The Sibawayh course began as a refresher in Classical Arabic for those who had previously studied the language. However, due to the increasing demand for a more comprehensive and expansive course, it is now being transformed into a four-level curriculum. 

Starting from the absolute basics, the four levels will seek to develop students to read, comprehend, and translate advanced Arabic texts accurately and proficiently. 

The course will culminate in a select study of the outstanding works of Arabic grammar and literature including the Kitāb fi’l Naḥw of the master grammarian of Persia, Abu Bishr ʿAmr Ibn ʿUthman, more commonly known as Sibawayh and from whom the course takes its name.

Level 3: Higher

A book of Arabic literature written by Shaykh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi designed for the intermediate students of the Arabic language. The Shaykh wrote this book as a way of training students to get deep experience with the language used in the Qur’an, Sunnah & various books of Islam. He saw a lapse in the ability of students to access classical Arabic in the manner it should be.

In this course, students will improve on the application of the Nahw, Sarf that they have learned previously alongside enriching their vocabulary and understanding of Arabic eloquence.

  • Mukhtarat

  • Tasreef al-'Izzi

  • Durūs al-Balāghah

  • Diwan al-Imam al-Shafi'i

Level 3 Module:

Diwan al-Imam al-Shafi'i

Diwan al-Imam al-Shafi'i

Diwan al-Imam al-Shafi'i" refers to the poetry collection of the renowned Islamic scholar and jurist, Imam Shafi'i (767-820 CE). Imam Shafi'i was one of the founders of the Sunni Islamic jurisprudence school known as the Shafi'i school. His poetry collection, Diwan al-Imam al-Shafi'i, contains a variety of poems and verses that cover topics such as religious devotion, Islamic law, ethics, and personal reflections.

Course Fee: £299
Coming Soon

Level 3 Module:

Mukhtarat

Mukhtarat

A book of Arabic literature written by Shaykh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi designed for the intermediate students of the Arabic language. The Shaykh wrote this book as a way of training students to get deep experience with the language used in the Qur’an, Sunnah & various books of Islam. He saw a lapse in the ability of students to access classical Arabic in the manner it should be.

Course Fee: £299
Coming Soon

Level 3 Module:

Durūs al-Balāghah

Durūs al-Balāghah

This modern text summarising the great and long historical tradition of Arabic rhetoric will be taught, with the authors’ examples explained in some detail. There will be a strong focus on the inimitable nature of the Qur’an’s Arabic, with multiple Qur’anic examples to be analysed throughout the course. By the end of the year, students will have a deeper appreciation of the miraculous nature of the Qur’an.

Course Fee: £299.00
Coming Soon

Level 3 Module:

Tasreef al-'Izzi

Taṣrīf al-ʿIzzī

This famous intermediate primer in the science of Arabic morphology will be taught in a modern style, utilising the commentary of the great Sunni Imam, ʿAllāmah Taftazānī, as a primary base. There will be exercises and homework given weekly, with student expected to take a deeper dive into the various chapters of Ṣarf – including changes, derivation and conjugation tables.

Course Fee: £299
Coming Soon

Level 3 Module Details

Instructor

 Mawlana Imran Maljee
Mawlana Muhammad al-Hassan
Mawlana Imtiyajul Haque
Mawlana Muhammad Nadat

Duration

 September - July (1 Year)

Course Start Date

 To be announced 

Sessions

 Online Only

(Recordings of the live sessions are NOT available for this course)

Timings

See module details

Exams & Assignments

 Mid-Term Exams: 1 Exam per module
End of Year Exams: 1 Exam per module

Course Fee

 £299.00 per module

Certificate

 No

Students should expect to allocate 3 to 4 hours per week for preparation and homework.

*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.

Sibawayh Arabic Program Levels

The following levels will be released in the coming year

Level 3: Higher Level

This stage is designed for students who are confident in Arabic grammar and are able to comfortably read the texts identified in level 2 and would like to challenge themselves with higher texts. Students will cover selections from:

  • Qatr al-Nada

  • Mukhtarat

  • Al Bayan wa ‘l Tabyin

  • Ta’iyyah Abi Ishaq al-Ilbiri

  • The Diwan of Imam al-Shafiʿi

  • Diwan Hassan ibn Tabit

Level 4: Advanced Level

The final level is for the advanced student of Arabic who would like to engage with the more difficult texts. Students will study selections from the primary compilations of Arabic grammar and the outstanding works of Arabic literature, as follows:

  • Al-Kitāb fī ʿIlm al-Naḥw

  • Alfiyyah

  • Kafiyyah

  • Maqamat al-Hariri

  • Al-Muʿallaqat al-Sabʿah

  • Diwan al Mutanabbi

  • Diwan Hassan ibn Thabit

Instructor(s)

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.

Ustadh Muhammad Nadat

Teacher

Ustadh Muhammad Nadat studied Arabic and International Relations as an undergraduate at the University of Westminster and then completed an MA in History at SOAS. He is in his final year of Alimiyyah studies at Imam Zakaria Academy, London.

Mawlana Asim Ayub

Course Instructor

Mawlana Asim Ayub is a graduate of Darul Uloom Bury where he completed the traditional Alimiyyah program. He further went on to complete a BSc in Economics and MSc in Economic History from Brunel University and the LSE, followed by a PGCE from Brunel. He has studied further in specific Islamic sciences including Kalam, logic and Usool Hadith with various highly-qualified scholars.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are there any live sessions?

    All the sessions are live and available on-site and online. There are no recordings available for this course.

  • Are there any funding opportunities for this course?

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

  • Is this a four year course or a one year?

    Each level is a one year course, full details of the remaining levels will be updated in due course.

  • Can I join from Level 2 or 3?

    Yes. Registrants will undergo a test before purchasing the course to determine whether they are suitable for the level.

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 the subject matter

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