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Student Life

Abode of the Holy Qurān and the Prophetic Sunnah

The Dār al-ʿUlūm aims to develop a holistic environment of learning where inquiry, transmission, and discussion (mudhākarah) take place as a way of life inside and outside the classroom. Mentors and students work closely to facilitate an integrated learning environment where every conversation becomes a class, and every class an adventure. Students are found at any one time either; researching and investigating, discussing and evaluating their findings, presenting workshops or simply disseminating knowledge to one another.

Environment of Vibrancy and Variety

Shaykh Abū ‘l-Hasan ‘Ali al-Nadwi (d. 1420/1999) depicts eloquently the functioning of a madrasah: It is the institution for man’s upbringing and for channelling his talents. It is a place where those who call to Islam and defend the faith are prepared. A madrasah may be likened, in a manner of speaking, to the powerhouse of the Islamic world, which provides energy not only to Muslims but also to all of mankind. It is a centre where the heart and soul are purified, and the mind and intellect nourished. A madrasah is a place where in a world-view is cultivated, and humanity is thereby sustained. It leads, and is not lead. A madrasah is not specific to any particular nation, civilisation, culture, era, language or literature. It thus transcends decadence and decline. For it is nourished and sustained directly by the Prophet Muhammad‘s ﷺ message, which is universal and timeless. It is inextricably linked with the life force of humanity and with life in its vibrancy and variety. It is independent of the debate about "classical" and "modern". For it is characterised by the eternal and life-giving message of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. (Pā jā surāgh-i zindagī)

A Community of Learning

At the Dār al-ʿUlūm, our students find an abundance of opportunities for personal, intellectual, and spiritual growth. Students enter the the Dār al-ʿUlūm as part of a cohort, a community of learners that travel together through the curriculum, and they are encouraged to study together, teach each other, and reinforce (takrār) what they've learned by reviewing with their peers. They also find connections beyond their classes; upperclassmen who have travelled the same path assist those who come after because they’ve read the same books and navigated the same path. Companionship (suḥbaḥ) based on more than shared backgrounds and hobbies, but also on the shared journey of seeking sacred knowledge and spiritual enlightenment.

Experiential Learning with Sunnah Sports

The Dār al-ʿUlūm tries to promote a holistically healthy lifestyle to our students; mind, body and soul. Co-curricular activities are an essential element of the Dār al-ʿUlūm education. They combine opportunities for leadership development, creativity, exercise and team work for the relaxation of the mind. The timetable enables all pupils to explore themselves across a range of sports and creative activities that includes swimming, archery, cycling, and hiking amongst other such activities. This is to keep our students healthy and occupied with beneficial past-times for the moments wherein they are not submerged in their books.