Devotional seasons like Ramadan are times when we exert ourselves to increase in worship and remembrance of Allah. It is a blessed and sacred time, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming to figure out which are the best practices of those recommended to us. Should I prioritise Quran reading and memorization, or understanding and contemplation? Should I stay up and pray tahajjud, or listen to lectures to deepen my religious knowledge? Should I volunteer in the masjid or increase my sadaqah? Figuring out what to implement from the one-size-fits-all advice we often hear can be challenging.
As women, we may often be trying to balance a tripartite scale – these devotional practices, alongside cultural and societal expectations of daughters, sisters, mothers, or wives, and the physical, emotional and psychological impact of our monthly cycles and life stage. Many of us are in a constant state of adjusting and calibrating, while experiencing feelings of overwhelm and even guilt.
This Ramadan, our course community will explore the principles for structuring our devotional lives and developing habitual practices to draw us closer to Allah.
Using Book 10 of Imam al-Ghazali’s “Revival of the Religious Sciences” we will learn principles from the Quran and Sunna for designing our devotional lives. We will discuss devotional practices that the Prophet ﷺ modeled at various times of the day and night and his guidance for balancing devotional habits with seasons of the year, stages of life, and fluctuating every-day commitments.
We’ll explore lessons from the science of habit-formation to develop a devotional practice that is built on the principles of our Islamic tradition and tailored to the cadence of our lives. Where desired, participants can partner with an accountability buddy to help stay on track with their practice plan. We will check-in with each other during Ramadan to discuss challenges we face, and again at the end of the month to discuss what we need to adjust to continue our habitual practices after Ramadan.
Your instructor
Dr. Mariam Sheibani is a scholar, educator, and researcher. She is an Assistant Professor of Islamic thought and community educator who engages key issues facing Muslims and Muslim communities.
She offers new paradigms and frameworks for coherently integrating religious commitment with lived experience. She delivers accessible, relevant, and research-based courses that empower people to think through critical issues, co-construct solutions to shared challenges, and master practical tools for cultivating a meaningful God-centered spiritual life.
Dr. Sheibani’s unique approach draws on over two decades of traditional training in the Islamic sciences, graduate training at the University of Chicago and Harvard University, and pedagogical expertise honed at world-class universities and fifteen-years of community teaching.
More: mariamsheibani.com/about
Course Overview
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is the course open to everyone?
This course is only for women.
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Are there any resources provided for the course?
The course will include engaging live sessions with reflective learning activities. Participants will receive session slides and a few recommended readings.
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Will recordings be available?
Yes, recordings are available to registered participants within 24 hours of the live session.
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Are there any texts used in this course?
Yes, Book 10 of Imam al-Ghazali’s “Revival of the Religious Sciences.”
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I can’t afford the course. Do you provide scholarships?
Yes. Scholarship applications (link) close on February 5, 2025. All applicants will be notified by February 7, 2025. Scholarships are not available after February 5. Please read our scholarship guidance before applying.