scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah establish these beliefs through revelation while also employing sound reason and rational proofs?
The course
This course is an introduction to the classical science of Aqidah (Islamic Creed) through the celebrated work Umm Al-Barahin (The Mother of Proofs) of Imam Al-Sanusi. For centuries, Umm Al-Barahin has been studied as an introduction to the principles of Usul al-Din, presenting the foundations of Islamic belief through concise and rational proofs. Over eight weeks, students will be guided through the foundational principles of the text, learning how the scholars of Ahl Al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama’ah articulated the beliefs that every accountable Muslim is required to know.
- Book
- al-‘Aqida al-Sanusiyya al-Sughra by Imam al-Sanusi — known as Umm al-Barahin, the Mother of Proofs
- Format
- 2 months · 16 sessions (14 online & 2 in-person)
- When
- September 15 to 5 November 2026 (16 sessions)· Tuesdays and Thursdays · 8:45–10:00 pm ET
- Where
- Online, plus two in-person sessions in Ottawa (one per month)
- Who
- Open to all — best suited to 16 and older
- Fee
- $75/month (total $150)
- Places
- Limited — the circle closes when they are taken
What we will study
- 01
The Rulings of the Intellect
Understanding the three fundamental rulings of the intellect:
- Wajib — that which must be
- Mustahil — that which cannot be
- Ja’iz — that which may or may not be
- 02
Knowing Allah
An introduction to the rational obligation of knowing Allah and the proofs that establish His existence, perfection, and transcendence.
- 03
The Divine Attributes
Studying the necessary attributes of Allah ﷻ, including:
- Existence
- Beginninglessness
- Everlastingness
- His non-resemblance to anything
- His Self-Sufficiency
- His Oneness
And the remaining attributes traditionally studied within the science of Aqidah.
- 04
The Attributes of Meaning
Exploring Allah’s:
- Power
- Will
- Knowledge
- Life
- Hearing
- Seeing
- Speech
- 05
The Relationship Between Revelation and Reason
Understanding the role of sound intellect and transmitted revelation in understanding matters of creed.
- 06
Prophethood
An introduction to the necessity of messengers, their attributes, their truthfulness, and the rational proofs establishing their mission.
- 07
Miracles
Understanding the meaning of a miracle and its role as a confirmation.
- 08
Matters Known Through Revelation
Lastly, an introduction to realities whose knowledge is established through revelation.
Who teaches it
Shaykh Zakaria AbdilAziz
Shaykh Zakaria AbdilAziz heads Muraqabah’s academic vision and is a graduate of the distinguished Alimiyyah program at Dar al-Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen, where he spent nearly two decades immersed in the traditional curriculum.
- Graduate of the Alimiyyah program at Dar al-Mustafa, Tarim, Yemen
- Nearly two decades of traditional study under eminent scholars, including Habib Umar bin Hafiz
- Formal authorizations (ijazat), including Hadith and Shafi’i jurisprudence
Joining
Two steps, and the place is yours.
Places are limited, and the e-transfer is what holds yours. Send it early.
- 01
Register
The form below asks for your name, an email, and a WhatsApp number. It takes a minute, and it tells us who the transfer belongs to.
- 02
Send the e-transfer
$75/month (total $150), by Interac e-transfer to ottawamajless@gmail.com. That is what holds your place: the moment it arrives you are a member of the cohort.