Assalamu Alikum Wa Rahmatullah,

This past weekend concludes our 7th course towards the first diploma. This is especially exciting since we will inshallah be the first to receive this first diploma! To be the first to take this path (thus paving it for future seekers of knowledge) is definitely a motivating factor for me as I am sure it is for many of you students and staff alike. Subhannallah, the success of this program thus far even amazes the professors who continue to gladly accept our invitations to teach these courses.

Dr. Hatem Al-Hajj taught our most recent course -- Fiqh of Worship I. Alhamdullilah, I had the honor of taking this class with him online two years ago. It amazes me how even the second time around brings new knowledge. It may very well be the fact that our classes now encourage us to pay more attention to the lecture, rather than skim through an audio file or a pdf of the textbook...

It is, as always, extremely refreshing and rewarding to see new faces. Alhamdullilah, we have a few more additions on the sisters' side, and it is encouraging to see our rows grow in number as more students come, seeking priceless knowledge.

We, the Sharia Academy Houston Team, look forward to seeing you all and your loved ones at our next seminar scheduled for June 27th & 28th inshaallah -- Fiqh of Business Transactions I by Dr. Main Alqudah

Fiqh of Worship I

Assalamu Alikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Inshallah, our upcoming Seminar on Saturday May 16th is going to be Fiqh of Worship I, taught by Dr. Hatem Al-Hajj. This class will cover the Fiqh sections of : Tahara (purification), Salah (prayers) and Jana'iz (funerals).

Sh. Dr. Hatem Al Hajj:

• He was born in Cairo, Egypt and is currently residing here in the US. He is fluent in both Arabic and English.
• He is a prominent scholar and a member of the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA), Fatwa committee.
• He graduated summa cum laude (excellent) from the American Open University, thus receiving a Master's Degree in Islamic law (Sharia)
• He also graduated summa cum laude from Al-Jinan University (Tripoli, Lebanon) with a PhD in Comparative Fiqh
• He is an attending Pediatrician by profession. He obtained his Medical M.B., CH.B. (Equivalent to MD), from Alexandria University Medical School (Alexandria, Egypt) with Honors.
• He is Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics. He currently holds the position of Attending Pediatrician at Albert Lea Medical Center (Mayo Health System), Albert Lea, MN.
• In addition, he holds the position of Associate Professor of Fiqh at Sharia Academy of America and the Islamic University of Minnesota.

As always, our professors are flying in to present us with priceless knowledge about our deen, our way of life. We look forward to seeing every bright face we have seen for the past 6 courses as well as the bright faces of new seekers of knowledge inshallah.