A software engineer and an expectant mother. A pharmacist and a high school graduate.  Students from diverse backgrounds look to Sharia Academy to fulfill a common purpose: attaining authentic Islamic knowledge. With its innovative and affordable distance learning format, Sharia Academy grants seekers of knowledge access to quality Islamic education and respectable scholars right from their homes.

Since students in the West often don’t have Islamic institutions within easy reach, and for many, going abroad to Islamic countries to study is simply not feasible, SAA seeks to fill that gap. Dr. Muhammad Said, student advisor for the English program, says the academy plays a pivotal role in providing knowledge from a moderate perspective to a wide spectrum of students, regardless of the barriers they have to Islamic education.

“Through this distance learning, we can access them and they can access this knowledge,” Dr. Muhammad says.

Noting that SAA strives to disseminate “the same knowledge through different vehicles,” Dr. Said explained that the institution integrates various strategies to maximize benefits for students, and to cater to students at different levels and with different needs, whether it’s sisters at home raising children or imams and community leaders. Not only does it target students who have basic  knowledge and need to increase it to an intermediate level, but it also offers graduate and post graduate courses, and diverse classes in English and Arabic. Students can also attend on-site seminars at SAA branch locations. Dr. Muhammad says classes in English have been especially beneficial for many students whose native language is not Arabic.

Students from the US, Canada and even Europe have been quick to take advantage of this opportunity. Br. Salahudin Kuo always dreamed of studying at Medina University but could not for various reasons. He found out about SAA while in Egypt and said it gave him the hope of continuing his studies when he returned to the US.

“It gave me access to a complete curriculum and scholars on a regular basis, which was the most important thing to me,” said Br. Salahudin, a full-time pharmacist, adding that before Sharia Academy, he felt he wasted much time and effort studying randomly and sporadically. “I feel that studying with the Academy is more in line with the Prophetic Advice that the most beloved deeds to Allah (swt) are the ones done regularly, even if they are small.”

While students can log in at their convenience to study independently, SAA encourages strong connections between students and teachers, especially through live web discussions. Br. Zaid Khalid, a Minnesota resident and software engineer pursuing a Bachelors in Islamic studies, said interaction with scholars is crucial.

“Once you study on your own, you form your own opinions, and you don’t have the chance to discuss different ideas with scholars, “`he said, noting that the weekly live sessions with SAA instructors facilitate that exchange of ideas. “It’s not specific to one madhhab so you don’t get just one point of view. It’s very nice to know the whole spectrum of opinions.”

Br. Salahudin agrees saying SAA Academy has done a great service by putting the Ulama` within easy reach.

“Knowledge is always conveyed in writing, but to study books without someone to guide you can be disastrous,” he said.

The flexibility SAA offers is also a big drawing point for many students like Sr. Mona Rifaie, a realtor and a mother of three, who lives in Tampa, Florida. 

“In the middle of the night is when I do most of my studies,” she said.

Sr. Mona said wasn’t sure what to expect when she first enrolled as she had a very limited background in Islamic studies, but the tremendous support from the teachers has made the experience worthwhile. “You learn things you never learned before,  she said, noting that the experience has really opened her eyes. “You not only increase your knowledge, but also your relationship with Allah.”

Sr. Anila Hussain of Montreal, Canada concurs, saying the classes contribute to a greater understanding of different facets of Islam. She recently took Fiqh of Worship 1, which goes into great detail about issues like salat.

“Even though we look at them as really basic, they are really important. So many people don’t know how to pray properly,” she said. “(Learning) is going to impact your worship of Allah.” Sr. Anila who is expecting her first child and hopes her education will help her become a good role model for her children, said one of the advantages of taking classes over a whole semester is that it allows students to go in-depth and study the material thoroughly. “You do have time to absorb the content,” she said.

Considering the remarkable lengths our righteous predecessors went to to seek knowledge, Br. Zaid says everyone should take advantage of these online courses. “Today we can get the same knowledge sitting in our homes,” he said. “There is no excuse.”

For Sr. Mona, her studies have made her more capable of guiding her daughters with their Islamic studies. “I am able to help them as well,” she said.

Sr. Anila has been using some of that knowledge in halaqat she conducts in her area. For Br Zaid, who has long taught community classes and given presentations on Islam, it has helped him to be better prepared for this da’wah work. “I thought I knew a lot,” said Br. Zaid. “Now I feel I don’t know anything.”

Ultimately, they all agree that their studies have had a profound influence on their spiritual growth and connection with Allah, the Almighty.

“The biggest responsibility I have is to live that knowledge,” said Br. Zaid. “If I don’t live it, it’s not going to have an impact on anybody and my hereafter.