Image 1 of 1
The Riwaq Gatherings: Traditional Book Studies
Course Overview
For centuries, knowledge seekers gathered around the pillars and arwiqah, the study porticos, of various centers of Islamic learning such as al-Azhar and al-Qarawiyyīn in Fez. In these blessed spaces, students would sit with their teachers, reading the classical works of Islam line by line, page by page, preserving and passing on a living chain of knowledge
At Muslim Family Center, we want to bring a taste of that tradition into our community. This program is about sitting together with a book in hand, journeying through it with a teacher, and rediscovering the joy of learning in a circle of knowledge. It’s not lectures or quick summaries, but a shared experience of reading, reflecting, asking, and growing—just as generations of Muslims have done before us.
Over time, we hope to open the door to many disciplines: the clarity of fiqh (Islamic law), the depth of uṣūl al-fiqh (legal methodology), the beauty of taṣawwuf (spiritual refinement), the precision of ḥadīth (Prophetic tradition), and beyond. Each text is a new journey, and each gathering a step closer to the rich legacy we inherit.
Come with an open heart, bring your book, and join us in reviving this timeless way of learning together.
This course is:
Accessible for Adults: Our focus is on clarity, relevance, and practical application.
Depth Over Speed: This is not a race to finish a text; our goal is to thoughtfully engage with the tradition.
Balancing Heart and Mind: Alongside study, we nurture the soul through dhikr, prayer, and reflection.
Open-Hearted Learning: We embrace differences of opinion and recognize the realities of people’s lives.
When: Fall Session: 10/1/2025 - 12/18/2025
Days: Wednesdays
Time: 8:00PM - 9:30PM
Location: 7168 Columbia Gateway, Columbia MD, 21046
Ages: Mature high school students and older
Required Text
We will start the readings with the Book of Salah from Ascent to Felicity, trans. Faraz A. Khan (White Thread Press). Please reference the course description for this book here.
Instructor
Imam Sami Zaharna
Imam Sami Zaharna serves as the Lead Imam of the Muslim Family Center. He obtained his Shahādah ʿĀlamiyyah from Al-Salam Institute, where he studied numerous foundational and advanced texts in Islamic law under qualified scholars. Imam Sami combines traditional scholarship with a focus on serving contemporary Muslim communities in practical, grounded, and spiritually meaningful ways.
If you have any questions, please contact us at: ayaz.siddiqui@muslimfamilycenter.org
If you are unable to pay the fee, please contact us at operations@muslimfamilycenter.org
No one will be turned away.
Course Overview
For centuries, knowledge seekers gathered around the pillars and arwiqah, the study porticos, of various centers of Islamic learning such as al-Azhar and al-Qarawiyyīn in Fez. In these blessed spaces, students would sit with their teachers, reading the classical works of Islam line by line, page by page, preserving and passing on a living chain of knowledge
At Muslim Family Center, we want to bring a taste of that tradition into our community. This program is about sitting together with a book in hand, journeying through it with a teacher, and rediscovering the joy of learning in a circle of knowledge. It’s not lectures or quick summaries, but a shared experience of reading, reflecting, asking, and growing—just as generations of Muslims have done before us.
Over time, we hope to open the door to many disciplines: the clarity of fiqh (Islamic law), the depth of uṣūl al-fiqh (legal methodology), the beauty of taṣawwuf (spiritual refinement), the precision of ḥadīth (Prophetic tradition), and beyond. Each text is a new journey, and each gathering a step closer to the rich legacy we inherit.
Come with an open heart, bring your book, and join us in reviving this timeless way of learning together.
This course is:
Accessible for Adults: Our focus is on clarity, relevance, and practical application.
Depth Over Speed: This is not a race to finish a text; our goal is to thoughtfully engage with the tradition.
Balancing Heart and Mind: Alongside study, we nurture the soul through dhikr, prayer, and reflection.
Open-Hearted Learning: We embrace differences of opinion and recognize the realities of people’s lives.
When: Fall Session: 10/1/2025 - 12/18/2025
Days: Wednesdays
Time: 8:00PM - 9:30PM
Location: 7168 Columbia Gateway, Columbia MD, 21046
Ages: Mature high school students and older
Required Text
We will start the readings with the Book of Salah from Ascent to Felicity, trans. Faraz A. Khan (White Thread Press). Please reference the course description for this book here.
Instructor
Imam Sami Zaharna
Imam Sami Zaharna serves as the Lead Imam of the Muslim Family Center. He obtained his Shahādah ʿĀlamiyyah from Al-Salam Institute, where he studied numerous foundational and advanced texts in Islamic law under qualified scholars. Imam Sami combines traditional scholarship with a focus on serving contemporary Muslim communities in practical, grounded, and spiritually meaningful ways.
If you have any questions, please contact us at: ayaz.siddiqui@muslimfamilycenter.org
If you are unable to pay the fee, please contact us at operations@muslimfamilycenter.org
No one will be turned away.