Online Course – Level 8 (Boys)

Book early and pay £99 for the course.

The fee will increase to £110 after 25th July.

Weekend Learning Islamic Studies Teaching Schedule (Level 8)

September 2026 to December 2026

Prepared for a reflective teenage class with discussion-based learning, practical application and contemporary relevance.

Online Course – Level 8 (Boys)
Age Group: 15–17 years
Class Time: Saturdays (Weekend Learning Series)
Duration: 50 minutes
Maximum Class Size: 8 students

Term Dates and Fees (2026–2027)

Term 1

Schedule: Every other Saturday
Dates: 19^th September to 12^th December 2026
Sessions:  6
Cost: £110
Taught by Ustad Abu Shama

Course Description

Anchored: Navigating Life with Faith, Character & Purpose

“An anchor keeps a ship from drifting. Faith keeps a person from losing their way.”

Anchored: Navigating Life with Faith, Character & Purpose is an interactive discussion-based course designed for young Muslim men aged 14–17 who want to explore life’s biggest questions through the lens of Islam.

Together we will explore:

• How do we know what is true?
• Why do we believe in Allah?
• What makes Prophet Muhammad ﷺ worthy of following?
• What is the purpose of life?
• How do we build strong character?
• How do we deal with doubts, temptations, and setbacks?
• What does success really look like?

Drawing upon the Qur’an, Sunnah, and the rich intellectual and spiritual tradition of Islam, students will develop a deeper understanding of their faith while learning how to navigate the challenges of modern life with confidence and purpose.

This is not a lecture led series. It is a space to think, discuss, question, reflect, and grow together.

Through conversation, activities, and guided reflection, students will learn how to remain anchored in faith while charting a course toward a meaningful life.

About the Instructor

Ustadh Abu Shama is an educator, author, parent, and lifelong student of the Islamic tradition with a passion for helping young Muslims connect faith to everyday life.

Drawing upon years of teaching, and personal study, he is committed to creating engaging learning environments where young people feel comfortable asking questions, exploring ideas, and developing a thoughtful and confident understanding of Islam.

His teaching style combines traditional Islamic scholarship with discussion, reflection, and practical application, helping students move beyond simply learning information to developing faith, character, and purpose.

Through this course, he hopes to equip young Muslim with the tools they need to navigate life with conviction, resilience, and a strong connection to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.

Suggested Teaching Approach

For this age group, the sessions work best when they are:

• Discussion based rather than lecture heavy.
• Connected to real teenage experiences.
• Focused on identity, purpose and navigating modern society.
• Built around reflection and action.
• Linked to Qur’an, Sunnah and contemporary challenges.

Each session can include:

1. Icebreaker or current issue discussion.
2. Main teaching from the book.
3. Qur’anic reflection.
4. Real life case study.
5. Group discussion.
6. Action point for the week.

50 minutes online.

Autumn Term Schedule 2026

Session 1

Saturday 19 September 2026
 

Session 1

How Do You Know What Is True?

Big Question

• How do you know something is true?
• Can something be true even if you cannot see it?
• What counts as evidence?
• Can everyone be right?

Discussion

Before we ask, “What do Muslims believe?” we must first ask, “How do human beings come to know anything?”

This session introduces students to the question of knowledge itself and lays the foundation for the rest of the course.

Are There Different Ways of Knowing?

Explore:

1. Senses
2. Reason
3. Testimony
4. Revelation
5. Intuition
6. Experience
7. Memory
8. Consensus

Learning

Introduction to epistemology and the Islamic theory of knowledge.

Eight ways of knowing.

Activity

Optical illusions and thought experiments.

Evaluate claims using different sources.

Outcome

Students appreciate that knowledge has sources and limits.

Understanding why revelation is a valid source of knowledge.

Session 2

Saturday 3 October 2026

What Does It Mean To Be Muslim?

Big Question

What makes someone a Muslim?

Learning

The Hadith of Jibril.

Discussion

• Islam
• Iman
• Ihsan

Activity

Build a “Muslim Identity Pyramid.”

Outcome

Understand the three dimensions of religion. Plus eschatology

Session 3

Saturday 17 October 2026

What Do Muslims Believe?

Big Question

What happens if your beliefs are wrong?

Learning

Six Pillars of Faith overview.

Discussion

• Allah
• Angels
• Books
• Messengers
• Last Day
• Destiny

Activity

Belief mapping.

1. Seeing Allah
2. The who idea is to have Allah, his Names and attributes as a schema of life

Outcome

Big picture of Aqidah.

Half Term Break
No Class
24 October – 1 November 2026

Session 4

Saturday 14 November 2026

The Case for God

Big Question

Why is there something rather than nothing?

Learning

The case for God.

Discussion

• Cause and effect
• Necessary existence
• Design
• Purpose
• Simulation argument

Big Question

If Allah exists, how do we know Him or about Him?
Who is Allah?

Learning

• Necessary attributes
• Impossible attributes
• Surah Ikhlas

Discussion

• Why can’t Allah be human?
• Why can’t Allah have needs?

Activity

Some questions about God and seeming paradoxes

Outcome

Understanding Tawhid

How Can We Know Allah?

Big Question

Can you know someone you cannot see?

Learning

• Names and Attributes
• Signs of Allah
• Reflection

Discussion

• Relationship vs information
• Knowing about Allah vs knowing Allah

Activity

Reflection journal.

Outcome

Beginning a personal relationship with Allah.

Session 5

Saturday 28 November 2026

Why Should We Believe Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?

Big Question

How do we know Muhammad ﷺ was telling the truth?

Learning

Evidence for Prophethood.

Discussion

• How do we know he is prophet
• What’s so special about the prophet
• Character
• Quran
• Predictions
• Transformation of society

Activity

Historical investigation.

Outcome

Confidence in Prophethood.

Session 6 Sat 12^th Dec

Why Follow the Prophet ﷺ?

Big Question

Why can’t we just follow the Quran alone?

Learning

Role of Prophethood.

Discussion

• Teacher and Example
• Interpreter and Implementer
• Nurturer and purifier

Activity

How do we build a relationship with the prophet

How do we love him (following him)

Outcome

Understanding Sunnah.

Essential

Meet up once or twice in town
Optional End of Term Additions

You may also include:

• Hot chocolate reflection evening.
• Student presentations.
• Team quiz.
• Charity or community project.

Suggested Homework Between Sessions

Because the classes are fortnightly, small reflective tasks help maintain connection:

• One short Qur’an reflection.
• Podcast or lecture clip.
• Journal question.
• Practical challenge.
• Family discussion task.
• Habit tracker.

Teaching Notes

For this age group especially:

• Keep discussions respectful but honest.
• Allow students to ask difficult questions safely.
• Focus on understanding before memorisation.
• Build emotional connection to Islam.
• Link every topic to action and personal growth.

The aim is not simply information, but transformation.