ALIM Community Class Overview

The ALIM Community Class is a two-semester course in southeastern Michigan focused on providing Muslims of all backgrounds a grounding in the basic foundations of faith (theology), practice (law), and spirituality (purification) which are considered an individual obligation for every Muslim adult to know.

Through a comprehensive examination of the Two Testimonies of faith, students will cover the basics of theology, including the Unity of God, the nature of Prophecy and Revelation, and the qualities of Angels, Judgment Day, and Divine Decree – completing the six foundations of faith. During this section of the course, students will also focus briefly on the prophetic biography (sirah) of the final prophet to humanity, Muhammad, upon him be peace.

Next students will examine the elements of sacred law related to the other four pillars of the religion: namely the Ritual Prayer and its prerequisite Purity, Fasting, and Purifying Alms. With these foundations reinforced, students will be able to live their daily lives confident that their obligations of worship to their Lord are sound, and capable of handling the unique circumstances that life in the West can often bring. In addition to focusing on the legal aspects, students will be introduced to some of the inner dimensions of these rituals, enhancing their understanding and performance of them.

Finally, students will focus on the heart of these matters – spirituality and the purification of the believer. Utilizing the works of some of Islam's greatest spiritual masters, the course will focus on the intricacies of the self, its diseases, its tendencies, and the ways by which to rectify one's character in respect to these. With these foundations, students will be able to improve their daily lives as Muslim spouses, children, neighbors, friends, and citizens.

"Indeed, there is in the body a small piece of flesh, if it is rectified, the whole body is rectified, and it is corrupted, the whole body is corrupted. Indeed, it is the heart." Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace.