Why Suffa Islamic Seminary?
Shaykh Yusuf Ziya Kavakci, PhD, imam of the Islamic Association of North Texas, constantly stresses the importance of Islamic education and has emphasized the “”need to raise Muslim scholars here in the West, of male and females, who can shake and shape this world.” If this is a real necessity – and it certainly seems to be, given the uncertain position of Islam in the West – then it is our responsibility, as American-Muslim citizens to begin developing our own native, religious scholars.
To many, especially from the traditional Islamic World, the concept of an “American Muslim” scholar might sound like an oxymoron. However, as Muslim citizens in the West, with our religion crucial to our identity and survival, we know that this perception cannot be perpetuated. How then do we go about bringing in a true understanding of Islam to the West creating in the Western mind an intellectual and spiritual appreciation of Islam? The answer, like for many of our social and political dilemmas, lies in Islamic teachings. When individuals are enlightened with the science and scholarship of Islam, through a guided study of the centuries of classical Arabic literature, they develop an understanding and attachment that enables them to apply Islam in practical and productive ways. This erudition is of a critical value when dealing with the contemporary issues of Islam.
Currently there are few institutions that cultivate this understanding. Islamic training aboard lacks the ability to fully comprehend the American Muslim predicament; while Islamic knowledge acquired through Western established institutions and seminaries does not expose its students to the rich Islamic ideals and methodology necessary for a deep attachment to Muslim civilizations. What is needed, then, is a scholastic institution that will train its students in the traditional Islamic Sciences in a way compatible with, and constructive towards, Western ideas and attitudes. Through a thorough Arabic medium study of classical Islamic texts, Suffa Islamic Seminary aims to provide Muslim individuals in the West with this unique opportunity to learn, experience, and share their Islamic heritage and culture.
The Story Within the Name
The name comes from the Ashab (Ahl) al-Suffa. “Al-Suffa” was the first Islamic School in the history of Islam. Its teacher was no other than our own Beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Its students, “Ahl-Suffa” were known to have given up worldy desires and were in prepetual state of learning their deen. This school was in our beloved Prophet’s masjid in Madinah. As the first Muslims in Madinah began their journey we too here in America want to begin ours through guidance, service, and leardership.
Why We Love Suffa?-Words From Our Students:
Suffa Islamic Seminary is a place to learn, discuss, and appreciate our religion and all its intricacies. The teachers are knowledgeable and welcoming; they care for us, but most importantly, they believe in us. Someday, inshAllah, we will carry the responsibility of the knowledge that they hand us with confidence and conviction because of all the time and effort that they have put in as teachers at Suffa.
[This student wish to remain Anonymous]
Suffa does not only teach fiqh, hadith, and Arabic but rather, educates us on how to live our life accordance to our Islamic values. Education transforms the ideals we carry, it provides us with an open mind. Education gives us the opportunity to realize our potential in our everyday affairs including those economic, political, and social fields. Thus, I believe having some sort of Islamic education is the only way that the ummah can succeed. Allah SWT has blessed me with this amazing opportunity; to learn about my deen and how to live my life in a proper manner. Going to public school throughout my life, I didn’t have the opportunity to learn about my religion as much as others my age had gotten to. Our teachers are incredibly encouraging and understanding. I don’t think any teacher has the amount of patience as these teachers do! My peers are very supportive and though the institute is challenging, my peers have helped me along the way. This institute has given me hope to improve myself and to give back to my community.-[Bushra Haq]
Suffa gave me the opportunity to challenge myself to go beyond everything I have ever encountered. Throughout my lifetime I have been going to public school thus, I had no prior knowledge of Islam. Yes, I knew the basics like the 5 pillars and maybe a couple of the common surahs and hadiths but my in-depth knowledge were null. Now I was putting myself into an intensive Arabic program where Arabic is the medium. The program for me was extremely difficult especially since I began at level 0. What made it more difficult was the fact that I was taking classes at UTD and at Suffa simultaneously. There were so many moments I wanted to give up because I felt so lost. However, I still kept going to class despite how exhausting it was at times.
I believe the main thing that motivates me to go to Suffa is the feeling of achievement. When I am at Suffa I feel that if I keep pushing myself the end will be so much more rewarding. I love the program and the challenges it put me through. It has really showed me my own hidden potentials. I also love my teachers who are always motivating me and guiding me to succeed. My biggest regret right now is that I am unable to give Suffa more time.
Thus, the best way I could describe what Suffa is to me is that it is foundation that will guide me to a better understanding of Islam and improve me inwardly as a muslimah.-[Samiha Rouf]
Who We Are
A short video that depicts what has happened during the pilot year.
