DarulHikmahDarulHikmahDarul Hikmah is an educational organization which aims to preserve, promote, and propagate the faith and tradition of Islam through programs that address the spiritual and social needs of the contemporary Muslim community.

Under the guidance of traditional scholarship, Darul Hikmah’s programs are designed to enlighten Muslims of all backgrounds in the fundamentals of their faith, with the goal of empowering them to live as upright citizens, students of knowledge, seekers of spiritual purification, and propagators of faith.

April 1, 2011

Dear Students and Supporters,

Assalâmu ‘alaykum,

Since 2006, Darul Hikmah has aimed at meeting the growing desire among American Muslims to learn and practice Islam. In these early years of development, we have learned a great deal, and the organization has rapidly grown and changed for the better. Fueled by your criticism and your moral and financial help, our efforts have come very far, and with more of the same they can go much farther.

2006–Present

The annual three-day retreats, held since Darul Hikmah’s launch, have been very popular with a wide swath of the Muslim community in Chicago—youth, adults, and families—and have had a deep impact on many. The themes have centered on promulgating core Islamic values, as understood through the Quran and the Prophetic model, and instilling them in the attendees. Lectures, forums, and workshops on various subjects and at various venues have extended this summertime learning opportunity to other students during other months of the year.

Darul Hikmah’s scholastic centerpiece is its weekend academy, held from fall through spring. Currently in its fourth successful year, it has proved a leader in Muslim adult education in Chicago. While most schools and programs focus on children’s education—essential indeed—the population of Muslim adults, long neglected, is growing both in number and eagerness to learn. The young Muslims especially are quickly emerging as community leaders and productive participants in all aspects of American life, and so their sacred education is paramount. For the first time this year, after much anticipation and planning, Darul Hikmah has developed the curriculum and classroom setting to accommodate equally another crucial segment of Muslim America: women. Nearly seventy women are registered for the Spring 2011 term, and we expect to reach full capacity in the fall. In addition, the Academy does not forget the venerable community members who, after many years of dedication to career and family, wish to devote some of their later years to seeking the knowledge that their obligations may have till now prevented them from

obtaining. These students are an inspiring reminder that age is not a barrier to learning. With the recent inclusion of modern educational tools, such as the online student portal, and in-class visual aids, the Darul Hikmah Academy’s committed administration and learned faculty offer a special experience for the mature seeker of knowledge.

Future: Planning and Funding

Darul Hikmah is now in a development phase. In the coming two years, our hope is to round off the Academy’s curriculum. Improvements in the Academy will appear in the form of refined internal structure, broader course offerings, and better classroom presentation. The administration and faculty are working on forming departments and strengthening the working . It is our hope to develop practicable coursework in Arabic and Quran (which pose a special challenge because of their strong language requirement) and implement it alongside the current courses in Islamic Principles (usûl), Hadith, Fiqh, and Seerah. In all decisions, we seek to make the curriculum accessible to the English-speaking Muslim and relevant to the modern context.

Greater academic focus and refinement will, Allah willing, have an outward effect on our annual retreats and other targeted programming. The retreats will retain their motivational quality, and workshops will offer presentations by learned scholars in both sacred and secular domains. For example, an informative workshop was recently held on inheritance from a perspective that unified Islamic and US law. Both retreats and workshops will provide intensive learning opportunities to underserved communities, within Chicago and without, and others who are not be able to attend the Academy.

To meet these goals, Darul Hikmah needs your financial support. We ask every student and supporter to make a recurring commitment of $20 a month. Our target is 500 donors. To give, visit darulhikmah.com or call our Managing Director, Brother Adnan Faiz at (847) 903-7860.

On behalf of Darul Hikmah, I thank you for your support and your present and future contributions.

Sincerely,Bilal AliPresident

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I’m really happy I decided to attend the Darul Hikmah Academy this year. What I appreciate most is how thorough the scholars are in their lectures and how deep they are willing to take their students. I’ve listened to stories from the Seerah that I’ve never heard before, learned to truly appreciate the intricate science of Hadith preservation, and been introduced to differences of opinion within Fiqh that have illustrated the flexibility and wisdom that encompasses our faith. The scholars fully respond to the academic curiosity of their students and respect their cultural need to ask questions and understand the source of religious beliefs and practices. Learning from such knowledgeable, open and sincere individuals has truly been inspirational and I highly encourage others to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

Aisha Arif, 25, High School Teacher

Attending Darul Hikmah Academy (going on 2 years now) was the best decision I ever made. I learn so much every week from my teachers on how to become a better educated Muslim. The teachers are all exceptional and very passionate about the deen. The connections I have received from my Ulamaa are much closer and deeper than any of my previous academic professors. I have found when having good intentions there is no limit to the benefits I receive from the Academy. This is the best investment I have ever made for this dunia and the next.

Mazen Khatib, 50, Business Entrepreneur

As a student for almost 2 years, I have found Darul Hikmah to be a life changing experience. With an organized administration that is very responsive to feedback to the great range of classes offered to the incredibly knowledgeable and talented teachers the program has been a phenomenal experience. For me, the highlight of the program is the rare opportunity to spend time and develop a relationship with our scholars. The scholars really value the teacher student relationship and are willing to work with their students in and out of class. Overall, I would highly recommend the Darul Hikmah Academy. Amir Bari Siddiqui, 25, Medical Student

"While attending college, I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to attend such a quality institution of learning and with a group of teachers whose golden chain goes back to the Prophet (s). Sometimes, after an exhaustive and spiritually-draining week at school, this academy spiritually revitalizes me and brings a sense of peace and tranquility that I’ve been longing for many years. All in all, I've learned some very important life lessons and this experience is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I am truly humbled to be called a student of such an academy. "

Abdul Mannan Shamsuddin, 21, College Student and UICMSA President

GIVE BACK.DONATE ONLINE.Darul Hikmah needs your financial support. We ask every student and supporter to make a recurring commitment of $20 a month. Our target is 500 donors. To give, visit

darulhikmah.com or call our Managing Director,Adnan Faiz at (847) 903-7860.

www.darulhikmah.com