Islamic Institute of Toronto
Encyclopedia
The Islamic Institute of Toronto (IIT) is a non-profit, federally registered, educational institute. The IIT Institute was established in 1996 to strengthen access to Islamic universities and colleges, promote scholarly research, facilitate community outreach and interaction with other religious organizations and community groups, consolidate the social fabric of the community and sustain Islamic work by encouraging and building endowments.
s and to enhance the Islamic identity in the society at large.
and a swimming pool. The complex will also be home to an Islamic High School which will cater to Muslim students who are desirous of combining traditional, time-honored education values with modern learning techniques.
Phase One of the building project is in its advanced stages with the building constructed while finishing touches are placed. Phase One will comprise classroom, library, multi-purpose hall and other necessary amenities.
is the senior lecturer and resident scholar at the IIT Institute. He was educated in the traditional Islamic Sciences in India and at the Islamic University of Madinah
. He received his Ijazah
as an Alim
and Faqih
from India and Madina. He pursued post-graduate studies at the University of Toronto
(M.A) and McGill University
, Montreal (Doctoral Studies). He has served as Imam
for Jami Mosque and Islamic Foundation of Toronto. He is currently a Mufti
at the internationally renowned website [IslamOnline.net] and provides fatwas for [Islam.ca]. His fatwas have been acclaimed by both western and Islamic scholars and the prestigious International Islamic University of Malaysia has co-opted several hundred of his fatawas for their fatwa bank.
and specializes in Hadith Studies. He is currently a resident scholar at the IIT Institute where he teaches several courses in Arabic Language, Hadith and Seerah. He serves as an Islamic Counselor with the Islamic Social Services and Resource Association (Toronto) and is a regular khateeb and lecturer at several prominent mosque in and around Toronto. Shaikh Abdool Hamid is also the spiritual guide for the IIT Hajj
group which takes more than 75 Hujjaj every year to Makkah.
in Comparative World Religions from the U.S.A.
Imam Slimi has been educated in Arabic, French
and English. He can also lecture in a few other Latin
and Eastern languages. Both his Ijazah
and Gradute Shahada
are in Fiqh
(Islamic Jurisprudence) and Usul-ul-Fiqh (Fundamentals of Jurisprudence). His extensive research has been in the field of Jurisprudential Rules as well as al-Fiqh al-Muqaaran (Comparative Fiqh) in the four Madhabs. He was the lecturer of the Islamic Centre of London as well as the chaplain of the major hospitals and Correction Centers in the city as well as University of Western Ontario
for a period of 4 years. Imam Slimi has authored books in Arabic and English in the principles of Jurisprudence (Usul-al-Fiqh) and Islamic matters
. His book published in 2001 Terrorism: An Islamic Perspective has been widely distributed in North America and received many positive responses. He appears occasionally on different TV shows and is very active in the Muslim-Christian Dialogue.
obtained his Oriental Degree in Islamic studies
from Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow
in 1967. He then completed higher secondary with merit in 1972, and in Arabic
in 1969. Later he completed his BA
from Barkatullah University
,formerly Bhopal University with majors in Arabic, Urdu
, Hindi
, English, and political science
s before moving to Saudi Arabia
. In Saudi Arabia, he obtained his license in Sharia
h from Islamic University of Madinah
, Saudi Arabia in 1978 and his MA
in Islamic law
from Umm al-Qura
University in Mecca
, Saudi Arabia in 1983. He then obtained his Ph.D.
from the same university in 1991 after which he moved to the teaching position in Riyadh. He now resides in Greater Toronto Area
Dr.Iqbal Masood Nadvi
has taught Islamic Shar'iah and Jurisprudence subject in King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, for six years and dealt with various subjects such as principles of jurisprudence (Usool Al-Fiqh), Islamic Culture, Islamic Political Thought, Islamic movements and Fiqh of Organization
where he majored in Sharia
. After completing his studies he returned to his native country Guyana where he became an instructor of Arabic and Islamic Studies
at the Guyana Islamic Institute. He has been involved in teaching Arabic and Islamic Studies at the Islamic Institute of Toronto (IIT) and at other venues around the Greater Toronto Area.
and obtained his Ijazah
from Shaikh Abdullah Al-Jawhari. He has taught Quran to hundreds of children and is the principal of Azhar Islamic School
in west Toronto. Shaikh Saeeed has mastered the art of Tajweed (Quranic recitation) and leads Taraweeh prayers at various masaajids in Greater Toronto Area.
and al Madinat al Munawwarah and has mastered the art of Tajweed (Quranic Recitation). Shaikh Sibghatullah has taught at IIT Institute and has led Taraweeh at several masaajid in the Greater Toronto Area.
Mission
The Islamic Institute of Toronto's mission is to nurture and establish Islam as a living reality in the lives of MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s and to enhance the Islamic identity in the society at large.
Curriculum
The Islamic Institute of Toronto curriculum includes:- Islamic faith and jurisprudence
- FiqhFiqhFiqh is Islamic jurisprudence. Fiqh is an expansion of the code of conduct expounded in the Quran, often supplemented by tradition and implemented by the rulings and interpretations of Islamic jurists....
- Qur'anic StudiesTafsirTafseer is the Arabic word for exegesis or commentary, usually of the Qur'an. Ta'wīl is a subset of tafsir and refers to esoteric or mystical interpretation. An author of tafsir is a mufassir .- Etymology :...
- Islamic HistoryMuslim historyMuslim history is the history of Muslim people. In the history of Islam the followers of the religion of Islam have impacted political history, economic history, and military history...
- Arabic LanguageClassical ArabicClassical Arabic , also known as Qur'anic or Koranic Arabic, is the form of the Arabic language used in literary texts from Umayyad and Abbasid times . It is based on the Medieval dialects of Arab tribes...
Campus
The Campus will include a conference centre, triple gymnasium, library and reading room, MosqueMosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
and a swimming pool. The complex will also be home to an Islamic High School which will cater to Muslim students who are desirous of combining traditional, time-honored education values with modern learning techniques.
Phase One of the building project is in its advanced stages with the building constructed while finishing touches are placed. Phase One will comprise classroom, library, multi-purpose hall and other necessary amenities.
Faculty of Arabic Language
The Faculty will offer certificates in the following streams of the language:- Classical Arabic Language
- Access to Qur'anic Arabic
- Modern Standard Arabic
Faculty of Qur'anic Studies
The Faculty of Qur'anic Studies will offer certificate programs aimed at understanding the Qur'an, its revelation and transmission as well as its message and mastering its recitation:- Sciences of the Qur'an (Qirat)
- Thematic study of the Qur'an
- Qur'an Memorization
Faculty of Islamic Studies
The Faculty of Islamic Studies offers certificate programs in Islamic Studies on two levels - Level One Certificate and Level Two Certificate. The curriculum covers:- Aqidah
- FiqhFiqhFiqh is Islamic jurisprudence. Fiqh is an expansion of the code of conduct expounded in the Quran, often supplemented by tradition and implemented by the rulings and interpretations of Islamic jurists....
- Usul al-fiqhUsul al-fiqhUṣūl al-fiqh is the study of the origins, sources, and principles upon which Islamic jurisprudence is based. In the narrow sense, it simply refers to the question of what are the sources of Islamic law...
- Ibaadat (Salaah, Zakaah, FastingFastingFasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day , or several days. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive,...
and HajjHajjThe Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so...
) - Islamic Ethics and Morals
- HadithHadithThe term Hadīth is used to denote a saying or an act or tacit approval or criticism ascribed either validly or invalidly to the Islamic prophet Muhammad....
Studies - Islamic History and CivilizationMuslim historyMuslim history is the history of Muslim people. In the history of Islam the followers of the religion of Islam have impacted political history, economic history, and military history...
- Islamic Spirituality
- Quranic Sciences
- Marriage and Family Life
Ahmad Kutty
Shaikh Ahmad KuttyAhmad Kutty
-Biography:Kutty was born in the Indian state of Kerala in 1946. He arrived in Canada in the 1970s as a student and has since obtained Canadian citizenship....
is the senior lecturer and resident scholar at the IIT Institute. He was educated in the traditional Islamic Sciences in India and at the Islamic University of Madinah
Islamic University of Madinah
The Islamic University of al-Madinah al-Munawarah was founded by the government of Saudi Arabia by a royal decree in the year 1961 AD in the Islamic holy city of Medina.-History:...
. He received his Ijazah
Ijazah
An ijazah is a certificate used primarily by Sunni Muslims to indicate that one has been authorized by a higher authority to transmit a certain subject or text of Islamic knowledge...
as an Alim
Alim
-Given name:* Amat Al Alim Alsoswa, Yemeni politician* Alim Ashirov, Soviet footballer* AFM Alim Chowdhury, Bangladeshi physician*Aleem Dar , Pakistani cricketer* Alim Karkayev, Russian footballer* Mohammed Alim Khan, last emir of the Manghit dynasty...
and Faqih
Faqih
A Faqīh is an expert in fiqh, or, Islamic jurisprudence.A faqih is an expert in Islamic Law, and, as such, the word Faqih can literally be generally translated as Jurist.- The definition of Fiqh and its relation to the Faqih:...
from India and Madina. He pursued post-graduate studies at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
(M.A) and McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
, Montreal (Doctoral Studies). He has served as Imam
Imam
An imam is an Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community. Similar to spiritual leaders, the imam is the one who leads Islamic worship services. More often, the community turns to the mosque imam if they have a religious question...
for Jami Mosque and Islamic Foundation of Toronto. He is currently a Mufti
Mufti
A mufti is a Sunni Islamic scholar who is an interpreter or expounder of Islamic law . In religious administrative terms, a mufti is roughly equivalent to a deacon to a Sunni population...
at the internationally renowned website [IslamOnline.net] and provides fatwas for [Islam.ca]. His fatwas have been acclaimed by both western and Islamic scholars and the prestigious International Islamic University of Malaysia has co-opted several hundred of his fatawas for their fatwa bank.
Abdool Hamid
Shaikh Abdool Hamid graduated from Islamic University of MadinahIslamic University of Madinah
The Islamic University of al-Madinah al-Munawarah was founded by the government of Saudi Arabia by a royal decree in the year 1961 AD in the Islamic holy city of Medina.-History:...
and specializes in Hadith Studies. He is currently a resident scholar at the IIT Institute where he teaches several courses in Arabic Language, Hadith and Seerah. He serves as an Islamic Counselor with the Islamic Social Services and Resource Association (Toronto) and is a regular khateeb and lecturer at several prominent mosque in and around Toronto. Shaikh Abdool Hamid is also the spiritual guide for the IIT Hajj
Hajj
The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so...
group which takes more than 75 Hujjaj every year to Makkah.
Hamid Slimi
Imam Hamid Slimi is a scholar who specializes in Islamic Studies and Law as well as Comparative World Religions. He holds two Masters Degree with High Honors in both disciplines and is currently finishing his Ph.D in Islamic Law. He received both his traditional and academic learning in Morocco and attended other renowned institution and universities in other parts of the world. He received his MastersMaster's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Comparative World Religions from the U.S.A.
Imam Slimi has been educated in Arabic, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and English. He can also lecture in a few other Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and Eastern languages. Both his Ijazah
Ijazah
An ijazah is a certificate used primarily by Sunni Muslims to indicate that one has been authorized by a higher authority to transmit a certain subject or text of Islamic knowledge...
and Gradute Shahada
Shahada
The Shahada , means "to know and believe without suspicion, as if witnessed"/testification; it is the name of the Islamic creed. The shahada is the Muslim declaration of belief in the oneness of God and acceptance of Muhammad as God's prophet...
are in Fiqh
Fiqh
Fiqh is Islamic jurisprudence. Fiqh is an expansion of the code of conduct expounded in the Quran, often supplemented by tradition and implemented by the rulings and interpretations of Islamic jurists....
(Islamic Jurisprudence) and Usul-ul-Fiqh (Fundamentals of Jurisprudence). His extensive research has been in the field of Jurisprudential Rules as well as al-Fiqh al-Muqaaran (Comparative Fiqh) in the four Madhabs. He was the lecturer of the Islamic Centre of London as well as the chaplain of the major hospitals and Correction Centers in the city as well as University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
for a period of 4 years. Imam Slimi has authored books in Arabic and English in the principles of Jurisprudence (Usul-al-Fiqh) and Islamic matters
Matters
Matters is the fifth full-length album by the punk rock band Pulley.-Track listing:# "A Bad Reputation" – 2:54# "Blindfold" – 2:43# "Huber Breeze" – 2:25# "Insects Destroy" – 3:20# "Looking Back" – 2:48# "Poltergeist" – 2:16...
. His book published in 2001 Terrorism: An Islamic Perspective has been widely distributed in North America and received many positive responses. He appears occasionally on different TV shows and is very active in the Muslim-Christian Dialogue.
Dr.Iqbal Nadvi
Dr.Iqbal Masood NadviIqbal Masood Nadvi
Dr. Iqbal Masood Nadvi is a well-known Muslim scholar in Canada, one of few who have the authority to give an Islamic legal ruling . He is currently the Imam of Al-Falah Islamic Centre and is among the leadership of Islamic Circle of North America's Canadian arm, ICNA Canada. Previously, he was an...
obtained his Oriental Degree in Islamic studies
Islamic studies
In a Muslim context, Islamic studies can be an umbrella term for all virtually all of academia, both originally researched and as defined by the Islamization of knowledge...
from Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow
Lucknow
Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh in India. Lucknow is the administrative headquarters of Lucknow District and Lucknow Division....
in 1967. He then completed higher secondary with merit in 1972, and in Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
in 1969. Later he completed his BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Barkatullah University
Barkatullah University
Bhopal University or Barkatullah University Hindi: बरकतउल्लाह विशवविधालय is an Indian university in Bhopal, renamed after the great freedom fighter, Prof. Barkatullah, who was born there. It is the main university of the capital city and provides degrees to most of the non-technical colleges in...
,formerly Bhopal University with majors in Arabic, Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
, Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
, English, and political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
s before moving to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
. In Saudi Arabia, he obtained his license in Sharia
Sharia
Sharia law, is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Sharia is derived from two primary sources of Islamic law: the precepts set forth in the Quran, and the example set by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in the Sunnah. Fiqh jurisprudence interprets and extends the application of sharia to...
h from Islamic University of Madinah
Islamic University of Madinah
The Islamic University of al-Madinah al-Munawarah was founded by the government of Saudi Arabia by a royal decree in the year 1961 AD in the Islamic holy city of Medina.-History:...
, Saudi Arabia in 1978 and his MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Islamic law
Sharia
Sharia law, is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Sharia is derived from two primary sources of Islamic law: the precepts set forth in the Quran, and the example set by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in the Sunnah. Fiqh jurisprudence interprets and extends the application of sharia to...
from Umm al-Qura
Umm al-Qura
Umm al-Qura University is a public university in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It was established as the College of Shari`a in 1949 before being joined by new colleges and renamed Umm al-Qura by royal decree in 1981....
University in Mecca
Mecca
Mecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level...
, Saudi Arabia in 1983. He then obtained his Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
from the same university in 1991 after which he moved to the teaching position in Riyadh. He now resides in Greater Toronto Area
Greater Toronto Area
The Greater Toronto Area is the largest metropolitan area in Canada, with a 2006 census population of 5.5 million. The Greater Toronto Area is usually defined as the central city of Toronto, along with four regional municipalities surrounding it: Durham, Halton, Peel, and York...
Dr.Iqbal Masood Nadvi
Iqbal Masood Nadvi
Dr. Iqbal Masood Nadvi is a well-known Muslim scholar in Canada, one of few who have the authority to give an Islamic legal ruling . He is currently the Imam of Al-Falah Islamic Centre and is among the leadership of Islamic Circle of North America's Canadian arm, ICNA Canada. Previously, he was an...
has taught Islamic Shar'iah and Jurisprudence subject in King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, for six years and dealt with various subjects such as principles of jurisprudence (Usool Al-Fiqh), Islamic Culture, Islamic Political Thought, Islamic movements and Fiqh of Organization
Shaikh Asad Yakob
Shaikh Asad Yakob is a graduate of the Islamic University of MadinahIslamic University of Madinah
The Islamic University of al-Madinah al-Munawarah was founded by the government of Saudi Arabia by a royal decree in the year 1961 AD in the Islamic holy city of Medina.-History:...
where he majored in Sharia
Sharia
Sharia law, is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Sharia is derived from two primary sources of Islamic law: the precepts set forth in the Quran, and the example set by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in the Sunnah. Fiqh jurisprudence interprets and extends the application of sharia to...
. After completing his studies he returned to his native country Guyana where he became an instructor of Arabic and Islamic Studies
Islamic studies
In a Muslim context, Islamic studies can be an umbrella term for all virtually all of academia, both originally researched and as defined by the Islamization of knowledge...
at the Guyana Islamic Institute. He has been involved in teaching Arabic and Islamic Studies at the Islamic Institute of Toronto (IIT) and at other venues around the Greater Toronto Area.
Shaikh Saeeed Gharsudeen
Shaikh Saeeed Gharsudeen of Egyptian origin is a well known Qari in the GTA. He studied at Al-Azhar UniversityAl-Azhar University
Al-Azhar University is an educational institute in Cairo, Egypt. Founded in 970~972 as a madrasa, it is the chief centre of Arabic literature and Islamic learning in the world. It is the oldest degree-granting university in Egypt. In 1961 non-religious subjects were added to its curriculum.It is...
and obtained his Ijazah
Ijazah
An ijazah is a certificate used primarily by Sunni Muslims to indicate that one has been authorized by a higher authority to transmit a certain subject or text of Islamic knowledge...
from Shaikh Abdullah Al-Jawhari. He has taught Quran to hundreds of children and is the principal of Azhar Islamic School
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
in west Toronto. Shaikh Saeeed has mastered the art of Tajweed (Quranic recitation) and leads Taraweeh prayers at various masaajids in Greater Toronto Area.
Shaikh Sibghatullah Rasul
Shaikh Sibghatullah Rasul has spent his entire life studying, perfecting and teaching the Quran. A native of Iraq, Shaikh Sibghatullah studied under prominent scholars in IraqIraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and al Madinat al Munawwarah and has mastered the art of Tajweed (Quranic Recitation). Shaikh Sibghatullah has taught at IIT Institute and has led Taraweeh at several masaajid in the Greater Toronto Area.
Board of directors
- Farhad Khadim, President & Director of Education
- Fareed Amin, Vice President
- Mohamed (Jay) Mobeen, Secretary & Chair of the Fundraising Committee
- Safdar Alli, Treasurer
- Shamir Mohamed, Assistant Treasurer & Assistant Secretary
- Nadiya Rahaman, Director
- Saajida Khadim, Director
- Anwar Syed, Director
Sponsorship
The fees vary for the courses, and are typically around $70. There is no formal sponsorship of students as such, but no-one interested in taking a course is turned away due to a lack of funds.See also
- List of Islamic and Muslim related topics
- Islamic studiesIslamic studiesIn a Muslim context, Islamic studies can be an umbrella term for all virtually all of academia, both originally researched and as defined by the Islamization of knowledge...
- McGill University Institute of Islamic StudiesMcGill University Institute of Islamic StudiesThe McGill University Institute of Islamic Studies and the Islamic Studies Library were established in 1952 by Wilfred Cantwell Smith, and since 1983 both have been housed in Morrice Hall on McGill's campus in downtown Montreal...
External links
- IIT Institute
- 163rd IIT Scouts Group
- Toronto Star reviews Islamic Institute of Toronto
- Abdool Hamid and Ahmad Kutty travel to U.S for a Peace Conference
- Ahmad Kutty denounce extremism on CTV
- Statement by Canadian Imams on Extremism
- Toronto Star reviews Islamic Institute of Toronto's scouts
- Sheikh Ahmad Kutty on Blood Donations
- Sheikh Ahmad Kutty on Democracy