This course will provide an overview of the classical material on the Qur’an as well as critically analyse modern orientalist engagements with the Qur’an. The various debates and discussions found in ‘Ulum al-Qur’an texts will be studied via a number of classical and modern introductions, along with the history and development of Qur’anic exegesis.

A study of selections from approximately twenty of the main tafsirs will be undertaken to provide students with a first hand and intimate understanding of how the tafsir of the Qur’an has been approached from different angles by our great past and present mufassirun.

The concept of i‘jaz (inimitability) of the Qur’an will be analysed along with studies on the language, style and structure of the Qur’an, and the connections (tanasub) between its chapters and verses.

  • Dates

    The course starts in September 2024

  • On-site and Online

    Recordings Available for this course

  • Course Fee

    £1,199.00

Payment Options

What our students say about the program

“The course is expertly crafted to develop students' application of the tools and skills required to engage with the sciences of Tafsir in the 21st century. Enlightened and scholarly discussions of contemporary issues were always encouraged and adequately explored and deconstructed. As such, I have become much more proficient and efficient in time management, research skills, Arabic reading and writing, amongst other equally vital skills, due to having to research and actively participate in the learning process. I strongly recommend this program to anyone who, like me, is searching for a well-rounded, professional, and in-depth learning experience in the sciences of exegesis.”

Saleha Seedat

“We went through and were introduced to over 40 different Tafsir works ranging from classical to modern. We also went through an entire book covering the different sciences relating to the Qur'an. As part of the modern Qur'anic studies module we were guided through the objections made by orientalists, modernists and feminists to name a few. We were also shown how to pick out their fundamental flaws in their approach. Lastly the Qur'an language module really enabled me to appreciate the Qur'an in a different light. This has helped me to ponder when I recite and benefit from my recitation in manner I wasn't able to previously.”

Adel Rehman

“The course opened worlds of Quranic knowledge which I hadn't known existed. The course enabled me to improve in my research alhamdulillah. I strongly urge every serious seeker of knowledge to devote some time for this course. The year ended too soon, leaving me and fellow students hungry for more. Our beloved teachers always went the extra mile to satiate our curiosity. Despite being an online student, I benefitted a lot from the teacher's tarbiyyah, general advice and akhlaq.”

Azra Zubeida

“Before I started the course at Whitethread, my link to the subject of Tafsir was minimal. By taking this course, it has forced me to look at various tafsirs… Since these tafsirs were different in their styles, I know have a portfolio of Tafsirs that I have studied and know which ones to refer to for what speciality it contains.… I found that the teachers care about developing you academically and in terms of adab (Islamic mannerism). Students that come from a Darul Ulum background will benefit greatly from this comprehensive course where you are looking at a new tafsir each lesson, consolidating your knowledge in ‘ulum al-Qur’an, learning about the specific styles and rhetoric of the Qur’an and looking at specific issues pertinent to the Qur’an that are being discussed today by Muslim as well as Non-Muslim academics.”

Sofwan Ahmed, UK

“This course is not advertised as a takhassus course, however it is not less than any takhassus course. It has enabled and opened many doors which were not possible to see without guidance from knowledgeable teachers at Whitethread Institute. I am very thankful and blessed to have learnt so much in such a short time. The knowledge shared in this course is worth the practise for many years and will keep me busy academically and spiritually for rest of my life, inshaAllah.”

Aseem Khan, UK

“I am completely indebted to the institute and to the ustaads for the tafsir course. Alhamdulillah, I have benefited immensely from the course. The manner of my preparation for the tafsir session conducted in my local masjid has significantly changed. Prior to the course I would briefly look at few tafsir books, but now Alhamdulillah I try to study as many as I can. The benefit of which has been profound. All the ustaads are greatly competent, hardworking, well-wishers and supportive. I would definitely advise the Alims, Alimas and Imams who are delivering tafsir lessons to enrol and benefit from the course. No words can do justice in explaining the benefits of this course.”

Shuaib Abdurauf Sufi, UK

Instructor

Mufti Abdur-Rahman Mangera
Shaykh Zeeshan Chaudri
Mawlana Hilal Patel

Duration

September 2024 - July 2025

Course Start Date

September 2024

Sessions

On-site and Online (Recordings of the live sessions are available for this course)

Timings


Thursday to Friday 8:30am to 12:30pm British Standard Time

Exams & Assignments

Mid-Term Exams: 2 Exams & 1 Assignment
End of Year Exams: 2 Exams

Course Fee

£1,199.00

Monthly Instalments

3 monthly instalments of £399.66

Certificate

Yes

*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 ongoing development, which could necessitate cancellation of, or alteration to, the advertised courses.

Instructor(s)

Dr. Mufti Abdur-Rahman Mangera

Dean, Course Instructor

Dr. Mufti Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera is a British Muslim scholar educated in both the Islamic and Western traditions. He memorised the Qur’an by heart and graduated from the Darul Uloom seminary Bury, UK, and later earned a specialised licence to issue fatwa (legal responses) at Mazahir ‘Ulum Saharanpur, India. He earned his BA from the University of Johannesburg and completed his MA and PhD in Islamic Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. He holds an honorary fellowship at The Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, Amman, Jordan. Shaykh Abdur-Rahman has the unique experience of serving as an imam in Muslim communities on both sides of the Atlantic, eight years in Southern California and over five in the great city of London—and his continued work as an international speaker and lecturer enables him to address and offer pertinent advice on current challenges that face Muslims in the West. He is the founder of Whitethread Institute, a post-graduate insititute for Islamic scholars. He is an avid traveller and continues to teach hadith and work on scholarly publications through White Thread Press. Many of his lectures are available on Zamzam Academy and his courses through Rayyan Courses.

Shaykh Zeeshan Chaudri

Course Instructor

Shaykh Zeeshan Chaudri began his studies in the Institute of Islamic Education, Dewsbury where he enrolled into the Alimiyya program. He then transferred to Imam Zakariya Academy, London where he completed the program. Thereafter he completed an MA in Islamic studies at Markfield Institute of Higher Education. He is currently a teacher at Imam Zakariya Academy in the Alimiyya program and a second year PhD candidate at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Shaykh Zeeshan is known for his avid love for reading and research and is therefore in charge of library and literary resources development at Whitethread Institute.

Mawlana Hilal Patel

Instructor

Mawlana Hilal Patel began his studies at Darul Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Bury where he memorised the Qur’an and completed the Alimiyyah program. He then went on to complete the Ifta' Specialisation Program at Whitethread Institute and has been working at Whitethread’s Fatwa Centre since completing the course. Mawlana Hilal also serves as an Imam and teacher at his local Masjid in Kent.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are there any live sessions?

    All the sessions are live and available on-site and online.

  • Are we allowed to share the course with our partners or siblings?

    We expect all students who pay for the course to have explicit use of the content and should not be shared, therefore if your partner or spouse wants to take the whole course, then we would advise purchasing the course, if you want to make them aware of some snippets or questions which are relevant to them, then that is fine, everything in the resources section are available for free and can be shared.

  • Do we have lifetime access to the recordings?

    Unfortunately, all our sessions are copyright of Whitethread Institute, therefore students are not allowed to save, record or recreate the content of the sessions as the content is constantly updated. We do provide resources that are free to download or share.

  • Are there any funding opportunities for this course?

    Students can apply for zakat or sponsorship opportunities, for further details, please contact [email protected]

Why Study at Whitethread Institute?

  • Great studying environment

  • Interactive discussions between students and teachers

  • High level discussions where teachers are open to questions and do not shy away from sensitive or controversial issues

  • Comfortable studying environment

  • In depth coverage of topics

  • Deep understanding of the nuances of fiqh

  • Experienced and knowledgeable teachers

  • Students guided throughout their studies

  • All lessons taught in a practical manner relevant to current times