A Hybrid Islamic Studies Program
Starts September 2026 • $300 per Semester
Community Leadership Certificate
Empowerment Institute's Community Leadership Program is a two-year curriculum designed to develop qualified Islamic workers dedicated to empowering the downtrodden, and capable of representing Islam and Muslims in mainstream American society.
Upon successful completion, graduates will bring enhanced training to Islamic work opportunities in Dawah, Relief, Revert Support, Civic Engagement, Social Justice, and other fields of work. The program integrates the classical Islamic sciences — including fiqh, aqidah, tafsir, hadith, and usul — with contemporary Islamic thought, leadership formation, and applied community practice.
Students will receive formal scholarly certification (ijaza) where applicable, grounding their training in an unbroken chain of transmission.
Meet the Dean & Lead Instructor: Sh. Hamzah Raza
Hamzah Raza is an American-born scholar raised in Maryland and New Jersey. As a journalist, Hamzah worked for a variety of news outlets and publishers including Jacobin, Grayzone, and Huffington Post. Hamzah investigated injustices, confronted leaders of hate groups such as Canary Mission and the Tea Party Movement, and published his findings.
As a researcher, his works on political, social, and theological issues have been published by Harvard University, Vanderbilt University, and MuslimMatters. He also co-authored a book with Dr. Cornel West on the wrongful incarceration of Imam Jamil Al-Amin.
Upon completing his studies at Dar Al Iftaa Misriyya, he will receive authorization to issue fatwas from the Grand Mufti of Egypt, becoming the first American graduate of the program. He is currently a faculty member teaching classes for Suhaib Webb Institute of Sacred Sciences and Mishkaah University. He also teaches a Continuing Islamic Education class for staff of the Oak Cliff Empowerment Center staff.
Our Curriculum: A Fusion of Classical Islamic Sciences and 21st Century America
In 2 years, with 2 lectures per week and quarterly in-person seminars, students will complete the following courses (partial list / sneak peek of courses and source material):
- 1.Fiqh Based on Nur al-Iddah wa Najat al-Arwah by Imam Hasan ibn Ammar al-Shurunbulali and Mukhtasar al-Quduri by Imam al-Quduri. Ijaza will be granted upon completion via Shaykh Ali Saleh, the leading Hanafi authority in Egypt.
- 2.Aqeedah Based on Al-Kharida al-Bahiyya by Imam Ahmad ibn Muhammad al Dardir.
- 3.Shama’il Based on Al-Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya by Imam Muhammad ibn Isa al-Tirmidhi.
- 4.Adab Based on Ta'lim al-Muta'allim by Imam Burhan al-Din al-Zarnuji.
- 5.Usul al-Fiqh Based on Mabda' al-Wusul ila 'Ilm al-Usul by Shaykh Hazim Kaylani and Al-Madkhal al-Fiqhi al-'Amm by Shaykh Mustafa Ahmad al-Zarqa.
- 6.Usul al-Din Based on Al-Arba'un al-Nawawiyya by Imam Nawawi.
- 7.Usul al-Hadith Based on Al-Sullam al-Munawraq by Imam 'Abd al-Rahman al-Akhdari.
- 8.Intro to Tafseer
In-House & Custom Developed Courses
Taught based on material developed in-house by the Dean and his team of researchers, in collaboration with field experts: