Islamic Knowledge Retreat

January 27-29, 2023 at UNC Chapel Hill

Join us in this retreat to study Al-Aqidah al-Tahawiyya (Islamic Creed) with Shaykh Hamzah wald Maqbul

Prophet muhammad ﷺ said:

The seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim (Tirmidhi 74)

Why Learn Al-Aqidah al-Tahawiyya (Islamic Creed)?

Aqidah (Islamic Creed) is the academic study of the beliefs, attributes, rational proofs, and textual proofs of God. Aqidah is the foundation of the Islamic faith, upon which other subjects are built. Within this subject is the exploration of essential religious beliefs, misconceptions, and more.

While studying the Islamic Creed over the weekend, we will also cover important modern day questions. The study of a traditional work in a traditional setting will help us dispel doubts, strengthen our faith, and look at the world through a much clearer lense.

al-Aqidah al-Tahawiyya is the masterpiece on the Aqidah of Ahl as Sunna wa'l Jama'ah penned by the renowned 3rd Century (Hijri) Theologian, Muhaddith and jurist, Imam Abu Ja'far Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Azdi al-Tahawi al-Hanafi. Though small in size, it is a basic text for all times, listing what a Muslim must know, believe, and inwardly comprehend.

About the Instructor

Shaykh Hamzah wald Maqbul completed a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry and a Bachelors of Arts in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from the University of Washington in 2004, where he also served as the president of the UW Muslim Students Association.

After graduation, Shaykh Hamzah went on to pursue traditional Islāmic studies, studying in Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, UAE, and Pakistan. He studied the Arabic language and grammar, the madhhab of Imām Mālik, Usul al-Hadith, Hadīth, Tafsīr, ‘Ilm al-Rijāl, Hanafī Fiqh, and the two renditions of the Qira’ah of Imam Nāfi’, Warsh and Qālūn. All of these studies culminated in him receiving an Ijāzat al-Tadrīs, literally meaning “a license to teach”. He also has an unbroken chain of transmission by which to narrate the Hadīth of such books as the Muwatta' of Imām Mālik, the Sihāh al-Sittah (Bukhārī, Muslim, Abū Dāwūd, Tirmidhī, Nasā'ī and Ibn Mājah), and the Sharh Ma'ānī al-Athār of Imām al-Tahāwī.

After his return to the United States, Shaykh Hamzah has served the Muslim community through various organizations, including Thawr Institute, Darul Qasim, CAIR, and the Halal Food Standards Alliance of America (hfsaa.org). He is currently collaborating with the Imam Ghazali Institute and is the resident scholar for Ribāt. For years, he has been traveling through America promoting the knowledge and practice of the sunnah.

Program Schedule

With a total of 15 hours of instruction throughout the weekend, you will complete the study of Al-Aqida al-Tahawiyya cover to cover with traditional Islamic scholarship methods. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a Sema Ijazah, certifying you have studied the book with a scholar who is from the chain of transmitters going to the author of the book: Imam Tahawi.

Day 1 - January 27 (Friday)

Magrib Prayer: 6 pm - 6.15 pm

Lecture 1: 6.15 pm - 7.45 pm

Break: 7.45 pm – 7.55 pm

Lecture 2: 7.55 pm – 9.25 pm

Isha : 9.25 pm – 9.45 pm

DAy 2 - January 28 (Saturday)

Breakfast: 9 am – 9.30 am

Lecture 3: 9.30 am – 11 am

Break: 11 am – 11.10 am

Lecture 4: 11.10 am – 12.40 pm

Dhur: 12.40 pm – 1 pm

Lunch: 1 pm – 1.30 pm

Lecture 5: 1.30 pm – 3 pm

Break: 3 pm – 3.10 pm

Lecture 6: 3.10 pm – 4.40 pm

Asr: 4.40 pm – 5 pm

Day 3 - January 29 (Sunday)

Breakfast: 9 am – 9.30 am

Lecture 7: 9.30 am – 10.35 am

Break: 10.40 am – 10.55 am

Lecture 8: 10.55 am – 12.30 pm

Dhur: 12.30 pm – 1 pm

Lunch: 1 pm – 1.30 pm

Lecture 9: 1.30 pm – 2.45 pm

Break: 2.45 pm – 3 pm

Lecture 10: 3 pm – 4.15 pm

Asr: 4.15 pm - 4.30 pm

Lecture 11: 4.30 pm - 5.45 pm

Ijazat Ceremony and Group Pictures: 5.45pm – 6 pm

Magrib: 6 pm - 6.15 pm

Registration Fee

Standard $30

Student $20

UNC MSA (Due Paying) Member $15

Family Packet (4-8 people) $100

Attendees must be in middle school or above.