About the Classical Arabic Track
Classical Arabic refers primarily to the language of the Qur'an, and secondarily to the vast corpus of texts — theological, legal, philosophical, mystical, and literary — that emerged from that tradition. Students in this track receive direct, sustained exposure to primary sources from the classical and medieval periods.
This is not simply a grammar course. Students are reading and engaging with authentic texts from the very first weeks. Our faculty bring decades of scholarly expertise in Islamic jurisprudence, theology, and mysticism, ensuring that linguistic instruction is always grounded in the intellectual tradition the language carries.
Curriculum Overview
The Classical Arabic curriculum is structured across six progressive levels, from absolute beginner through advanced independent reading. Each level comprises:
- Intensive grammar instruction (Nahw & Sarf)
- Qur'anic vocabulary and morphology
- Reading and analysis of classical texts (Fiqh, Aqeedah, Tasawwuf)
- Rhetoric (Balagha) at intermediate and advanced levels
- Weekly composition and translation exercises
Class Schedule
Classes run Sunday through Thursday, with 20 contact hours per week. Each day consists of a core two-hour grammar session in the morning, followed by a two-hour text-reading session in the afternoon. Weekly study circles with senior scholars supplement the formal curriculum.
Text Selection
Representative texts studied in the Classical track include works in Usul al-Fiqh, Hadith sciences, the Risala of Imam al-Shafi'i, texts from the Ash'ari theological tradition, and selections from Sufi masters of the Andalusian period including Ibn 'Arabi and Ibn Rushd.
Who Is This Program For?
- Students of Islamic theology, law, or spirituality seeking primary-source access
- Researchers in Islamic and Arabic studies
- Imams, teachers, and Islamic scholars deepening their linguistic mastery
- Any serious student committed to reading the classical tradition in its original language